I ONCE knew a young militiaman who professed an earnest desire to obtain his discharge. A kind friend undertook his case, and interested himself in his behalf. The adjutant was applied to; but money however large the sum, would not in itself buy him off; he was unwilling to diminish the strength of his regiment, and required that a substitute — a living man — should be found, who might serve instead of this militiaman. After some days, one was prevailed upon to take his place; the smart-money having been paid, the discharge, signed by the adjutant, was handed to J. S. He took it, and seemed to prize his release, saying to me, “Now I must take care not to lose this paper, or they might make me serve again.”
A few weeks passed away, and a recruiting sergeant was enlisting young men for the militia. The “lurking places of the villages,” the idlers’ corner, and most public-houses gave him a field in which to reap a goodly harvest. Our friend J. S. re-enlisted; he despised the kindness of his benefactor, and rejected the use of his substitute.
When the gospel is preached, some who are tired of the bondage of sin cry out, “What shall I do to be saved?” The message of salvation tells them of a Substitute.
But in the instance of the young militiaman, he had to procure his own substitute; in the sinner’s case, God, who befriended us, found all that was needed in His own Son. The redemption-money was paid down to the full when Jesus went surety for us. Solomon says, “He that goeth surety for another shall smart for it.” The Lord Jesus knew what our place was, and the consequence of sin; He knew the awfulness of its punishment, and, knowing all, He came voluntarily to take our place, and suffer in our stead — “He was wounded for our transgressions.” Then it was, in pure love for us, the Surety smarted; stroke after stroke fell’ on Him, dealt heavily by the hand of a just God, when He was smitten, stricken, and afflicted; and all for us — our Substitute.
When J. S. brought the young man who was, willing to serve in his stead in the militia, the first point to be decided was that of acceptance — Would he be accepted by the adjutant? He was accepted, and then all was settled, and J. S.’s discharge signed. Just so with the sinner. Has his Substitute been accepted at headquarters? Yes, surely I What good have you got by His substitution? What is the result of Christ’s death for you? Has it brought pardon, peace, and blessing to your son? Oh! discard not the love, reject not the Substitute, but now, take the discharge from the bleeding hand of Jesus, signed by God Himself. It is your freedom from the bondage of Satan. Won’t you thank Him? Won’t you praise Him? Won’t you render spirit, soul, and body all to Him?
ANON.