The circus building had fallen into the hands of Christian workers. It was late Saturday afternoon when they obtained possession; and as a service was announced for the next day, much had to be done to cover up evidence of the circus occupancy—things hardly conducive to spiritual devotion—putting up scripture texts, and arranging seats. The ladders were just being put away and the friends leaving for their homes when the old schoolmaster hurried up with a large text in his hand.
"Too late," said some. But he pleaded so hard that he won his point.
"Do put it up somewhere. I have worked at it many days, praying over every letter. I am sure that it will be blessed."
Over the door was a vacant space, and there the text was placed—white letters on a red background—"The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The schoolmaster was satisfied, and in the darkness of that night sent up many a petition that the Word of the Lord might be owned.
Lord's Day came, and a large congregation gathered at the circus building. Among the visitors were a man and his wife who stepped in to see the wonderful change in the old building. Their eyes roamed hither and thither, until at length the schoolmaster's text was noticed.
"What's that over the door?" said the man. His wife read out the words: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The singing, the sermon, the service made little impression; but the schoolmaster's text lodged.
"SIN?" thought the man. "I have the experience of that in my heart and life. I have defiled myself and all around me. 'Cleansing?' That is what I need, to have all this filth removed, and my heart made pure. Is such a thing possible?" He repeated the text: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." Could he be included in that little word "US"?
He pondered seriously his lost, ruined condition. Sin after sin came up before his mind, but over all stretched the blessed text: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
Blood represented punishment—and punishment cleared from guilt. If Christ had received the punishment for his guilt, that punishment which had brought forth His precious blood had cleansed all the sin that deserved punishment! He believed, and his conscience had peace, for THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.