A quaint preacher, was one day walking in the country when a carriage came along. The owner of it saw the old man walking, and invited him to get into the carriage. This he very promptly did, for he saw an opportunity of doing good.
The man who had invited him into the carriage was very curious to know who the old man was, so he asked him questions; and finally my friend said,
"I will tell you who I am, and I will tell you what my business is. I have a very strange business; I am hunting for heirs."
The other, in surprise, asked, "What?"
"I am hunting for heirs—heirs to a very great estate. I represent a very great estate, and I am hunting for heirs for it, and there are a good many round about this neighborhood."
"Do you mind telling me their names?"
"No, it a very large family; their names begin with 'S' "
"O, Smith, I suppose,"
"No," the old man replied, "a much larger family than the Smith family. They are the Sinner family. The estate I represent is the kingdom of God, the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and the heirs to it are the sinners who are willing to own the family name, and look to God for pardon."
"They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:12, 23.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.
"As many as received Him, to them gave
He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." John 1:12.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God ; and if children, then heirs : heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:16, 17.