THERE are many people who most firmly believe in the doctrines of Christianity, and whose hearts, either in childhood's days, or even in the years of matured life, have been deeply moved by the story of the love of God and the death of Jesus, but who, nevertheless, have never been troubled about the all-important question of their soul's salvation, and whose consciences have never been burdened with the weight of their own sins.
But soul-trouble must be endured either in this world or the next; the pricking of conscience must be experienced either now or in eternity; and the heavy burden of our sins must be felt either in the day of grace or in the day of judgment. If these things be realized now, eternal salvation, peace, and forgiveness may be enjoyed; but if, for the first time, in eternity, everlasting damnation and never-ending woe will be the fearful consequences.
In the early part of 1885, the writer, in company with a Christian friend, was traveling by rail from the coast to the interior of the little island of Ceylon. In the same compartment were a young Indian rajah of considerable wealth and his traveling companion, a man of great intelligence and education. Our two friends were most agreeable and polite, and very soon we found ourselves conversing on a variety of subjects. The latter of these two was the chief speaker, and, though an Indian, had no little command of the English language. Religiously, they both were Buddhists, and our friend was able to give us some interesting details in connection with Buddhism, proving what an influence the Scriptures have upon the mind of a man, even while inventing a form of heathen worship, though all unconsciously to himself.
Soon the question was broached as to the truth of Christianity, and judge of our surprise when our friend informed us that he had been baptized as a believer in Christ.
“Baptized as a Christian!" I exclaimed, “and yet remain a Buddhist! Why then were you baptized?”
“It was some years ago while in Calcutta, I went to hear a sermon by Mr.—, a well-known missionary. With great earnestness, eloquence, and feeling, the preacher told us the story of the crucifixion of Christ. He described His life of gentleness and goodness, His trial before unjust and cruel judges, His agonizing sufferings on the cross without murmur or complaint, His death of shame and ignominy, forsaken and abandoned by all. As I sat and listened to all this, I wept like a child, and the tears rolled down my cheeks. The service being ended, Mr. urged upon me the importance of being baptized, the deep emotions of my mind being to him a sufficient proof of my faith in Christianity. After some hesitation I yielded to his request.”
As I heard the Indian's touching story, I could not help thinking, if such were the effect produced by the simple description of the sufferings of Christ, “what must it have been to be there" and to have been an eye-witness of those very sufferings?
But, reader, mere emotions of the mind and stirrings of the heart are valueless, when it is a question of our guilt as sinners before the face of a holy God. When they led Jesus away to be crucified, "there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him " (Luke 23:2727And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. (Luke 23:27)), and no doubt they shed tears of genuine grief, and no doubt heart-felt sorrow filled their breasts.
But listen. “Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but WEEP FOR YOURSELVES." Reader, do you understand the bearing of these words? The women that followed the blessed Savior as He toiled on to Calvary, weeping as they went, were heartbroken at the sight of such suffering, they were filled with feelings of human pity and sympathy, because a man, and such a man, was about to be put to such a cruel death. They were weeping for Him instead of weeping for themselves; all the while forgetting that their very sins were about to nail Him to the cross.
“Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul,
Yet thought not that MY SINS had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu,—'twas nothing to me.”
Beloved reader, doubtless you believe in the facts of Christianity. The birth and death of Jesus are in all probability a part of your very creed. But allow me, in all affection and earnestness, to ask you, if your conscience has ever been burdened with a sense of your sins Have you ever trembled at the thought of dying unpardoned and unforgiven? Have you ever realized that YOUR VERY SINS made it necessary for the blessed Son of God to shed His precious blood? If not, it is because Satan, the god of this world, has deceived and deluded you, and has so blinded your eyes as to make you think that your sins are a mere trifle, whereas in God's sight they were so terrible that nothing but the death of His own Son could avail to put them away.
May your eyes be opened before it is too late.
A. H. B.