It was noon in Geneva, one fine summer day, many years ago, and the bright sunshine glanced through the window of the court-house and lighted up the solemn scene that was passing there. Its streaming rays fell on the eager faces of the crowd, on the stern countenance of the judge, and on the pallid, haggard aspect of the wretched man trembling in the dock. He was standing there charged with the terrible crime of murder; the verdict of "guilty" had just been pronounced, and now the judge was speaking the fearful words that cut him off from life and hope, and condemned him, according to the Genevese law, to be shut up for twenty-eight days in an under-ground cell, and then brought forth to public execution.
When the judge ceased, the awful silence that reigned throughout the court was suddenly broken by an agonized cry from the criminal, "Mercy! Mercy!" Alas for him! that was no place for the exercise of mercy; only justice could be dispensed from that tribunal, and he knew that his sentence was just. As the miserable man was led away, a murmur of pity ran through the court; but there, as far as most of the spectators were concerned, all sorrow for his fate ended.
But there was one present, a member of the little band of Christians called Momiers by the people of Geneva, who felt the keenest pity for the condemned man, and longed to do something to lessen his misery. But what could he do? He had no interest to obtain a respite in his favor; but he wished most earnestly to bring to the poor perishing soul tidings of a Savior who could wash the vilest clean, and make the guiltiest fit for a home with Him in glory. Day after day the good man came to the prison, and wandered round its gloomy walls without finding any means of carrying out his blessed purpose. He was told that no one but the jailer was ever admitted to the condemned cell, and that it was useless to seek permission of the authorities. Nothing daunted by difficulties, he inquired in which part of the jail the murderer was confined, and found that a small grating near the ground, in a certain part of the prison walls, was the aperture through which a few rays of light were admitted to his dungeon. Here was the opportunity for which he had prayed.
At once he seated himself on the ground near the grating, and began to read in a clear voice the third and fourth chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. He read on without interruption until he reached the fifth verse of chapter 4;
"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness," when a deep hoarse voice from within the wall called out, "Read those words again.”
He read them slowly and earnestly, and then, as no further sound broke the stillness, he went away with a gleam of hope in his heart. Was it not said in Psa. 119:130130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130), "The entrance of Thy Word giveth light"?
He returned again and again to his post by the small grating, until his reading attracted notice, and he was brought before the governor of the prison and questioned concerning his conduct.
"I wanted to tell the prisoner where the mercy he cried for, can be found," was his explanation.
"And where is that?" asked the governor with a smile.
"In Jesus," said the Christian, simply and bravely: "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.'" 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).
"Well, if you have anything to take him that will do him good," said the governor, "I will grant you admission to his cell for half-an-hour each day; it will be better than you making a disturbance outside.”
It was a wonderful favor; but the Momier knew that all hearts are under God's control, and he accepted it gratefully as an answer to prayer. He was taken into the prison; and, in charge of the jailer, he traversed its gloomy passages, until at length they reached an iron door, and the key being turned, he was admitted into a place about eight feet square, too dimly lighted for him at first to discover any object; but when his eyes became accustomed to the gloom, he saw the prisoner sitting on a straw bed, his limbs heavily ironed, and his whole attitude betokening the utmost dejection of spirit. The Momier spoke, and his voice was recognized by the poor fellow, who, starting from his stupor, exclaimed, "You are the good man who read those wonderful words. O, tell me more about Him Who justifieth the ungodly without works.”
It was a joyous task to open to a mind thus prepared, the message of salvation; and, sitting down in the dark dungeon, the Momier spoke of Jesus, the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sin of the world; and told him He had borne punishment and fulfilled all righteousness, that those who had nothing to pay, might be frankly forgiven.
"And is there hope for me?" asked the doomed man. "I have been a great sinner; you can see how man judges me, and what must I be in the sight of a holy God?”
"There is hope," said the messenger of mercy, "because Jesus offers to undertake your case, and He is 'mighty to save.' You are in this cell condemned to die for the sin of murder; but if anyone loved you enough to die in your place, that he might bear your punishment instead of you, do you not think that the law would be satisfied, and that you might be righteously forgiven? Now this is just what Jesus has done, to save you from eternal death; and because He died on the cross for sinners, but He rose from the dead, and is now in the glory, God is ready to pardon you as soon as you ask Him for Christ's sake.”
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:7-97For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:7‑9).
The poor man listened as he would have done to the news of the king's pardon, and whenever his kind teacher paused, then came the craving, hungry cry, "Go on! tell me more.”
And then the harsh grating key in the massive lock was heard, telling that his allotted time of half-an-hour was gone. But the next day, and the next, the Christian was permitted to return; and soon it came to pass that those half hours in the condemned cell were the brightest moments in the day to him; for at each visit he found the prisoner understanding the way of the Lord more perfectly.
A light shined in the prison then—light streaming out from the excellent glory where the Lamb dwells, and where angels rejoice "over one sinner that repenteth.”
The day before that appointed for the execution came, again the Christian was with the condemned man. He was so taken up with the thought of God's forgiveness, and of the wonderful grace of Jesus, which had purchased for him a crown of life, that he seemed to have overcome all fear of that terrible death that was so near.
"If I could but tell the other prisoners of this blessed hope," he exclaimed; and turning to the jailer, who had just then entered the cell, he said, "I have a last request to make; will you grant it to a dying man? I want you to take me through the prison, that I may speak to every one of Jesus and His mercy.”
"I have no power to remove your irons," said the jailer, "or I would willingly oblige you; for you have given me almost no trouble at all, and that is more than I could say of most that have been shut up here; the only thing I have had to complain of at all, has been that you have sung hymns so loud the last few days, and it seemed rather unnatural-like, considering what is before you; but, as I said, I dare not take off your irons.”
"I do not wish it; let me go as I am," said the prisoner. And so, his poor limbs weighed and crippled by the clanking fetters, he went slowly and painfully from cell to cell, telling to the amazed inmates that he had found mercy; that though there was no earthly pardon for him, God had, for Christ's sake, forgiven all his sins, and that he had a hope of glory so bright and blessed, that he cared little for the shame and agony of the scaffold tomorrow. And after bearing this glad testimony to the power of Jesus as a Savior to each prisoner, he went back to his cell for a few more hours of darkness and loneliness. Then came the bitter pain and infamy of a malefactor's death—but cheered by the hope of life and immortality through Jesus Christ.
You think this wonderful, dear reader. Had you been among the crowd that watched the death of that murderer, you would probably have thanked God that you were not such a miserable sinner; and yet that miserable sinner was one who had sought and found mercy. Are you sure you are washed by the blood of Christ from your sins, and forgiven, as was that poor convinced and converted man? He was a great culprit, doubtless. He had broken the law, and had deserved to die. Thus the human law had its due. He had violently hurried a fellow-being out of life, and in return was justly put to death himself.
For the murderer there was no forgiveness at the bar of man's judgment. There could be none; for were the law to relax its penalties, society would be broken up. But, blessed be God, at the Divine bar there is forgiveness. It is a forgiveness that, for the sake of Him Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree, not merely remits the penalty, but actually insures eternal salvation of the offender, who will accept Him as Savior and Lord.
Doest thou love the Name of Jesus?
Wilt thou trust thyself to Him?
Canst thou say, "My Savior, Jesus"?
Though thy weeping eyes are dim;
Fear not thou; the blood of Jesus
Cleanseth thee from all thy sin;
In the mighty Name of Jesus
Life anew thou may begin.
"HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."
"BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME: BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."
"HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT."