Table of Contents

1. The Father's Welcome

The Father's Welcome.

Luke 15.

"IT IS THE FATHER'S JOY TO BLESS."

THE FATHER'S WELCOME.

ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD."

WISDOM OF THAT CHAPTER IS A PERSON.

WISDOM OF PROV. 8 IS THE LORD JESUS.

"THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS."

"HE THAT RECEIVETH ME, RECEIVETH HIM THAT SENT ME."

HERE, THEN, WE HAVE GOD INVITING.

HE MUST NEEDS GO THROUGH SAMARIA.

"ACCEPTED (BY GOD) IN THE BELOVED (ONE)."

"I," SAYS CHRIST, "AM THE BREAD OF LIFE;" AND HE ONLY CAN SATISFY.

THE WILL OF GOD IS OUR SALVATION.

LOVE ACTS FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

"THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE. GO IN PEACE."

2. What is the New Nature?

OUR OLD NATURE IS CORRUPT, IT CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

"MAKING GOD A LIAR."

"BUT HE WAS A LEPER."

"YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN."

3. "That is your man, sir"

"THAT IS YOUR MAN."

FOLLOW HIM.

4. Grace Appearing and Reigning

5. "I am bound to let you pass."

CJD - Grace and Truth.

C. J. Davis

This document may be found online at www.stempublishing.com

You are welcome to freely access and use this material for personal study or sending to other Bible students, compiling extracts for notes etc, but please do not republish without permission.

With the prayerful desire that the Lord Jesus Christ will use this God-given ministry in this form for His glory and the blessing of many in these last days before His coming. © Les Hodgett (contact@stempublishing.com) (2011)

1. The Father's Welcome

Grace and Truth

and

Aids to Believers

being all the writings of the late

Dr. C. J. Davis.

Part 1 ― Grace and Truth.

1. The Father's Welcome.

2. What is the New Nature?

3. "That is your man, sir;" or, Answering to a Description.

4. Grace Appearing and Reigning; Glory to Appear.

5. "I am bound to let you pass."

Part 2 ― Aids to Believers.

1. The Personal Return of the Lord Jesus.

2. What is the Church, or the Assembly of God.

3. The Lord's Supper and the Lord's Table.

4. Christian Ministry: its Source, Object, Relationship, and Directorship.

5. Help for Enquirers.

6. Seven Hints to Young Believers.

Part 1 ― Grace and Truth.

The Father's Welcome.

Leading points in the address.

A. — Introduction.

1. God's joy when a sinner repents,

2. Sinner to be reconciled to God, not God to him,

B. — The Person of Christ.

3. As the Revealer of God in the earth — seen in Proverbs 8,

4. As co-equal and co-eternal with God — "Wisdom." of Proverbs 8 is the Lord Jesus,

Luke 15.

5. Christ takes His place here, as "The Man who receiveth sinners" — God is for, not against, the sinner,

6. Parable of the "Shepherd," — the Lord laying down His life for the sinner as a wandering sheep,

7. Parable of the "Woman with the Light" — the Holy Ghost seeking by the word the dead sinner,

8. Parable of the "Prodigal's Father,"

C. — God affording the welcome to the awakened sinner — sevenfold blessing for the returning one — salvation a present possession.

9. Ruin of "the flesh" — Confession of sins,

10. Occupation of the Believer for and with Christ till He come,

That the following pages may be blessed to every one that may read them is the earnest prayer of C. J. Davies.

N.B. — Look first at Acts 17: 11.

Read Proverbs 8: 22-36. Luke 15.

Joy in the presence of the angels of God, signifies the joys of GOD, who, in the presence of His angels, shows HIS joy when a sinner is brought home unto HIMSELF. It is He who gives the welcome. He it is who rejoices. It is not said here that the angels rejoice. I do not say they do not; but the truth declared by the Lord is that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God. He is delighted to behold a repentant sinner coming to, and not trying to get away from Him.

"IT IS THE FATHER'S JOY TO BLESS."

If there is anything which more than all others is used by Satan to keep souls in bondage — to rob them of blessing — it is the thought, much upheld and propagated, that God is against the sinner. Hence, broken-hearted ones are instructed to pray heartily to God, if haply He may be reconciled to them. In result a few days may elapse, and after much doing, and not a few efforts to improve self and to give up many things, or, it may be, after some stretch of imagination, the soul begins to sing, with more feeling than intelligence: —

"My God is reconciled,

His pardoning voice I hear,

He owns me for His child,

I can no longer fear,

With confidence I now draw nigh,

And Father, Abba, Father, cry."

Temptations soon come in, and the soul finds itself beginning again to seek the forgiveness which it thought it had before.

All I say is, this is terrible delusion; and, in this address, I wish to show what the word is to the soul; hence I put the Gospel under the title of

THE FATHER'S WELCOME.

It is He who planned with the Son of His love a way for bringing into His presence, in peace, the sin-stricken soul. He it is that beseeches the sinner to be reconciled to Himself. The very opposite this is of the teaching suggested in the verse of poetry which I quoted:

"My God is reconciled;"

for the Apostle says, "hath reconciled us," (2 Cor. 5: 18.)

So that the soul that learns how God saves it, rather exclaims

"I to God am reconciled."

I — who had hard thoughts about Him — now find in God a Father, to whom I am brought as a child, and blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 3: 8; Eph. 1: 3.)

As a result, moreover, God in Christ gets all the praise. "All things are of God who hath reconciled me" — is the language of him or of her that understands the ground of reconciliation; while the one that sings "My God is reconciled," gives himself credit for his prayers or tears as having been efficacious in procuring him what he thinks he has. I do not wonder that such are happy or unhappy, as circumstances changes with them. What I do desire, beloved friends, is that you may have such knowledge of the

EMANCIPATION

given as the fruit of the finished work of the Lord Jesus that ever His joy may remain in you, and so your joy may always be full. (1 John 1: 1-4.) But you must not disconnect God from Christ. What He did was to manifest God. Lay hold of this, dear friends. The only-begotten son in the bosom of the Father hath declared God. (John 1: 18.)

I am sometimes astonished at the way in which persons believe, and teach, a practical severance between Christ and God with regard to the sinner. They will pity such as vainly seek the aid of the virgin Mary in their approach to the Lord, while they themselves believe that love exists in the latter; but they cannot find peace, because they never saw in Christ that

"GOD IS LOVE."

God saw us as those upon whom Satan was imposing; and He in grace sent His Son to bring us out of the condition in which we were, to Himself; and, knowing how Satan has instructed us to believe him and to doubt God (this began in the garden of Eden), God is presented in 2 Cor. 5 as coming to the door of the imposed-upon-sinner — down to the foolish rebel — and beseeching the sinner, praying him, in the person of Christ,

"BE RECONCILED TO GOD" —

Poor foolish, silly one — you who imagine that your prayers and tears can avail for your forgiveness!

I am astonished at the pride of your naughty spirit, that can attach so much importance to what you do.

Till to Jesus' work you cling, by a simple faith,

"Doing" is a deadly thing, "doing" ends in death.

Cast your deadly doing down, down at Jesus' feet,

Stand in Him, in Him alone, gloriously complete!

A little girl is led away from home; and she soon loses all she brought with her, and her good name is tarnished. She is much dejected, and deeply deplores her position, and longs to be back with her mother.

A visit is paid her by one full of feeling for the girl, but one that does not know her mother. "My young friend," he begins, "do write to your mother and assure her that you are very sorry for your fault, and that you will behave better if she takes you back. All the lost goods will be restored, and the good name reclaimed." "Sir," she might well reply, "I am not fit to look in her face again, and how shall I write to her. As to restoration of lost goods and name, I know, in sober sense, that that is impossible. Despair is the word expressing my feelings." An advertisement appears in the local papers, and some living agents from the mother are moving about the village. The object of all is to find out the girl. Found — she is addressed by one, "I have just left your mother, little girl, and she begged me to assure you that a mother's heart and home have always been yours; and she further besought me not to leave you behind if I met with you; but to take you with me to her."

Now this, beloved friends, is a different sort of news, is it not? And it expresses just the difference between the Gospel preached by the Lord Himself, by Paul, and by others in the New Testament, and that which sets men doing for salvation — instead of receiving the "Gift of God (which) is eternal life through Jesus Christ."

ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD."

But how can God, — consistently with His holiness, His truth that "the soul that sins shall die" — how can He give me a welcome? How can He pardon, cleanse, and receive me? This I shall endeavour to-night to answer; and may the Lord bless you as you listen.

Let me premise that the Lord Jesus, in this scene, was declaring who God is. "No man hath seen God at any time — the only-begotten Son hath declared Him." "Whosoever hath seen Me," saith the Lord, "hath seen the Father." Hence, if we see the Lord showing compassion to the hungry multitude, we see a manifestation of the pity of God; and calling Lazarus from the dead — the power of God is exhibited by Christ in that act; and speaking peace to the poor woman, I see the grace of God in forgiving sin. Perfect God Himself, while He was perfect Man; but He takes the place of a servant, of one come to do "Thy will, O God." (May we all learn of Him. Let all God's saints imitate Him in this. He who was everything — Creator, Preserver, Lord, comes here to be nothing; takes the place of the true servant. He was the true exponent of God. May all of us who are now savingly and eternally linked-up with Him, be His reproducers in this earth. This is indeed the privilege of every saved one. "As my Father sent me, even so send I you.")

Having thus laid down the premise, viz. that the Lord Jesus came as a revealer of the Father; that whatever He did was the act of God, let us proceed to what He did for the encouragement of the sinner in coming to God. In the chapter (Luke 15) which I read, we see the man Christ Jesus sitting in the midst of publicans and sinners. The greatest gift of heaven for the most worthless thing of earth, stoops to come into the condition of the fallen — so as to reveal the Father's heart of love.

"The Good Samaritan as he journeyed, came where he was." — See the sevenfold descent (seven in scripture is a perfect number) in Phil. 2.

1. Made Himself of no reputation.

2. Took upon Him the form of a servant.

3. Was made in the likeness of men.

4. Found in fashion as a man.

5. Humbled Himself.

6. Was obedient unto death.

7. The death of the cross.

"He came from off the throne eternal,

Down to Calvary's depth of woe."

This, in some measure, the murmuring scribes and Pharisees saw; and hence their remark, This man receiveth sinners." Now I call your special attention to this notice, so to say, placed over the door of the house of mercy. The writing is distinct; all may read it —

"THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS."

He does so on behalf of the Father. Mark! He receives Sinners. If any are journeying on with me, I ask you particularly to observe whom He receives — "Sinners!" Are you such! Do you know that your sins caused the Lord to bleed — pointed the nails and fixed the thorns? You do not? Then I have only to say He does not receive YOU. Good people never get salvation. Eternal life is offered to the bad, to the wicked, to the ungodly, to the sinner.

Some one is saying to me, "I am a sinner. I am convinced that, dying in my present condition of rejecting the grace of God, I shall go to hell. I want to know peace and joy. Do tell me how I am to get them." Very well, I shall take you into this house, over the door of which stands the placard. I know that when you get into the presence of my Lord He will administer unto you the peace and joy you need, and which He came to impart.

But before going in, stay outside with me for a minute or two, and let me tell you something about

"THIS MAN —"

for in proportion as you understand who He is, will you (1st) trust Him; and (2nd) adore Him.

Turn with me to the account you have of Him in Prov. 8. Scripture abounds with descriptions of the Blessed One. He is called — The Son; The Son of God; The Son of the Highest; The Eternal Son of God; The Everlasting Father; The God of Abraham; Jehovah; The Lord of Glory; Alpha and Omega; and many other blessed titles are His.

In the work of redemption, however, in the execution of the plan by which a holy God could receive and welcome a sinner, I see such wisdom manifested, that at once I turn to this portion (Prov. 8) for a description of Him.

I admit that the word wisdom in the book of Proverbs generally refers to the right use of knowledge, but in this 8th chapter you observe that the word is applied to a person. Wisdom cries (v. 1); stands (v. 2); I cry, my voice (v. 4); I dwell (v. 12). Kings get authority from Wisdom (v. 15); Wisdom loves (v. 17); leads (v. 20); is possessed by Jehovah (v. 22); blesses the man that hears (v. 34). From such references, it must be evident that

WISDOM OF THAT CHAPTER IS A PERSON.

Who is the person here called Wisdom? The answer is on the very surface. Who could correspond to such a character but the Lord Jesus? But doubts are excluded, and guesses are not needed when we read such key passages as 1 Cor. 1: 24, "Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God;" and ver. 30, "Christ Jesus, who is made of God to us wisdom." "In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom." (Col. 2: 3.) Hence —

WISDOM OF PROV. 8 IS THE LORD JESUS.

The distance at which you and I stood from God needed to be removed, the chasm to be bridged that separated a Holy and Righteous God from an unholy, wretched sinner. Wisdom must do all this. Not only is wisdom required; but He in whom dwell all the treasures of wisdom —the personification of wisdom — Christ Himself must execute the plan. He must come all the distance and pick us up; and raise us from the dead, by the Father; us for whom He thus came, and whom He linked with Himself in His resurrection — co-raised with Him, and made to sit with Him in the heavenlies. (Eph. 2: 5, 6.) Matchless grace! Inimitable love! Peerless Wisdom!

He Himself has bridged over the chasm — "I am the way. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

"Thus Wisdom's words discover

Thy glory and Thy grace,

Thou Everlasting Lover

Of our unworthy race!

Thy gracious eye surveyed us,

Ere stars were seen above,

In wisdom Thou hast made us,

And died for us in love."

Such is the person spoken of here as being with Jehovah from all eternity — before the mountains were brought forth — before the depths He was. Notice His eternity! With Jehovah! and say can you trust Him?

If you had a legal case, you would seek the counsel of the most noted lawyer — and the most experienced physician would be chosen by you for your aliments.

"This Man," to whom I wish to introduce you, is the One who is called Jehovah's "Fellow;" and in this chapter "His delight." For ever with the Father one. The counsels of the Father were in Him from the beginning, His secrets were hid in Him, and disclosed by Him.

"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before the works of old." Say that the hills are six thousand years old; say, if you please, a million, and the Lord Jesus — "This Man" — existed prior thereto. It must be so, for He was Creator of everything. (Col. 1: 15-17.)

Pausing here for a moment, you may well ask —

"Why did the Holy and the Just,

The Sovereign of the skies,

Stoop down to man's estate and dust?"

Answer —

"For man — O miracle of grace,

For man the Saviour bled."

(You that know Him as your Saviour may well pause and send up your baskets full of first-fruits — Deut. 26 — your worship to Him who is indeed worthy.)

Is not this spanning? The heights above and the depths below linked up by "This Man." Such is the matchless wisdom exercised towards you and me. No hindrance now is offered to the sinner. "Whosoever will, let Him come," through Him who is "The Way." "I was daily His delight," finds a duplicate in Matthew, when, the heavens being opened, Jehovah says of the Son of Man, "This is my beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased" (or delighted). Heaven is still opened, and faith looks up and beholds "This Man" at God's right hand, and cries out, "He is the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely." Is that your language? Then in a measure your "fellowship is with the Father."

But is it not surprising, that He who is Jehovah's Equal, should choose as His delights the sons of men? (v. 30, 31.) Yet so it is. He passed by angels, and men are the objects of His love. And yet you doubt Him. He saw us imposed upon by Satan, hating God, entertaining the hardest thoughts of God, and He comes, for His love's sake, to beseech us to be at peace with, to be the friends of, to be reconciled to, God.

If the Prince of Wales were to implore a rebel to accept the Queen's pardon, and so escape death — a death he deserved — surely we would all have no pity for the individual who would not give the heir-apparent a listening. You are a thousand-fold worse. The Lord of Glory comes to your feet, and beseeches you to accept His Father's righteous pardon. Yes, righteous, because of what Jesus suffered; and the only response you make is to raise your feet and trample on the Son of God. Thus you act, practically, as long as you refuse to be saved by Him.

Oh, my fellow-men, why do ye so foolishly? Why reject the last offer God can make you?

I said that Christ "for His love's sake," came to your rescue; yes, for what did you present to Him in yourselves, but all that was distasteful! Yet He found His delights in the sons of men. He is the Father's delight, and those that believe are His, and thus He links us up with the Father. "The glory thou hast given me, I have given them, in order to their being one as we are." "I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." "Joint heirs with Christ."

Will you, my beloved hearers, respond or not to such manner of love?

"That love, so full, so rich, and free,

That matchless love that found out me."

I trust that by this time you have arrived at some adoring estimate of "This Man;" for if not, the tale of Calvary will lose its admirable effect on you. It is only as you understand who the Person is who was crowned with glory and worshipped by angels from all eternity, that there is any hope of your learning the manner of His love, which could be spit upon and mocked; the grace of God that gave Him up; and the heinousness of the sin for which He suffered. Failing to see this, many learn that their sins were put away for the sake of Christ; but there they stop short, and are not found, like the cleansed leper, at the feet of Him who stooped to save us — worshipping, giving thanks.

Mary, in the house of the Pharisee (John 12), thinks nothing too costly to bestow upon Him who had forgiven her sins. But that resulted from some knowledge she had of the worth of His person. Learn that "This Man" is Jehovah. I know nothing that so draws out the soul in worship (i.e., in giving praise, adoring, etc.,) as to dwell, in any measure, upon the value of the Person we have been considering. You must observe that there is no intermediate halting-place with Him; heaven's height and Calvary's depth of woe are the extremes. But we have seen Him there, and now let us view Him here: and may each that now listens to me be attracted to the Person, and find rest in Him.

Now we find that the Lord of Glory is sitting with publicans and sinners. Well, He only could do it. Anyone else would be defiled; but this pure and spotless One was quite beyond what could contaminate. If even a priest touched a leprous man he was unclean. But "This Man" could touch and heal; how could He be defiled? Impossible! I am delighted to find that the placard put up by the envious Pharisees is just what the Holy Ghost sanctions, and it is now as true as ever —

"THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS."

Let us now look at the welcome the Father gives, as we find it given us in figure in Luke 15; where also we see the reason why He can consistently with His holiness receive the sinner.

The Lord generally used parables as the simple way of communicating knowledge to His hearers. There are three in the chapter which I have just read. Let me say at once that each of the Lord's parables has a truth in it to be brought out; which truth being seen, the minor points in the parable need not necessarily be considered.

Again let me remind you that the names given to the parables, are such as men (in latter days) fixed upon. Hence we are at perfect liberty to alter such names. I venture to suggest that the three parables in this chapter are not well titled; and I presume to call them by different names.

I shall call the first, "The parable of the Shepherd," instead of the parable of the lost sheep; and for the parable of the piece of silver I shall substitute the title, "The parable of the woman with the light;" and "The parable of the Father," for that of the prodigal son.

The point in the first parable is, I doubt not, the character of "This Man," who came to seek and to save the lost — who loved the church and gave Himself for it. He is here seen as the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. And the second parable is clearly the Holy Ghost with the word finding out the sinner; while God the Father is represented in the third parable as affording the sinner access to Himself. The order of the parables is very beautiful. First, the Son must put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself; which being accomplished, and Christ being glorified — the Holy Ghost is sent down and is found applying the value of Christ's death to the believer's conscience, and leading to God; then we find the Father giving His welcome to the penitent one, who, led on by the Holy Ghost, accepts Christ for himself.

Thus the three parables are intended to teach one truth — the interest of the Trinity in one sinner.

I may here remark, that only as we link the three parables thus, can a full gospel be presented from this chapter. To preach, for instance, from the last only, the question may well be asked, "On what principle can God, the righteous, forgive the sinner?"

Seeing the chief aim of these parables, it would not be amiss to see the sinner in three different aspects; specially may we do so, if other scriptures disallow not, but approve. "All we like sheep have gone astray," is true of all of Adam's children. And this view is given in Romans 3, where the sinner is alive, but alive to do evil — feet swift to shed blood, he has no fear of God before His eyes.

In this view, the Lord is represented as going after the lost one, and for his ransom laying down His own life.

In the Epistle to the Ephesians, the sinner is viewed as "dead in trespasses and sins," like the piece of silver hidden in the stuff, and lying incapable of helping itself; God by His Spirit must quicken — give life to such.

Then, the word of God applied by the Spirit to the soul convinces of sin, leads to repentance towards God and to faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. The soul thus awakened is figured in the third parable in the returning prodigal.

The journey the Lord took for the salvation of the lost sheep is indeed immeasurable; and this you have already been led to see in the view of Him in Prov. 8. The Eternal Son of the Father, the One before whom all fall down and worship in heaven, is found with publicans and sinners.

The love that brought Him down is deeply touching. He knew that everything had failed to reclaim the wanderer, and hence He Himself stoops to come. And what is so marvellous is the way in which He approaches man. Not as a patron who will have the recipient to feel the measure of distance between the receiver and the giver — but He comes as a friend — a kinsman — to woo, to allure, by the gentleness of His love. The Samaritan woman must decidedly have been at ease in the presence of Him who is the fountain of everlasting streams; but who first stoops to ask for a drink of water.

GIVE ME TO DRINK.

He sits so easily by her side, and is so gracious with the woman, that she feels no pressure in His presence, and is thoroughly surprised, on hoping for Messias, to hear from the lips of the stranger, "I that speak to thee am He." Nothing is more distinct than the amazing condescension of the "Son of man come to seek and to save that which was lost." When He reaches us He puts Himself into our circumstances to open our hearts toward Himself, and then with anxious solicitation concerning the sinner asks,

WHAT WILT THOU THAT I DO FOR THEE?

"Can'st thou entrust thy case to me? Can'st thou not recline on my love? Am I not worthy of thy affection? Say, 'I love him who first loved me.' " Then linking the Father with Himself in this gracious act of reception, He adds,

"HE THAT RECEIVETH ME, RECEIVETH HIM THAT SENT ME."

Let me ask you, my beloved hearers, Can you refuse such love?

"Nay, but I yield, I yield, I can hold out no more;

I sink, by dying love compelled, and own Christ conqueror."

May such be your decision. And pray let it be before it is too late. The very One whom now you refuse, will soon take "vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power."

This leads me to call your serious attention to the place this chapter holds in relation to the one before and that succeeding it. Observe that in chapter 14 you have a view of the energies of God's grace and love. He has not only there enough and to spare for all that will come, but He sends out His servants to invite, aye, even to compel to come in, as His delight will be had in seeing the large provision of His grace and love and of His righteousness indulged. This He does now by the Gospel. This I desire to do, as one desiring to serve Him in the Gospel. His love is active, and He urges my diligence in persuading you of the welcome He is waiting to give.

HERE, THEN, WE HAVE GOD INVITING.

In chapter 15 we have God presented as welcoming one who accepts, in all simplicity, His invitation. This we shall see presently more fully.

But just see, O rejectors of the Gospel — you who trifle with God; with your own immortal souls; and forget the reality of eternal wrath on all that believe not God — just notice the position of the man in chap. 16. He found hell a reality, torments realities, and then desired sympathy. But, alas! it was too late! In his lifetime his preference was for his "good things." God, and eternal life for Jesus' sake, were never thought of. The people of God he despised, and their testimony to the finished work on the cross laughed at. Now they are comforted; he tormented.

I turn aside to warn you, dear friends, that are yet unsaved; and in this I desire in faithfulness to include careless ones, mere outwardly professing ones, as well as doubting ones. (Rev. 21: 8.)

God will judge you in righteousness by this Man whom He sent to save you, but whom ye refused. (Acts 17: 30, 31.) I pray that you may bow in the presence of such love and grace.

But there is another point of view from which to see the Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. I have alluded to His coming just where we were to pick us up. Like the kind man who learns that a poor fellow lies, with a broken leg, at the bottom of a pit, he does not cry to him, and exhort him to try his best to clamber up; nor does he send down the lift to him, but he himself descends to the bottom of the pit where the man is, lifts him up, places him on the lift, and then has some one at the top to draw up both.

The gracious Lord came where we were, or else we must for ever have remained in our misery and woe.

HE MUST NEEDS GO THROUGH SAMARIA.

This is the human side of redemption, if I may say so. But God's holiness was to be met. In this scene He had been dishonoured by man, and man in this scene should glorify God in His righteous judgment respecting sin. Who is there to do it? Not one of fallen men, nor all together; for none knew the mind of God about it. "I will go to do thy will, O God," could be said by One only, viz., by Him who "loved the church, and gave himself for it." He comes in the fulness of time and says, "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God; a body thou hast prepared me."

But, "without shedding of blood there is no remission," is the righteous sentence of Jehovah; and this Gentle One says, "I will shed my blood for the guilty." Then

"JEHOVAH LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL."

"He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him." "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised from the dead for our justification."

If a lamb without blemish must be killed for a guilty people, the Lamb of God comes to put away the sins of the world. That He did suffer who can doubt who reads Psalm 22 in connection with Matt. 27?

He was really the victim on whom the judgment due to you and to me fell (and your eternal damnation will be for refusing Him whom God thus gave for you).

He never shrank from all this; anxious to put away sin by His own sacrifice, He says, "I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished?" In the Garden of Gethsemane, His soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! But He has not His own but does his Father's will.

"What shall I say?" Shall I say, "Father, save me from this hour?" "For this cause came I to this hour." Oh, who can tell the darkness, the horrors, the pangs of that hour? None but He who passed through them in grace can truly estimate them.

But again, who can doubt the sufficiency of the sacrifice, when the Atoning one declares, "Thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns;" and on the cross, "It is finished." Bearing our guilt He cries, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" The sacrifice being accepted, He calmly says, "Father," "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." He went into the grave, and

GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD,

and said to Him, "Sit thou on my right hand." His session there gives the answer to the question,

HAS GOD ACCEPTED THE SACRIFICE?

Then if God is satisfied, why am I not: Let this be your question.

But further, the power that raised Him from the dead, is that by which every believer is raised from his old Adam condition out of everything that God could not be pleased with; and now being co-raised (raised up together, Eph. 2) with Christ, God sees us as seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. And thus He cannot but be pleased with those who own that Christ has met their need. They are accepted in the Beloved One; in whom they have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 1: 5-7.)

"On the Lamb my soul is resting,

What His love no words can say;

All my sins, so great, so many,

In His blood are washed away.

Sweetest rest and peace have filled me,

Sweeter peace than tongue can tell;

God is satisfied with Jesus,

I am satisfied as well.

Now my heart no more condemns me,

For His own most precious blood,

Once for all has washed and cleansed me,

Cleansed me in the eye of God.

Filled with this sweet peace for ever,

On I go through strife and care,

Till I find that peace around me,

In the Lamb's high glory there."

This, then, is GOD'S side, if I may say so. We see now how He can, consistently with His divine Righteousness — yes, because of His justice — receive every one that comes in the name of Jesus. (Rom. 3: 22-26.)

I shall not dwell upon the second parable, the woman with the light. I have already said that it seems to me to put, in figure, the way in which the Holy Ghost deals with the soul.

It would be perhaps well to remind you that you are responsible (1st) for the life you have. You cannot, if you go to hell, say, "No man cared for my soul." The gospel has been told you; God has been seeking you by the word, and if you are lost it will be for

MAKING GOD A LIAR (1 JOHN 5: 10).

(2nd) Remember that, being saved, God must have all the praise. The servant is nothing. The means nothing. God must be everything. This is important to bear in mind; because the sinner should rest where God puts him. The Holy Ghost leads to Christ and never to man. "From the power of Satan to God."

I pass on, however, to notice the last parable, viz., of "the Father." This, I am sure, is the highest truth in the chapter (if we may venture to compare God's truth) — access to God is placed by Paul in connection with justification and peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5 and Eph. 2: 18.) And it is no small matter to know that I, who was once afar off, am brought nigh to God, who for the sake of His Son can afford, aye, delight to give, to every sinner that believeth, a welcome.

"ACCEPTED (BY GOD) IN THE BELOVED (ONE)."

It will not be amiss to study the way of God towards the awakened one, in detail.

I said "awakened one;" but the truth is rather the same one, recovered from his madness. "When he came to himself."

The prodigal had showed no few elements of an unsound mind. 1st. He was a servant of swine; whereas, being a Jew, he should despise swine as being unclean. God has passed His sentence upon swine, and this insane youth was placing his opinion — in a practical manner — against God's. You (and I once) were slaves to self, to sin, to Satan; on all of whom God passed His sentence when His spotless, blameless Son died on the cross.

Will any here continue to refuse to ask, Why did the Innocent One lay down His life?"

"Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by, was there ever sorrow like unto my sorrow?"

2nd. He fed upon husks. Is one in his senses who eats husks instead of bread? You cannot — beloved friends — God will never permit you to know happiness till you take the food of the children.

"I," SAYS CHRIST, "AM THE BREAD OF LIFE;" AND HE ONLY CAN SATISFY.

To all sorts of things you go; after every bubble you are pursuing in search of happiness. While each says to you one by one,

"HAPPINESS IS NOT IN ME,"

Yet madly you persevere.

3rd. Again, the prodigal was doubtless trying for some time to recover lost goods, and so carry something to his father; and this was his thought, notwithstanding failure for the past to do so, and no prospect in the future.

I am reminded of an old man to whom I spoke at Margate a little while ago, who told me he was doing his best to be happy. "Then you are not happy yet," I replied, "No, I wish I was; but I am trying, and I am hopeful." "How old are you?" I asked. "Sixty-five years, sir." "So you have tried for sixty-five years and failed, and yet hope to succeed in the few — less than half of sixty-five years — that remain?" Madmen never reason correctly; indeed they cannot. Now many of you know how you have failed to get life by your doing. Will you continue to try, or will you now, yes, this very moment, receive God's gift?

"Cease your doing, all was done,

Long, long ago.

Cast your deadly doing down —

Down at Jesus' feet,

Stand in Him — in Him alone,

Gloriously complete!"

Naaman carried a large sum of money with him, hoping to pay for his cleansing. The word was, "Dip in Jordan."

You are still beside yourselves, my dear hearers, if you are trying and striving to do for life.

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness." (Rom. 4: 5.) This is God's word; and you are surely presumptuous indeed, who oppose your thoughts, your ideas, and man's false dogmas, to such Divine truth.

4th. Not far short of madness was the idea of the prodigal that a father would hire him as a servant whose desire was to welcome a son.

Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Who, I ask, in sober sense, would choose the place of a slave to that of a son? But alas! how many are found doing it! God stoops in grace — nay more, for the honour of His Son — further, for the sake of His Divine Righteousness — to call them children who believe on His Son; and yet some of you are still found the slaves of sin, Satan, and self?

May you be led to a right mind in this matter. "Come and let us reason together, saith Jehovah."

The prodigal starts towards the father; but not to implore a heartless parent, not to be in any way repulsed, but what do we read? —

1st. "When he was yet a great way off, the father saw him." Persons not expected, not looked for, may stand for some seconds rapping at your door, even though a cordial welcome be afterwards accorded; but who doubts the warmth of his reception, when not only at the door, but down the long gap, he is seen by those who were looking out for him?

God is "waiting to be gracious." He looks to see the soul that is feeling after Himself, and is represented as having pleasure when any will be called children by Jesus Christ. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over every sinner that repenteth." Oh, how should this encourage the broken-hearted!

2nd. "Had compassion." These are not accidental; they are essential words, chosen by the blessed Lord. "As I live," saith the Lord (Jehovah), "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn and live. Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" "Ye will not come to me, that ye may have life." God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He has compassion still, and desires your salvation, beloved friends.

THE WILL OF GOD IS OUR SALVATION.

This teaching, you see, consistent with God's character, whether before or since the cross, is quite opposed to the idea of there being one whom you must try to appease by your puny prayers and tears. God yearns over the sinner, and hence sent Jesus with the mission from heaven which put in words would be, "Beseech men to be reconciled to Me! assure them that I am for them, I am all day long stretching forth my hand toward them. Can they not believe my love?"

3rd. "And ran." Oh what language to assure the heart! The most intense eagerness to receive all who come in the name of Jesus, is here manifested.

4th. "Fell on his neck and kissed him." Marvellous indeed! What but the purest love could prompt a kiss for this worthless, ragged prodigal! But true love has its joy in its own acts, independently of the worthiness of the object of it.

LOVE ACTS FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

"God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5: 8.)

And, so thoroughly pleased is God with the sacrifice made, that He will now act according to the promptings of His own love, despite the wretched condition of the sinner.

The far-off one can now be brought nigh to God, and they are seen in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2: 13.)

The enemies are reconciled to God by the death of His Son. (Rom. 5: 10.)

Strangers, are made adopted sons. (Rom. 8: 15; Eph. 2: 19.)

Paupers are co-heirs (joint-persons) with Christ. (Rom. 8: 17.)

We are too fond of measuring God by our short standard, and hence we desire that He would just do this little, and just have mercy, and just save us from hell, etc. But, I repeat, he must act like Himself. "If thou knewest the gift of God" (or if you knew God as a giver).

A farmer, I read somewhere, once went to King George III. and said, "Sire, I owe fifty pounds; and I thought that no one could so ably assist me as your Majesty." "Why so?" replied the King. "Because your Majesty is a King," he answered. The King felt greatly flattered by such confidence in him, and settled all the debt.

God likes us to treat Him as God — full of compassion, and abundant in mercy and in truth.

Do trust His love, beloved friend. Do let Him give you a welcome in Christ. Listen as he says to the brokenhearted one,

"THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE. GO IN PEACE."

Mark, please, the Father received the prodigal son just as he was. God receives the sinner just as he is. Vain and hopeless are attempts to improve your condition. God desires that His mercy and grace shall be magnified, and hence He will have you come just as you are.

Two truths the prodigal must have learned among others.

1st. The folly of trying to improve himself.

2nd. That all that love could plan was already provided for him by a Father.

And every believer has had to learn the same two truths.

1st. It is needless doing, to seek to better our condition — for at the end the word rings in our ears, "Ye must be born again."

2nd. God, in grace, rich in mercy, has enough and to spare, for all that come through Jesus.

A poor old woman, asked to a "treat" given in her village, cannot understand a gift; nor does she know the wealth and the large-heartedness of her host. Hence she carries her own little dish as a contribution to the feast. A crowded table has no room left on it for her little dish. She is overwhelmed with the sense of the abundance provided, and thoroughly ashamed of her little-mindedness.

"Just as I am, and waiting not,

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come."

And now commences the confession of the prodigal, from which you must make a subtraction. He had determined to say, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants." But when he saw such evidence of His Father's love he dared not go beyond the word "son," the request to be made a servant is given up.

It is well for a soul to feel and to acknowledge its undeservedness of any mercy. And I am delighted to deal with one thoroughly broken on account of sin. That repentance which leads to the abhorrence of self, and directs to God, is all the work of the Spirit of God on the sinner. But when such wretchedness is seen in the light of the cross on which the innocent dies for the guilty — the soul sees at the same time that which meets its need, and more still — that which satisfies God respecting the sinner. Who lays anything to the charge of the sinner? For God says he is a just man for the sake of Christ. (Rom. 8: 33.) Who is to condemn Him? For he is in the Christ that died and rose again. (Rom. 8: 34.)

Then the court is cleared, and the sinner is left with Him from whose love nothing can separate Him (ver. 38, 39). And yet more, if more is possible, he is found rejoicing — having his joy in God, who he thought would judge him. A prisoner having joy in his judge! (Rom. 5: 11.)

5th. "Bring the best robe and put it on him." The son being kissed and thus welcomed, is not to have the "reproach of Egypt," the far-off country, on him. He must now appear in habiliments of a Father's choice; so that a Father may have pleasure in seeing the son as he likes him. But the robe is already prepared — the son has not even to put it on. The Father says, "Be quiet, and let us deck you in the family garb." The robe, beloved hearers, is Christ Himself, in whom God sees you, if you will simply believe. This is the name by which He shall be called, "The Lord our Righteousness." (1 Cor. 1: 30.) "He made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God (being) in Him." (2 Cor. 5: 21.) In Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1: 30), "Ye are complete in Him." (Col. 2: 9, 10.)

The result is, that a holy God can see us with pleasure, for He looks at Him who is always "His delight," and sees us in Him. The Lord Jesus is the best robe; provided before the world was.

"But saints are lovely in His sight,

He views His children with delight."

Again let me ask you, if God is thus satisfied, aye more, is delighted with you, can you not sit at ease?

Do not forget that in no portion of the Scriptures is the sinner whom God saves for the sake of Christ presented as being in himself changed as to the flesh. Such an idea is as dangerous as it is lowering to the divine ways of God.

"In me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good thing." (Rom. 7: 18.) Of course the new nature is imparted to every believer (see 2 Cor. 5: 17, Gal. 6: 15; and for the two distinct natures, read Gal. 5: 17); and the Spirit of God abiding in him (Rom. 8: 15, 16), is the power by which he keeps under the body — mortifies the flesh daily — yea momently. But "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" — (pray do not trust it for a second) — while "that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." (John 3: 6.) It is important that young believers specially should understand the teaching of the Scripture respecting this truth. Not knowing what saith the Lord about themselves, some are ever looking "in me, that is in my flesh," for some improvement, instead of accepting God's judgment of its irremediable ruin. Such are easy preys to doubts and fears and misgivings. But I repeat, that which is of the flesh is bad; God has said so, and some of us know by sad experience that it is so. Forget this, and cease to guard it, and instantly it becomes master.

And another thing to remember is, that if we fall into sin and do that which we hate — allow not — we have a mercy-seat to which we can repair immediately. The very One who died for the sinner is now before God, the Advocate for the believer at his time of failure. (1 John 1: 2.) And because He is there, I can go and confess my sins to God who is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. And thus we must act if we desire to live as saints, in the sunshine of God's favour and joy. Adopted as a son, I am a son for ever. But let us seek to enjoy the privilege of sons, which we cannot while we indulge anything unbecoming the presence of our Father. Indeed I for one should question whether a man was saved, who was without conscience, living in sin. May grace be given us who are welcomed, to judge ourselves daily, and so to walk as those should who profess to cry "Abba, Father."

6th. "And put a ring on his hand." The bride wears a ring, and by it is reminded that no one can put asunder those whom God hath joined together. The believer and God are related for eternity. Oh, thrice happy thought! Let praise ascend to Him who can call us "brethren," and can link us up for ever with "His Father and our Father, His God and our God!" "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. No one is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10: 28, 29.)

"Old Bessie," of R—, Yorkshire, told me that the only thing she feared was her letting go one of those days, as she held so feebly, and so perish eternally. I replied, "Yes, if our salvation depended on our holding on, I should have fallen off long ago. But, blessed be God, we are held by the Father and the Son, and none can pluck us away." Eternal life!

7th. "And shoes on his feet." The blessing is now perfect — seven, the perfect number. (I must here guard you. All the blessing thus put in figures is obtainable at once — now — by simple belief in Christ.) No inferior person would be at ease in Eastern countries in the presence of a superior, with his sandals on. Hence the force of the word to Moses and to Joshua, "Take thy shoes from off thy feet."

Now that the work of the atonement is done, God says to the believer, "Put on your shoes." He likes us to be at perfect ease and peace in His presence, as sons.

And now that God can look upon you with delight, He allows you to ask yourself, "What more can I need? My sins are gone, God will never remember them against me any more. I am at peace with Himself, who sees me in His Son. I certainly lack nothing."

"Now;" adds the Father, "let us unite and rejoice over the fatted calf." It has been kept for the very purpose.

And now commences a life for and to Christ; only carried out as the new-born one — the one welcomed, stands with the knowledge of perfect "safety" and "soundness," and lives every moment by the strength supplied through Christ, "that bread of life." (John 6: 48.)

From all eternity, the Lord Jesus has been the One in whom the Father rejoiced; and we are now left free to be occupied about Him — about His value to God. If God says of Him, "He is the chief corner-stone, elect and precious," your soul may now echo "precious." "To you who believe he is precious." The woman (in John 12) finding her sins forgiven her was engaged with Himself. She pours the ointment on His body, the odour of which was a sweet perfume in the house. So you and I, filled with all that His love could provide us, are to be found running over in love to Him; not taken up with our blessing, but with our Blesser. Delightful occupation! Fraught with blessings now — with the "well done" soon.

With Him, too, beloved friends, we shall be found occupied through all eternity. Here the song commences, "Worthy is the Lamb." And through the ages of ages it shall continually be sung: —

Jesus is worthy to receive

Honour and power divine,

And blessings more than we can give

Be, Lord, for ever thine.

And such worship, beloved brethren, believers in the Lord Jesus, is the highest engagement in which we can be found. We are in it placed in the position of givers to God. He fills our bucket, and keeps it ever under the running tap, and in result the bucket runs over to Himself. This is worship. "My heart is bubbling over a good matter." (Ps. 45: 1.) It is the redeemed one in the Land carrying his baskets full of first fruits to God, and worshipping. (Deut. 26.)

What I do desire for yourselves and for myself, is that we may learn what God is, and so appreciate the welcome given by Himself, that not only shall no doubts or misgivings arise in our hearts, but much praise ascend for ever to Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us Kings and Priests to God His Father. To Him be Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1: 5, 6.)

Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1: 3.)

2. What is the New Nature?

Grace and Truth

Dr. C. J. Davis.

2. What is the New Nature?

This is a deeply important subject. Important because it affects all — high, low, rich and poor, old and young, alike. I want to try and interest all in this subject of the New Nature. What is it? When in the company of those not forgiven, not saved, I feel more than ever anxious to convince my readers of its immense importance to all; for this reason that each individual has an immortal spirit which must exist eternally in bliss or woe.

There are three certain truths revealed in the Bible, which many are anxious to deny — nay, are bold enough to question. They are —

1. The immortality of the soul.

2. The eternity of bliss.

3. Everlasting misery.

There is a thick curtain over the future, hindering us from seeing beyond the present, but God has told us what there will be. Eternal happiness for all who accept Christ as the sufficient Saviour, and woe never-ending to all that reject Him. Those who are saved will spend an eternity of bliss with Jesus — in heaven. There is not much description of the place given — we need not think so much about how it will look — how it is garnished — but it is where Jesus is, and that is enough for us who are resting in Him.

Our Lord has said, "Where I am, there shall ye be also," is not that enough to satisfy us? Like a little girl to whom it was proposed on the eve of a long railway journey, that she should remain at home instead of sitting with her mama at the railway station, because of its discomfort and exposed situation, who replied, "Oh, mama, but you will be there; wherever you are is good enough for me." The difference between the child's home and the little wayside station was just all that wealth and luxury could procure on the one hand, and the inconvenience of an ill protected cross country station, exposed to the inclemency of winter, on the other. But do you catch my thought? Do not the little girl's words find a response in many a believer's heart — "Wherever you are will do for me." Yes, to be with the Lord where He is, constitutes true bliss. Thus we see the promise of the Lord (John 14) is that the disciples are to be with Him, and Paul's hope is to be with Christ. Again, in 1 Thess. 4 we find that the saints are to be "for ever with the Lord." Without quoting other Scriptures, it must be apparent that as a believer, I shall live in happiness for ever. Paul does not speak of heaven, but his longing was to be with Christ.

Again, the Lord also speaks of the wicked. He tells of a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day during his lifetime on earth, but our Lord adds — he died and was buried, and that man lifted up his eyes in hell, being in torment. Here we see that each unbeliever exists for ever where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Solemn thought! I must live for ever in bliss or woe! Which is it to be with each of you? Surely my subject affects every one; and deeply so.

Our Lord said to Nicodemus, "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven." (John 3: 13.) Is HE not a witness to be believed? In courts of justice to-day how much importance is attached to evidence. If there is not sufficient to establish a case it cannot stand. If I wish to take a long journey to India or Australia, I want to get all the evidence I can obtain respecting the strange country to which I am bound; and if I meet some one who has been there, how valuable is his testimony! I bring some evidence — evidence most weighty and important — evidence from the only person who has been in heaven and came to earth to tell of it. Our Lord speaks to Nicodemus as "the Son of man who is in heaven." His is the evidence of one who cannot lie; who could have no object to misrepresent. He is a witness that must be believed, for it is the Lord Himself, who makes this statement to Nicodemus. It is the Son of man, the Son of God, who speaks to you, and He it is who says, "Except a man be born again he cannot see — he cannot enter into — the kingdom of God." This is the statement: weigh the evidence, listen to what the Son of God says. He can have no object in telling us this except for our good.

OUR OLD NATURE IS CORRUPT, IT CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

I will pause here to say a word on the difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God always supposes regeneration, conversion. The kingdom of heaven may have in it many mere professors. Thus in Matt. 13 the kingdom of heaven is compared to a field with tares and wheat, and to leaven, which always means some bad thing in Scripture. Again in chap. 25 the kingdom of heaven is likened to five wise and five foolish virgins, but the kingdom of God always implies conversion. Our Lord did not say to Nicodemus, cannot see the kingdom of heaven; but cannot see, nor enter, the kingdom of God. All who believe this testimony, and rest on the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, are saved. Those on the other hand, who do not believe, are lost eternally. God tells us this in His word. Whether you believe it or not, the fact remains, for He tells the truth.

I have now to put a very solemn statement before all who do not receive this witness of our Lord Jesus. They are represented as —

"MAKING GOD A LIAR."

This statement you will find in 1 John 5: 10. It is there distinctly stated, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself, he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar." Beloved friends, do you who are unsaved like to be charged with "making God a liar!" If you do not believe the gospel you are in reality doing so; and if there are some who are partly resting on and partly doubting God's word, do allow me to press upon you the conviction, that unless you believe you are making God a liar! Jesus says, "Look unto me, poor broken-hearted sinner! just look; just believe." As when in the wilderness the Israelites were bitten, God said, "Look at the uplifted serpent and live;" those that refused to look were those that did not have confidence in God's simple yet efficient remedy, they doubted and they died.

If you perish it will be for doubting (see John 3: 18).

The illustration I have chosen to express my thoughts on this subject, presents a person of more than ordinary standing among men. There are three things spoken of Naaman in that portion of God's word, 2 Kings 5.

1. That he was a great man.

2. That he was an honourable man.

3. That he was a man of valour.

When, beloved friends, we look at Naaman, we must agree it looks like our own likeness if we are still in our state of nature. In the Bible God does not write a long list of our names, but He draws our picture — likeness — photograph. Look, and you will find your own photograph. If you will find yours and own it, God says He will give you life for your state of death. If you will own your likeness — as sinners — God will give you eternal life.

A mother once said to her children, wishing to explain this thought to them, "If you will each go to the album and bring your own photograph, I will give you a present!" they did so, and received her gift, and she pressed this idea home upon them. It may be an ugly photograph; sin is a wretched ugly picture, but you must own it — confess it to be yours — if you do, God will give you eternal life, which does not only mean pardon, but Christ Himself, who is life. I hope I shall show you now, or at some other opportunity, that on account of the finished work on the Cross, God not only puts away your sins, but yourself, and looks at you as you are in Him in whom you believe.

"BUT HE WAS A LEPER."

Those of you who are interested in this subject, read at your leisure Lev. 13th and 14th chapters. This is a picture of us all, of you and of me. We have inherited a sinful nature. Not one man, woman, or child, but has this disease clinging to us, and unless cleansed, we cannot partake of the bliss of the family of God! Respectability, honour, morality, and even loud profession, cannot save a soul or shelter it from eternal death. Even to a religious Nicodemus, the Lord says,

"YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN."

It may be, you mix with the children of God, you may be found in their company; but unless cleansed and renewed, you cannot be a partaker of their joy. Though you sit with the people of God you cannot enjoy their bliss.

We as believers have many failings among us, to our shame be it spoken; yet we have a joy unspeakable, and full of glory. How do we know the difference? Jesus passed by, touched the leprosy, and it departed, and they knew the time when their eyes were opened; they saw the pitfall and the ruin before them; Jesus had said, "Look unto me," and they looked and believed, for the Lord's word is, "Whosoever believeth hath everlasting life." They looked and found peace in believing. I heard — believed — have joy; Our Lord says "hath," not "shall have" (John 5: 24). It is a present possession — hath life — peace — joy. You who have not believed have no joy.

Not long ago a woman went to a doctor for advice in a trying complaint, from which she was suffering. After examining her for some time, he said, "There is something which must be removed at once, or you must lose your life!" She said, "I will consult my husband." On her return she said, "Is there no hope for me, unless I submit to the operation?" He said, "No hope, unless the tumour is removed at once." She said, "Then I will decide at once." The woman was wise. She decided, and decided wisely. Oh, wonderful grace! Matchless love! The feeblest cry — the weakest touch can arrest the Lord! He is aware of the faintest desire towards Himself. Perhaps some one is saying, "O, I wish I were happy;" may not some young man be saying, "Oh, I wish I were saved." He hears you! As when the poor woman who had long been suffering from an incurable disease, pressed in among the crowd following Jesus, and with her trembling hand touched the hem of His garment — that touch thrilled through Him — He knew who it was, and said, "Some one hath touched me." "Somebody!" asked the disciples, "why pick one out? Multitudes throng thee, yet thou sayest somebody hath touched me." But He said, "Virtue hath gone out from me!" He knew He had blessed some one, and when the woman saw she was not hid, she came trembling, and with quivering lip confessed, "Lord, I touched," and that brought out the gracious response, "Daughter, depart in peace."

He is sensitive to the feeblest touch of faith! Matchless love! And yet, though this woman had suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years, and was healed by a touch of the hem of His garment, she had not peace till she confessed Jesus!

Have you who know Jesus any whose hearts are unchanged, yet covered with the leprosy of sin? And you may, often as you look at them, breathe this desire for them — Would God they knew and believed in my Saviour! You know the Lord is coming soon, what will become of them? Must they be left to go through the tribulation? Do you not often say these words of them — Would God they knew my Lord, — my Saviour, — my God! His word to such is, — Though your sins be as scarlet, He can make them as wool, though red like crimson, His blood washes them whiter than snow. We in England regard scarlet and crimson as indelible dyes, or fixed colours. Would God they would go to Him, who can cleanse, heal, save. Would God they would rest in His work.

Did not Jesus cross the Jordan, that river of death and judgment? Did He not leave His throne of glory, and come down to the lowest depth of woe? He crossed the Jordan. He came, and in wondrous grace went through and made a way for us. (He is the bridge.) There was a great chasm, no bridge over it, but He bridged it over, so that righteousness and love meet in Him, and through him we are found resting in a Father's bosom and sharing the joy of a Father whose joy is, in having His own heart satisfied in the return of the prodigal.

Have we not reason to speak of what He has done?

Old man, there is salvation for you! Young man, Jesus died for you! There is life in a look! He broke His rest for you! He performed creation's work in six days, but He broke His rest to come back and make aprons of skins. What a sight. The Father and the Son devised the whole grand scheme. Their plans completed, their purposes settled, in the fulness of time He came and passed under death, the death of the cross, on my account and yours.

What a sight for angels — for men, for Jesus, the ever pure spotless, faultless, to take the form of sinful man! That which angels desire to look into we see. The God-man — The Son of God veiled in flesh — and he passed the Jordan in the fulness of time.

When you and I are in the glory then we shall know more of this wondrous scheme of redemption. The Father said, I will send my Son. The Son said, I will go to make atonement. I will die. I will give myself to purchase my church, and fulfil a Father's will. So He goes under death.

"'Tis mystery all, let saints adore,

Let angel-minds enquire no more."

In Gethsemane hear His words, "Father, if it be possible." It was not possible. He yields His will to the Father's. If it be possible. If man could be saved without His drinking the bitter cup. But His was love stronger than death, He bore the shame, scorn, hiding of God's face. And why? He took the guilty sinner's place. He loved the church and gave Himself for it. The Father raised Him from the dead, and now angels see a Man with five wounds in heaven, its exalted Prince and Saviour. All heaven is astir, and echoing through its vaults are the praises of Him who died and rose again. Whoever believes God, and rests on the finished work of Jesus, will join the chorus. God grant not one here may be missing. The voices round the throne will say — "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," and we shall respond — "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

But faith is satisfied now; for God has shown how He values and is satisfied with the perfect Sacrifice for me, in raising my Surety from the dead.

At the door of the tabernacle in the wilderness we might have seen a lamb on whose head the sin of one of the congregation was confessed. The man who laid his hand on the head of the lamb and there confessed his sin found pardon and peace. Enough for God. Enough for the man.

Here I would in passing say, there is a difference between sin and sins (root and fruit). If any could say he was not guilty of sins, which, however, none could, yet we inherit a sinful nature, transmitted from Adam. If it be sin of ignorance God does not excuse it, and has provided a way of pardon and safety. See the lamb at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. God does not leave men to find out a way for themselves. It is not done in a corner, but a public confession, in the presence of the whole congregation of the children of Israel. All is of God. Salvation is of the Lord. The man who comes to confess may have a sad miserable face, but he goes away with a very different one. He is conscious of sin atoned for. When he came sin was on him, now it is off, and he can rejoice because the Lamb has died on his account. Jesus has done all that God required. He laid down His life a ransom for me. Though guilty, my sin has been atoned for. By faith I can realize what Jesus has done and suffered for me. Jesus has done all that God required and I am free from condemnation, and I must now live for Him.

"Payment God will not twice demand,

Once at my bleeding Surety's hand,

And then again at mine."

Faith lays hold of this, and the word is, "Go in peace."

The word of the prophet to Naaman was, "Go dip in Jordan seven times — go down into Jordan — dip seven times." He did so, and was clean. Seven refers to perfection in Scripture. It is a perfect number. It is typical of the Lord's perfect work, in which I must rest. Nothing more remains to be done. You cannot add to perfection. If a glass is full it can hold no more. What more can we do, when God says, "I am satisfied." He has sent down the Holy Spirit in token. What can we add? Naaman did not like this simple method at first. Nor do some like God's simple method now. They are willing to pray or do something; but the response of faith is —

"Just as I am, without one plea —

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God I come."

It strikes me that the man who saw the Lamb die on his account (Lev. 5), must have had some pang of conscience: some sense of his own guilt which would have cost his life if a vicarious sacrifice was not provided. And who can think of the peerless, spotless Son of man, bleeding for guilty ones, and not have a melted broken heart? I have no confidence in professed conversion, where there is no such brokenness of spirit, godly sorrow, deep heart-searching, true repentance. And to such as, with self-abhorrence, cry "God be merciful to me a sinner," the word is, "He Himself bare our sins in His own body on the tree," who was delivered for our offence, and raised again for our justification.

The eternal day will declare whether my reader has believed to the saving of his soul; if so this word will not be lost. God grant that it may be a time of decided blessing — the birthday of some. We need not count the years spent in Satan's service, but from the day we believe in Jesus our life commences.

An Emperor of Germany once asked an old man his age, when he replied, "Sire, four years." When asked how this could be, seeing his hair was white and strength failing, he said, "For eighty years I served sin and Satan, and I cannot take those years into account; four years ago I believed as a child the word of God about my ruined nature, and the new life in Christ Jesus, and I was then born again. I am four years old." God said to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt on that memorable night, "This month shall be to you the beginning of months." (Ex. 12.) All the other years (215) spent under Pharaoh were lost to them and to God. Will not some hitherto unsaved one fix this for his or her birthday? Now is your time, for the word of God says Now — close with God's offer now. This is the place — the time of mercy. "This man receiveth sinners" is still over the door of the house of mercy; but soon the door may be shut: then another gospel will be preached, but not the gospel of the grace of God. It will then be the good news that the kingdom of Christ is set up — and that He is reigning over Israel.

A gentleman once put up a board on which was written, "All debtors by applying here can have their debts paid." Many passed and repassed, and did not believe the statement. At last one poor man, who owed five pounds, thought he would try if it were true; and accordingly he went to the gentleman, and soon rejoiced in finding it indeed true, and his debt of five pounds liquidated. He naturally spoke of his good fortune, and the news spread from one to another; next day some thought they would try too, and went to the gentleman and said, "Is it true you pay people's debts for them?" His reply was, "Did you see the board hang outside my gate to-day?" They said "No, but it was there yesterday." He said, "When it was there you did not believe it, though I always mean what I say. Now I have taken it down, it is too late for you to apply." Many who hear the gospel say, "Oh, I am so young, there is time enough yet for me to consider it." Some say, "Oh, it is too good to be true." And others, "Oh, it is so easy, give me something to do." There is nothing to do but to believe what God says — what Jesus has done.

A short time ago, it was my duty to sit up during the night with a young man who was evidently dying. His life was slowly ebbing away. He had often been spoken to about believing in Jesus, but had failed to see the way of salvation. At last, seeing him draw very near death, I said, "William, you are dying, what do you think of the offer of Jesus' mercy now?" I explained to him as simply as I could, all we have to do is to believe the message and take God at His word. At length he said, "Oh, I see it, if Jesus came to save sinners, He saves me, for I am a sinner." He believed and was saved; but scores trifle and are lost at last. William, like the thief at the last moment, found mercy; but how rare are such cases? Young friends, what will you do? Will you believe at once? Those deep dyed sins will all be washed away. Jesus will receive you: God will abundantly pardon.

3. "That is your man, sir"

Grace and Truth

Dr. C. J. Davis.

"That is your man, sir;" or, Answering to a Description.

A few weeks ago, a passenger, after travelling all night by a mail train, arrived very early next morning at the A— Station. He was much fatigued, having been hard at work for some time previously. He greatly felt his need of some one (1) to direct him to his lodgings, which a kind friend had already taken for him — the way to which, however, he knew not; (2) he required some one to carry his load — a portmanteau — for him, as strength for it he had not. Standing on the platform, the station-master very courteously, yet confidently, said to him —

"That is your man, sir," pointing to a porter not far of "Do you know me?" asked the passenger.

"By description I do, sir. Your friend, expecting you by the last train, was here, and begged me, if you came by this, to secure some one to take your luggage, and to show you to your house in — Street, so I retained yon man for you, sir."

"How did he describe me?"

"As being a tall, dark-coloured gentlemen, etc., etc., wearing a — , and having — in your hands, and I think that you answer to this description."

"You are not mistaken," replied the passenger. "Thank you very much for your kindness in looking out for me. Some one to carry my luggage, and to direct me to my quarters was just what I needed, and I find that this is just what my friend provided." So saying he committed himself and his luggage to his guide and load-bearer, and in a very few minutes he was safe at home, and there he rested.

The above, dear reader, is a true story. I have sought to relate it in all its simplicity; and now, do sit with me for a few minutes before bed-time: ay, it may be just the last evening you shall be alive in this world, and let us see whether or not it is a word from God suited to you.

Have you been travelling up and down this world of pleasure, care, anxiety, and restlessness for all these years, and are you still unhappy? Does the sense of your guiltiness in God's sight make you miserable? Does the thought of death terrify you? Tell me, have you not tapped every earthen vessel around, and drunk greedily?

Yet you feel an aching void,

That nothing here can fill!

Why were you so wretched when you were ill not long ago? When you saw your dear relative lying dead by your side — when you witnessed the "dust returning to dust," and "the earth to earth," what was it, beyond the loss of the beloved one, that caused your poor breast to heave with such anguish? Thank God, I see the big tears roll down your cheeks; such are signs of good, and not of evil. But ponder seriously my questions NOW, and let us arrive at some conclusions AT ONCE. I ask you earnestly — Why are you not truly happy and peaceful? You believe that, sooner or later, you must die — for so it is appointed unto men; and you doubt not, moreover, that after death you are to wait for judgment only; not pardon, not forgiveness. (Heb. 9: 27.) FOR GOD SAYS SO. Now, can you not think of death and judgment, and be peaceful? "No, I cannot," you say; and I shall be glad to be told why."

Well, I wish to tell you why. But I shall tell you from GOD'S WORD only. I take it for granted that you accept every truth in it, from Genesis to Revelation, as being God's. And surely what He says, you and I are bound to believe — or, woe unto us!

Now, let me say that all your neighbours are not as unhappy as you are. Indeed, you were once quite at ease, as they are still, without God — asleep on the very verge of eternal death, under the influence of some of Satan's opiates. You heard a "Peace, peace, when there was no peace." You were like a murderer of whom I heard, whose friends (?) beguiled his last hours with "sweet music," and to his real condition he never soberly awoke till a minute or two before he swung from the scaffold! His piercing cries I must not now refer to — the awful oaths and curses which he hurled at his friends (?), whom, though TOO LATE! he found to be his greatest enemies in the last minutes of his earthly existence — I shall prefer you to imagine, than to read from my pen. But, beloved reader, I thank God on your account, that the Holy Ghost has awakened you now from your sleep of calm indifference. Your wretchedness is a proof to me that God is dealing with you. With every man living, either God works or the devil lulls to sleep. No third agent is recognised in the Word of God. But Satan never leads any one to think of his condition as a helpless, wretched sinner. It would not be his interest to do that. Therefore I say that GOD is dealing with you by His SPIRIT. He is convincing you of sin, and that to save you now; lest, dying unpardoned, you perish for ever. Be careful not to resist Him. Then you are thus unhappy, I say, because God has opened your eyes to see yourself in your true character.

Once more, tell me your serious, sober judgment of yourself. What word would describe your character? Is GOOD the word? — "Oh no, I am a miserable SINNER; and my cry is, God be merciful to me." I thought so; and hence I felt sure that I had not made a mistake. The fact is, that not very long ago I was as you are — hence I knew you so well.

Now, tell me next, What do you need? Just what your messenger in the story wanted: (1) some one to ease me of my load of sin; (2) a person to lead me to a place of rest."

1. Well, dear friends, the LORD JESUS is just that person. Just turn your attention to Him now. Look not within any more. He who was Creator of everything (Col. 1: 16) came 1800 years ago to this earth, and became a man. For 33 years He lived among men, manifesting in our midst, in the most practical way, what a God of love and grace was to His creature — ever for, never against, all that turn to Him. And He further showed in this scene, how a man should act for God. For One so peerless, so spotless, so holy — who, as a man like you and me (sin excepted), declared God, and set before believers such an example — all that love Him should feel deeply thankful. But to remove your load — to satisfy the demands of a just God about the sinner for whom blood must be shed, this blessed One laid down His life, a sacrifice for you and me. Nothing less than this would have rendered God just in justifying the sinner who believes Him. And with His sacrifice, the God at whose feet He offered Himself has been so pleased, that He has raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, and callen upon all Heaven to adore the only One who is worthy of the praises of all His creatures. Hence, as far as atonement for sin is concerned,

Everything was fully done,

Long, long ago.

On the Cross the Saviour said, "It is finished." But, you ask, "How am I to know now that that sacrifice was for me?" Well, just turn to Romans 5. In v. 6 we read, "Christ died for" — Now, attend to the description; for your name is not there, but your character is. And God never forewrote our names in the Bible; for then, that would do away with faith altogether. He records apt descriptions of us — draws strikingly correct photographs of each one. You have found yours. It is indeed awfully ugly, and against it is written the word "Ungodly." Well, "Christ died for the ungodly." Are you in that dreadful class? Do you own it? Again, in v. 8, "God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners (note that last word — sinners) Christ died for us." So far, it must be evident that He died for YOU. I repeat that if He died for sinners, and you own that you are a sinner, then He died for YOU; for SO SAYS GOD the HOLY GHOST. "Then, how is it that all are not saved?" Ah, dear friend, you have nothing to do with "all" at present. In the matter of salvation, each must for once be selfish. Know first that you have a home, and then you can give your attention to others. Better escape the fire yourself than remain to be consumed with others. On the other hand, first escape with your life, and then use your endeavours to help others out if you can. Again, let us for once turn the finger inwards, "Am I saved?" "Then how am I to be sure that Christ died for ME? I do long to know it."

Well, I will answer you by asking you one question. How did the passenger of my story know that the porter was his man? "I suppose by believing the word of the stationmaster." Just so, and only so, and in no other way, dear friend. And just so, and only so, and in no other way, shall you ever get pardon for sins — simply by believing God. That is faith, and it is the right kind too.

In Acts 13: 38, 39, God the Holy Ghost says by the mouth of Paul, that, "Through this man (Jesus the Lord) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED from all things."

"THAT IS YOUR MAN."

Believe it, and that is the divine link that connects you and God, beloved friends. Between Himself and the sinners He has placed Christ only. He is the mercy-seat where God meets every guilty believing one. (Ex. 25: 22; Lev. 16: 2-14; Rom. 3: 25.) The blood is there, and God is satisfied. Do you, in your heart, believe it?

Do you believe it's true,

And meant for every sinner,

And therefore meant for YOU?

Then that is the hand of faith which links you to God in perfect righteousness divine. Now, just believe God about this. You are not asked to feel, nor to pray, nor to doubt; for after doing all these you would still be left the "dark-coloured," sin-stained descendant of the old Adam — needing the blood of Jesus, which only can wash away the fixed colours, and make you, in the presence of God, "whiter than snow."

Owning this is BELIEVING; and then God says you are justified. More than forgiven, you see; called JUST, and made RIGHTEOUS in the sight of God. Not a stain remains against you; for it is justification from "ALL THINGS." Now, is it not simple? Has not God made it easy? Can there be any excuse if you are lost? You want a sin-bearer, and God your sin-bearer long ago provided. Now, listen a moment — let God see you make a note in your memorandum-book at once. Put the date of this day, month, and year when you did believe God; quote the Scripture which He used to you; sign your name. Yes, set to your seal that God is true, and never henceforth indulge a single doubt though Satan, and men, and your own heart, would have you do so.

Begin now to give Him the praise due to his name. Numbers of souls are not happy because they are robbers. — Can you expect a robber to be happy? Yes; they keep back the praise, the thanksgiving due to the Lord for dying for them; to the Holy Ghost for leading them to God; to God the Father, for receiving them and calling them His sons and daughters, and teaching them to say, "Abba."

The woman (Mark 5: 25-34) never received the title of "daughter," nor the blessing of "peace" though she touched and felt, till she TOLD Jesus all the truth. She owned what He had done for her. Now, you just fall down before Him, and let your heart confess, in all honesty —

I the chief of sinners am,

But, Saviour, Thou art MINE.

And if peace be not yours, do tell me; and for such a strange event, for one soul to believe and not to get blessing — I say, if you call upon me, and assure me of such a thing, I will willingly — What shall I say? Such a thing would be simply impossible. "He that HEARETH and BELIEVETH HATH everlasting life." (John 5: 24.) God has joined these three verbs together: who can dare to put them asunder?

So far your load is gone, and you feel happy. Think of death, think of judgment, think of God — and still the conscience has peace. To the Lord be praise: He alone is worthy.

2. Now, you must learn that you are brought to a Father. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is our Father (compare John 1: 12; 20: 17; 1 John 1: 3).

The love with which He loves the Son — such is His love to you and me (John 17: 26.) This is also a question for faith. You believe that by the death of Jesus you are saved; so also believe that He suffered thus to bring you to God — His Father and our Father.

Refuse to own the former, and banishment from his presence for ever must be ours; but although the soul is saved — will not go to hell — yet if the second truth be disowned, the right affections of children will not flow out to the Father, nor towards all our brethren (1 John 3: 14).

Now, the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) learned that he was with his father, else he might still have desired the companions of swineland. He fed upon the father's food, or he might have lusted for husks again.

Fellow-believer, it is the privilege of the child to know the Father (1 John 2: 13), and to let his affections rest on that which delights the Father. The only delight of God is Jesus the Lord (and the saints are so only as seen in Him).

Oh let us, with the Father, rejoice in the Lord only. Let us love Him and His words (John 14: 23). Let Him be our constant food. The new nature needs feeding momently, and nothing but Christ can satisfy it (John 6: 32-51).

Remember that Israel, not valuing God's food for them — the manna — desired the flesh-pots of Egypt, and ultimately God sent them down to Babylon (Acts 7: 39-43). Oh may our hearts rest in the presence of the Father! Oh may we find such constant delight in Christ — so precious, so lovely! — so feed on, so live by Him, that the heart may desire nothing of this world's pleasure or goods — apart from Himself, using such as He commits to us for Himself. Thus also, the hollowness of profession, with its satisfaction for the old nature, finds no admirers, much less ritualistic devotees, in us, who see in Him enough the mind and heart to cheer.

Such, dear reader, is a brief introduction to One whom God, in grace, provided for YOU before the foundation of the world, hence long before you needed Him. Say now — Have you committed yourself and your burden to Jesus? Has He indeed carried your load? Has He brought you to His Father? Faith's prompt answer is, "YES." Is that your answer?

Oh what a gift! His praise shall be

For ever on my tongue;

And mine shall be the loudest praise

That ransomed soul hath sung!

And now that your load is gone and now that you can utter "Abba, Father," by the Holy Ghost, let me say that you need Jesus the Lord now as your guide through this wilderness-world.

Are you willing to follow Him? He tells us (John 10: 27), "My sheep hear MY voice, and I know them and they follow ME." "Strangers they" (in their healthy condition) "will not follow." Now His voice is heard in His WORD.

You should read it, and be guided by IT ONLY. There are numbers of ways in which persons are apt to walk who have their own will and not the Lord's — their own ways and not the Leader's.

In such cases they go without their Leader, and no surprise if they get into mischief here, and lose the reward for faithful discipleship hereafter. Of course, into the Father's house every saint shall be introduced (John 10: 10) when the Lord comes; but to be true to Him in this day of His rejection by the world, the disciple must follow Him.

The path will have its briars and thorns. Men that hate Him, will hate you. But one second in the glory which He will share with you soon — "quickly" — will much more than repay for the sufferings of the "little while."

Therefore, beloved, shrink not from standing forth boldly for Jesus.

FOLLOW HIM.

Perhaps my reader is a thoughtless young man, who cares for none of these things; an indifferent young woman, whose tastes would have been better indulged by a book of fashion, or by some comic newspaper — and she smiles now as she reads these lines.

Well, my young fellow-traveller, if there be a time to laugh, God says there is also a time to weep. But you see we are apt to do either at the wrong time. I saw a young lady laugh heartily as her sister lay dead by her side. Don't be surprised at the statement. It is curious, but quite explicable, for, poor child, her mind was wrong.

I have been alluding to the death of the Lord Jesus, the spotless, innocent One, for us guilty sinners, and I referred to everlasting perdition! torment for ever for His rejectors; and yet one can laugh? Are you in your senses? Surely not!

May you, like the prodigal, come to yourself, ere death, that unsparing, favourless monster, lays his icy hand on your graceful form, and changes your idol into food for worms. My entreaties, be they never so solemn, may fail to arrest you; but will you not listen to a beseeching God?

Read 2 Cor. 5: 18-21.

Before we part, however, let me just say that, as surely as Jesus is the SAVIOUR of such as BELIEVE of the class described as "sinners" and "ungodly," so surely will He be the JUDGE — God says so (John 5: 27; 2 Thess 1: 7, 8) — of such as "obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction in that day."

Do, my fellow sinner, accept God's offer now, and so escape those terrible judgments. If you own now that you need the Saviour, God's word is "Look, and live;" "Believe, and live." That you may obey God for once (for until you come as a sinner to Jesus, you are a rebel against God), and so know the peace and rest that follow, prays yours very affectionately, C. J. Davis.

4. Grace Appearing and Reigning

Grace and Truth

Dr. C. J. Davis.

Grace Appearing and Reigning; Glory to Appear.

My subject is GRACE and GLORY. To illustrate the former, allow me to bring before your minds a scene which will show in some degree what Grace is.

In the centre of a vast crowd stands a man, who, for having committed murder, is about to have the righteous sentence of death executed upon him. The man is a murderer. It is a dreadful spectacle. By his side stands the hangman, ready to perform his awful duty. But besides the crowd, the man, the scaffold, the officers of justice, and the wretched terror-stricken criminal — we see standing by with throbbing heart, the poor wife of the guilty man, so soon to be a widow; and there are also his broken-hearted children, so soon to be fatherless orphans. But above the surging of the crowd and the tolling of the prison bell, comes a voice — and as they listen with breathless silence, it is heard to cry, "REPRIEVE!" The hangman's hands are stayed, as a horseman galloping up presents a paper on which is written "Reprieve." His excellency the Governor, the representative of Her Majesty in the colony, has taken upon himself to commute the sentence of death. How the whole scene is changed! Is it not good news? Do you wonder to hear, as the story tells, that the man fainted on the scaffold? It seemed to him almost too good to be true.

How does this remind one of the voice from Jehovah full of grace; "Then He is gracious unto him and saith, deliver him from going down to the pit; for I have found a ransom." (Job. 33: 24.) Let me say at once, Christ is God's provided ransom. On His account, a holy and righteous God can act in grace; see 1 Tim. 2: 6, "Gave Himself a ransom." And those that accept God's offer are called "ransomed ones."

If asked, What is grace, how shall I explain it? Theological definitions are objectionable, because incomplete, imperfect. If I say grace is unmerited favour, a free gift, it would be the truth, but not the whole truth. The grace of God — the gospel of the grace of God — means much more than that — to say that it is unmerited favour is inadequate, incomplete. What is grace? The grace of God, what does it imply? What it does — what it holds out is shown in these two portions, Rom. 5: 21 and Titus 2: 11. In the Epistle to Titus the Apostle uses a milder word than in Rom. 5: 21. In Titus he speaks of grace appearing — in Romans of grace reigning. This is a much stronger term.

In Titus it is as if the Apostle Paul says, because grace has appeared it teaches us to act as the God of Grace has acted. Grace has appeared, but there is something yet to appear, that is glory.

In Rom. 5: 21 we read grace reigns. The Apostle here uses stronger terms. Grace reigns in contrast to something else, in contrast to sin. When sin reigned its subjects got death. When grace reigns its subjects receive life — righteousness — "As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." It is grace that has appeared; the grace of God.

I would notice here in passing, that we are told the English word used by our translators in Titus 2: 11-13 — "appearing" is not strong enough. The Greek language, always so beautifully expressive, conveys the idea of darkness suddenly giving way to bright light; not so much as a star, but as a bright sun — the great orb of day. The grace of God now stands in contrast to the dark times before the law was given, when the mind of God was only communicated to the few; and in contrast to the time of the giving of the law from Sinai, then given to a nation only. And again, to the later times before the cross, when He sent His word to His own people by the prophets, who rose up early to go to God's people. But wonderful, beloved — wonderful truth, the grace of God in the person of Christ is presented to all — to all men in this dispensation; to ALL — not to a few — not to a nation — but to ALL MEN. We can only just touch upon this here — when we are in glory we shall understand this wonder of wonders.

It pleased God — in love it pleased him who is full of grace, abounding in long-suffering and tenderness, that all fullness should dwell in Christ, and the Apostle adds, "Ye who believe are complete in Him!" What have I? If only saved from everlasting perdition — that is a great thing — but not all. What have I besides? Being complete in Him who is filled with all the fulness of God, I can never taste death: wrath can never rest on me. But besides all this; I am justified, counted a just man before God for the sake of the Lord Jesus! none can lift up a finger. Beloved! God can now look at us, with pleasure; with complete delight, upon us, who were once sinners, now saved — justified. Whom he calls He also justifies. Who can condemn since Christ has died and risen again?

Is there anything else that grace brings us? It gives us peace; "Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!" Thus you see, we have pardon, life, justification, peace — no cloud above — no spot within — no defilement in God's sight. We can have peace who all our lifetime might have been subject to bondage through fear of death.

In India, where there are many poisonous snakes, there are people — snake charmers — who are able to extract the stings; then they can allow the ugly creatures to crawl about over their persons; there being no fear when the poisonous sting has been removed. So when the sting of death, which is sin, has been taken away, and to faith it was done by the Saviour — what fear can there be to a believer in Jesus? The Apostle challenges death, "Oh, Death, where is thy sting? Oh, Grave, where is thy victory?" To a believer in Jesus, death is only a servant, not a terror. The sting has been taken away. My Lord went down into death, and took the sting out. He passed through the grave, and passed out again. Now we can triumphantly say, "Oh, Grave, where is thy victory? Oh, Death, where is thy sting?"

Thus we have peace, justification, access to the Father, joy in God. It is not enough to know we are saved from eternal destruction, that is a great thing to know, but not all the knowledge of the fulness of God's gift of grace. It may be all right on your part, but not so much to God's credit. It may be a kind action to take a little child out of a ditch into which it had fallen, but it would be more than that to adopt it into the family, and even make it your heir. Can you speak lightly of Him who picks us up in our fallen condition; gives us life, and becomes our Righteousness? Not tacking on His righteousness to us, which would be defying man — but He Himself, is, in God's sight, "The Lord our Righteousness." St. Paul says in 1 Cor. 1: 30, "He is made unto us of God, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption!" The Righteousness of God established in Him — so also in us. An eagle in the air would not see us seated in this building; it would see the roof but not those inside. So God does not see us, I mean judicially, who are in Christ — but He sees Him — and us only as we are complete in Him, never apart from Him. If any man be in Christ, the Apostle says, he is a new creature. Complete in Him. Wonderful thought! Will you not let God put you where He would have you?

"Cease your doing, all was done,

Long, long ago."

We are shown grace illustrated in the case of David's dealings with Mephibosheth (see 2 Sam. 9). David had previously promised Jonathan, the lad's father, that He would show kindness to his descendants. Though belonging to the house of Saul, his greatest enemy, David showed the kindness of God to him.

"Is there yet any of the house of Saul, to whom I can show kindness?" Faithfulness to Jonathan, not to mention David's own tender heart, would lead to this. He had promised and would be true to his word; hence we read, "For Jonathan's sake," A picture of my own God; my "Saviour God." In Timothy and Titus our translators have put, "God our Saviour;" the true rendering is, "Our Saviour God." He is willing to save and can save, even consistently with His holiness; to any one of the descendants of Adam He can show kindness for Jesus' sake.

Saul was the greatest enemy David ever had, yet he showed kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. Is not man God's greatest enemy? God told man the truth; but Adam believed Satan's lie — doubted God's word and believed Satan's. Yet God asks, "Is there any of the descendants of Adam to whom I may show kindness for Jesus' sake?" Though man tried to stain and tarnish God's honour in the earth, yet Jesus undid it all. He could say to the Father, "I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work thou gavest me to do." He has vindicated God's holiness, and now God blesses, binds Himself to do so, for Jesus' sake. He Himself, loving and kind, must be true to His Son. Grace reigns, righteously, for Jesus' sake.

God is no longer a judge to condemn, but a father with outstretched arms; seeking by His grace, to allure — woo — win all to Himself. Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life! The sinner is depicted in the epistle to the Ephesians, as dead! dead in trespasses and in sin; but in the epistle to the Romans as alive to do evil, feet swift to shed blood, not knowing the way of peace, having no fear of God before his eyes. In Romans 3 God comes down to demand righteousness; but He demands what man cannot give: and thus man is proved to have none; neither as heathen without law; nor as the descendants of Abraham under law. Every mouth is stopped before God, and all the world appears guilty. At the end of Romans 4 the Apostle goes on to say, "He was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification." Where is my righteousness? He is in heaven, at God's right hand. God accepts Him for me. God's righteous demands have been fully met; now I have perfect peace — rest. Jesus has been raised, lives again; therefore I have peace. In Romans 8 we have four beautiful, lovely thoughts; a summary of what is given in the earlier parts of the epistle as the portion of the believer: —

1. God is for the believer (ver. 31), then why should he fear?

2. Christ loves the saints, and nothing shall separate from His love (ver. 35).

3. The Holy Ghost prays for the child of God: what more can he need (ver. 26, 27)?

4. Christ is coming for his loved ones (ver 11); that is my hope.

Thus we have four glorious truths. God for us. Christ loves us. The Holy Ghost helping our infirmities. The Lord coming for us. So even when I am asleep, or delirious, or even a maniac; my link with God is kept up; for the Holy Spirit is for me, helping my infirmities, and doing so according to God. Is it not wonderful? and all this flowing out from the perfect work of Jesus!

I can stand by the grave stone of some loved one who "sleeps in Jesus," and, pointing to the corruptible dust, in view of God's word, say, "This corruptible shall put on incorruption;" and, laying my hand on my own breast, can add, "And this mortal shall put on immortality." This is my hope. There are four beautiful things mentioned by the apostle in that same chapter, Rom. 8. God (1) predestinates; (2) calls; (3) justifies; (4) glorifies. In God's estimation you are as sure of the last as of the first. "All things are of God."

All flow from the perfect work of Jesus. When God demands righteousness, I point to the Lord Jesus; He is the "Lord my righteousness." To say His righteousness is given to me is derogatory to grace. Jesus is the "Lord my righteousness." The apostle Paul says, "He is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption!" Not some of His righteousness — He Himself is my righteousness — His whole self. I am, as a believer, complete in Him. Jesus the Lord my righteousness. Oh, why not receive Him as your righteousness, poor sinner? God asks you for nothing more; He will have nothing less.

Think you that He will refuse something of His own providing, or that He will take your Cain-like offering?

In Eastern marriages of great men, it is the custom for each guest to be provided by the host with a wedding garment, of the choice of the host. When each has put on that which has been provided, why should he not be pleased with his guests? It may be that one, not satisfied with the robe provided by his host, appears in one of his own. When remonstrated with, his reply may be, "Yours only cost £1, mine 100 guineas;" to which the host may well reply, "It is not my gift; you despise my gift by not wearing it, and consequently you despise and offend me." What will you say at the bar of God, poor sinner, before the great white throne? What will you offer as excuse for the rejection of Christ, the only righteousness God provides — "the best robe?" Will you say, "For fifty years I spent my time and substance in ministering to the poor. Will not that weigh for me?" God will say, "That is not the garment of my providing; you have despised my offer of mercy, and consequently despised Me. I offered to you Christ, my Son; you rejected Him, and so rejected Me!" The verdict will be, "Take him away into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth." Will you go on despising the riches of God's grace? What will you do without a hope of deliverance, when the realities of eternity are before you? When you have to leave for ever — wife — children — riches and awake to the realities of one about to plunge into Eternity! What will you do! How will you stand those eyes of fire? Every little nook and corner of your heart they will scan through and through — discovering every dark recess. Read at your leisure Psalm 139; see there the Omniscience of the Lord of glory. How will you stand those eyes of fire as described in Rev. 1? Do you wish me to stop? Shall I quite tire you? Do you feel — we have had enough of that? I do not speak because I merely wish my voice to be heard, or because I have engaged to fill up an hour; but because I, as a fellow man, believe in the awful reality of the things of which I speak.

Fellow men, don't treat lightly this grace of God. In proportion as you have grace, so in proportion, if it is rejected, you will have judgment, for grace has reigned through righteousness. God's arms are open now; and the vilest may go, in assurance of not being rejected. It is now His joy to bless, for grace reigns righteously. But soon the door shall be shut. Death may soon cut off the opportunity from some of you. Now is your time.

There is a touching story of a daughter who, having left the shelter of her mother's home, in company with an abominably wicked one, her destroyer, returned one night to have a look at the old home of her childhood, and found to her surprise the door of her mother's house ajar. On entering, she found her mother sitting near it. In the girl's astonishment, she said, "How is it, mother, that at this late hour I find your door open?" "Oh," replied the mother, falling on the neck of her child, "my door has never been closed since you went away. I always left it open, so that if ever you returned, you should find a welcome to a mother's home and heart."

So is it with God in Grace. His hands are stretched out, His arms of mercy are open wide, His door of love is open still.

The second part of my subject is THE GLORY WHICH IS TO APPEAR. On this I will only say a few words.

The Apostle says the grace which brings salvation teaches us to live as possessors of grace. Those who have received God's gift of grace, ought in every sphere of life to be the very best in the performance of their duty. As servants they ought to be the most faithful at the desk or scrubbing a floor. Christian servants ought to be the best in the world, and so for masters. The followers of Him who came to exhibit grace, ought in every position to be the best servants or masters in the world. I have no confidence in any who profess to be partakers of grace, if not faithful to the trust reposed in them; for the Grace of God which brings salvation teaches us that, denying all ungodliness, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. This is the time for exhibiting what grace is — when the glory is revealed your work here will be completed. Christian, now is the time for you to work. If you have no duties as a wife, go out and visit the sick — feed the hungry; and if you have the gift, explain the word of life to the poor and ignorant — each in his or her own sphere. All can do good in some way; with time or worldly goods, address, or other gifts; this is our time to do as receivers of grace. In health or sickness to adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour.

Then the glory is to be revealed. Let me tell you, beloved, that through grace, you who believe in Jesus not only know of eternal life here, but can look out for the glory that is to be revealed at His appearing. I can not only speak of joy — peace — but I rejoice in hope of the glory that is quickly to be revealed. Of this I hope, the Lord permitting, to speak more fully at another time. Here let me say, however, your hope must be henceforth to see Him whom now you love, and whose word is "I come quickly." I was speaking to some boys one afternoon at Woolwich, and asked them what was meant by "quickly." One of them, pointing to the clock, which was at the stroke of three, said, "Three o'clock, sir." In the Lord's estimation 1800 years has been "quickly" — that is because of His long-suffering. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. He has waited long — but He may come to-night; the door is not shut yet, but we cannot tell how soon it may be.

What may well strike terror into the hearts of the unsaved, is sweetest comfort to the believer in Jesus. We may fancy a poor man and woman waking some morning without a halfpenny to supply the family's wants; with this thought coming into the good man's mind, he may cheerfully say to his wife, "My dear, the Lord said, Behold, I come quickly; it is not breakfast-time yet, and the Lord may be here before, then we shall not be unhappy about breakfast." May not the hope of the Lord's coming suggest comfort to the believing wife who is weeping beside the coffin of her husband, who departed to be with Christ. "The Lord may come before his precious remains are committed to the grave. It may be my joy at once to hear the shout of the Lord in the air, and my husband may rise out of his coffin, and together we shall ascend to meet the Lord." Why should we weep? If God gives us a full cup of sorrow in the one hand, He gives us a full cup of joy in the other.

But, beloved friends who are not saved, that revelation of glory which fills us with gladness and joy, must fill the unsaved ones with woe! Little do you think, when you say the words, "Thy kingdom come," what you pray down on your heads. If the Lord comes, and finds you unsaved, He will come in judgment to you. But let me tell you, those who doubt — the unbelieving, are classed with liars, whoremongers, etc., and are to be cast into the lake which burns with fire, Rev. 20: 8! — Those, viz., who will not accept the grace which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 5: 21.

5. "I am bound to let you pass."

Grace and Truth

Dr. C. J. Davis.

"I am bound to let you pass."

Preface.

This letter, written at first to some children in London, is now addressed to young ones everywhere.

Assured that the Lord will use it for blessing to some, I crave the fellowship in prayer of every Christian parent and teacher, and of all who desire the salvation of precious souls.

You will have something to go to God about, and who can go to Him and not be himself blessed? and when prayer is answered, which we should expect, then again we return to give thanks.

The Lord will soon — "quickly" — be here for us, who are His. Are any of our children and brothers and sisters to be left in this poor condemned world after the saints are gone? May faith's answer be, "No." God cannot refuse the prayer of faith. Let us then be before Him about them. But let not our walk and ways stumble them.

My Dear Young Friends,

Soon after the above sentence was uttered in my ears, it occurred to me to write to you and explain it, as I knew it would interest you. I trust the blessed Lord will use what I shall say to your souls, for His own name's sake.

The above words were spoken to me by a youth who kept the entrance to the pier at Dunoon.

Dunoon is a nicely-situated watering place on the Clyde. Steamers frequently go to it from Glasgow, stopping for just a minute or two, to land passengers and take in fresh ones. Each passenger must pay a penny as he goes through the gate of the pier at which the steamers stop.

One morning I stood at the gate, and soon began to speak with the lad that kept it. My desire was to let him understand the simple way in which God can now be just, while He pardons the sinner, and calls him a child of God for believing in Jesus.

"If I do not pay you a penny," I asked the lad, "should you let me pass?"

"No, sir," he answered. "It is the rule that every passenger must pay a penny."

"Then, if I can't pay it, I must lose my boat, must I?"

"Well, sir," he said, "I can't help that, but I could not pass you."

"But," I continued, "suppose some person gave you a sovereign, and requested you to take a penny out of it for every poor man that could not pay, what then?"

"Oh, then," he replied, "if you like to be treated as a poor man, you could tell me, and I would draw out a penny for you."

"Well, and if I do come as a poor man, what then?"

"I am bound to let you pass," he replied very strongly, putting force on "bound" and on "you."

"But suppose that although you had the pound for supplying each that could not pay for himself, I did not believe that I could make use of it for myself, that it was for me?"

"Then you could not pass, and the steamer would leave you," he promptly replied.

I told him his remarks were quite true, and I showed him how that was just a beautiful picture of God's merciful and gracious and righteous plan for saving him.

I am very happy to say that the Lord blessed the Scriptures to him, which I reminded him of, and he confessed that Jesus was his Saviour, before I left Dunoon. I trust he will never lose the joy of such salvation. Now I wish to ask you, dear children, if you would "pass," to be for ever with the Lord, if He were now to come to take away His saints?

Just as the steamer at Dunoon took away such as the lad passed on the pier, which was the only way to the steamer, even so, when the Lord descends in the air, He will take away only those that have passed by Him who is the way to God. Aye, there is no other way.

I want each of you to answer me for himself and herself. Would you like to be left behind when the Lord Jesus takes away His people? If you would not, are you ready? Do you know all is paid for you

I know that you would not like to be among those who shall cry to the mountains to cover them, and rocks to fall on them, because the great day of the wrath of the Lamb was come. But if you read Revelation 6: 16, 17, you will find that such will be the cry of people who are not saved, when the Lord Jesus comes to make them know His power; and this will be immediately after the men, women, boys, and girls that love Him are caught away — as you know they will be according to 1 Thess. 4.

Again, you know how persons now fear death, if they are not saved. They would run away from it if they could. But at that dreadful time when the Lord comes to punish people that would not obey the Gospel (read 2 Thess. 1: 7, 8), then men will be so tormented as to beg for death, but they shall not die, death will depart from them. (See this in Revelation 9: 6.) Will not that, my dear children, be awful? Tell me will it not? Do ponder over it, and then tell me. Would each of you like to be left behind after the believers in Jesus are taken away? Pause, and answer me.

I think I hear some of you say, "Oh, no, I should not, indeed. Papa loves Jesus, Mamma does, too; and my brothers and sisters do, also; and they will be caught up. I would like to be also; I would not like to be left."

Then I ask you my second question: Are you ready? Are your sins forgiven?

"But what is it to be ready?" you ask me. Very well, I shall try to answer you; and may the Lord very graciously help you to know, and each to say to himself and herself

"I AM READY."

Do you know that you are sinners? by nature children of wrath, even as others? (Eph. 2: 3.) If you do not know that, God tells you that you are. And if you do not believe it, then there can never be any Christ for you, for He never saves good people. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Tim. 1: 15.) "Christ died for the ungodly." (Rom. 5: 6.) "This man receiveth sinners." (Luke 15: 2.)

The collector at the pier had the pound to pay for the poor only — Christ shed his blood for sinners only.

Now, tell me, my dear ones, Do you believe God that you were so bad that nothing could save you but Christ Himself, and for that He must die?

"I believe, with all my heart, that I am a sinner: I feel it, I know it; and I want to know how I could be made ready to meet Jesus, if He were now to come."

Let me then remind you of two things said by my young friend at Dunoon.

1. That if a pound was given him out of which to pay for any poor person, that if I applied as a poor person he was bound to let me pass. And why? Because he could not expect payment twice.

Now you know very well that when the blessed Lord Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, "It is finished." Now, tell me, What was finished? Have you never thought over that question? Does it not concern you to hear such words from the mouth of Him who made all things, and yet humbled Himself to die on the cross? Now that was just the act of His for finishing such a perfect work — for paying all that God's justice could demand. God had demanded blood as the payment, so to say, for sin — your sin and mine. God was righteous and holy in doing so, else Satan would say that God could trifle with sin. But the Lord Jesus came here to show that God could not make a light thing of sin. This He did by dying; and hence we see what all of us deserved. But He being innocent, could die in the room of the guilty; and this is enough for God. So He can now receive us, and save every one who comes in the name of Jesus; because the Lord Jesus has already glorified God in dying unto sin once. Surely nothing but the purest love for the sinner could have led Him to do this. Do think of the precious love, my dear young friends, and pause for a few minutes, and let each ask, Shall I let Him die in vain? If you go to hell, you will let Him have died in vain as far as you are concerned, although His death is sufficient (if you believe it) for your salvation. Tell me, will you? I do long for your happiness; I do desire His glory; I am eager for Satan's disappointment in you.

I ask you again, Will you let Him die in vain?

Now, nothing would more gratify a kind gentleman who keeps the collector always supplied with money for poor persons' pennies, than to see the poor using them, just as when your teachers give a "tea" or a "treat" for the children, they like to see the children come and enjoy the treat. Nothing more delights God than to see children accepting, with all their hearts, Christ as their Saviour, now and for ever — and this because of the work done by the blessed Lord. With reference to this work it was that He said,

"It is finished,"

Yes, indeed,

Finished every jot!

Children, this is all you need,

Tell me, is it not?

God will never require more from you than Christ; less than this God cannot have; and He binds Himself to pardon all who come in this name. He accepts us in the beloved One. (Eph. 1: 6.) For

Payment God will not twice demand —

Once at your dying Surety's hand,

And once again at yours.

2. The other point in the collector's remarks which I want you to notice is this. He said that "Although the penny was paid for me, if I did not believe it, I would not pass, and the steamer would go and leave me." Now let me ask you, my dear children, if you should be lost for ever. (O, how terrible is the thought involved in the phrase, "Lost for ever!" You would not like to be — I know you would not. But should you be?) Why would it be? Would it be because the work of Christ is not sufficient? But I have already showed you that His was a perfect work, and is sufficient. Would it be because God is not willing? How can it be, when He says, "As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezek. 34: 11.)

In my case at Dunoon, the steamer was there, and could take me in — the pier was there, and stood between me at one end and the steamer at the other. I could have walked on it and stepped off it into the steamer, yet the collector truly said "The steamer may leave me." And why? SIMPLY BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BELIEVE THAT I COULD PUT IN MY CLAIM AS A POOR MAN.

Now, I ask you again, if the Lord Jesus now came and took away your parents that love Him, and your friends who rest on His word for salvation, why should you be left behind? Perhaps some of you say, "Because I am a sinner," and another, "Because I am a bad boy." Neither of you are right. God will surely punish sins. Everything done in the body will be judged at the great white throne, where the rejectors of Jesus will have to appear. But the Lord says (John 3: 18), "He that believeth not is condemned already." Now mark this — "Because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." Do you believe that Jesus died for you? I ask each of you. Will you say, "I believe that I am a sinner; I am sure I am." Then I declare unto you, "THAT THROUGH JESUS IS PREACHED UNTO YOU THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS: AND BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS." (Acts 13: 38, 39.)

And now, my dear young friends, before closing this appeal to you (and which may be the last I shall ever make on earth, and the last you may ever hear), let me with tears in my eyes beseech you not to refuse this word, which I believe God has told me to send you. Do listen to Him. It is a fearful thing to trifle with God; the Lord may soon be here. He says, Quickly. Death may overtake you soon, and are you to venture into the land of deepest shade without Jesus? Solemn thought! I do long for you, and I am praying to my God to let you heed this message. Some of you do love Jesus, I know you do. But how much? Is He the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely? Do you love Him above all others? Then cultivate acquaintance with Him more. There is much more to see, admire, and adore in Him, than any astronomer could ever find in the starry heavens; and as you occupy your thoughts with Him, so you in spirit and ways will be more like Him. (2 Cor. 3: 18.) And if you live as followers of Christ should, you may soon win to Him your friends who do not love such a loving Saviour. Do not forget to be found frequently reading your Bible in private and let the heart own in it the voice of God, which you must heed. Let the truth in it be for your guidance, and not what you see other people do. Private prayer should be frequently indulged in, then our souls get into God's presence. Let us all be found as those who expect our Lord to-day, that, should He come at any moment, we, being ready, and found watching and waiting, may at the sounding of the trumpet at once say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Your very affectionate friend, C. J. Davis.

God is just, and the justifier of all that believe in Jesus. (Rom. 3: 26.)