In talking to people on the subject of salvation, it is hard to make them think ill of themselves, though they do not mind saying they are sinners. Any one would think there were such things as good sinners. I have a story that may, by God's blessing, lead some reader to see the only ground on which sinners can be saved.
A German Prince, traveling through France, visited the arsenal of Toulon, where the galleys are kept. The commandant, as a compliment to his rank, said he was welcome to set any one slave at liberty whom he should choose to select. The Prince, willing to make the best use of this privilege, spoke to many of them in succession, inquiring why they were condemned to the galleys. Injustice, oppression, false accusation, were the only causes they could assign. They were all innocent and ill-treated. At last he came to one who, when asked the same question, answered to this effect:—"My lord, I have no reason to complain; I have been a very wicked, desperate wretch. I have often deserved to be broken alive on the wheel. I account it a great mercy I am here." The Prince fixed his eyes upon him, gave him a gentle blow upon the head, and said—"You wicked wretch! it is a pity you should be placed among so many honest men; by your own confession you are bad enough to corrupt them all; but you shall not stay with them another day." Then turning to the officer, he said, "This is the man, sir, whom I wish to see released.”
Such is the story; let me interpret it. If still a prisoner of Satan, apply it to yourself, take yours place as guilty, and get the blessing of freedom. These slaves were all offenders, but only one knew and owned it. A deep lesson may be taught to our souls by the way God deals with sinners. He will have all the world before Him as guilty, and every mouth stopped. If we take that place now, we get a free discharge, for the blood of Jesus has paid our ransom.
The time is quickly coming when all who are now making excuses for themselves, and looking innocent, will, with shame, have to take their place as guilty, and without hope for evermore. Perhaps we think if those prisoners only had known the worst would have got free, they would all have found themselves that one! But such is far from the case with the prisoners of sin. They all try to prove that it is not their own fault they are in slavery, which is made so agreeable to them they will not own it as such. They make such a fair show that the chains are hidden! Yet the "light that shines in a dark place" no chain of nature can be hidden from. "The entrance of thy word giveth light." There are glad tidings for to-day; Christ Jesus, our Prince, has come to "deliver the captives," and not one only, but "whosoever" will. "To-day, if you will hear His voice" you may be set free. M. E. C. B.