WE have half an hour before the meeting,” said my companion; “shall we go down and see poor Hugh M.? Perhaps a word from you might do him good. He has been for thirteen years in anxiety about his soul, but never seems able to accept God's salvation.”
“Agreed," said I, and we went together. The evening had closed in, and we found him at home with his wife, a nice happy Christian woman, and with much kindness they welcomed us, and we sat around the bright turf fire that was sparkling on the hearth.
I gradually introduced the subject, speaking of ordinary topics first, then giving the conversation a religious turn, and finally putting the question home to him, as to whether he personally knew the blessedness of peace with God.
“Well," he said, and his genuine frankness won my heart from the first,” I dunna want to make ony secret on it: I've been these thirteen odd years looking for it, but I don't know how it comes, I canna get the grip.”
I saw at once that the man was thoroughly in earnest, that he was upright in heart, had been in the presence of God, and knew his lost condition, and therefore I had no difficulty in presenting to him, in the plainest and simplest way, the gospel of salvation.
"Now, dear Hugh," I said,” I am sure you would take no ground but that of a vile, guilty sinner, one that has no claim upon God whatever, and deserving of nothing but hell.”
“Indeed I do, "was his reply:" this old bad heart of mine is full of sin, and I know that I am a poor, lost, guilty sinner.”
And the earnest way he spoke revealed the really anxious condition of his soul.
“Well," I said,” I am thankful thus to see you in your true place before God, repentant to the very heart's core. Now I want to ask you what is revealed in the word of God as to those for whom Jesus died. Will you turn to your Bible for a moment, and read what is said in Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8): ROM 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 'But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Now according to your own admission, you are a hell-deserving sinner, and God reveals to you that for such as you His Son was put to death; and therefore you may know that His death has satisfied God for your sin, and put it away.”
“Oh! but, "he said," I canna get the grip. I see it all, it's so plain, but somehow I canna get the grip ": and the perspiration rolled down his face in his earnestness.
“Well, but," I answered, " you are making a difficulty where God makes none: you are waiting to get a grip, when you ought, like a little child, to be simply receiving God's testimony that Christ by His death has made a full atonement for your sins; that God has accepted His finished work, of which Christ's presence at His Father's right hand is a proof to you, and that believing in Him you are free from all your sins in the sight of God; for He says, "All that believe are justified from all things.'" (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39).) ACT 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)
"Well," he said, "I dunna ken how it is, I feel I want to grip it, and I hae nae power. I canna believe it is for me.”
Again and again I pressed him with all the earnestness and clearness I could, for I felt his soul was hanging betwixt life and death, and the least turn the wrong way might end fatally; but he still maintained he "could na get the grip.”
Our time was up, and we had to leave; but so heavily was he laid upon my heart that I could not help praying for him specially at the meeting we were holding. The answer was not long deferred.
He says it was about the middle of that night he awoke in fearful trouble about his soul: he felt he should have to cry out, for his heart was bursting; but he suddenly felt as if the blessed Saviour was personally present, and saying so sweetly to him, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).) JOH 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)
"O Lord," he said, "I'll come, come,” and, then and there believing, he came to Jesus, and found that peace he had sought for thirteen long years, and then that glorious hymn came to his mind:
“I hear the words of love,
I gaze upon the blood,
I see the mighty sacrifice,
And I have peace with God.”
My simple tale is told, dear reader. Will you let me now affectionately turn to you and ask you Have you received God's testimony concerning Jesus, and are you therefore saved? Most solemn is your position if still dead in trespasses and sins, as we all by nature are, heirs of wrath and misery; but do not wait till you "get the grip," do not wait till you have some vision in the night (far such may never come to you), but in simple faith believe on Him who said to that doubting heart, and who says to you, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).) JOH 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) The Lord bless you.
D. T. G.