A number of boys were playing ball one afternoon, and during their play the ball accidently went through the window of an adjacent Mission Room. Of course, like most boys they all scattered, and very soon none were to be seen. After a while the caretaker of the hall returned, and found the broken window, but nobody in sight.
After meditating over the affair, the people of the mission, printed on a card the following scripture;
Two days after, a boy came to the Mission and confessed that he had thrown the ball through the window, for which he was sorry and was willing to pay for it to be replaced.
This boy coming back and thinking that no one would know him as the culprit, noticed the text on the broken glass and read it. You are guilty and found out, this is what the words conveyed to his conscience, and he had no peace until he decided to confess his wrong. These are his own words, and show how the Spirit can bring conviction to one, through the word of God.
When we read or hear the Word of God, if a work of grace is being done in our hearts, the Spirit of God reveals our fallen and lost condition, and the soul is given to see its sinful state, and thus is burdened and confessing its helpless condition seeks for relief—which is never refused by Him who said “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
Just as the boy in our story could find no rest until he had confessed his wrong; so the sinner burdened with his sin cannot find rest until he accepts the invitation of Jesus, who said, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2323And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23).
Reverting back to the boy of our story, we see the good of acknowledging our wrong doing.
May many who read this message be likewise exercised as to the wrong done to the name of the God of all grace, — “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)),—and be led to confess their sin to Him, and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. And the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7-97But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7‑9).
ML 03/15/1931