serpent of brass he lived." His despairing, lan-eternal life; let us, then, walk and act in the things," came to her remembrance. She guishing heart revived. As soon as he was con- Spirit. Let us show that we belong to Jesus, scious that he lived, the fear of death departed, that we have died as regards the flesh in Him, and peace took possession of his mind. Health and that we have life by and in a risen, glorified and vigour returned for service and conflict, he Saviour. We must abide in Christ, live upon overcame the enemies of the Lord, and went on- Christ, feed on Christ, draw from Christ, if we ward to the promised land. But further, having would walk like Christ. This new life must be proved how effectual simply beholding the ser- nourished, the spiritual energies used, the newpent of brass was, he, doubtless, was anxious born affections exercised, if we would be strong that others perishing around him should enjoy and flourishing as servants of Christ. We need the same blessing. not, could not, work for life, because we have life. We could not be Christians if we had not looked to the Son of Man lifted up, and had life. The word of Christ informs and strengthens the new life; the flesh and blood of Christ nourish the new life; the way of faith is the acting out of the new life; the Lord's return from heaven is paused, wondering whether this could be all, and whether she would really be quite safe, if she cast herself on Jesus. Then again she thought, "God says I am, and his word is true; why should I doubt ?" Thus her eyes opened, and trusting herself entirely to Jesus, peace came into her troubled soul, she knew her sins were all forgiven, all blotted out; she saw Christ had come into the world to save sinners, and that in his hands she must be safe; Applying this instruction to ourselves, by the light of our Lord's exposition of it, it is clear that whoever believes in Christ lifted up on the Cross, has eternal life. He has a new life in him. He is a new creature. He is born again. It is a fact, that by faith in Christ crucified we have life. that for which the new life waits. "He that hath the Son hath life; He that hath not the Son of Gol hath not life." It is not merely a change of views, but life, that the believer in Christ receives. The present possession of life in our souls is connected with a remarkable change both in experience and action. Conversion is really a transition from death unto life. Those who had previously prided themselves on their good qualities, now see themselves to be vile and worthless; and that blessed Saviour whom they had so long despised and rejected now becomes incomparably precious and lovely. That God, once so dreaded, is worshipped and adored as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, His word and ways honoured, and His people once slighted, if not persecuted, are now beloved objects of interest and affection. These are some of the workings of Divine life in the soul. But all who have life have not peace; they have eternal life, but do not know it. Such a sense of their own evil hearts and ways presses upon them, they cannot suppose it possible that such vile persons can have eternal life, yet they look to Christ and cannot give Him up; they little think that the self-humbling experience they have is the effect of their having life. There are many such now, and there were also in the apostles' days; hence John wrote, "These things write I unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life;" and be assured them that they might know that they ad passed from death unto life, because they if ved the brethren." I say, when the Israelite who had looked to the serpent of brass knew that he lived, fear of death left him, and peace took possession of his mind. So now when the believer knows that he is pardoned, justified, and accepted, by simply looking to Christ crucified, peace flows into his heart. We have joy and peace in believing; being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Fear of death is removed when the soul looks only and simply to Jesus, and believes that Christ has died in his room and stead. The believer thus knows, that, whatever changes may take place, his life is hid with Christ in God, and though he may sleep in Jesus, yet he shali never see death. This fills the languishing spirit with consolation and peace, as well as strength for the service of God, and running the heavenly race. Seeing that we have eternal life by beholding the brass. How quickly might he be seen throwing May well my hope revive; If God's own Son thus bleeds and dies, there was no room for uncertainty, no room for fear. "A dying, risen Jesus, Seen by the eye of faith; His help he'll freely give; Happy girl! poor yet happy. But, my friend, how is it with you? are you forgiven? Oh, do not thrust this question from you, and hurry on as though it mattered not; for time is short, and soon the door of mercy will be shut. Awake! awake! before it be too late; and fly to him who is able to take your sins away, and to give you eternal life. God But some of my readers cannot say that they have life. The Son of Man has been lifted up to give life to sin-sick, dying souls, but they refuse to look and live. How sad is your portion. How awfully dark your expectation. God's love is Have you not sinned? yes, deeply despised by you. His pity and compassion are not sinned? Look back and think-each day, welcomed. His gospel is not received. The sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus are despised, and each hour the eye of God has been fixed you are still in your sins, daily sinking under the serpent's bite, dying under its influence, and on you; he has marked every act, heard rapidly hastening to the bar of God's judgment, every word, and more, ah, even more than to receive your final sentence, and eternal doom. this, his searching eye has pierced into But it may be that some may say, "I know I am a sinner. I am sure I have broken God's your heart, and seen every foolish thought. laws. I have merited His displeasure. My heart How terrible! what can you do? where trembles at death. I shudder at the thought of judgment. Can I be saved? Is there hope for hide yourself? where find a place of me? Is there any possibility that I can have refuge? listen, and I will tell you. eternal life." Yes! yes! my dear fellow-sinner. Jesus died for such as you. He was nailed to so loved the world—" I will give my Son," soul that looks to Him, He saves. Believe on die, my wrath shall be poured out on the Cross for the ungodly. Every sin-convicted He says, "my well-beloved Son, he shall the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. him." So Jesus came, willingly came; He laid down his life. That holy, blessed One was bruised and wounded, He was crucified, stricken, smitten; but now it is past, the price is paid. "It is finished!" was the Saviour's cry, and He has gone to heaven again, with open arms He waits and loudly calls to every one. "See," He says, "what I have done; you have sinned, but I have died; my blood speaks peace. 'I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved:' come then with your sins to me, and I will cleanse. them all away and give you everlasting life." "She turned her eye to Jesus." Oh, the blessedness of having eternal life by Esh is dead, but know Christ is our life. We in her wretchedness, she began to think My friend, what answer do you give to "So great, so vast a sacrifice, FELLOW CHRISTIANS! we have life-spiritual, "All that believe are justified from all will trust in him, he will be your hiding place, your refuge. Could you perish What wait I for? will be perfected, and our characters completed; and we shall be filled with BY JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM. We wait then? Perish! when he had given you eternal life. Could you be condemned? THIS question was proposed by David, knowledge, love, peace, joy, and purity; Condemned! when God has said, "He and may very well be proposed by us. and then we shall fully understand the that believeth on him is not condemned!" As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, meaning of Paul: "Now we see through Oh, how happy you would be! happy in we have already received much. Our a glass darkly, but then face to face; now the hands of Jesus! and better still, how heavenly Father has sent the Spirit of I know in part, but then shall I know safe! how very safe! none could pluck adoption into our hearts; He has given even as also I am known." you away from Jesus, and he would never us many exceeding great and precious also for the close, felt, uninterrupted, give you up. promises; He has wrought faith in our and perfect union of Christ and His hearts; and He has given us a good hope people, with each other, and the Father. through grace. But we expect much Who beside him who uttered them, can more, and are brought to wait for much fathom the depth of meaning in those more; though sometimes, when we look glorious words, "Neither pray I for upon what God has already given us, these alone, but for them also which we are overwhelmed with a sense of the shall believe on me through their word; Lord's great goodness, and are ready to that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also ever. Again I ask, what answer do you give? will you turn away and be lost for ever? Reject the Saviour? despise his love? My friend, I warn you, it is a solemn thing thus to treat God's well-beloved Son. Remember, there is no other name under heaven whereby you can be saved. You have heard God's message, the way cry out, "And now, Lord, what wait I of salvation has been set before you-for?" (Ps. xxxix. 7.) may be one in US: that the world may forgiveness through the blood of Jesus! Well, we are waiting for one great believe that thou hast sent me and the a free and complete pardon, without money change, which will begin at death, and glory which thou gavest me, I have given and without price. This is no idle tale, be completed at the resurrection. We them; that they may be one, even as it is glorious tidings, good news from expect to be made perfectly holy, per- WE are one: I in them, and thou in heaven. Christ presents himself to you; fectly healthy, and perfectly happy. We me, that they may be made perfect in accept him, and everlasting life is yours. expect soon to be absent from the body, one; and that the world may know that Reject him, and you are lost, yes, lost for and to be present with the Lord; and we thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, expect too, that He will change our vile as thou hast loved me." We wait for That was a happy night for S-, she body, and fashion it like unto His own the enjoyment of the beatific vision, lay awake upon her bed, blessing and glorious body. Oh, what a change will for the pure in heart shall see God; and praising God for his great goodness to that be, to be made exactly like Jesus, then shall we possess the kingdom, and her. Everything seemed changed she in body, soul, and spirit! This we ex- enjoy all that God has prepared for told me, her fear of death had gone, and pect, and therefore wait for it, as the them that love Him. Truly, the best her burdened heart had found a resting-perfecting of our salvation. Like Jacob, is all before us, and the prospect should place in Jesus. when he was dying, so may we say, "I cheer, animate, and embolden us, under Oh can you, will you, refuse such have waited for thy salvation, O Lord." all our sufferings, sorrows, and labours blessedness as this? think of peace with This is what Peter calls the end of our here below. None of these things are God! a peace which passeth all under- faith: "Receiving the end of your faith, seen by us, they are objects of faith and standing! think of a home in heaven! a even the salvation of our souls." And hope at present; but as we hope for that home of everlasting joy! My friend, take as we wait for it, we are kept unto it, as we see not, therefore with patience do your sins to JESUS, rest on his finished it is written, "Kept by the power of God, we wait for it. This is our proper pos work, and these riches, these treasures through faith unto salvation, ready to be ture, waiting as servants for their master; will be yours. revealed in the last time." Thus we or as the espoused bride for her bridewait for the hope of righteousness by groom. faith, when the perfect likeness of Jesus We wait; but how do we wait? We will be stamped upon us, and we shall ought to wait in faith, believing the be like Him, seeing Him as He is. reality and certainty of these things. We wait also for the coming of Jesus, We should also wait with patience, doing and all the saints with Him. Like the and suffering the will of God, whatever Corinthians, we are "waiting for the com- it may be; praying to be made meet to ing of our Lord Jesus Christ." Like enjoy the glorious objects of our hope; the Thessalonians, we are turned to God, mourning over our failures in duty, and "to wait for His Son from heaven, whom undue attachment to earthly things; and He raised from the dead, even Jesus, fearing, lest a promise being left us, any which delivered us from the wrath to of us should seem to come short of it. come." This is the blessed hope, the We should wait in profound humility, glorious expectation of the church of until the Lord's time comes; watching God. Jesus is coming. He is coming for the first intimations of the Master's in glory. He is coming to gather His approach; longing for the period to arpeople, complete his work, and keep rive, and daily preparing for this august Sabbath on the earth. We therefore wait event. With the loins girt, with the for this rest, for there remaineth a rest, lamp burning, with the heart longing, or the keeping of a Sabbath unto the and with eye watching, should we wait people of God. Then we shall cease for the objects of our hope. from all toil, be free from all suffering, But if the Lord's people are waiting and take possession of the inheritance for such great, grand, and glorious things, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and for what are others waiting? Sinners! that fadeth not away. Then our graces unconverted men! unconverted women! "Christ is All and in all." Christ is my Rock, from Him my honey floweth; He is my mighty Counsellor, He heareth He is my Priest, whose office faileth never; He is my Sacrifice, once made, for ever! His blessed service to the praise of His wonderfully to her, until she departed to educated and outwardly religious often. Among other matters that pressed upon "His honour is engaged to save (To be continued.) what are you waiting for? You are only "The Strange Dream." work at the house of one of her employA POOR washer-woman, whilst doing her —, for nearly two years, when the ravages of "Rejoice in the Lord always." Rich, divinely rich, am I; And to earthly joys to die- Sing my soul, sing on thy way, Cheerful weep and joyful groan- Oh, my Saviour, Thou hast freed One who was a slave indeed! To the vilest, Thou hast given, I am thine, and mine Thou art; Thirsty, longing souls depend; Grace Abounding; OR, "I'VE FOUND JESUS." ers, observed that she did not think she would live long, as she had had a washer-woman) had died, and been taken strange dream. It was that she (the to heaven, but found herself so unsuited to it, that she left it. About six months after relating this, she did die, but in what state of soul is not known. Few as these words are, they contain a solemn warning to all who have "no hope, and are without God in the world." The close of this life must come, sooner or later, die," and if the soul is not found in for "it is appointed unto men once to Christ here, it never can live in the presence of God hereafter. There is "no repentance," which means change. of purpose "in the grave." found, call ye upon Him while He is "Seek ye the Lord while He may be near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isa. Iv. 6, 7.) "God is Love." A MOTTO FOR THE NEW YEAR. There was one thing during Emma's Christian career that troubled her much. She clearly saw it to be the privilege as well as the duty of Christians to confess the power of Christ's salvation to those around. This she felt unable to do, and it deeply pained her. When, however, she found herself the subject of a deeply How sweet and cheering is the thought rooted disease, she earnestly prayed, that that God is love. To know this as certain, as she had been enabled to confess the will make the coming year a pleasant Lord so little by word of mouth during prospect, and render its opening hours her life, He would give her grace to be a seasons of happy meditation. We have faithful witness for Him on her death- often read in our Bibles and sung in bed. This petition was abundantly an- our hymns that God is love; but do we swered; for, during her protracted illness, really believe what we read and sing? she not only comforted the hearts of Is this sweet fact our security and trust? THE Lord knoweth them that are His. many of God's children, but sent for Do we in our daily life, walk, and conHe often calls the most unpromising to several persons in the neighbouring town, versation acknowledge our personal inpartake of His grace in Christ. The most that she might set before them the un-terest in the love of God? Are we more hopeless characters are sometimes brought searchable riches of Christ. The Lord holy because of God's love to us? Does to rejoice in the Lord, and go forth in at this time manifested Himself very this incite within us emotions of grati love? Have you ever looked for salvation through the death of the Son of God? God out of love to sinners gave His Son to suffer for them. Even when they were His enemies, His own Son hung bleeding on the cross to save them, wounded in His body, braised in His soul, smitten and afflicted, the Son of God hung on the tree, enduring all this, to save One reason why we forget, or do not know, that God is love, is because we are so apt to look into self, instead of Jesus. In our own hearts we shall discover all God to us is generally an obscure manner of sin, but nothing of the nature being. We seek to read His character of the great and loving God. In the in nature, and fail; we turn to providence, heart of Jesus we shall see clearly written, people who were enemies to Him. There was but there we meet apparent contradic- "God is love." We are altogether vile-nothing in those for whom He died to cause Him to love them, for they were His enemies, tions; and it is only as we turn to Jesus, 'tis Jesus only can make us pure, and and He knew it; yet such was His love that that we know or can know anything of His blood must be the bath wherein we He was willing to suffer all they deserved to God's love. Let us, during 1860, study must wash and be clean. Let us for the suffer; to have it inflicted on Himself. Instead of letting them suffer for their crimes, God in Him who is the express image future look straight out of self to Jesus; He submits to be put to death for the crimes of the Father; for in Jesus we see God, and as we gaze, we shall be made like of His enemies. Does not this prove the in all His majesty of love, grace, and Him. While we clearly discover the love kindness of the heart of Jesus, that He laid down His life for His enemies? O Reader! truth. In the person of Jesus we have of God, which passeth knowledge, let us think of this. Jesus died for His enemies, bear in mind that each and every attri-God gave His Son to die for His enemies; bute of God is stamped with this, His then God must be a good God, a kind God, and Jesus must have a kind heart when He new name, "Love." was willing to suffer so much for His enemies. God with us in our nature, bone of our Is God omnipotent? His power is put "O love divine, what hast thou done." Did His feet were Is it because that He is love, hence He freely gave His love. God's threatenings are the this? Could He have given a greater proof His Son, that He might honour His solemn warnings of His love. Jesus' of His love to sinners than He has given? Father's attributes, fulfil the require-incarnation is a sweet and precious illus-Did not His bleeding heart say He loved them? Did not His pierced hands and feet ments of the law on our behalf, satisfy tration of the love of God. The miracles say He loved them? Must He not have had justice in our stead, remove sin from our of Christ are loving acts of condescension wonderful love to bear all He bore, to suffer And has He not shown path, and melt our heart by His rich to assist our faith. When Jesus sighed, all He suffered ? Himself to be worthy of esteem and regard? grace. Herein is love, not that we loved His sigh was the breath of love. Now, Reader, how hard it is to be the God, but that God loved us, and gave Jesus pray? His earnest prayers were enemy of one so kind as Jesus. If you are His Son, that He might make us parlove's successful pleadings. Were the so, could you give me a reason for being His takers of His nature, and draw out our eyes of our Redeemer suffused with tears? enemy? Is it because He was crowned with thorns? Is it because He hung covered with hearts in love to himself. -those tears were love's dew drops. blood on the cross? Is it because His hands Earth is the theatre of God's love; it is have the print of the nails in them? Is it here the sinner may draw near to a loving the mark of the spear is in His side? O can Father. Heaven is love's home, where all it be because He is love, that you hate Him? the redeemed from among men shall meet Is it because He is so good, so kind, that you with Jesus, to enjoy an eternity of blissful dislike Him? Is it because He is altogether lovely that you turn away from Him? It is joy. hard, O sinner, it is hard for thee to fight against one so worthy as Jesus, one so excellent, one so glorious, one so loving. Are you Do His not ashamed to be His enemy? pierced hands make you ashamed? Does His bleeding brow make you blush? Does His pierced side make you long to creep to Him, though you have been his enemy, His love and tell Him you are lost without HimThis gospel is not only suited to all, has broken you down; so that you can despise but it shuts none out. What say you, Reader, to If any are lost, it this? Are you willing to be saved by Him? shall not be because there was no promise Do you wish to know Him? If so, the moof mercy for them; but because "light is ment you are led by the Holy Ghost to look come into the world, and men love darkto Him, you are saved; when you trust in Him, you are freely forgiven; for He that ness rather than light." If you are not READER! Do you know that God gave His was dead is now alive, and he that cometh to saved, you have never been to Christ for only begotten Son to be stretched upon the Jesus He will in no wise cast out. Whether salvation. If you continue throughout cross, to be nailed there, to suffer there, to die you feel your need of Jesus or not, you do there? and He did all this from love to poor need Him, greatly need Him. Your dying this year without pardon, it will be besinners, who did not love Him, nor care for day must be a dark day if you have not Christ. cause you would not ask for it, neither Him. Was not this wonderful LOVE in God On whom can you lean, if you have not Him desire it. "WHOSOEVER will, let him take to give His Son to suffer for sinners? Was to lean on? Where can you look, if have you Where can you turn, the water of life FREELY," is the warrant it not LOVE in the Son to be willing to suffer not Jesus to look to? for sinners? Was it not LOVE in Jesus to if you have not Him to turn to? for each and all, who need the water of come and lay down His own life to save sinlife, to drink at its fountain head, Jesus. ners? Let the sinner but take God at His Him no more. The Gift of God. that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but O Reader! you do need Him; you need Him now, this moment; you cannot be certain of stopping here another day. Then, before the storm comes, you need a shelter, and there is no shelter for a lost sinner but the blood of the Lamb. It is said of those before the tude? Alas! I fear it is not so: we are all too apt to forget, or, if not to forget, to act as though we had forgotten God's love. The Bible contains a full and simple declaration of His love. It is the gospel, or good news, to lost and perishing man. It is God's nature, spelt out in living characters, that we might love and adore him. This gospel is suited to all, be they rich or poor, high or low, polite or rude, learned or ignorant. It meets man as a sinner, and directs to Jesus, the only Saviour, who addresses the sinner as a sinner, thus-"Look unto me, and be ye saved." My fellow sinner: will you be there? Do you know, by having experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, that God is love? If you are a stranger to this, I urge you, by the awful realities of hell, and by the sweet invitations of mercy, that you at once flee from the wrath to come, to Jesus. "He took the dying traitor's place, word, then shall he realize the joy of Surely this was love. Have you ever thought throne, "They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." You too need, greatly need, the blood of the Lamb. Nothing can wash your spotted soul but the blood of the Lamb. Look to what you may, there is not a gleam of hope for you but in the blood of the Lamb. Seek rest where you may, there is no rest to be found but in the blood of the Lamb. Strive as you may to get happiness, you can never find it till your heart cleaves to the blood of the Lamb. All you grasp is but a shadow, till you grasp the blood of the Lamb. Had you all the world can afford, you would even then be if a stranger to the blood of the poor, Lamb. Never can you know what real peace is, till you are brought to wash in the blood of the Lamb. O the blood of the Lamb is what you need to shelter you. May the Spirit of God never let you rest till you rest on the blood of the Lamb! say, The father look'd like one amazed, While he upon him strangely gazed ; At length his cheeks turn'd very red, And he in anger shook his head. "Now Chim," said he, "mind what I "Dat neber do for me, no way: "Me no hab dat, me never will, "Me hold de old religion still. "My fader, and his fader too, "Held old religion, so shall you; "So Chim, be off, and get to bed, "And put such tings out o' your head; "And don't tell Chack one single word "Of all dese tings dat I hab heard." Poor Chim felt very much distress'd, And went up stairs with Chack to rest; But there he knelt upon his knee, And prayed for all the family. Chack stood surprised till Chim was done, And then poor Chack with Chim begun. "Why, I say, Chim, what dis new ting "Dat home along wid you you bring? "You never did for fader pray, "Before you left and went away." 66 "That's very true," said Chim to Chack, "But I must pray now I am back. "When I left home, I was quite blind, "But now I feel a change of mind. "And you, dear Chack, will find a friend, "If you, like me, on Christ depend. "His language is: 'Poor sinner, come, "I paid for you the ransom sum; "Only believe, and trust in me, 'And you shall my salvation see.' "These are His words, dear Chack, to you; "O let His love your heart subdue, "And fly to Him with rapid haste, "And all His love and mercy taste. "O Chack! do not His grace refuse, "Do not His precious love abuse. "You may have mercy, if you ask; "O think not that a grievous task. "O come to Christ, and come just now, "In earnest prayer before Him bow." Chack heard it all, and really felt As if his very heart would melt. At last he said "Chim, pray for me, "Dat I may dis salvation see." Chim quickly bow'd at this request, And, though he was o'erwhelmed with grief, That very night he found relief; "I see you really spoil To both he spoke exceeding gruff, And vow'd he'd use them very rough. And then he shouted, with a bounce, "You shall dese tings at once renounce.” "Moder," said he, "to-morrow night, "You go and put dese people right, "Dey will de werry world corrupt;' And then he turned away abrupt. Next night, well dressed, though strange to tell, Dame started off to scold them well; (6 "Do not," said he, "to merit cringe, Your help on that can never hinge; "O never trust in moral deeds, "They are at best but faulty weeds; "But look to Christ, for He is near, "To save the humble and sincere. "So wonderful His saving plan, "He offers life to every man ; "And all may now quite happy be, "Who will to this dear Saviour flee." 1 With joyful heart the time she spent, And then to Sambo back she went. "Well Dame," said he, "what bin about? "I hope you paid 'em all well out." "O man!" said she, "don't say one word, "They are the people of the Lord; "If any men on earth are right, "They are the men I've seen to night." "Vat mean by dat?" he cried aloud; "Dat chapel shall be overtrowed. "Dey run away with Chim and tuder, "And now they run away wid mother." He stamp'd his foot with awful frown, And vow'd he'd pull the chapel down. Next night he went in angry mood, Resolved to use them very rude. As he drew nigh a voice he heard, And stop'd to listen to the word. It was the voice of one in prayer, Who said, "Dear Lord, my father spare; "I feel his soul is dark and blind, "O let thy truth affect his mind. "O God, thy grace to him impart, "And change and sanctify his heart; "A sense of sin in him implant, "And make him for thy mercy pant. "O save him, Lord, this very night, "Convert his soul, and make him right. "My brother thou hast saved and bless'd, "And mother's mind thou hast impress'd: "My father, save, Lord, save him now, "Teach him before thy throne to bow. "May he, through grace, obtain thy love, "And reign with thee in heaven above." |