THAT GREAT statesman, Henry Clay, was once greatly troubled by a debt of ten thousand dollars, which he owed to the Northern Bank of Kentucky in Lexington. Some of his friends, in different parts of the country, heard of his trouble. In a quiet way they raised the money and paid off the debt, without letting Mr. Clay know of it. In ignorance of what had been done, he went to the bank one day, and addressing Mr. Scott, the caser, he said: “I have called to see you, Mr. Scott, about that debt of mine to the bank.”
“You don’t owe us anything,” replied Mr. Scott.
Mr. Clay looked at him inquiringly, and said, “You don’t understand me, Mr. Scott. I’ve come to talk about the debt of ten thousand dollars that I owe your bank.”
“You don’t owe us a dollar, Mr. Clay.”
“Why, what do you mean?” asked Mr. Clay in utter amazement.
“I mean, sir, that a number of your friends have united together and paid off your debt. There’s nothing on our books against you.”
Mr. Clay could not speak a word. Tears filled his eyes, as he turned and walked quietly out of the bank.
And this is what the Lord Jesus has done for poor sinners who have trusted in Him as their Saviour, in the language of the hymn: —
“Jesus paid it all,
All the debt I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55. 6
Oh, come to the Saviour, He’s calling today.
How long wilt thou linger? His voice now obey.
He’s speaking from heaven in love to thy soul;
His blood He has given: wilt thou be made whole?
The Saviour is coming for all who believe;
The Star of the morning, His own to receive.
O sinner, confess Him, the throne-seated Lord,
And thou shalt be with Him where He is adored.
ML-04/20/1969