Oh, I’ve joyful news to tell,
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
He hath vanquished death and hell,
Ransomed souls these tidings swell:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves.
Once upon the painful tree
Jesus bled! Jesus bled.
Gave Himself for thee and me,
Yes, to set the prisoner free,
Jesus bled! Jesus bled.
Bearing sin’s full weight and load
Jesus died! Jesus died;
Meeting all the claims of God,
Us to ransom by His blood,
Jesus died! Jesus died.
All His wondrous work complete,
Jesus rose! Jesus rose;
Satan bruised beneath His feet,
Death and hell confess defeat;
Jesus rose! Jesus rose.
Now of this be fully sure,
Jesus lives! Jesus lives;
For the Spirit, o’er and o’er
Whispers in convincing power,
Jesus lives! Jesus lives.
Some of the tenants owed several years’ rent, and were in consequence apprehensive of the action their landlord might justly take against them in the Land Court. To their astonishment a notice was posted up over the estate, promising a remission of all rent to any tenant who would meet Lord Congleton on a certain day at the estate office between the hours of ten and twelve o’clock.
The tenants immediately suspected a trap, and spent the intervening days trying to find out what plan was designed for their injury.
On the promised day Lord Congleton sat in his office and the tenants crowded the street of the little country town, whispering and talking and gesticulating with much excitement; but not one entered the door of the house. Ten o’clock—half past ten—eleven half past eleven came; but no tenant appeared. Still their landlord sat waiting to befriend them.
At last, a little before twelve, a tenant entered the office and asked for the promised receipt.
“Do you really expect to be forgiven your debt?” asked Lord Congleton.
“Yes, my Lord.”
“And why?”
“Your Lordship has promised it.”
“And do you believe the promise?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Why?”
“Your Lordship would not deceive a poor man.”
“But are you a good and industrious man?”
“The notice said nothing about that, my Lord.”
“So you believe the notice, and have come for your receipt?”
Lord Congleton wrote the receipt and handed it to the man, who sprang to his feet, waved the paper over his head, and shouted, “I knew you wouldn’t deceive us!
God bless your Lordship! Now I’ll show it to the boys,” and he made towards the door of the room.
“Stop!” cried Lord Congleton, “it is not yet twelve o’clock. Sit down there. The forgiveness of rent is promised to faith, and only to faith, and up to noon.” As soon as the hour struck he added, “Now you may go.”
The man ran out of the house into the street, waving his receipt over his head and shouting, “I’ve got it! Didn’t I tell you it was all true? I’m a free man!”
The tenants in a body rushed to the house, but the door was shut. They had missed their opportunity through unbelief. One man and only one believed what was promised and was rewarded.
This is a very simple illustration of the gospel. God offers a free pardon and full salvation to all on the ground of what the Lord Jesus has accomplished on the cross of Calvary, but only those are saved who believe it and put their trust in Him.