How the Pardon Was Obtained.

DURING the American Revolutionary War a certain man was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.
The news of his arrest quickly traveled to the small town in Pennsylvania where he lived, and perhaps the one whom it most affected was Peter Miller, the minister of the Baptist Church; for the condemned man had made himself notorious by his abuse and persecution of his Christian neighbor.
No sooner did Peter Miller hear of the distress of his old enemy than he set off on foot for Philadelphia to intercede for him with the President. But General Washington, whilst expressing sorrow, told him he could not possibly pardon his friend.
“My friend!” said Miller, “I have not a worse enemy living than that man.”
“What,” said the General, “you have walked sixty miles to save the life of your enemy! That in my judgment puts the matter in a different light. I will grant you his pardon.”
The pardon was made out, and Miller started on a fourteen-mile walk to the place where, in the afternoon, the sentence was to be carried out. As he reached his destination, the man was being led to execution. The latter, seeing him in the crowd, said, “There is Peter Miller; he has walked all the way from Eparata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hanged.”
Another moment, and Peter Miller’s revenge was accomplished; the pardon was placed in his enemy’s hand.
Few men would have undertaken such a journey to save the life of their greatest enemy, and yet this story of self-forgetting love fades into insignificance beside the story of God’s love to man.
Yes, to obtain man’s pardon the eternal Son of God undertook a journey that led from heaven to earth. Moreover, He had to purchase this pardon, and the price He paid was His own blood. Thus Jesus died to obtain forgiveness for His enemies.
Now, whether gratitude and affection towards his deliverer filled the pardoned traitor’s heart we know not, but reader, we would ask thee if thou hast ever thanked the Lord Jesus for what He did on thy behalf? Or is He, notwithstanding His love, still nothing to thee?
Oh, heaven must stand amazed at the base ingratitude of those that slight the Saviour’s love. But wilt thou not join the company that with adoring hearts say—” Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:5, 65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6)).
“Lord, we worship and adore Thee
For Thy rich, Thy matchless grace;
Perfect soon, in joy before Thee
We shall see Thee face to face.
Yet e’en now our song shall be,
Jesus gave Himself for me.”
M. L. B.