"Ten Days."

“ARE you saved?” Such was the question asked, through the finger alphabet, by one of the Lord’s servants, whom I had taken to see a poor deaf and dumb young man, then dying of consumption.
“Y-e-s,” was the short yet decisive reply, spelled upon the fingers.
“How long have you been saved?”
“Ten days,” was the ready answer, made in the same manner as before.
“How do you know you are saved?” was then asked.
In answer to which the poor young fellow pointed first to a list of “whosoevers” which I had previously affixed to the wall by his side, and ran his finger along the lines, dwelling on that verse, John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); then in a moment pointing to his own bosom, as much as to say, First there, on the authority of God’s word; then here, “the Spirit” bearing witness with His spirit. (Romans 8:1616The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16).) That “whosoever” spoken by our Lord Jesus having been applied in life-giving power to his soul. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Other quiet but satisfactory conversation followed, and we left him.
He lingered on a few weeks, thus giving me several opportunities of seeing him, and from his testimony during that time I am satisfied of his being “a saved soul.” A few hours before he passed away, when too weak to make finger signs I saw him lift his arm and point upwards, where I believe his spirit went, to be with the Lord.”
Dear reader, could you answer Yes to the first question in this paper? If not, why not? Whose fault is it? Can God do more than He has done? Remember, God has His way of saving sinners, and if we are saved at all, we must be saved in His way. We cannot be saved in our own, and His way is to glorify Christ in saving sinners, those who come to Him as such, counting and resting upon what Jesus Christ did for God’s glory, in dying “the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).) The dying thief condemned Himself, justified Christ, then turned to Him, and went straight from a deserved malefactor’s cross to the undeserved presence of his Lord in paradise. (Luke 23:40-4340But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:40‑43).) “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).)
“This man receiveth sinners” (Luke 15:22And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2)), in proof of which see Luke 7:37-5037And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:37‑50). Dear fellow sinner, come as such, own yourself a sinner, and take the mercy which God holds out to you in Christ Jesus, and then thank Him for it.
A. P.