WM’L― had been a wild fellow, a regular drudge of the devil, so he told us.
But he came to one of our gospel meetings away in a little town in Canada, and heard the sweet sound of the gospel story. Thank God! it reached his heart. He stayed to speak with us, and we read to him of the prodigal’s wanderings and return, in Luke 15.
He listened with deep interest to the tale of sin and wretchedness, whispering the while, “That’s me, that’s me,” until he could contain his feelings no longer. And as we read, “I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy,” he fell down on his knees exclaiming―
“THAT’S ME, TO LIFE.”
There into the ear of God, who pardons the guilty, he poured out his repentance. There he met with as joyous a welcome as the prodigal of old, and went away rejoicing in a known forgiveness.
Oh! the wonders of “redeeming love.” The vilest are received, the most forlorn made to rejoice, and heaven is filled with raptures over every returning one. My reader, have you returned from your wanderings to the Father’s heart and home yet. He waits to welcome you.
Your way has led you into sin and want. The world with all its boasted store cannot meet your need. But there is plenty in the Father’s house.
The blood of Jesus has opened its portals to the vilest. The one
DOOR OF MERCY
is wide open for all. ‘But remember it is the only door. Your good works, your psalm-singing and sacrament-taking, will not gain you admittance to the Father’s home. You must come acknowledging your guilt and owning three things to God: ―
(1) I HAVE SINNED
(2) AGAINST THEE
(3) AND AM NO MORE WORTHY.
Then He will say, Bring forth the best robe. The sinner is saved, the lost is found, and the joy that fills heaven at your return will echo in your own heart. Come now.
“Pass in, pass in, the banquet is for thee,
That cup of everlasting love is free;
Room, room, still room,
Oh! enter, enter now.”
J. T. M.