THE roaring mob surrounded the Winter Palace, threatening death to the Imperial pair, who were watching from within. Suddenly Nicholas took his six-months-old child in his arms and stepped out on the balcony, facing the crowds which surged like a sea in the vast Palace square. He was young and a splendid specimen of a man this Emperor Nicholas, in the heyday of his magnificent strength. He did not speak, but stood there—the baby in his arms. A silence fell on the mob, a silence more awful than its rage.
Then came a tempest of cheers and sobs. The dynasty was saved. The people were ready to die for their Emperor and his heir. That must have been a thrilling spectacle, and great was the courage of Nicholas I. of Russia in thus facing his rebellious subjects.
I wish to show you a contrast to this scene. The world was in rebellion. Men turned their backs upon their God and rightful Monarch, and would not have His will. He sent His servants to them, but they would not hearken; they did not want their God. "I have one Son, I will send Him." This was God's resource. “I will show Myself to men. I will display My grace, My character before them, and I will do this in the Person of My Son. They will reverence Him." From heaven to earth came Jesus—the Son of God—and men beheld Him; with tender heart and gracious mien He walked before them, showing forth the heart of Him who sent Him. But when men saw Him they discerned no beauty in Him; they cried," Let us kill Him," " Away with Him," "Crucify Him." The world's rebellion was not quelled by the sight of God's beloved Son; instead, it found its culmination in His murder. Oh, how exceeding' sinful is the sinfulness of men; how black their base ingratitude!
But how stand you in this matter, so intensely grave? Are you still in the world, rebellious, or have you been reconciled to God, who sent His Son? The murder of the Son of God did not drive back the river of His grace; instead, the death He died at Calvary has opened wide the flood-gates of that river, and to-day there is pardon—full, free, and eternal —for all who, repenting, turn to God. Oh, behold the beauty of the Lord, so full of love and so exceeding fair with every heavenly grace, and know that every gracious word and act He spoke and did was but the setting forth of God. The death He died at Calvary is the proof of God's great love. In His face to-day from heaven's throne there shines the light of God's full grace, and all this is for you. Be no longer rebellious. "We pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)).
“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it" (Eccles. 3:1414I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)). How happy, then, is the lot of those who have been justified by God, for His verdict is final; there is no appeal from His decision; it is unchangeable forever. It matters not what men may say of those whom God has justified. They can say "If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:31-3431What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:31‑34)). Soul-emancipating words are these. Can you say that they are true of you? If not, turn to that God who in this bright Gospel day has taken to Himself the wonderful title of "Him that justifieth the ungodly" (Romans 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)), and you will be justified and saved. J. T. M.