I remember a case in Ireland when a Testament had been torn up and the leaves thrown to the winds; a poor man found one of the leaves and picked it up. He could read, and saw, “And Jesus said,” “and Jesus answered and said,” “and Jesus said,” and so on. He said to himself, What! has the blessed Lord said so many things, and I did not know them? Struck by these simple but solemn words, “Jesus said,” he went off to the neighboring town and bought a Testament, believed what Jesus said, was converted, and was happy in a known Saviour.
But, you may say, how did he know it was true that Jesus said these things? Well, God guides the humble, simple soul. Jesus had said it, and His word had power over his soul by grace.
But as I have related to you one history, I will tell you another.
I was in a cabin in Ireland where I was known, and began speaking to the brother-in-law of the man of the house about the Scriptures. His niece, a young woman, who was present said, “But they tell me, sir, that is a bad book, that the devil wrote it.” She was very ignorant, and could not read.
I said, “That is a shocking blasphemy — but I will not reason with you, but read you a bit, and you shall tell me yourself if the devil wrote it.”
I read to her what are called the beatitudes; “And He opened His mouth, and taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth, Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matt. 5:2-122And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:2‑12).
I then said, “Well, what do you think? Did the devil write that?”
“No, sir,” she said, “the devil never wrote that; that came from nothing but the mouth of God,” The word of God had laid hold of her. She lived and died most happy; dying three years after of a fever in a hospital. J.N.D.
ML 04/30/1961