SCHAMYL, the celebrated Circassian chieftain, was for many years the leader of his countrymen in their resistance to their Russian oppressors. His personal beauty, his bravery, his magnanimity, and the general excellence of his character, made him a hero in the eyes of his nation, and again and again he led them to victory.
But when the Czar sent General Woronzoff, with greatly increased forces, into Circassia, the aspect of affairs began to change. Many of the tribes were compelled to submit, and besought Schamyl to do his utmost to procure favorable terms for them from the Russians. The great leader, however, holding that submission was cowardice and treachery, refused to do anything of the kind.
At length the powerful tribe of the Tchetches, finding themselves pressed beyond endurance by the enemy, determined to force their intrepid leader to yield. Open persuasion was hopeless, so they decided to bribe the mother of Schamyl to intercede with her son on their behalf. This they easily persuaded the poor old woman to do.
Schamyl, much troubled at what had happened, retired for consideration. The next day he summoned a general assembly of the people and announced that the Tchetches had formed the infamous project of submitting to the enemy, that they had sent messengers to gain his consent, that these messengers had suborned a woman to communicate to him the disgraceful message, and that the due sentence for such perfidy on the part of one of their women was a hundred lashes with the whip.
“That woman," he added in a terrific voice, "is my mother!”
A thrill of horror passed over the multitude, and Schamyl's mother fell, with a shriek, to the ground.
The stern chieftain continued. It had cost him bitter tears, he said, to order this punishment. But treachery and perfidy must be punished. "But," he added, "I will substitute myself for the sinner. I am ready.”
So saying, Schamyl descended from the mound where he stood, and ordered two of his guards to perform the office of executioners upon him. They refused at first, but were compelled to obey.
At the fifth blow the blood started, and the people with one accord rushed forward, snatched the whips from the hands of the men, and insisted that the painful scene should be stopped.
The Tchetche messengers now expected that their turn had come; but, to their surprise, Schamyl pardoned them, and said, "Go back to your cowardly countrymen, and tell them what you have seen!”
Is it possible to read this narrative without being reminded of how the Lord Jesus freely gave Himself to suffering and death on behalf of others?
Sinners we are, and have incurred the righteous displeasure of God. Punishment was our due; sentence had been pronounced, and must be executed. But Another has stepped forward, saying, Punish Me instead." Upon Him the dread blow of divine justice has fallen, setting us, for whom He suffered, forever free.
And who are the "us" of whom this can be said? All who trust in that Savior. They are healed by His stripes. He bare their sins in His own body on the tree. He was their Substitute.
But what of those who cannot be numbered among the "us who believe"? To them also is a glad message sent. The Lord Jesus Christ has died for them, and in virtue of His atonement God can righteously offer them forgiveness and salvation. On no other ground can these blessings be obtained.
The sinner who turns to God is freely pardoned, not because of any worthiness on his part, but because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Believing on Him, we are saved forever, and can then speak of Him as our Surety and Substitute, who bore, that we might never bear, the wrath of God.
Let the thought of the love that lay behind all this melt your heart! It was love that made Schamyl willing to bear the sentence of punishment pronounced upon his mother. And it is love that brought the Savior from heaven, and took Him to the cross, that you might be saved.
Have you ever thought of this? Will you not trust Him without further delay? H. P. B.