PASSING along one of the principal streets of C— my attention was arrested by the words, "just what is wanted," painted on a huge sign-board over a house-furnishing establishment, and doubtless intended to inform all who wished to purchase furniture that their requirements could be met within.
These words recalled to my mind an incident occurring in the same town a few years ago. A fascinating gentlemen arrived in a gorgeous gilded chariot, drawn by four splendid horses, and accompanied by a band.
Every night for several weeks he drew an enormous crowd to whom he set forth with glowing eloquence the healing virtues of the special medicines which he sold, and in a great many cases gave away. "Never," said he, "in the history of the world had such remedies been discovered and offered. Now at last ' just what was wanted' had come to their very doors." He dwelt upon the tears of joy that would course down many a parent's face as they fondly looked upon their loved child, who but a short time before was considered to be within a few weeks' march of the grave, and who would now be restored to health again.
But I would fain introduce you to "Just what is wanted" in a deeper and more enduring sense. With unspeakable delight I turn to speak of the great Physician, who alone can heal the fatal disease of SIN and bring about everlasting deliverance.
This loathsome disease has afflicted the whole of humanity, and no earthly physician, however skilful, can give relief. It is far beyond the power of mortals. What a sight met the eye of God as He looked down and beheld the sad plight of Adam's fallen race. The holy God scanned the ranks of unfallen heavenly intelligences, but not one of those shining beings was competent to undertake the mighty work of man's redemption. A task so stupendous could alone be accomplished by Him who was Jehovah's Fellow, and who gladly undertook it, saying, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.”
Give me your earnest attention while I tell of "Just what was, wanted" to meet the pressing need of mankind. This cursed disease had eaten into the vitals of every man, woman, and child the wide world over. At last the moment arrived when the first step should be taken in the journey of love to accomplish the eternal emancipation of every sin-crushed soul that would avail himself of the remedy. The Eternal Son must become incarnate. In that holy body the will of God must be done. The cross, with all its untold agony, must be faced and endured. The curse must be borne, God must be satisfied, His righteous judgment must descend upon the holy Sin-bearer. The Blessed One must be made sin if man is to be delivered and forever set free from his misery. His case was utterly hopeless, and he would have perished forever of the dire disease of sin had not God, in tender pity, provided an infallible remedy.
Was there ever a case that Jesus could not relieve? No, not one. Never was one who came to Him sent unblest away. Thanks be to God, the divinely provided remedy is at hand for every sin-sick soul. Man is a mass of moral corruption. “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores."(Isa. 1:66From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. (Isaiah 1:6).) “Unclean, unclean," truly describes every unwashed sinner in the world, but let your heart, unsaved reader, leap for very joy, for" the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).)
Let me affectionately urge you to obey the gospel at once. Your fast-flying moments will soon he spent, and life's little day closed. In all your unworthiness accept the blessed invitation and provision of divine love. Hesitate not, to commit your undying soul to the safe keeping of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so know and experience through God's unending day of glory the grand and glorious results of God having provided "just what is wanted.” E. M.