’TWAS a bitter night, with the thermometer registering about forty degrees. Sad, disconsolate and sin-burdened, she made her way to the Gospel meeting held at Viborgski Prospect. Unforgiven sin had long weighed on her conscience, and those interested in her could not understand why relief had not come, nor the haven of rest been reached. Attendance at the Gospel meetings brought no comfort, nor did prayer smooth her sleepless pillow. She sobbed that night as the glad tidings of forgiving love were pronounced, and of God’s willingness to pardon every repentant sinner. The meeting closed. Some had the joy of thanking God for blessing received that night, and returned home with glad hearts. Our friend remained still longer, weeping. I sought to point out as simply as possible to her God’s way of salvation, our incompetency to wash away one sin stain, even if we wept oceans of tears and piled up our good deeds as high as heaven. I spoke of the all-sufficiency of the precious blood of Christ to remove every stain of guilt, and the power of God to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. Words seemed to bring no relief; so commending her to the Lord in prayer we returned home.
During the revolutionary upheavals in St. Petersburg, when much distress and poverty was felt, the good Madame―had thrown open a large room attached to her house. Into this she had invited the poor women of the neighborhood. Having bought cloth and different materials, she would engage these poor women to work and sew garments, and afterward sell them. In this way many poor widows and mothers were temporarily relieved. On one occasion, taking mean advantage of the grace and kindness shown by this good lady, the subject of our paper hid two garments under her cloak and passed out of the workroom unnoticed―at least, by man. The Lord, however, saw this, and turned the ill-gotten gains into a barbed arrow that pierced her conscience and plagued her for two long weary years. Like David in Psa. 32:33When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3), she experienced: “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long; for day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me.” In the same room from which she stole the garments had she sat, time after time, and listened to the Gospel, and no peace came. What was to be done? Her burden became intolerable, and confession was the only way of relief. Ah, the confession of sin is a very humbling one, but an absolutely necessary one. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth, and forsaketh, them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)).
To confess my sin is to own the depravity of my heart that commits it; and this is humiliating, unless previously humbled by the goodness of God. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The next morning she went to Madame―‘s house, and, taking money with her, confessed with sorrow her theft and paid for the stolen garments. It was not long before she was assured of dear Madame― ‘s forgiveness. But what was still more blessed, when the confession was made to God, the sense of Divine forgiveness came into her heart, and she was assured that God for Christ’s sake had forgiven her (Eph. 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)). Now could she say, as David in Psalms 32:55I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5): “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee,... and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Blessed words, “Thou forgavest.”
Maybe these lines will fall under the eyes of someone who longs after Divine forgiveness. May I then ask you, my dear friend, if you have been to God, and with an upright heart confessed your guilt and sin. “Is there any secret thing with thee?” Is there anything your eyes wink at? Is there some hidden guilt, some unconfessed sin, that you are not prepared to forsake? If so, how can you expect words of forgiveness to reach your ear, if your words of confession do not reach His ear? Go, then, to Him. Unbosom your “secrets.” You can really hide nothing from God, nor tell Him anything He is unacquainted with; and be assured none will deal so mercifully with you. The man who judges himself God will not judge; but him who does not God will judge. When the prodigal said: “Father, I have sinned against thee,” he found himself in the father’s arms.
May you, my dear reader, receive the word of forgiveness preached through a crucified, risen, and exalted Christ.
“Dark though thy guilt appear,
And deep its crimson dye,
There’s boundless mercy here,
Do not from mercy fly;
Oh, do not doubt His word;
There’s pardon full and free;
For justice smote the Lord
And sheathes her sword for thee.
Come, come, come.”
J. H. L.