When I was a boy at school, I saw a sight I can never forget—a man tied to a cart and dragged, before the people's eyes, through the streets of my native town. His back was torn and bleeding from the lash. It was a shameful punishment.
For many offenses? No; for one offense. Did any of the townsmen offer to divide the lashes with him? No; he who committed the offense bore the penalty all alone. It was the penalty of a changing human law, for it was the last instance of its infliction.
When I was a student at the University, I saw another sight I never can forget—a man brought out to die. His arms were pinioned to his sides, his face was already pale as death—thousands of eager eyes were on him as he came up from the jail into our sight.
Did any man ask to die in his stead? Did any friend come and loose the rope, and say, "Put it round my neck, I will die instead"? No; he underwent the sentence of the law. For many offenses? No; for one offense. He had stolen a money parcel from the mail. He broke the law at one point only, and died for it. It was the penalty of a changing human law in this case also: it was the last instance of capital punishment being inflicted for that offense.
I saw another sight—it matters not when—myself a sinner standing on the brink of ruin, deserving naught but hell. For one sin? No; for many, many sins committed against the unchanging laws of God. But again I looked, and I saw JESUS, my Substitute, scourged in my stead, and dying on the cross for me. I looked upon Him. I cried to Him, and I was forgiven. Now I love to tell of that Savior, to beg you to LOOK AND LIVE.
"There is life in a look at the crucified One;
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved—
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.”