Many years ago a man called George Honeywell, who was a great drunkard, living with his brother in Massachusetts, was, after a heavy drinking bout, going upstairs to bed with a lighted candle, when he stumbled, and falling, unconsciously set fire to the house resulting, alas! in his brother being burnt to death.
He was taken to a “lock-up”; and when brought before the local tribunal, was, as an old offender, sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude in the State prison.
At that time, it was customary for the President of the United States, on an appointed day, to exercise his prerogative of pardon to one prisoner, provided the warder of the prison could give a favorable report of the particular convict’s good behavior. All the prisoners were brought together into the courthouse; and the warder gave them an address.
On the occasion to which I now refer, George Honeywell had completed five years of his sentence, being half the term. The prisoners were all gathered together, eager and expectant, as to which of their company the presidential pardon would be accorded. In a clear voice, while every eye was fixed on him, these words then fell from the warder’s lips ‘This year, the President of the United States pardons George Honeywell.’
Deadly pale with excitement G. H. could scarcely take it in that it was himself who was the fortunate recipient of this free pardon; and for a moment or two could not realize it. Soon, however, rising slowly from his seat, he eagerly exclaimed, ‘Is it for me? is it for me?’ ‘YES, it is FOR YOU,’ replied the warder; and that same day the pardoned man left his prison cell once more a free man, though only half of his original sentence had been completed. This act of free, unmerited grace made a great impression upon G. H., and (as far as I remember) led to his conversion.
Perhaps you, my dear reader, are ready to say ‘What has that to do with me?’ In reply, let me quote the closing words of Paul’s wonderful sermon at Antioch, “Unto you is the word of this salvation sent.”... “He Whom God raised again (even Jesus) saw no corruption. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that, through this Man, is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38, 39).
Yes, dear reader, “Salvation is of the Lord”; and “unto you is the word of this salvation sent,” if (like G. H.) you are yet a captive in the chains of sin, in Satan’s prison-house.
It is, not only a “great” salvation; but it is a perfect salvation, offered you, by the wounded hand of the Christ of God, Whose agonies at Calvary’s Cross for you, and your sins, no tongue can tell; no angel knows. Here is a present, personal, and permanent salvation for every one that believes in Jesus. Here every righteous claim of Divine justice was satisfied: by Him who exclaimed, “My God, My God, why halt Thou forsaken Me?” On that ground of Christ’s atoning death only can grace proclaim “liberty to the captives; and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
Yes, the precious blood of Jesus can cleanse you now from every sin, if you will simply trust it now. Then will you be just as happy as a dear sailor I shall meet by and by in the glory land, who was converted years ago at a gospel meeting in the south of London, as he sang the following words:
“There is a Fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
“Oh depth of mercy, can it be?
That precious blood was shed for me;
For me... for me,
That blood was shed for Me.”
S. T.