TELEGRAM was handed to me; I quickly opened it, and found it was from one at some distance, asking me to draw a large sum of money for him.
The money was required at once, and would be useless a few hours later.
The case was urgent, for it was almost time for the bank to close.
I hurried into the street and called a cab, “Too late for the bank today," said the driver, but I heeded him not, and said, "Drive on, drive on!”
The distance was short, but it seemed long to me, and I looked at my watch and asked the driver to hurry on. As we reached the door of the bank, its great bolt was drawn and the lock turned: I was too late! too late! I ran up the steps and knocked loudly, the key was placed in the lock; the door opened, and I was greeted by these words, “Past bank hours, no admittance now." “It is an urgent case," I said;" do let me in, I must have a sum of money tonight." The porter at first hesitated, then smiled, and let me go inside, at the same time relocking the door, to keep out other intruders. The hours for business were over, one or two men were leaving their desks, and the last was just closing a cash-box. "Excuse me," I said, “but it is of great importance I should have a certain sum of money tonight; even though it is past bank hours, would you favor me?" He looked at me very calmly and shook his head, but seeing I was very urgent, waited for a minute and then said, “Where is your order?" “I have none, "I said sadly," but you will trust me, you know me." He looked thoughtful and said, " Ah, it is not a matter of trust; had it been a smaller sum, I might have given you it on my own responsibility, but I have no power to give you or anyone else this large sum without a signed check. I am very sorry, but I cannot do it.”
It was useless to say more, I was grieved, and as I stood by the counter I prayed, “Lord, show me what I am to do." In a moment the answer came.
I had the telegram in my pocket telling me the exact sum to draw, and bearing the name of the person who had sent it; I joyfully handed it over the counter, and my answer was, the money paid down without a moment's hesitation. As I left the bank, I could not help repeating over and over again. "There is power in a name!”
Reader, do you understand? It was needless to demand that sum of money. To protest that I was worthy of trust was of no avail, it was THE NAME that was required, and nothing else would do, but that name proved all powerful. This incident has oft-times led my heart to think of that precious name, that all-powerful name, which is above every name, that name which is as " ointment poured forth," to those who know it in truth, that name which is either a " savor of life unto life, or death unto death." Reader, have you ever tested the power of that name, the name of Jesus? Is it a precious, blessed name to you, calling out your heart's deepest affection, and causing a thrill of joy to vibrate through you at any moment; or is it a powerless name that falls unheeded or uncared for on your ear?
Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Reader, is He yours? Has He saved you?
Is His name clearer and sweeter than any name to you? Is it the magnet that has drawn your heart from the perishing vanities of earth, to find your rest, your home, your life, your all above? If so you will bear me out in saying, there is nothing like it. And there is the same power in that name now for every weary burdened soul. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever,” the balm, the oil, the comfort for every smitten heart. Are you in difficulty, not knowing how to turn, or what to do, "troubled on every side,” the heavens as brass and the world frozen and cheerless? Ah “the name of the Lord is a strong tower;" " blessed are all they that put their trust in him." “They looked to him and were lightened." Hope revives as you say," He is mine.”
He can never die. He is the unchangeable One, and He has saved me, and He will never give me up, the living, loving Lord. But someone may read this who knows nothing of the power or virtue of that all-prevailing name; who has never known what it is to lay that name before God in faith, and claim the answer that name merits. Perhaps indeed you have gone in your own name, but like an unsigned bank check, it has proved worthless. “They shall call his name Jesus, because he shall save his people from their sins." Reader, has He saved you? Have you called upon that name in faith? Have you bowed to its authority? For “every knee shall bow—and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The day is coming when you too shall be compelled to bow to the name of Him whom you have so long despised and rejected, and if you refuse His gracious offers of a free salvation now, you will one day have to own the power of His name in judgment. Dare your eye refuse to look unto Him now for salvation in the day of grace? You will yet have to see Him whom you reject; for “every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.”
Listen to His voice now. “Turn ye! turn ye! for why will ye die?”
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest."
K.