SOME time ago I was traveling by rail between Blackburn and Manchester, when a gentleman who had the appearance of a Romish priest entered the compartment in which I was sitting.
The train steamed out of the busy station, and as we were alone, I desired to converse, with my fellow-passenger about God's boundless love. I respectfully offered him a booklet, which was graciously received.
After a careful perusal of its contents, the gentleman looked up and said, “A very good tract this.”
“Yes, sir; it bears the name of Christ, and testifies to the virtue of His precious blood.”
“Perfectly true.”
“Yes, it is very important to know that man is lost; and the only way to God is through the redemption of Christ Jesus. His blood, which cleanses from all sin, can and does fit the guilty sinner for God's presence; but apart from this, none can enter heaven.”
He asked, "How many belong to your faith?”
I replied, "I don't know the number. You must know, friend, that God's word states that there is 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism,' and it says, `By grace are ye saved through faith.' The Lord Jesus said, I am the door,' and again, 'Ye must be born again.' And mark, friend, these are the words of the Son of God. Remember also that all other ways to God are spurious, even though they be religious and refined.”
“What do you think of the Pope of Rome?"
“The Pope of Rome is but a failing man as you and I are. He was born into this world a sinner, as were all Adam's posterity.”
The Romanist appeared not to like this candid reply, and the silence was broken by my saying to him, "Let us make much of Christ, for God has given Him a name above every name, and crowned Him with glory and honor at His own right hand.”
“That is quite true, but do you not think that Pope Pius X. is the head of the church?”
“Oh, no, for we read that Christ is the Head of the church, and that being true, it is evident that the Pope of Rome is not. If Pope Pius has been born again, and cleansed from his sins by the blood of Christ, he, in common with every believer, is a member of the church which is the body of Christ for we read, 'By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles., Neither your finger nor your thumb is your head, they are but members of your body.”
Our train slackened speed and drew up at the platform, and the Romanist, bidding me good-day, alighted.
O sinner, whatever man may presume to teach, the truth of God remains. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men." This Mediator is not the Pope, nor the priest, nor the clergy, but "the man Christ Jesus." There is a sure way to heaven, the new and living way, which is Christ, and Him crucified. Therefore, listen to the gracious words of the Saviour, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me." W. B.