“OH! how I long that those corner men would only come and hear the gospel! There are such numbers of them standing idle about the roads and the corners of the streets. I have asked them just to come in and listen for a little, but they won’t come.”
The speaker was an earnest Christian, a resident in the little seaside town where a series of special gospel services was being held. He had known the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour for many a year, and he longed that others might know Him too. On this occasion large numbers were attending the meetings, and the Spirit of God seemed to be moving in awakening power amongst the slumbering professors. Many were being aroused to discover that though they had the lamp of profession, they had not the oil of the Spirit’s reality, and this it was that made him so desirous that the loafers at the street corners would only drop in and listen.
But there are others, besides these “corner men,” in just as great need of the gospel — we might almost say in greater need. For often do we hear the glad gospel message ringing out from earnest lips at the street corners, and many a loafer has thus been reached and brought to God.
But who can reach the high-born and the rich? Encased within the barriers of social etiquette, how can such be warned to flee from the wrath to come? Who dare ask such the pointed question, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:3737Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:37)).
Do we believe in miracles? Yes, thank God, we do; for the same lips that once so solemnly declared, “How hardly (or, with what difficulty) shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” have likewise said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:23-2823And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (Mark 10:23‑28)).
We were recently conversing with an earnest Christian, a preacher, too, of the gospel. In his unconverted days he had been in India, an officer in the army. He lived an utterly godless life, and in one incessant whirl of gaiety and pleasure. He never heard the Gospel, and was as dark as midnight with reference to the dread realities of sin and judgment and eternity. One night he had a dream. He dreamed that he was on a battlefield, and a flaming dart struck him and plunged itself into his very heart. He awoke, but soon dropped off again. Once more he dreamed the identical dream. Awaking he said to himself:
This is the voice of God.
It changed the whole current of his life, though for long even then he remained in ignorance as to the true character of the gospel. He was groping after God in the dark, and struggling his way under law, until God in His goodness brought him into contact with one who put before him “the true grace of God wherein we stand” (1 Peter 5:1212By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (1 Peter 5:12)).
Perhaps the reader asks, Do I need to be saved? Yes, we reply, for
All are lost;
and if not saved before eternity begins, you will be lost forever.
But how can we be saved? Listen, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)).
Thank God for those words:
HE―SAVED―US.
God is today a Saviour! He invites you to come to Him trusting in Jesus, His well-beloved Son, once slain by man’s wicked hands, but now risen and glorified.
“Him hath God exalted to be
A Prince and a Saviour,
But He who today is a Saviour will soon be the Judge, and how will you in that day escape His righteous wrath if today you despise His mercy? It is indeed “a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.”
Listen to His voice, then, now; hearken to the pleadings of His love; look in simple faith to Jesus, the once crucified and now glorified. By Him all the work has been done; trust Him, and you, too, will be able to sing:
“On the Lamb my soul is resting,
What His worth no tongue can tell.
God is satisfied with Jesus, —
I am satisfied as well.”
A. H. B.