The Scripture Reader

From: Gospel Light: Volume 6 (1916)

• 6 min. read • grade level: 7

I T may well be questioned whether any two things, ostensibly the same, could be more thoroughly and essentially different than human religiousness and Christianity according to God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 4:8, 9). ISA 4:8-9

A striking illustration of this came before me last summer, as I was walking with an aged brother in the Lord through the public park at D—.

The authorities had forbidden any preaching of the gospel within the park; but, as we were crossing it, we came upon a man in black cloth, with white neckerchief, who was diligently reading aloud the so-called “sermon on the mount," in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew.

We listened for a considerable time, and at length, when he paused, and seemed irresolute as to what he should do next, my companion asked him his object in reading. He gave a rambling reply, chiefly inculcating the duty of reading the Bible.

I then asked him if he would tell me how I must be saved.

As he hesitated for some time, a bystander replied that I must fast and pray. This man I afterward found was a Roman Catholic.

Hearing that reply, the Scripture reader said that praying without fasting would do, provided we made sacrifices.

I then inquired if he would kindly tell me how many prayers I must make, and how much I must sacrifice.

But he was sure he didn't know. Of one thing, however, he was certain: he could tell me that God was always merciful to those who deserved it So I told him there was really no comfort whatever in that to me, for if there was one thing that I was more certain about than another,' it was that I didn't deserve it: what then must I do to get saved?

He replied, there was no way but prayer and sacrifices.

Then I asked him if he were saved, when he said he was trying to be.

“Oh!" said I, “I am afraid you're not able, then, to tell me!”

So I asked the same question of one or two others in the group, and none of them could tell me.

Here the Scripture reader said, “You must try.”

"Does God say so?" I asked.

“Oh, yes," he replied.

“Well," said I, " you appear to have the advantage of me, for you have the Word of God in your hand, and at the moment I've only got it somewhere else; but if you'll just kindly show me where it says what you've been telling me, that if I pray I shall be saved, or if I make sacrifices I shall be saved, or if I try |iI| shall be saved, I'm so anxious I should be right, that I will positively give you a five-pound note.”

He looked at me with astonishment, as though my offer indicated that I was an escaped lunatic; especially as I added that I would equally pay the reward if he would only find me the place where God said He would be merciful to people if they deserved it.

In a short time he pitched upon Matt. 5:25, 26²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. ²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:25‑26), MAT 5:25-26²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. ²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:25‑26) being part of what he had been reading, and said that was the way to be saved.

So I asked how much he thought I owed to God if my account were all cast up; but he confessed he could not tell me.

“And must it every bit be paid by me?”

I inquired.

“Yes," he said, "to the last farthing!”

“And what then?" said I.

“Well," he said, "God would then show you mercy!”

“Oh, dear! oh, dear! "I said," and not until I have paid the last farthing?”

“No,” he answered," for He only shows mercy to those who deserve it.”

“Well,” said I," if I owed you just five shillings, and only paid you four and eleven pence three farthings, you wouldn't be quite satisfied, then?”

“No, “he said," you ought to pay the other farthing.” "Well," I replied, “that is quite true; and when you had compelled me to pay the last, the uttermost farthing, you would consider you were showing me mercy! So," I said, " it's as clear as possible, then, that we shall all go to hell, every one of us; for my own part, so far from being able to pay the last farthing, I have not managed yet to raise the first!”

By this time the attention of those around had become very marked, and I stood forth then plainly with the Gospel, not being aware at the time that preaching in the park was forbidden. I said I had asked one and another the solemn question how I was to be saved, and not one there could tell me. But I could assure them that by grace I was saved, and through mercy I could tell them, too, how they must be saved. I pointed to the black thundercloud approaching, and told them that, if struck by lightning as I talked to them, to breathe no more on earth, it would only be to me God's chariot of fire to take me into the presence of the Lord who loved me, and had washed me from my sins in His own blood! For a few minutes I sought to arouse their consciences to a sense of their guilt, and then presented the way of salvation according to the Word of God, so contrary to the poor wretched thoughts of men, which so belie His character and rob Him of His glory as a Saviour-God.

Nothing could more forcibly have brought out the contrast between man's religiousness and the salvation of God. Those around listened in amazement at the turn things had taken, one man striking his stick on the ground and exclaiming aloud, “That’s faith.”

This was the Roman Catholic I have before referred to. All seemed intensely interested, and the day will declare what blessing there was to souls: May the readers of this little incident be preserved from Satan's terrible snare of human righteousness and a righteousness of works!