BIBLE, RELIGIOUS BOOK AND TRACT WAREHOUSE, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, W. (About one hundred Yards from Old Cavendish Street.) In making known his removal to larger and more convenient premises, WILLIAM YAPP respectfully solicits a continuance of the kind support with which he has been favoured. His object in undertaking the responsibility of supplying the Church of God with Scriptural Truth, is the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessing of His people; to love and serve all who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity" is his happy privilege and bounden duty. To be Catholic, and not Latitudinarian-truthful and uninfluenced by any save the Holy Spirit and the Scripture of Truth-is his earnest desire. To circulate Gospel Truth, and in all things to proclaim the LOVE OF GOD to a poor dying world, as manifested in the life and death of His most blessed Son, is his constant effort. That this object and these desires will have the sympathy and co-operation of sincere Christians he ventures to hope, and under God casts himself upon His Church, for the sympathy, prayer, and help needed for such a work. A new Catalogue of Tracts and Books is being prepared, and it is hoped will soon be ready, and may be had gratuitously on application. July, 1859. Published on Saturday, July 30, and to be continued (D.V.) on each succeeding Saturday, 8pp. 4to., price One Halfpenny, THE REVIVAL. A Weekly Record of Events con nected with the present Revival of Religion. The desire for authentic and continuous intelligence respecting the present extraordinary work of God, in America and in our own land, must be felt by all who "discern the signs of the times." THE REVIVAL" is intended to meet this need, by supplying information from godly and sober-minded men, eye-witnesses of these "wonderful works," in localities already visited, or which may yet be visited by this special outpouring of the Spirit of God. It will contain brief papers directly bearing upon the subject of the revival, revival hymns, &c., but its chief purpose will be to afford a reliable narrative of events as they occurof efforts made to extend the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as the only Saviour of meetings for special prayer-and of answers to such paayer. The co-operation of all who love the name of Jesus is affectionately and earnestly solicited, in supplying the information for the communication of which this paper is established. It would be impossible to provide before hand for this, because the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit." CONFESSION AND It will be the earnest and prayerful endeavour of the conductors to preserve to "THE REVIVAL" a spirit as catholic as pertains to that glorious work from which it derives its name. THE CONFESSIONAL; or, Who is the True Priest? By CATESBY PAGET. Price 6d., or 4s. 6d. for 12 copies for gratuitous distribution. London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. LA "THE REVIVAL" should be ordered as early as possible through the local Booksellers and News Agents. Should any difficulty arise in procuring it, the 'Publishers will sent 8 copies, post free for 4d., 16 for 8d., and so on. For any num. ber less than 8, or for any intermediate number between 8, 16, 24, &c., ld. for postage must be transmitted with the pre-edness," &c. payment for the number required. Communications for the Editor to be addressed to the care of Messrs. Morgan and Chase, Tichborne Court, 230, High Holborn, London, W.C. London: Morgan and Chase, Tichborne Court, 280, High Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square; J. F. Shaw, 48, Just Published, 18mo., cloth, price 1s. 6d. AW AND GRACE: being Notes of Lectures on the Epistle to the Galatians. By J. L. HARRIS, Author of "The School of God," "On Worship," "Heavenly-mindLondon: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. Just Published, CATHOLICUS. Price 6d. PRIESTHOOD AND ITS ADJUNCTS. A Letter addressed to the Lord Bishop of Oxford. By In 5 vols. fcap. 8vo, in extra red cloth, price 10s. 6d., YRUMBS THE LITTLE Edited by H. H. S. Consisting of hundreds of original papers, on various Scriptural subjects, written for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Lord's people. London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. French Gospel Tracts. Assorted Packets. 6d. Jersey Scriptural Knowledge Book and Tract Repository, 24, Bath Street. London: W. Yapp. 70, Welbeck Street, Street and Paternoster Row. BOOKS AND TRACTS recommended for the in./CHRIST CRUCIFIED: the one Meeting-point Cavendish Square. Wertheim, Macintosh, and Hunt, Holles God. struction, edification, and comfort of the Children of Righteousness without Works, 2d. Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, 3d. Christ and the Church, 3d. The Work of the Spirit and the Work of Christtheir distinction and their connexion, ld. Christian Devotedness, Id. The Eternal Purpose of God, ld. The Heavenly Hope, Id. The Love of Christ to the Church, Id. Divine Canons for the Church of God, 3d. A Call to the Converted, 4d. The Vision of the Glory of God, 3d. Resurrection Life, ld. Precious Truth, 1s. HE SHEPHERD THE STONE of ISRAEL. THE SHEPHERD THE STONE of IS. THE CHURCHES OF SCRIPTURE, & THEIR MINISTRY. A New and Revised Edition. Price 4d. THE INCOMPLETENESS OF THE REFOR MATION (so called); or a Scriptural Appeal to the Church of God. Second Edition. Price 1d. London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. WORDS OF TRUTH. The Editor of these papers purposes (D.V.) to re-issue them in Weekly Numbers, commencing July 16. Subscription for the First Two Series, Two Shillings; or for the Set of Six, Five Shillings and Sixpence. Four copies will be sent free by post, weekly, or four consecutive numbers monthly. WORDS OF TRUTH. Seventh Series The Fourth Number of the Seventh Series (76th of the whole) is now ready. Contents-Josiah and his days; or, "After all this." Orders to be sent to J. Crocker, Tract Depôt, 24, Bath Street, Jersey. Fcap. 8vo. cloth boards, 3s. 6d.; Crown 8vo. cloth gilt, elegant, 5s. WHISPERS IN a HISPERS IN THE PALMS: Hymns and "There is an eastern tradition of the Palm Tree, that when its leaves quiver in the wind, they whisper the holy name of Jesus. This sweet but fanciful idea must give place to the Written Word. Among the goodly branches borne by a rejoicing multitude, and strewn at the feet of the Lord, once rose the glad welcome whose echoes still vibrate in every believer's heart, Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel." And amid the waving palms of the redeemed host, who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb,' will for ever One Shilling's worth and upwards of these Tracts sent free ascend, Salvation to our God which sitteth on the Throne, an dunto the Lamb.'"of Postage to any part of the Kingdom. -Extract from Preface to Second Edition. Large Type, earnestly recommended for T general distribution. 1. The Fallen House. 2. The Stray Sheep. 3. Thy Kingdom Come. 11. The Blood for a Token (Exodus xii. 13). 12. Self-righteous Lost, and Sinners Saved. 13. Be ye Reconciled. 14. The Riddle Solved. 15. The Storm Hushed. 16. AWell-remembered Hour. 17. "I was Busy, Busy." 19. Why will ye Die? London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. Crimson cloth, gilt edges, 1s. UNTOLD PLEASURES MADE KNOWN. Nos. 1. Frederick and his Wife; or the Two Hopes. 2. An Evening worth Remembering. 3. The Anxious Heart made Truly Glad. 4. The Brother's Return. 5. Was he Really Happy? 6. Rest in a Wearisome World. 7. Joy! Joy! both here and hereafter. 8. The Silent Voice. 9. Who Cheered this Old Man's Heart? 10. "Oh, what a Precious Gift!" 11. "I have Joyous News to tell." London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. RACTS AND BOOKS on the COMING AND KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. The Second Advent and Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1d. God's Eternal Purpose and Christ's Everlasting Kingdom, 2d. Popular Objections to the Premillennial Advent, 3d. CONTENTS-What is the Hope of the Christian? What is the Hope of the Church? Approaching Judgments. The Coming Crisis and its Results. The Doom of Christendom, Christ and the Church. Same subject, concluded. Israel in the Past and Present. Israel's Future Restoration. Israel's Restoration Introductory to Millennial Blessedness. The Great Prophetic Question: Is the Millennium, or Christ's Second Advent, to be expected first? Further Pre millennial Evidence. Waiting for Christ. Ecclesiastical Corruption and Apostacy. The Last Days of Gentile Supremacy. Israel in the approaching Crisis. The Spared Remnant. The Martyred Remnant: with Remarks on the Earthly Calling of Israel and the Heavenly Calling of the Church. Apocalyptic Interpretation. The First Resur rection Same subject, concluded. The Millennium. A Recapitulation: or, a general Outline of Prophetic Truth. Objections Answered. Further Answers to Objections. London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. Second Edition, Demy 18mo., cloth, 28. ECOLLECTIONS OF AN EVANGELIST: or RE Incidents connected with Village Ministry; to which are added some Extracts from his Diary. By Robert Gribble. CONTENTS-The First Step. The first fruits of the Gospel. The power of the Word of God. The Waggoner. The Shoemaker. The Midnight visit. Man's will and God's purpose. The Backslider. Gracey, the Schoolmistress. Retrospect. The Home Missionary Station. The Return. The Revel. The Missionary Tour. A new scene of service. The Little Farm. The Converted Publican. The Contrast. Harvest Time. The Baptism. The Chapel. The Consumptive. The Removal. A Second Harvest Season. A Cry for the Gospel. The Praying Wife. The Great Debtor. The Two Converted Husbands. The Converted Farmer. Master and Servant. Retrospect. A Depraved Village. The Converted Blind Boy. Dangerous Prosperity. Sudden Death. Conclusion. Diary. London: W. Yapp, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square. A Monthly Journal, CONTAINING PLAIN TRUTHS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE, FOR "STREETS AND LANES," "HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES." "Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." The Editor is acquainted with several servants of Christ who, for want of means, are unable to distribute "THE EVANGELIST" to the extent they desire. If, therefore, any of our Christian readers feel that for Christ's name sake they would like to further this object, the Editor would feel great pleasure in receiving Donations for the purpose. All orders should be addressed to the Publishers, Mr. W. YAPP, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, London, W.; or to Messrs. MORGAN & CHASE, Tichborne Court, 280, High Holborn, London. All Communications, Subscriptions, Books for Review, &c., should be forwarded, pre-paid, "To the Editor of the Evangelist," 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. The Death of the Cross. No other death than that of crucifixion could fully answer all that prophets had foretold of Christ's death. A bone was not to be broken. His feet and hands were to be pierced. Blood must be shed, and life taken. "Wounds," "stripes," .. bruises," implied protracted suffering, or lingering death. As Moses lifted up the serpent of brass upon the pole, that those who looked on it might live, so Christ must be lifted up. He was to be hanged on a tree. The death of Christ was a violent death. He was taken by wicked hands, crucified, and slain; it was a shameful death, being that punishment which was used only for the most wicked criminals, and His sacred body was exposed all day long to the rude mockery and gaze of the people. It was a painful death. Not only was His soul under the wrath of God, and the whole weight. of His body suspended on the nails that pierced the most sensitive part of His holy hands, but it is said that the act of jerking the cross into the hole in the ground, made for its reception, usually dislocated every joint in the body, to which, perhaps, our Lord alluded when He said, "All my bones are out of joint." It was also an accursed death, for the prophet says, "He that is hanged is accursed of God," and the apostle, in referring to it says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.'" Thus the suffering, shame, and curse (LUKE XIV. 23.) [MORGAN & CHASE, TICHBORNE COURT, 280, HOLBORN. LONDON, SEPTEMBER 1, 1859. that we deserved, Christ endured for us, and in our stead, upon the Cross. What more could the God of love do for sin ful man ? REVIVAL HYMN. "What meanest thou, O sleeper?" That rocks above the deep, It is thy God is passing by; Turn now to him with prayer. His hand is stretched to thee. Guilt rolls its awful flood. That hand can reach thee where thou art; In deeper floods of direst woe Was paid, poor worm, for thee. Bids mercy's chariot speed; A. P. C. [PRICE 1d. What could that man do? She MEETING an aged female, of exceedingly gracious manner, and apparently meek disposition, one, moreover, who I subsequently learned had been greatly tried in her path through this world of sorrow, I sought to point her to the alone source of rest and peace. On questioning her, her reply was that which so often saddens the Christian in this land of privileges: "I do and try all I can," &c. Following her into the dwelling, my eye rested on a picture of the crucifixion. Pointing to the dying, believing thief, I said, "What could that man do?" Nailed up, he could not kneel in prayer, neither could he read; most likely all his life long he had been doing evil, and now it had brought him to the Cross to die. And yet he was a forgiven and a saved man. Then pointing to the centre figure, I asked what He was doing there. knew He died for sin, sin not His own; for He was holy, but the sins of sinners, such as that thief, I and you, said I; there is no difference; all are guilty; and Jesus on the Cross died the just for the unjust. God is satisfied with this substitution, and, when Jesus died for sin, He raised Him up again; and He lives for evermore. Now, said I, what that poor, repentant thief was trusting in, was what Jesus was doing; that is, answering for sin by dying. And he believed Jesus would live again; for he said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Jesus replied, "Verily, I say unto thee, This day thou shalt be with me in paradise." And God "If thou shalt conto us, says fess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." The Lord graciously owned this feeble attempt to explain the glorious work of Jesus to this aged one; light dawned in upon her mind; she spoke of and rejoiced only in the work of Jesus-manifested the fruits of faith, love, joy, peace, during her sojourn on earth, and when the Lord took her spirit to himself, her departure was perfect peace. J. B. I. STRIVE. for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall thrust out."-Luke xiii. 23-28. sinners, and by faith in the efficacy of that re-present salvation is talked of as presumption, and "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? demption work, we enter into God's presence, and present forgiveness of sins through the blood of And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: know Him as a sin-pardoning God. It is not my Christ put down for enthusiasm. Thus there not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen knowing the fact that Christ is a Saviour that are terrible obstacles, both within and around, up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand with- saves me, but believing on Him for the salva- to persons coming to Christ crucified and risen out, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open tion of my soul; and thus I enter into the pre- for salvation. unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: then shall ye begin to say, We sence of the God of peace, by Him. In Israel's 6. THE EXPERIENCE OF THOSE WHO "STRIVE." have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast time it was the manslayer who had entered into They agonize, or strive to enter in at the strait taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know the city of refuge, that was safe. In the days of gate, because they know they are sinners, justly you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Noah, those only who actually entered into the deserving God's eternal condemnation; they are when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all ark were saved. Many might be just outside, assured that there is no other way of escape, and the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves trying to lay hold on the boards, with the water that "No works or duties of their own, SOME persons seem constantly occupied with re-gurgling in their throats; but they were as unCan for the smallest sin atone." ligious questions. Their enquiry is not, "Am I saved as those who were the furthest from it. saved?" but are others saved? Sometimes we And so in the case of the crowd that surrounded They are conscious there is a principle of pride find a fond parent solicitous about the future our Lord: it was only the one who came and in them naturally, to induce them to put confistate of a dying child, a kind master anxious touched the hem of His garment that was made dence in themselves, instead of the atoning work about his afflicted servant's spiritual condition, whole. There must then be the receiving of of Christ; therefore, under the influence and and others manifesting concern for the ignorant Christ, trusting in Him, believing in Him, taking power of the Spirit of God, they inwardly strive and poor around them, without laying to heart refuge in Him, resting on His finished work, against such thoughts. They feel that their what their own state before God really is. It was entering in by Him for life and salvation. proud, carnal hearts try to hinder, but they so in the days of our Lord: "One said unto Him, 4. STRIVE to enter in. This solemn subject "strive." They hear the alluring cries of the calls for earnestness. Lord, are there few that be saved?" to which our The eternal importance of great deceiver, but they "strive." They behold Lord replied, "Strive to enter in at the strait the work of Christ demands it. God cannot the world's glare, but they "strive" to enter in gate." Thus He sought to lead them away from bear indifference. Embracing views merely is a at the strait gate. They agonize to rest simply the consideration of others, to ponder the all-im-poor thing. Learning a few religious ways and on the finished work of Christ, and know there portant question of their own souls' salvation; phrases will not do for God. All the world are is no other entrance for the sinner into God's and exposed the folly of appearing concerned guilty before Him. Judgment is quickly com- happy presence, but through the blood of His Cross. for others, while they themselves were in the ing. The wrath of God is already kindled, and They are not satisfied at merely reading the broad road to destruction. So weighty, so fall it must upon all Christless souls. His al- Scriptures, or knowing a little about Christ, or essential is the point, and so fatal would a mighty arm and perfect love have made a door of at being considered religious by others, or at mistake be, that He commands them to "strive escape, and His gracious voice exclaims to sin statedly hearing gospel truths proclaimed. No. (or agonize) to enter in at the strait gate." ners, Strive, or agonize, to enter in at the strait They feel that they need salvation, and nothing We do well to observe, that the instruction gate!" Do not be content at having serious im- less than salvation can satisfy them, nothing short here is not that they were to do a great many pressions, or good desires. Rest not till you of peace with God, against whom they are conthings, or even one thing, to make themselves fit have entered in at the strait gate. Be in real scious of having so sinned, will do for them. for God; or that they were to wander through a Let not formal duties suffice; let not a They know the gate is still open, and they do not long, tedious labyrinth, to find blessing and safety.little concern satisfy you; let not the credit of know how soon it may be shut. They are conNo. It is simply a "gate" that is presented to being religious among men be enough for you.scious that they must perish for ever, if they do them as the alone way of escape; and their se- Oh, no! Have real concern, for eternity is at curity and blessing depended on their entering in hand. Your life is short; many will miss the at the gate. The condition of all outside is most strait gate; many will be deceived; many will perilous; but there is a way of escape; and judg-find out their mistake when it is too late. Strive ment and condemnation must overtake those who then, agonize to enter in at the strait gate; escape do not accept the only way of deliverence by for thy life, flee from the pit, turn to the Saviour; entering in at the strait gate. on no account miss His great salvation. 66 earnest. not enter in. They perceive that God has opened the gate, that the Saviour says, "Enter in;" that the Scriptures declare it is the only way; that God's servants urgently proclaim its eternal importance, and thousands around declare they have experienced the blessedness of it: therefore they "enter in at the strait gate." They come as Calvary's Cross, that God Himself is the source of pardon, peace, righteousness, and glory, for all that come unto Him through Christ. Having felt that Christless souls must enter into the pit of eternal destruction, they could not rest till they knew that they were saved, and have fled for refuge to the hope set before them in the gospel. By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they experience that they have exchanged a guilty for a purged conscience, have been rescued from an evil world for the presence of the God of grace and peace; they feel themselves new creatures, they know that they have passed from death unto life, and they rejoice in pardoning 1. WHAT IS THE STRAIT GATE? There could 5. THERE ARE MANY HINDRANCES TO PER-guilty, worthless, naked sinners, and they find in have been no way of escape for sinners from the SONS ENTERING IN AT THE STRAIT GATE. 1. wrath to come, had not Jesus died upon the Cross. The carnal mind. We all like to live and act as "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and if there were no God, and as if we were not needdie, it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth ing salvation. We all strive to be happy apart much fruit." It is the Cross of Christ that speaks from God and the Saviour. We are of the world to us of sins put away, righteousness brought in, which lieth in the wicked one. We constantly and reconciliation of the sinner to God. Christ stray further from God, doing, as far as possible, crucified then is the "strait gate." Jesus lifted our own will, and having our own way. The up on the Cross is the door of access. "I am mind is naturally opposed to God, and not subthe door," said He, "by me, if any man enter in, ject to Him; it seeks rest anywhere rather than he shall be saved." The Cross of Christ, there-in God. "All we like sheep have gone astray, fore, becomes the point of separation between the saved and lost. Not to enter into God's presence through this gate, is still to tarry in the place of death and judgment; but to enter into the Father's presence, through the atoning work of His dear Son, is present peace and eternal salvation. The gospel thus presents to us a door of escape, still wide open, marked with the cleansing blood of the Son of God, and welcomes all guilty sinners that "enter in" by faith; thus sheltering them for ever from the wrath of God, and shutting them into the peace-speaking presence of the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. 2. It is a STRAIT GATE. True Christianity is an individual thing. The gate is so strait, so narrow, that all who enter, go in one by one. Many long to take others with them, but each person is accountable to God for himself; every one is exercised before God on account of his own sin. The gospel appeals to the individual conscience. "He that believeth on the Son."-He that hath the Son-" He that believeth and is baptized," &c. Paul said, "I know in whom I have believed"-" I obtained mercy"-Christ "loved me." This is very weighty, and shews us the deep necessity of each one asking the all-important question, "Am I saved?" We may be members of religious bodies, and outwardly appear consistent members too; but each one only that has entered in at the strait gate is saved. 3. ENTER IN. There is no promise of safety to any who do not "enter in" at the strait gate. We are not to think about the gate merely, but to "enter in." It is one thing to know there is a Saviour, and another to find salvation through His blood. It is to be feared that many who say they know the plan of salvation, have not availed themselves of it. We enter in at the strait gate by faith. In the Cross of Christ we see that the God of grace has opened a door of salvation for love. "Pardon from an offended God, Pardon for crimes of deepest dye, Pardon bestow'd through Jesu's blood, Pardon that brings the rebel nigh; Who is a pardoning God like thee? we have turned every one to his own way." The then say, "I know you not." How important salvation will be made manifest. The door will 3. Many professors will be shut out. In the parable of the ten virgins we are told that after the door is shut many will come knocking, saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us;" and here also our Lord says, "Many will say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets; but He shall say, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." On another occasion our Lord speaks of these persons as saying in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name have done many wonderful works; then will I profess unto them, I never knew you! These things clearly shew us that many who have professed to be servants of Christ, and who may have accomplished great things in Ilis name, never knew the value of His sin-atoning work for their own souls, never entered into the strait gate for their own salvation. How very awful this is! They may have striven to accomplish "wonderful works" in His name, but never knew what it was to "strive to enter in at the strait gate." What a solemn warning this presents to any who have not yet trusted in the blood of Christ for the salvation of their souls! 4. The eternal torment of the lost. "He that believeth not shall be damned," and "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him," are words of the 66 that salvation is only to those who "enter in at of love is heard, saying, Ho, every one Oh, my reader! hast thou entered in at the "Nothing in my hands I bring, An Important Question. SIN is the from God. BY T. W. MEDHURST. "Where art thou," seeker? Thou art dissatisfied with the pleasures and gaities of the world, and art seeking for that happiness which is eternal; know, therefore, Jesus is willing to give thee thy desire. He ever waits to be gracious. He is more willing to save thee, than thou art to be saved. He will reveal Himself to thee, and receive thee freely. Go thou to this Jesus, just as thou art, tell Him all thy care, plead what He has done, and what He has said, then cast thyself down at His feet, and thou art saved. Hast "Where art thou," young man? thou left thy parents' roof to battle with cause of man's banishment a stern world? Art thou seeking a friend God of truth that must have their fulfilment. When God created our first to guide thee in the intricate paths of Not to "enter in at the strait gate" for salvation, life? is not to believe in that Saviour whom God hath parents, He placed them in Eden's beauSeek Christ Jesus; He is just the sent, but to be a "worker of iniquity," living in teous garden, where they were surrounded Friend thou needest-"A Friend that rebellion against the God of love and peace. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, with all which could add comfort and loveth at all times." Seek Jesus now in when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob peace to body and soul; but when tempted in the Kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out; the final doom of unbelievers by Satan, in the form of a serpent, Adam being to have the consciousness that others are ate the forbidden fruit; all that was fair happy in the kingdom through the redemption and pleasant passed away, while only a work of Christ, and they themselves cast into sense of shame and guilt remained. Now "Where art thou," aged reader? Just the lake of fire, into everlasting punishment; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not the voice of the Lord God is heard in approaching the verge of time, art thou quenched. How powerful are the Saviour's the garden, saying unto Adam, "Where prepared to launch thy bark on the vast appeals! How simple, yet how thrilling, are the reasons He assigns why persons should "strive Adam answers, "I heard ocean of eternity? Just tottering on the Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, borders of the grave, art thou made meet Many will hear these things, and yet not seek because I was naked; and I hid myself." to stand before the throne of Jesus? Do saved, but themselves for ever lost;-to see others to enter in at the strait gate!" higher than their own fancied goodness. Others art thou?" the days of thy youth, so shall thy life be safe and profitable, thy journey pleasant and prosperous, thy last days crowned with glory and honour. the way of escape. Some will not submit to the the creation." Others hear the truth, will dis- presence of his offended God. 66 "While the lamp holds out to burn, The vilest sinner may return." "Where art thou," believer? Thou shouldst be on the MOUNT of EXPECTATION, waiting the approach of Jesus. groom, while being destitute of oil in their lamps; found, where death and destruction shall Thou shouldst be watching for the fulfilor of attempting to be guests of the marriage fessing to go out at midnight to meet the bride supper without having on a wedding garment. surely surprise thee; but, yet, where ment of that promise left thee by thy In short, while the Scripture plainly shews us mercy lingers, and where the wooing voice Redeemer, "I WILL COME AGAIN." Thou shouldst be praying, "EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY." 66 Are you Ready? "READY for what," do you ask? O dear reader, are you ready to die? ready to appear before God? ready to give an account to Him of the deeds done in the body? ready to have all your thoughts, words, and actions exposed to the searching eye of a just and holy God? ready to answer to Him for having broken His law, for having so long rejected His gracious and loving invitation to be recon Consider these things well, I beseech you, and ask yourself the solemn question, "Am I ready?". May the Spirit of God cause you to answer it faithfully and truly. Deceive not yourself by any false hopes. Rest not unless you are able to answer it with certainty, and can say with a truthful heart that you are ready and prepared Think again of God's love to this tion by the blood of Christ, regeneration, wicked world, in that "He gave His only &c., &c. Every day, without fail, for a May God keep each reader of "The begotten Son, that whosoever believeth month, was I at my post, insomuch that Evangelist' WATCHING, WAITING, and in Him, should not perish, but have poor M- used to speak of me as his PRAYING for the SECOND APPEARING of everlasting life;" of the love of Jesus, schoolmaster. I longed indeed that he the Lord from heaven. AMEN. of whom it was said, even by His ene- might become a new creature, that that mies, "This man receiveth sinners, and poor, gloomy, half-sullen countenance eateth with them;" of the love of the might be lit up with beams of heartfelt Spirit of God, who vouchsafes to sanctify joy, arising from faith in Jesus. But, all that believe in Christ, and then ask alas! at the month's end, though much yourself what excuse is left you for not better informed than at the first, and being ready? some contrition manifested for the past, It cannot be because God is unwilling yet I could see none of this. How to save you, nor because the work of powerless I felt! What could I say salvation is not finished. No; it is be- more? Pray for him I did. Now, percause you have not gone to Him as a haps, my reader will say, "Were you to needy, lost sinner, and asked Him, for blame in all this?" "I see not." For reChrist's sake, to have mercy upon you. member that word, "The heart is deceitciled to Himself, and for having despised It is because your deceitful, proud heart, ful above all things." Well, we (even the blood of His Son by your careless- has not yet accepted the offer of pardon Christians) find self cling to much that ness concerning it? ready for the coming and peace which God now freely presents, we do; and though we scarcely know it, of that Jesus, who, though now willing "without money, and without price." and may really hate such thoughts, yet and able to save to the uttermost all that You cannot purchase it by any works or sometimes we want to be something. It come unto God by Him, will then "judge deeds of your own, for eternal life is the is not sufficiently, “Yet not I, but the the secrets of men"? "gift of God," and can be had only by grace of God that was with me." When simple trust in Jesus. we are in a really right state of heart, so Again, then, dear reader, "I beseech long as God's will is done, and He is you, as an ambassador for Christ, be glorified, we are best pleased when it is reconciled to God," and that at once. done His way, not ours. We desire to Let there be no delay. Flee to Christ be nothing-He everything. while the day of grace lasts, for the day But there was at this time really in of vengeance is fast approaching. Death me a feeling of jealousy of another, who may remove you suddenly from this world, visited M after my months of painsand I would impress upon you the neces- taking, lest he and not I should be the sity of believing God now. "Now is the instrument used in his conversion; and accepted time; now is the day of salva- I did not ask two or three praying souls tion." To-morrow may be too late. to meet me and cry to the Lord on his Another hour may be too late. Believe behalf; I had made up my mind that I now in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you was to be the instrument, if Mshall be saved, and be enabled to say converted. About this time his father with joy, that "you are ready.” requested me, together with another Christian, to meet that night for prayer that the Lord would convert Mark. agreed-we prayed-and next morning I paid another visit; and O what a change I beheld in him! All things had indeed SOME years ago I learned a lesson, which become new; Christ had been revealed I trust, by God's grace, has never been with power to his soul that very night by forgotten. The son of an aged and very God himself, as he cried to Him on his godly man was to his parents the cause bed. Joy now did beam from his eyes— of deep sorrow, being a mocker, walking his soul was overflowing with praise. I in the counsel of the ungodly, and de- had the desire of my heart in seeing him spising all reproof. In the midst of this thus, and learned highly to prize the wretched course he was suddenly stricken agreed prayer of the two or three met in with an illness, which, after some months the name of Jesus; for He is in the of suffering, terminated fatally. Feeling midst, and where He is, there is power to much interested in his case, I commenced heal. It was now no longer I, but the forthwith to visit him; and finding him grace of God in which I could rejoice.. extremely ignorant even of the letter of Dear reader, if you are seeking to win the word, spared no pains in seeking to souls, highly prize this blessed means of instruct him as to man's upright con- obtaining power from God in this glodition as created, ruin through disobe-rious work. dience, death the penalty of sin, redemp for these events. If you are by grace among the happy number of the redeemed, who by faith "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,' then you "have peace with God;" you can "rejoice in hope of the glory of God;" you can call God your Father, and glory in the fact that even now you are a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus;" you can look for "that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus;" you can say, without presumption, "I am ready." But if not, consider, my dear reader, what an awful condition you are in; for hear the word of the Lord: "He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." And again: And again: "He that believeth not is condemned already." Think of the awful fact that God's wrath abideth on you, that He is angry with the wicked every day," that you have incurred His just condemnation, and that the only way by which men can be saved, namely, Christ crucified, you have hitherto despised. W. A. S. "Without me ye can do nothing." A WORD TO THE ONE HIS FIRST SETTING OUT. -was We J. B. I. |