The "Church" in the little village needed money. This, in itself, was nothing new; but how to get it from the people was the problem. Many schemes had been tried to accomplish this in the past and had been fairly successful. Now it was suggested that something new (for those parts, at least) be tried. Why should they not have a raffle? The possibility of winning something thereby might induce some to contribute who otherwise would give nothing. Thus the "good cause" would be helped along.
The question was, what shall we raffle? "A Bible; a large, illustrated family Bible," suggested someone. That was surely "something new," and the suggestion was acted upon. A large copy of the Douay Bible was to be the prize.
Now, Mike McCay, who was a farmer, was a "good son of the Church." He was not slow to do his share toward making a success of the lottery in aid of such a good cause. Much to his amazement, however, his was the "lucky ticket." The prize was handed to him and he carried it home. It was a "white elephant," little more, unless it be considered an additional item to decorate the parlor table. The pictures were interesting to look at; but once seen they lost their attraction.
Years passed by. Mike had found no use for his Bible until one day the news was spread abroad through the neighborhood that "gospel meetings" would be held in a little chapel secured for that purpose in the village. This again was something new! Mike, his wife, and his neighbors turned out to hear the stranger who had come from a distant city to preach.
His message was simple. Practically, it was composed of two parts—man's ruin on account of sin, and God's remedy through the gospel. He showed from the Bible that man, ever since the fall of Adam, was reckoned by God to be a sinner, and said to be lost (2 Cor. 4:33But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Corinthians 4:3)), guilty (Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19)), without strength (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)), and ungodly. Thus was he utterly a ruin.
God's remedy for this was the gospel. And the gospel was not in telling poor ruined man what he should do for himself. The good news in the gospel was what God in Christ had done for him. Every lost, ruined sinner was called to rest on this.
As for Mike and his wife, the preaching they had heard made them wretched on account of their sins, but brought them no rest! A knowledge of one's self is needful, but not enough. It is Christ who saves, and to know Him is to have life eternal.
A few months later God sent along another of His servants to preach the Word and again blessed it to some poor, lost sinners. This time Mike's wife was among the happy number who passed from death unto life through faith in the Lord Jesus.
Now Mike's trouble began in earnest. At last he found a use for his Bible, and its pages were diligently read. Somewhat to his amazement he found his version agreed substantially with the Bible used by the evangelists to whom he had been listening. Both told practically the same story, and witnessed to him that "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God," (Psa. 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17)); and that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); and now, "as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).
Through days and weeks of anxiety, in the late hours of the night and the early hours of the morning Mike pored over his Bible. He sought for rest from his wretchedness, salvation from his lost and ruined state.
At last, when he was hopeless as to himself, God opened his eyes to see that God had loved him as he was, Christ had died for him as he was, and was now in the glory at God's right hand, living forevermore that He might give sinners, who were dead in sins, life eternal.
This was good news indeed, and with joy Mike received it. And was he rejected? By no means. Mike's sins were now forgiven, not by some poor sinful man like himself. It was God Himself who said by the Spirit: "Be it known unto you... that through this Man (Jesus) 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, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And 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).
Here we beg to ask a question of the reader. "How is it with you?" You have heard God's "good news." Have you believed it? Are you saved or lost? Justified or condemned? Destined for heaven or bound for hell?