THESE were the words of an aged woman, who had long known herself to be a sinner against God, but for years had been occupied with her feelings and hopes of getting better, or of doing something for her salvation. But all these efforts proved most unsatisfactory. Again and again she became elated with some fancied improvement, but it was always soon followed by disappointment and despondency. At length God shelved her by His truth her terrible mistake. "I see it now," said she, "I've been looking too much at myself,— Jesus has done it." She felt her burden gone, and light and joy took possession of her heart. Jesus was indeed precious to her. His sweet words comforted her. His finished work upon the cross was the sole foundation of her confidence. It is this that makes the Lord Jesus SO very precious; for such can say,—
“He saved me from my lost estate;
His loving-kindness, oh how great!”
When asked how she became happy, she replied, " I was one night thinking of Jesus, and whether He would save me, when I seemed to be looking at Him as on the cross; and the words came so plainly and forcibly to my mind—’ Your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more.' It is these words that make me so happy." And well they might; for what other source of peace is there than Christ crucified—that" He suffered for sins the just for the unjust to bring us to God"? and what can give solid comfort to the soul but the unalterable word of the Lord, the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth forever?
We have lately read of another anxious soul trying to get peace by her own efforts, and we subjoin it because we are assured there are many in a similar state, and our hope is that God may graciously use it to deliver some who may read this paper from the terrible mistake of trying to obtain salvation by working, instead of by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I am so wretched, so very wretched," said a poor woman; "I kneel down on my bare knees and pray, but I get no better.”
“But why do you go on your bare knees?" asked the Christian lady, to whom these words had been addressed.
“Oh, ma'am, because I am so wicked," said poor Peggy, with great simplicity; “and so I kneel down and pray till I can scarcely feel for cold, and cry to God to have mercy on me a wicked sinner." But Peggy found no answer, and thus she was made very unhappy. The lady then simply explained to her the way of salvation, and when she saw her again, all tears were gone, and a peaceful smile had displaced the gloom of her countenance. She said, "I am happy now. A few mornings ago, after prayer, the words, Your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more,' brought sweet comfort to my soul. It seemed as if God spoke them to my heart. I approach now without fear, through the blood of Jesus His Son, who is at His right hand; and my desire is to live for His glory.”