What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

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What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By E. E. Byrum

WHAT shall I do to be saved? is the first thought that enters the mind of the sinner when fully awakened to his condition. The Word of God is true and his judgments and reward sure.

He is to be feared and obeyed. The unregenerate heart is prone to wander in the wars of sin, which lead to the regions of the lost.

The object in writing this work is not only to awaken the sinner to his condition, and the source of deliverance, but also to teach what is required in order to obtain an experience of Salvation, and point out some of the snares, pitfalls, and deceptions of the enemy.

While many devices of Satan are not mentioned, and others only briefly referred to, we trust the subject is sufficiently set forth to enable those lost in sin to know how to seek the Lord and find deliverance.

For further information and instruction concerning faith, trials, temptations, victories, and the deeper spiritual experiences of the Christian life, the reader is referred to a book written by the author of this work, entitled: “The Secret of Salvation, How to Get It and How to Keep It."

Wishing every reader the joys of salvation, and continual blessings of God, I remain,

Yours in Him, E. E. Byrum.

Moundsville, West Virginia, Jan. 28, 1903.

A few years ago some tourists visited the Niagara Falls. This wonderful display of nature, showing the handiwork of God, is of world-wide renown because of its sublimity and mighty moving power. As the party stood gazing upon the scene they were not only seized with a feeling of awe at beholding one of the most powerful scenes of nature that their eyes had ever beheld, but were also filled with an inexpressible rapture. As the water poured over the rocks with a rumbling, thundering noise into the depths below, it formed a mighty whirlpool and then dashed onward and downward over the rapids and craggy rocks and was finally lost in a great body of water beyond.

While they were giving vent to their feelings with expressions of delight and admiration, praising the beauties of nature, because of the grandeur of the scene, a man was standing near by viewing the same in silence. He did not seem to see in it what the others saw, neither were they impressed with the same thought and feelings which seemed to burden his mind. For some time he remained in silent meditation, viewing it from a business standpoint, then with much gravity remarked: “Well, there’s a heap of water-power going to waste.”

There is a mighty moving power of sin in this world, whose flowing stream hurls multitudes of people into its great whirlpool of deception and ruin, dashing their souls down to everlasting destruction. To those who thus continue in this turbid stream until it ends in the region of the lost, there will be no chance of return, no escape then from such a doom. Such a picture vividly brings to the mind the scene at the Falls, and, in comparison with it, with solemn hearts we would exclaim: “What a mass of human lives going to waste!”

The enemy of souls has cunningly devised many schemes to ensnare humanity, and bring them into the bondage of sin. Enticed by what they consider harmless pleasures, led on into festivities and revelry in this great stream of deception, they soon drift into sins of a deeper dye, yet apparently onlybeholding the beauties and grandeur of the scenes around them. Thus the devil blinds their vision so that they fail to see the surrounding danger and the terrible doom awaiting them.

Sin is disobedience to God. The sinner is one who knowingly and willingly does that which is evil and contrary to the Word of God. Against such God imputes sin and holds them guilty in his sight until released through the atoning blood of his Son Jesus Christ, by meeting the conditions of his Word.

Through the fall of Adam, by his disobedience to God, sin passed upon all men. See Romans 5: 12. Because of their disobedience and sin, Adam and Eve were driven from the garden of Eden, and the curse of sin fell upon humanity. Children born into this world are in a state of innocency before God, and if they die in that condition will be accepted of the Lord into his heavenly kingdom. But should they live, that inward tendency to sin implanted in them on account of the transgression of Adam, naturally leads them into sin as they reach the age of accountability, wherein they are able to discern that which is good or evil in the sight of the Lord.

Those who are living in disobedience to God are under the curse, and must pay the penalty throughout eternity, unless in their life they obtain deliverance. It matters not if people do not believe it, their unbelief will not change the penalty. Paul said: “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Romans 3:3. Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16: 16.

Here the Lord sets forth an open door, and gives all a chance to choose the course they wish to pursue both in this life and in the life to come. Those who die in their sins can not blame the Lord for their terrible doom, because they refused to accept the offered mercy, and the Word says: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3. The condition of the sinner is a sad one; lost and without hope, only awaiting the terrible judgments of God Almighty.

THE AWAKENING.

Thus comes a time in the life of every one when God speaks in an unmistakenable way concerning the welfare of the soul. They who have wandered far into the ways of sin will feel the gentle wooing of the Holy Spirit calling them to repentance. It may be only a silent impression, warning against the ways of sin and pointing to a better life, yet that impression will reach the inmost soul and in the words of the prophet will say: “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

This same silent messenger will chide the sinner in his youth, even when the first sin has been committed. To let that admonition pass unheeded time after time will soon harden the heart, until finally sin can be committed with but little if any remorse of conscience, which if continued God will not be taken into consideration in the matter of evil doing. The conscience will be so hardened that only the presence and knowledge of mankind will be shunned.

People often wander so far in sin that they have no fear of God concerning their wickedness. Hell does not seem to have any terror to them. God in his infinite wisdom is not ignorant of the condition and wicked doings of such people and will bring them to judgment. It is frequently the case that when they will not heed the loving admonitions and gentle wooings of his Spirit it becomes necessary for him to speak in thundering tones, or cut them off from the face of the earth, because of their iniquities.

There are others who make a great profession of doing right, yet have many hidden sins and are guilty of many wicked deeds, which they try to make themselves believe are hidden from the all-seeing eye of God.

There are those who believe, when God in some way thunders forth his judgments in order to save their souls, that he is harsh and cruel. But he does not do this unless his kindly warnings have been rejected and passed by unheeded from time to time. In the presence of approaching danger or death, many are brought to a realization of their sinful condition and the great necessity of seeking help from the Lord. Sometimes it becomes necessary for the Lord to sever their dearest ties here on earth in order to bring them to the point where they will turn from their sins. It may be the brightest gem of the family, an infant child, a loving son or daughter, a father or mother, that must be called to that heavenly land in order to awaken the other members of the family to a sense of their duty to their Maker.

It was when the king of Nineveh realized that it was God speaking through Jonah, that the city should be destroyed in a certain number of days, that he commanded the people to fast and pray to evade the great calamity that was to come upon that city. It was only through immediate humiliation before God that it was averted. God had sent his messenger into that wicked city with a message of love, a message of judgment. It was a message of love because he gave them a chance to repent that destruction might not come upon them. It was a message of judgment because had the message not been heeded the words of Jonah would have been fulfilled concerning that city.

There was a time when Saul of Tarsus was going about with a wicked heart, casting the children of God into prison and consenting to their death, and working havoc among the congregations of the Church of God throughout that country, although he was a religious teacher and tried to console himself by believing he was doing the will of God in thus persecuting his saints. Such wickedness will meet with retribution from the hand of God. There are some, however, who will not humble themselves before God when he speaks, as did Saul.

It was while he was on his journey near Damascus to thus carry on his persecution that “suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” As wicked as he was, Saul was awakened to the fact that God was speaking to him. He also realized his sinful condition and humbled himself before the Lord.

He realized that it was the Lord speaking to him, and said: “Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:. . .and he, trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

In like manner was the jailer awakened to his sinful condition sometime after this in the presence of Paul, and in similar language he gave vent to his feelings and said: “What must I do to be saved?”

On the day of Pentecost God heralded his messages and judgments through the apostle Peter against the wickedness of those who crucified the Lord, and they who were yet in their sins, until the truth was sent like a dagger to their hearts, and they cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” They were made to realize their sinful condition; they were awakened to a sense of duty insomuch that they began to inquire the way out.

This awakening was on account of the power of God that was manifest. The Holy Spirit had been poured out upon his children, who had been waiting upon the Lord in earnest prayer.

As they began to speak with tongues the apostles, who were known to be ignorant men, confounded those who were wise and educated. It was something that sent conviction to the hearts of the sinners. It is the manifestation of the power of God that awakens sinners to a sense of their duty and condition before God. It matters not when, where, nor how it is done, God will in some way speak to all, that none will have an excuse.

First he gently calls by his Spirit. He may send a message with his Word, or it may be a manifestation of his healing power, or the trueness of some child of God amidst severe persecutions that would send conviction to some, while with others God may have to deal with more severe judgments.

It was the trueness of his servant Daniel that caused the king to make the decree that every nation under heaven fear the God of Daniel. The faithfulness of that man showed forth the power of God more effectually than could have well been manifest in any other way.

This is one of the most beautiful lessons on record, showing the great necessity of being firm and steadfast in the midst of trial, temptation and persecution. Had Daniel failed to do his duty, had he backslidden as many do, we never would have known the influence of his trueness to God.

People who are in the habit of backsliding or wavering in time of persecution should take warning, lest by their influence a multitude of souls turn from the Lord, because of their failure to be true to God.

There are those who go on in a heedless manner, enjoying the things of this world, like the man whom Jesus tells about, who was rich and had more, than he had room to store away. He said that he would pull down his barns and build greater, and when he had done this he said: “I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:19,20.

Those who hear this solemn message will be like the five foolish virgins, who came without oil in their lamps; after they had gone for oil and returned they found the door shut. It was too late.

God will bring every hidden thing to light. Many things may be performed in the darkness, but they are not hidden from the Lord, neither are they forgotten. As he spoke through his servant Moses to the children of Israel, who disobeyed, so will it be to those who are trying to hide their sins: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

WHAT THE JAILER SAID.

There was a great uproar in one of the cities of Macedonia. Paul and Silas were there preaching the gospel, and as the Word went forth by the power of the Holy Spirit many believed on the Lord, evil spirits were cast out, and it caused no little stir among the people. The enemy of souls put it into the hearts of wicked and unreasonable men who “caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.”

In obedience to the command given him the jailer had those brethren put into the inner prison and their feet made fast in the stocks. While wounded and bleeding they were cast in-to the dismal cell, as if they were the most wicked wretches upon the face of the earth, yet they could realize the truth of the words of Jesus when he told his disciples that they would be persecuted for his sake—”Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

No doubt Paul and Silas remembered the saying of Jesus, and, knowing that their charges were false and that their persecution was for the sake of Christ, as the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon them they gave vent to their feelings and rejoiced and were exceeding glad. We read the account of the same, which says: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” There were other prisoners in there beside Paul and Silas. Not only did these prisoners hear the prayers and praises, but the Lord of heaven lent a listening ear, as it were, and that old jail was shook to the foundation. The door opened by the power of God, and the jailer coming to the scene supposed the prisoners had escaped, when Paul told him they were all there.

When the jailer saw that it was a manifestation of the power of God, that the bands of every one were loosed so that they could have made their escape, and when he saw the trueness of Paul and Silas, even after what they had endured, it awakened him to the condition of his soul. It sent conviction to his heart and he realized that they had something that he did not have. He realized that they were imprisoned being innocent men. Like Peter, when he saw the manifestation of the power of God,. and fell down before God and confessed himself a sinful man, so this jailer felt the weight of his sins and said: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

THE MIGHTY EARTHQUAKE.

“AND at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison-doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16: 25-31.

It was then that Paul and Silas preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to the jailer and his family. They told them of the wonderful love of God, and how to get saved. As we further read, “They spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” The jailer gave up his sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved from all his sins and baptized; therefore he could rejoice with Paul and Silas, having obtained the same salvation, “And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

That mighty earthquake was brought about because of the trueness of Paul and Silas and their faithfulness in prayer, and offering up praises unto God amidst adverse circumstances. The effect of all this was the salvation of souls.

THE PRISON OF SIN.

There are few people who do not dread Imprisonment: however, there are many who seem to be doomed to spend their lives in prison. The children of Israel while in Egypt were in bondage to Pharaoh. While they were not behind the prison-bars, as many are to-day, neither were they cast into dark dungeons, yet their life was one of captivity and bondage. They were made to suffer on account of the Egyptians.

We read in Exodus 1:14, “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor.” However there came a time when God opened a way for their deliverance from this bondage.

There is a bondage, a prison more to be dreaded than the bondage of Egypt; or the prison-cells and dungeons. It is the prison of sin, which holds men and women in bondage to the devil. This enemy of souls brings people under his power and influence to such an extent that he overcomes and holds them in bondage. “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2nd Peter 2:19.

The prophet Isaiah in speaking of the office of Christ said: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” While upon earth Jesus went about preaching the glad tidings of full salvation. He came to seek and to save the lost, and gave his life upon the cross that all who believe upon him might be saved. The apostles give us the following account of his sufferings, death, and resurrection. He having been brought before the governor and received the sentence of death, they scourged him and delivered him to the soldiers to be crucified, who stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27: 29-31.

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that be was dead already, they brake not his legs; but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.” John 19: 23-37.

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.” Luke 23: 50-55.

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher; bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:1-7.

HOW TO GAIN LIBERTY.

It was not until God opened a way of deliverance to the Israelites, that they were enabled to obtain their freedom from Egyptian bondage.

He raised up Moses to deliver them. He not only made clear to Moses his plan, and how it should be executed, but he also gave the Israelites the necessary knowledge concerning their duties and responsibilities in order to make their escape. In order to receive their freedom they were to obey Moses and carry out his orders and commands. To the extent they did this, they met with success. Those who were stubborn and rebellious had to suffer the penalty of the judgments of God. When they came to the Red Sea and their enemies were coming upon them, and it seemed as if they were surely to be captured, they obeyed the command of the Lord, to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” In accordance with their obedience the waters separated until they had passed through, and their enemies undertaking to follow were submerged by the coming together of the waters.

The Egyptian bondage and deliverance of the Israelites is typical of the bondage of sin and deliverance from the same by the power of God. As God raised up Moses as a deliverer from that bondage, he has also raised up Jesus Christ adeliverer in Zion whose mission it was to “save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21, Those who have been living under the sinful oppression of the enemy can look up with confidence and hope, knowing that God is faithful and will deliver in accordance with his Word. “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.”

In order to obtain the promised deliverance, those who are in the bondage of sin must take into consideration a few things concerning certain conditions that must be met. In the first place there must be a belief in God, that he is able to dispel the binding powers of Satan and give the desired freedom. There must not only be a belief that he has power to do this, but that he will do it when the proper conditions are met. There must also be a willingness to obey God, and a willingness to forsake sin. When the willingness has reached the point where the sinner seeking truth and help makes the decision to obey God, then the way is open to easily gain the victory. Until this point is ‘reached, but little progress will be made.

There are some who fail to reach even this point because they are grasping after riches and pleasures of this world. But Jesus said: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26. He may obtain great riches in this world, but sad will be his end and his destiny throughout eterity. Many are awakened to their condition sufficiently to realize that they are lest without a hope, except they find it through the pardoning power of the Lord; yet to reach the point where they can actually get the experience of salvation seems to be quite difficult. They often claim that they can not fully realize their condition or can not become enough concerned and interested concerning the matter.

Regarding this point it may be necessary to bring to the mind a few thoughts and instances. In the 16th chapter of Acts, verses 13 and 14 we read of a place “where prayer was wont to be made.” That is, it was a place where the children of God gathered together to pray. A certain woman by the name of Lydia came to that place and heard Paul and his company pray.

Thus coming in contact with the prayers of the children of God her heart was touched and she was enabled to repent there and meet the conditions of the Word for salvation.

It often happens that people who have serious trouble in obtaining salvation, when they come in the presence of the preaching of the Word or the prayers of the children of God, their understanding is opened to the will of God so that they can readily meet the conditions and be saved.

It may not be convenient nor possible for some to attend a meeting, or even meet with the children of God, so as to have the benefit of their prayers. In such cases the example can be followed of those who had heard the preaching of Paul and Silas, who “searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. To read the Word of God with a prayerful heart will often remove obstacles out of the way of the one who is earnestly seeking help.

The Word of God teaches that sinners must forsake their sins, repent of them, confess them, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for pardon. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. These are comforting words to those who are lost in sins. It tells what is to be done and the promise of mercy is given.

The prophet Isaiah said, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” 55:6,7. The time to begin forsaking sin is now, when the sinner is desiring help from God. To defer the time of forsaking sin until some future time or until some plans of wickedness and worldliness have been accomplished only throws the soul into more secure bondage, in a condition from whence many never have an opportunity to make their escape. But those who begin now forsaking their sins with a view of obtaining liberty through Jesus Christ, and begin seeking the Lord in faith believing, will not be disappointed.

To forsake sins means to quit doing them. For instance, if a person is a liar, he must quit his lying; if he is a thief, he must quit his stealing; and in like manner, all other sins. The heart being sinful by nature, it is natural for one to be led off into sin in various lines, yet it is possible by the help of the Lord to stop all wilful transgressions and meet the conditions of the Word of God for an experience of salvation. It will not do, to decide to give up all manner of sins except one, and go on indulging on that line, but there must be a complete surrender.

To merely stop sinning will not bring about the desired effect. There must be a repentance of the same before God, a godly sorrow. If you have not as deep a feeling of repentance as you feel you should have, think of the goodness of God toward you in sparing your life, in giving his only Son that you might have salvation, even though you have been wickedly rebelling against him. We read that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Romans. 2:4.

To see yourself a lost sinner in the sight of God, knowing and realizing that your life has been contrary to his will, and that dying in your present condition your soul will be lost, is enough conviction for you to move out and call upon God for mercy. There need be no further conviction in order to cause you to begin to seek God. As you consider his goodness to you and your conduct toward him, you will feel like confessing your sins to him; and as you do so with a penitent heart you will realize the meaning of his words: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” As you realize the truth of these words and meet the conditions of forsaking sins, repentance and confession, then it is your privilege to believe for the pardon of your sins and you can be of the number of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10; 39.

WASHED IN HIS BLOOD.

Jesus Christ shed his blood upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. And John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9. And Jesus says: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark l6:16.

This is a very plain statement, which gives the promise of salvation to the believer and informs us of the doom of those who will not believe. The very moment that the conditions of the Word of God are met by yielding all to the will of God, it is the privilege of the sinner to believe for the pardon of all sins that he has ever committed. He will not forgive a part of them and leave the others against us, but will blot them out and remember them no more against us forever.

This need not be put off until some future time, because, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2nd Corinthians 6:2. When faith lays hold upon the promises of God, the conditions having been met, God speaks the pardoning word and the soul is free from the bondage of sin; translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. And whomsoever the Lord makes free is free indeed.

It is then the duty of the one who has thus been delivered from sin to be baptized. John the Baptist taught that people should repent of their sins before being baptized, and would not baptize the Pharisees because they did not show forth by their life and works the fruits of repentance.

Jesus taught that people must be baptized; after his death and resurrection, and before his ascension we read of him giving his last command to the apostles: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20.

It was not long after this until Peter, preaching by the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, set forth the Word of God with such power that the people were convicted of their sinful condition and cried out: “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Some get the idea from this that water washes away the sins, but such is not the case. They are baptized because they have been cleansed from their sins, which have been remitted through the blood of Jesus, by believing on him. It is only a ceremonial or figurative washing; an outward manifestation or testimony of an inward work already wrought in the heart through the blood.

The ceremonial performance concerning the cleansing of a leper as recorded in Leviticus 14:1-8 is a beautiful type or representation of salvation and baptism. The two birds typify Christ and the Holy Spirit. The leper was sprinkled with blood by the priest and pronounced clean, but was afterwards commanded to “wash himself in water,” as a fuffilment of the law because he had been cleansed.

In like manner baptism in water is required after a person has been cleansed from his sins by the blood of Jesus, which is an outward signification to the people of the inward cleansing, and represents a washing or cleansing only in a figurative sense. “Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.” 1st Peter 3: 21. To make this point more clear we refer to a later incident in the ministry of Peter in Acts 10:47,48, where he said: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

Here were persons who not only had their sins forgiven, but had received the Holy Ghost, and after all this were commanded to be baptized in water. Some were baptized immediately after they were converted, and others after they were not only converted, but had received the Holy Ghost through the sanctifying power and grace of God. It would do no good to baptise one before his sins were forgiven. He would only go down a dry sinner and come up a wet one.

Simply sprinkling or pouring water upon a person is not baptism, but it is to go down into the water and be immersed, which represents a burial, as the Word says—” Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12.

The washing away of sins is by the power of God through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we read in Revelation 1:5, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

THE DRUNKARD—HIS ESCAPE OR DOOM.

Numbered among those who shall not inherit the kingdom of God is the drunkard. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1st Corinthians 6: 9-11.

From this scripture we learn two things concerning the drunkard. One is that as long as he is a drunkard he can not enter the kingdom of heaven; another is that it is his privilege to be saved from his drunkenness and become a subject fitted for the kingdom of heaven. As the apostle, speaking to the Corinthian brethren says, “Such were some of you;” that is, some of them had been drunkards, but were saved by the power of God.

The drunkard is one who is given to strong drink. It is unnecessary to give a further explanation. But every one, whether young or old, who tarries at the wine-cup or takes his drams on the sly or considers himself a moderate drinker, until the appetite has fastened upon him and he is unable to extricate himself from the habit, should know that he is classed with the drunkard, and has no place in the kingdom of God. There are many who are led into the way of drunkenness by associating with bad company. They may have been brought up by Christian parents and taught the ways of righteousness, but rather than have the courage to refuse the social cup, have laid the foundation of a ruined life, little thinking that it would lead to anything more than an occasional drink. But strong drink is something that creates an unnatural appetite, which, when fastened upon a person, its binding power is hard to break.

Follow the drunkard to his home. There you will see depicted in the countenance of the wife and mother, sorrow and trouble. The children feel a fear and dread, as they have often met with violence at the hands of the father. There you will find poverty and sad tales of woe. The hard earnings of the wife and children will be sold for drink. No pen can describe, no artist can properly picture the scene of the drunkard’s home. The long hours of watchings and anxieties; the dread’ and fears and heartrending woes in such a home can not be described in words.

Notwithstanding this deplorable situation the power of God is sufficient to change such a home into one of peace, love and prosperity. The Lord can break the binding fetters of strong drink and set the captive free from his bad habits and unnatural appetites, and make a man of him once more.

If one place in hell is hotter than another it will surely be for the saloon-keeper. He who stands at the bar and deals this soul-destroying beverage to his neighbor. As we read in Habakkuk 2:15, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him and makest him drunken.”

The saloons are purposely to make drunkards, or to sell liquor, which does make drunkards. The keepers have their purses filled with the hard earnings of their patrons and families. Such places are a disgrace to society, leading multitudes of souls down to ruin and everlasting destruction. People sometimes get into trouble and can not see their way out for the time being, and seek the wine-cup to drown the troubles only to be brought into greater and more lasting troubles than before.

Among certain classes of society it has become quite popular for women to partake of strong drink the same as men. But to tamper with such intoxicants only shows their step of destruction and points forward to their ruin. May God enable those who are thus bound in the chains of strong drink to look unto Him who is able to set the captive soul free before it is too late.

A few years ago my attention was one day suddenly drawn to a team of horses that were being driven by a drunken man. Their speed increased until soon they became unmanageable. As I watched him turn at the corner of the street, the horses dashing onward, and knowing of a dangerous place in the road a short distance ahead, I feared the result when that place was reached, sure enough, they struck the dangerous spot and the man was hurled from his wagon, while the team sped onward. Rushing to the spot I raised the head of the victim just as he breathed his last breath. He was a man of sixty years of age, who had spent his life in sin. Being intoxicated at the time, he had no chance to repent, but went into eternity to meet the penalty of a drunkard. Doubtless, he had many times during his life thought that some time he would make a change, but that time never came with him. There is hope for those who live, if they will begin now and seek the Lord and turn from their wicked career.

THE LIAR—HIS ONLY HOPE.

“ALL liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Revelation 21:8. This, no doubt, has a deeper meaning than many suppose. There are some who are given to continual telling of falsehoods, which they consider so small that they are only what they term “white lies,” and which they think will not be taken into consideration by the Judge of all men.

There are those who are frequently “cracking jokes,” telling “fibs” and untruths just for fun, believing that such is harmless. But God puts them down as lies, and the one who indulges in such will be classed with the liars in the day of judgment, except pardon is sought through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The liar is one in whom people do not have confidence; they can not depend upon his words spoken. They cause trouble with their neighbors and ofttimes are ready to bear false witness for personal gain. There are many classes of liars, but all suffer the same penalty in the end. There are often liars, who are going under a cloak of religion, but God, who knoweth all things, can not be deceived by them.

Ananias and Sapphira, of whom we read in the 4th chapter of Acts of the Apostles, were doubtless professing to be children of God, yet they undertook to deceive the apostle by only giving a part of the price of the possessions which they sold. It was at a time when the power of God had been manifest after the day of Pentecost and the people saw the great necessity of doing all in their power by giving of their possessions in order that the gospel might be spread more abundantly, and great grace was upon them all. “As many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34, 35. “But a certain man named Ananias,’ with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet”

It was not a command that they should give all their possessions, but it was their privilege to do as they pleased concerning this matter, just so they did their duty before God. The devil put it into the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira after they had sold their possessions to only take a part of the price and cast it down at the feet of the apostles and try to leave the impression that it was the whole price of their land.

The devil, who is the father of lies, thus put it into the heart of this man and his wife to lie and act out the part of a liar to the disciples. The Lord made the thing known to Peter, and he said: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

Then came the terrible judgments of the Lord upon him. “And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”

These two persons not only received the judgment of God upon them in this life for their lies, but were left to meet the fate of all liars in the world to come.

THE THIEF.

The thief is only another one of the class, who can not enter into the kingdom of heaven, as mentioned in 1st Corinthians 6:10; but is of that class whose soul can be delivered from his sins. It was when Jesus was hanging upon the cross that a thief, who was hanging by his side, called upon him for help. And Jesus gave him the comforting words, that he should that day be with him in Paradise.

Paul said: “Let him that stole, steal no more.” Furthermore, the thief must be saved from his stealing. He must repent of the same and seek deliverance through Jesus Christ.

The thief who is captured when stealing or trying to escape from the penalty of the law is very sorry. He is sorry because he is captured; but in order to make his peace with God and be fitted for heaven, it must be a different kind of sorrow. He must not only be sorry because he is caught by the officers, but he must be sorry because he has sinned against God. And it is from that standpoint that he must come to the Lord acknowledging his sins in order to obtain deliverance. Merely acknowledging to the officers of the law that he is a thief and paying the penalty does not make it right with God. We read in the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel that “if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he hath robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.” This means he will have spiritual life.

He must come to the Lord confessing his sins, quit his stealing, restore that which he has stolen, and God will pardon him of all that he has committed against him. The heart of the thief can be changed and filled with the power and glory of God; but he is no longer a thief, but a follower of Jesus Christ, walking in the newness of life.

THE MURDERER—HIS CHANCE FOR ETERNITY.

There are people who believe that the one who commits murder has committed the unpardonable sin, and that there is no forgiveness in this life nor in the life to come; but such is not the case. While murder is one of the most atrocious crimes that men can commit, yet it is one for which pardon can be obtained. Jesus said: “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”

Paul was once a murderer. His heart was full of murder when he went about persecuting the saints and consenting to their death, but the Lord saved his soul. We read in 1st John 3: 15, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” There are many who would not take the life of others, but yet have hatred in their hearts, even against a brother. The Lord classes such as murderers, who have no salvation, no matter how great a profession they make.

Cain was a murderer. “And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And ‘unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which bath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the Lord said unto him. Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” Genesis 4:5-15.

A few months ago, it was my privilege to visit a murderer in his death-cell. It was only a few days before he was to be executed by hanging from the gallows. In an adjoining cell was another prisoner guilty of the same offense, who had sought the Lord and obtained pardon and was rejoicing on account of an experience of salvation, which he had received through meeting the conditions of the Word of God. But the man first mentioned had not obtained this experience. It seemed as if he was unable to pray and was bound by some power from which he did not seem able to extricate himself.

Knowing nothing of the circumstances concerning his difficulty and crime, and having but a few minutes to remain, it became necessary for me to speak very plainly and pointedly to him. I told him that if he had been trying to deceive men and make them believe that be was innocent, he could not hide his crime from the Lord and could not deceive him, and that it was necessary that he be honest with God if he never was honest before.

We then went in prayer and rebuked the binding powers of Satan and asked God to have mercy upon the poor man. When he began to pray, his first words were: “O Jesus, I am a murderer.” As he made this confession from an honest heart, the Lord enabled him to pour out his soul in godly sorrow and he continued his supplications unto the Lord until the Lord sent peace to his soul. When the death-sentence was read—a short time before the execution— the young man was praising God and said: “Oh, I am so glad that you came with the tidings of salvation.”

No matter how dark life has been and how deep the crime, the Lord will be merciful to the honest soul. He says: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:18-20.

THE ADULTERER AND THE COVETOUS.

Among the class of sins that defile the hearts of men is adultery and covetousness. Jesus said: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:21-23. And Paul says: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.

It is not only the catalogue of sins mentioned, but the apostle continues by saying, “And such like.” “What is, sins of a similar nature will keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God. Yet people in open violation of the Word of God either secretly or openly do many of those things and yet try to console themselves that they are owned of God as his children.

Such people in the day of judgment will be of the class who will hear the Master say: Depart from me, ye cursed, I never knew you. Some of them will probably be among the number, who, when thus disappointed, will try to reason with the Lord, and say: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23. But it will be useless then to plead their case.

The Lord has given us his Word and he expects us to live by the same in this life, which will prepare us for heaven and the life to come. It was because of the idolatry and lasciviousness of the people that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

The covetous person will not be able to be numbered among the children of God in that great day, except he be saved from his covetonsness. There are people who try to enter the strait gate and claim to be on the narrow way, who will be unable to enter because of their covetousness and miserly hearts. In that day rich men will weep and howl because of their miseries.

But it is not always rich men who have covetous hearts. There are those who have but very little of this world’s goods whose hearts are just as full of covetousness as are those who have en abundance. Whether they have little or much, such people have but very little for the work of the Lord, for the spread of his gospel; have but very little for the poor that are around them. And the Word of God says in 1st John 3:17, to those who are professing to be the children of God: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

A few years ago a man in Indiana had a brother who was very covetous, and who had considerable land and a great amount of money, tried to wrest the above scripture to suit his case. A relative of his lived between his two farms, and when he would go to one of his farms the way led directly by the home of this relative, who was very poor, and who afterwards became sick and in great need. The man who owned the farms began going a different route to get to his second farm, going about three-fourths of a mile out of his way. His brother noticing this, morning after morning, one day said to him, “Zeke, how does it come that of late you go so far out of the way to get to your farm?” “After some hesitation he said: “Well, I will tell you; you know our relative over there is sick, and in very poor circumstances, and if I go by his house I can not help but see his needs, and I do not feel like giving him anything, and you know the Bible says: ‘Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?’ And if I go by his house, I will see him and would be obliged to give him something in order to be a Christian.”

This man supposed that he could twist the Scriptures so as to justify himself. But it does not require a man to see with his literal eyes in such cases; a knowledge is sufficient. Such a man has no experience of salvation whatever, no matter how much he profess.

A man once came to me asking prayer in his behalf, stating that he had a great deal of trouble in getting a settled experience of salvation and that his mind was very tired, troubled and confused at times. I found that this man had a farm in a different state from where he then lived, and in still another state he had a grape vineyard worth several thousand dollars, and he could not find ready sale for his grapes unless they were made into wine, and the wine was likely to be sold in the saloons to make drunkards. This was smiting his conscience. On the same day upon which he asked prayer he had just finished a deal wherein he had purchased another farm of 160 acres, which he intended to “stock up” at a cost of about $2,000.00. Then he said he desired to purchase three hundred and twenty acres adjoining that, so as to have his own right-of-way for water,and that he could also get that farm properly stocked for about $5,000.00, then in a few years he would have some money for the Lord. He also had an interest in some mines and oil-wells. I told him that it was no wonder that he had some trouble in getting a settled experience or that his mind was bothered, and his conscience smitten, as he expected in a few years now to have some money to put into the work of the Lord to save those drunkards that were being made through drinking the wine that was made from his grape vineyard.

My advice to him was, that if he could not conscientiously, and to the glory of God have a grape vineyard, he should dispose of it. And if he had more other business than be was capable of caring for without overtaxing his mind, it would be well for him to dispose of some of his other property and put it to work for the Lord in a way that he could see that it was properly used in winning souls for Christ, while he was here on earth. He seemed to be a very good and kind man, but it is time that such men are being awakened to a sense of their duty lest they miss heaven at last.

We read of amen in Luke 12:18-21, whom Jesus told about, whose ground brought forth plentifully; “And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

THE WICKED OF EVERY KIND.

“Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:. . . for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:12-19.

It was through the transgression of Adam that the hearts of men became sinful, and it was through the obedience of Jesus Christ that a way was opened for their deliverance from sin. Before the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ, those who lived under the law of Moses, when they sinned, brought an animal as a sin offering, which they sacrificed unto the Lord. This sacrifice justified them in the sight of the Lord, but did not change their hearts.

When Jesus Christ gave himself upon the cross it put an end to the works of the law. He was the great offering for sin. He was offered once for all. There were no more ceremonies of the law, no more animals for sin offering, but such dead works of the law passed out of existence because of the offering of a greater and better sacrifice. Through him we now have access to the heavenly graces, where we can enjoy the blessings of his gospel. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Hebrews 10:1.

We now live in the gospel dispensation since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The prophet foretold of this time in the following words: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:16-18. In another place the Lord says he will give a new heart. He changes the heart of the sinner and makes it pure and holy, sweeps away the sins, to be remembered no more against him forever. When the conditions are met he does not just forgive a few of the sins, but he forgives them all, and when once forgiven they are never to be remembered against the one who is forgiven. With many people the devil in time of temptation will bring up the accusation that certain sins were not forgiven, but that others were. This is only one of the tricks of the enemy and one of his satanic falsehoods.

In comparing the time and experiences of the law and the gospel and the change wrought by the latter, the apostle says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2nd Corinthians 5: 17-19.

Here he shows that the offerings, rites, ceremonies and dead works of the law have all passed away. The old dispensation has given way for the new to take its place. Now it is the dispensation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and he shed his blood for the atoning of our sins, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Through Jesus Christ the way was opened for every sinner to have an experience of salvation and thereby be made a “new creature” in Christ Jesus. The apostle in speaking to the Corinthians continued his exhortation by saying: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

Notwithstanding the great sacrifice made for the redemption of sinners, the majority of them will not accept the offered mercy, will not turn from their sins and be saved. Nevertheless the Word says: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17. People can not live always, but there comes a time when they must die. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9: 27. There will be no escape from this scene. People will be brought before the great Judge to answer according to the deeds done in the body. If they have lived and died righteously, they will receive a righteous man’s reward. If they have lived and died in their sins, they will receive the reward of the wicked which Jesus describes in Matthew 25: 21-46. Concerning the wicked he will say, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.”

There are some who try to excuse themselves and believe that God will not be so cruel as to cast people into hell. They say they do not believe that God would bring a person into this life and send him to hell, or if so, he would not be a just God.

The prophet Ezekiel tells us in the 33d chapter of Ezekiel of people who would try to bring up just such excuses, claiming that God was not just and equal in his ways; yet the prophet shows that these people are not just and equal.

“As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it .Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right: if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he hath robbed, walk in the Statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal” Ezekiel 33:11-17.

This is the very same excuse that people of today are trying to make concerning God and their future condition. When we consider the matter in the light of the Word of God and with reasoning which the prophet has given we find that there will be no excuse in the day of judgment for those who go on in sin and wickedness.

People in this day and age of the world have heard the sound of the gospel. His messengers have sent forth the tidings of salvation, leaving the responsibility upon the people until the sinner is without excuse. As the Word says: “Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul” Ezekiel 33:4, 5. The one who has heard the sound of the gospel and will not take warning and turn to the Lord, surely his blood will be required at his own hand. But those who take warning and seek the Lord shall find deliverance.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” Matthew 7:13, 14.

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6,7.

FALSE SHEPHERDS.

In many places in the Bible the people of God are called sheep. Jesus said to Peter at one time, “Feed my sheep.” By this he meant that he should preach the gospel to them, give them spiritual food that would strengthen their souls. The church or congregation at any one place was termed the flock at that place. To the elders at Ephesus, Paul said: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20: 28, 29.

The flock referred to is the people of God. The grievous wolves which would enter in, not sparing the flock, are false shepherds, false teachers and wicked men and deceivers who scatter and destroy the followers of Christ. The Lord in speaking through the prophet Jeremiah said: “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting-place.”

In the beginning of this Christian era when Christ and his apostles were here upon earth, the Word of God was preached in all its purity and the people were taught the ways of salvation, how to obtain it and how to enjoy it. The shepherds over the flocks, who were the elders or pastors,whose business it was to look after the flock and feed them the bread of life, giving them the Word of God, were thus made overseers by the Holy Ghost. They received their call from God, who gave them their commission and power.

But during the dark ages of the apostasy the Word of God was permitted to be read or taught but very little among the people, thus causing a time of spiritual darkness. After a few centuries the Word of God began to be translated and sent forth among the people, and as some received light and began to teach justification by faith, and later, others sanctification and other privileges in the divine life (the Word also being published through the press), it was like sending gleams of light through the darkness. And as the light and Word of God increased among the people, the power of God was manifest until much of the darkness was driven away, making it not a time of total darkness, neither was it light, but as the prophet said in speaking of that time: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night”

This has reference to the time of Martin Luther when he began preaching justification by faith, and translating the Word of God and having it published; and continued on for a few centuries up to near the present time.

During this period mentioned, while the Word of God was preached, the shepherds or pastors did not give the people the whole truth. Some of them would teach justification by faith, but reject sanctification: others would teach justification and sanctification, but did not teach the privileges on the line of divine healing and other privileges in the gospel dispensation. While some would teach divine healing and sanctification, they would not teach the oneness of God’s people as it was at the beginning of the Christian era, and as mentioned in the prayer of Jesus Christ in John 17: 20-23.

Thus the people were deprived of hearing the gospel in its fullness as they should; therefore the light of salvation could not shine unto the perfect day, could not shine in its brightness as in the days of the apostles. Even where people were raised up or made to accept Christ through the preaching of the Word and had a real experience of salvation where they could meet of one accord with one heart and one mind for a time, they were soon scattered by their shepherds or religious teachers.

It is not a difficult matter to see a manifestation of the same in these last days. For instance, a union meeting is held, the Word preached, and people decide to follow the Lord. Not having had the full teaching of the Word of God concerning the oneness of his church, at the close of such a series of meetings the shepherds begin to scatter the flock by having them imbibe the doctrine of their different creeds, driving them away from the unity of the Spirit, which bound them together, and driving them forth to their various pens of deception, among ravenous wolves to be devoured, where it is an impossibility for them to remain in the same unity of the faith as before and be true to their creeds.

The prophet in looking down through the annals of time foresaw all this and the Lord sent forth his Word through the prophet on this wise: “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23: 1-4.

In like manner the Lord spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, saying: “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?. .. .And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.” Ezekiel 34: 2-6.

This is a prophecy respecting the time when the children of God were scattered throughout the various creeds and denominations of sectism, under the supervision of a hireling ministry— ministers who preach for the money there is in it and who feed themselves instead of the flock. Many of them like Saul of Tarsus are ready to persecute and destroy the saints of God; ready to oppose living a pure and holy life. They themselves have a heart filled with wickedness under the garb of religion; professing to be ministers sent of God, pastors over the flock; when they are only numbered with those whom God calls false shepherds, and who will receive the judgments and woes that are pronounced upon such shepherds.

May God awaken them to turn from their wickedness and seek the Lord before too late, and may those who have been thus scattered and driven from the truth and light of the gospel, flee out of the midst of every such place and deliver every man his soul.

“For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.... I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” Ezekiel 34:11-164

The fulfilment of this prophecy will take place by the preaching of the gospel in all its fulness the same as it was preached in the days of the apostles. God is now raising up a people in every land who are preaching the gospel in all its fulness and power. The light of the gospel is shining forth in all its brightness wherever the Word is preached in its fulness, the same as in the morning time of the Christian era.

The prophet Zechariah said: “But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.” Zechariah 14: 7. Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15.

DECEIVED—HOW TO GET DELIVERED.

A deceived person is one who believes he is right when he is not right, or believes he is doing the right thing when such is not the case.

A person may be deceived by some other person by having confidence in their words when they do not tell the truth. The devil deceives people in many ways, and in accordance with 1st Corinthians 3:18 we would conclude that a man can deceive himself. The apostle says, “Let no man deceive himself.”

Previous to speaking these words, in addressing the children of God at that place he said: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Then he continues by saying, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”’

To conclude that you can go contrary to the Word of God, knowing its teachings, is only to deceive yourself. It is true the devil aids people in coming to such conclusions, although many charge him with things for which they themselves are responsible. To believe the devil and his suggestions in preference to believing God and his Word opens the way for deceptions that bring destruction to the soul and much suffering in mind and body in this life.

It was while Adam and Eve were in the garden of Eden enjoying the blessings of the Lord that God said to them: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

The serpent afterward came to Eve with his suggestions and said to her: “Ye shall not surely die.” Eve turned from the commandment of the Lord and followed the suggestions of the evil one and “took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” They were thus deceived by the evil one because they believed him instead of continuing to believe and obey God. The result of this disobedience was that they were driven from the garden of Eden and the curse of sin passed upon all men.

Saul of Tarsus when he was persecuting the saints and delivering them to prison and consenting to their death was deceived of the enemy insomuch that he believed that he was doing the will of God. While he had kept up his profession and in a formal way obeyed the outward rites and ceremonies of the law, yet he had not fully followed the teaching of the law concerning Jesus Christ, and thus by not fully obeying the Word of God in believing on Jesus Christ, of whom the prophets had spoken, he became deceived. However, when Jesus revealed himself unto Saul he humbled himself and yielded all to the will of God and was delivered from his deceptions, and his wicked heart changed to that of a true follower of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Listening to the suggestions of the devil and pursuing the course which he would have one follow leads into many ways of deception. There are many who have never had an experience of salvation who are deceived of the devil by believing the Lord will be merciful unto them in the day of judgment, even if they do not serve him here in this life. Such people are deceived and will find in that day that God is true to his Word and will let them suffer the penalty of the wicked. There are others who believe if they do not kill any one, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and such like; but live a good moral life that such an experience will take them through safely. These, in like manner will find in the day of judgment that they have been deceived. There are others who make a profession of salvation, that have not met the conditions of the Word of God: have never repented of their sins, nor made things right wherein they have wronged others; never made any effort to restore the pledge or give back that which they have robbed, and are thus prevented from obtaining an experience of salvation. These will also find themselves on the deceived list, and in that great day will hear the words: “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

In order to obtain salvation or to keep an experience after it has been obtained, the Word of God must be obeyed. James says, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whose looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

There must be a decision to obey the Word of God and to live as the Lord has directed therein. There must be a separation from the world. The one who will not make the decision to do this will not obtain an experience of salvation; to fail to keep this decision means a failure to keep an experience of salvation.

Another way in which many get deceived is when they have known what the Word of God teaches they begin seeking a different answer from what the Lord has given through his Word and by his Spirit, or seeking a revelation contrary to the Word. This gives the devil a chance to come as an angel of light and deceive them, as he did Adam and Eve. God will in some way show the people their deceived condition.

The reason so many fall by the wayside or continue in deceptions is because when warned by the Spirit of God of their danger they refuse to heed the warnings given. Sometimes the Lord makes clear and sends a plain warning directly by his Spirit, in a kind, gentle manner pointing out the evils of the way pursued, or in some way bringing to the mind the matter in such a way as to show forth the deception in a clear light. Or his Spirit may direct to the Word of God in order to show these things.

If these will not answer, sometimes he speaks in stronger terms, in thundering tones by way of sending his judgments. Many times he sends his warnings through his ministers or through some child of God. In his great love for mankind he will use many means and much long. suffering, but he will not always forbear. If people will not heed, and he shows forth his power in mighty judgments, cutting them off from the face of the earth, there will be no use to charge God with injustice, because it is only a fulfilment of his Word, and he has promised to be true to the same.

Those who have known the ways of the Lord and what he has spoken and have become deceived through departing from his ways can only get deliverance by coming back to the line of his Word and seeking help from him. If any have gone so far as to sin, repentance is required and obtaining an experience of salvation. To continue in the various deceptions of the enemy after having known the way, permitting the warnings of God to pass by unheeded, refusing to believe and obey God throws open a door for strong delusions. “Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2nd Thessalonians. 2: 10-12.

People in a deceived state must realize their condition or in some way see their standing in the sight of God to obtain deliverance. Generally some one must tell them of their condition. Whether told by some other person or by the Spirit of the Lord, deliverance can be obtained by earnestly seeking the Lord, turning from the way of deception and measuring to the Word of God. Sometimes it requires an agreement of prayer of one or more children of God in accordance with Matthew 18:19. Sometimes it requires the laying on of hands to rebuke the binding powers of Satan. Those who come earnestly to the Lord can find deliverance.

Simon the sorcerer had been doing mighty works under the influence and power of the devil, and after giving up these things and deciding to serve the Lord, seeing that he did not have the power manifested by the apostles, it was his desire to become some great one; he therefore offered the apostles money, asking them to give him that power that they upon whom he would lay hands might receive the Holy Ghost. Peter rebuked him sharply for this ignorance of the Word of God, and told him that his heart was yet in the gall of bitterness and that is was necessary for him to repent. The rebuke was so strong that Simon felt the weight of it and begged the apostles to pray for him, that the judgment spoken might not fall upon him.

The devil sometimes deceives people to make them believe, like Simon the sorcerer, that the power of God can be manifested by those who have not met the conditions of the Word of God, who are not living in accordance to the Word. The seven sons of Sceva believed that they had power to cast out devils. They had seen Paul and Barnabas doing wonderful works by the power of God in casting out devils and the working of miracles; they therefore undertook to do the same, but soon found they were deceived. Such deceptions God holds his ministers to expose and rebuke, and as the Word is preached in its purity those who will abide by the Word can obtain deliverance, but those who continue in disobeaience will continue in their deceptions.

DEVIL POSSESSED—OBTAINING HELP.

There are people in these days who are possessed with devils. No doubt it is a mystery to many people how these things are discerned and the condition of such persons brought to light.

It is now the same as it was in the time of Christ and his apostles, that where the light of the gospel shines in all its brightness it exposes the works of the devil and makes manifest the workings of Satan in the hearts of the children of men.

In the beginning of the Christian era when Christ and his apostles went forth preaching the gospel, they preached it in all its fulness, declaring the power of God and teaching the people their privilege of being delivered from all their sins and from the powers of the devil, sickness and disease. They went forth clothed with power and authority over devils and filled with the power of God. They were full of spiritual life and power from heaven. In like manner God sends forth his ministers today. They go forth preaching the whole Word of God, teaching the people their privileges in Christ Jesus, exposing sin and wickedness on every hand. Rays of heavenly light go forth exposing the devil and bringing to light the condition of men and women and the workings of Satan with them, and some are found to be possessed of devils just the same as in olden times.

In Matthew 10:1 we read that when Jesus sent forth his twelve disciples he gave them power against unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all sicknesses and all manner of disease. When he sent the seventy forth, he gave them the same commission and told them that as they went forth from city to city they were to heal the sick and to preach the gospel of the kingdom. They went forth doing so.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said,. . .Behold,I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

When the Lord sent forth his messengers to preach his gospel he gave them power over the devils to cast them out; and he gives the same power to his ministers, whom he sends at the present time. There are many going forth, however, claiming to be ministers, who do not have power over devils, and whom God has not sent.

In Matthew 8:16 we read of the power of Jesus: “When the even was come they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.” So we find that be cast them out “with his word.”

In Luke 4:40, 41 we read that he laid his hands upon them and the work was done. “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ”

Jesus was warning his apostles against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees and was also telling them concerning his church. He told them of the power that he would give them through his Word: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew16: 19.

When the Word is given by the power of the Holy Spirit it draws the line between sin and salvation and shows people their condition and what is required in order to obtain deliverance. Those who will repent and meet the conditions of the Word will be loosed both on earth and in heaven; but those who refuse will be bound on earth and also bound in heaven; that is, God in heaven will hold them as sinners, and subject to his judgments, and in the same condition as the Word declares them to be here on earth. Or, in other words, when they pass from this earth they will receive reward according to their condition here at the time of their death.

The Lord has opened a way for deliverance through Jesus Christ. There need no one continue in a condition of devil possession. However sometimes they may have reached such an extent that the devil has so captured their minds that their only hope of deliverance is through some friends or faithful followers of the Lord; yet they can be delivered in answer to prayer as Jesus said in Matthew: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20. Again he says: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7.

There are different ways in which people can become possessed with devils, but it is not so much on that line that we desire to seek information here as the way out, or the deliverance; however, it may be well to notice the case of Judas. He permitted the devil to put it into his heart to betray the Master. John 13:2. And afterwards Satan entered him. Verse 27. He was offered money to betray the Master. The devil did not enter him until he had decided to do the deed. This should be a warning to people who willfully decide to do that which they know to be wrong. The devil is ready to take advantage wherever he can. He does not always take possession as he did in the case of Judas, but many times when people go wilfully doing that which they know is sinful, when they have the power within them to do otherwise, they become possessed of the devil. Again there are those who are led on by the deceptions of the devil, but the Lord will warn his own in some way.

There are thousands of people in the insane asylums and elsewhere who have been led into the deceptions of the devil through spiritualism.

Spiritualists use what is known as a planchette board. A few years ago I visited a lady in Kansas who told me that she was possessed of a devil. Her experience was a sad one. A few years before, she visited some spiritualist friends, and being in a company of young people, the board was brought out for the amusement of the evening. They were advised to join the circle and call up the spirit of some departed friend. Some of them were enabled to recognize the handwriting of their departed friend or to see the manifestation of the power of the devil in some way.

This lady continued attending these evening amusements, which she supposed were of a harmless nature until finally, as she would lie down to rest at night a spirit would come and want to talk in her ear. She would try to drive it away, but it declared to her that it was the Lord and that it was all right for her to talk to the Lord and allow him to talk to her. This continued for some time, and it not only bothered her at night, but frequently during the day.

Finally one evening the spirit told her a lie, something that she knew was false, and she began to conclude that it was not the Lord; but the spirit in talking to her gave her to understand that it was all right, and finally when repulsed swore at her. Then she commanded it to get behind her. And she said it would never come nearer than the back of her ear and was always wanting to take possession of her. It was very touching to hear her relate the manifestations and suffering caused from the evil spirit after it did take possession.

From that time her body became diseased and her hands and arms drawn from their natural shape; her joints became stiff until she was unable to feed herself and was scarcely able to walk. She told us of her great desire of being delivered from the power of this spirit. However, when prayer was offered, there seemed to be something positively in the way of her deliverance. At first she denied there being any lack on her part, but that she was willing for anything. God showed us in answer to prayer the very things that stood in her way. Soon afterward she revealed the same things to a sister. She had been guilty of theft and also of licentiousness, which was only a manifestation of the results of spiritualism. So far had she gone on the line of licentiousness that she was not willing to give up her work on that line, therefore God would not deliver her. It was in her power yet to make that decision, and until she did make it, she could not reach a point where there was deliverance for her.

The devil may touch the body or mind and there be other outward manifestations of his power and influence, and yet there not be an inward possession. God is able to break the fetters and loose the captive and disperse and remove every power, influence and taint of the devil over mind, soul or body.

Through Jesus Christ the devil is a conquered foe. He died for all who would come unto him. He came to set the captives free, and he will do it if the conditions of his Word are met. The minister who preaches the Word of God should preach it with authority, and as the Word goes forth the children of God can consider the devil a conquered foe. He may assert himself at times in a bold or hideous manner, but God gives the weakest of his children power over him in his most hideous presentation. Paul says, “Let the weak say, I am strong.” The strength comes through Jesus Christ

There may be times when it may be necessary for every one to pray for boldness, as they did shortly after the day of Pentecost. There may be times when it will be necessary to pray for special wisdom, but the promise is: “That if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth liberally.”

It is sometimes necessary to continue supplications unto the Lord with importunity like the woman of Canaan, of whom mention is made in the 15th chapter of Matthew. Those who were not Jews did not have the privileges that the Jews had until after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After that time the message of salvation was to all nations. This woman had a daughter who was vexed with the devil. The instance recorded here reads as follows: “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she cryeth after us.”

Here we find that Jesus did not answer her, and the disciples thought that she should be sent away, and then Jesus said: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” That is, he was sent unto the Jews and not to the Gentiles. “Then came she and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me.” She did not intend to be put oft in that manner. She had seen and known of the manifestation of the power of God through him, and the condition of her daughter was a critical one. “But he answered and said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” As much as to say, it was not the proper thing to do for the Gentiles what was done for the Jews. And she said, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

She would not be turned aside until the desire of her heart was granted. She sought him” with boldness. She sought help with a determination; she knew he had power to help her daughter, and through him was her only hope. She decided that such an opportunity should not pass by unheeded. She had seen his great compassion upon others, had seen his power manifested and believed with all her heart that he would be touched by the condition of her daughter; therefore she did not allow the seeming oppositions to prevent her petition being repeated until the proper answer came.

Finally Jesus commended her for her great faith and then told her that she could have her own way about it, that it would be unto her even as she willed. When it was left to her in that way the work was immediately done, because her faith laid hold upon the promises for the complete work, and she was not disappointed.

So it will be with those who come at the present time. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

FALSE SPIRITS—THEIR POWER.

A false spirit is a lying spirit. John said: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1st John 4:1. A false prophet, false teacher, or false apostle has a false spirit and propagates false doctrine. Every false doctrine is accompanied by a false spirit. These spirits are lying and deceptive. In this way the devil presents himself as an angel of light, imposing false doctrines and deceptions upon the people. Paul in speaking of that class of people said: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also, be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15. Where a false spirit is permitted to work among the children of men through a false teacher, the effect often causes great disaster and causes many souls to be deceived.

Paul and the other apostles often had such to meet during the time of their ministry. In writing to the Corinthian brethren at one time he admonished them, because some of them had heeded doctrines of false spirits and yielded to the influence of false spirits and false doctrines insomuch that some of them after having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and received an experience of salvation had so far drifted from the truth as to no longer believe in the resurrection of the dead. He reproved them for their waywardness, and their turning from the truth, and plainly propounded the doctrine of the death and of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and urged them to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. He further said: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

“The devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” He will deceive in every way possible. Sometimes by imitating the work and power of God, at other times by directly opposing the same. It is a false spirit that tells a man that there is no punishment after death, that a moral man can get to heaven without being converted, there is no change of heart needed, every man has a right to believe as he pleases, there is no hell, and such like expressions.

A few years ago a man of my acquaintance imbibed a false doctrine, and the spirit which accompanied that false doctrine seemed to blind his spiritual vision to the real truth of the teaching of the Bible and would tell him that there was no hell, etc. He wrote a tract entitled, “Where is hell?” upon the last page of which he said, “Then, where is hell?” and answered by saying :“Nowhere! emphatically nowhere!!”

It was my privilege to be with him during his last sickness. Many prayers had been offered in his behalf that he might see his condition and be delivered from the power of that false spirit before death. It seemed the Lord had to let him almost reach the brink of hell before he could realize his condition and break loose from the power of such a spirit. However, in answer to prayer the Lord did break the powers of the enemy and open up his understanding to his situation, and as he began to call upon God for help he fully realized the folly of his belief and what was facing him in the hour of death. Calling me to his bedside he said: “God is real, heaven is real, the devil is real, and hell is real.” Then he desired earnest prayers in his behalf that he might find deliverance from the powers of Satan and receive peace in his soul. God in his great love did show mercy to him and delivered him.

Where the devil has succeeded in imposing a false doctrine upon the minds of the children of God, it does not matter to this deceiver of souls whether they just become discouraged and quit their profession and thus drift into sin, or take up with his delusions. A few years ago the devil undertook to impose upon the children of God in many places a spirit of confession; suggesting that in order to make spiritual advancement and to reach a deeper depth of humility it was necessary to make confession of the wicked deeds of the past life which had already been forgiven. The same spirit was imbibed by some who had been spiritual teachers and advisers, and these were ready to teach the doctrine and listen to such confessions.

Those who accepted such a doctrine and undertook to carry it out became very much confused in their minds, as they drifted under the power and influence of such a spirit. Such was a scheme of Satan, not only to confuse the children of God and bring them under bondage to the power and influence of a false spirit, but also to disgust sinners in order to keep them from coming to the Lord. God does not require such of his people. When their sins are once forgiven, they are all forgiven, all blotted out and are remembered no more against them forever.

The sinner who comes to the Lord must make confession to him, and by meeting the proper conditions of repentance can obtain pardon, and it is unnecessary to confess to the public or to ministers and gospel workers, except in cases where they can not otherwise get help from God. There are some cases where they are in need of counsel and advice concerning certain things which stand in their way for which their teachers or spiritual advisers will be able to give them the needed help. A public confession is not required except where there has been a public sin or injury to the public, which would demand such.

Because of the wickedness of Ahab, the Lord permitted him to be a prey to false spirits and drawn into his fate by false prophets. “And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” 1st Kings 22:20-22.

The prophets of Baal believed that they were actuated by a true spirit when they were serving Baal and when they were opposing the prophet Elijah. But Elijah, knowing the power of God,suggested that they put the matter to a test and see whether Baal or the God of heaven was the true God. He gave them the first chance and every advantage, only to find at eventime that they were deceived and that their god was powerless before the God of Elijah. Elijah called upon his God, which was the God of heaven, and he said: “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God. The Lord, he is the God.” 1st Kings 18: 37-39.

Our Savior in his weakness after having fasted forty days and nights was led up into the wilderness to be tempted of the deviL The tempter began in a very shrewd manner, asking him during his time of hunger to command that these stones be made bread. But Jesus told him what was written and quoted from the Scriptures. The devil then tried in another way. Then Jesus sharply rebuked him and said: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

“Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came andministered unto him.” Thus it will be with all who stand true to the Word of God and rebuke the devil and every false spirit, which will become powerless in the mighty presence and power of God. The Lord will send his ministering angels to strengthen the one who stands true to his Word and will cause the fetters of Satan to burst asunder and his power to be resisted. As we read, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you;” “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.”

SPIRITUALISM

To tamper with spiritualism is as one playing with the devil. It is one of Satan’s most powerful methods of deceiving the people. It is through this medium that the devil has one of his strongholds in binding souls for destruction, and also for acting the part of an angel of light, while he drags the soul down into the depths of darkness. There are many people who have learned something of the terrors of spiritualism, who would have had nothing to do with it, but the devil being very shrewd has his work on this line under another garb and different names, such as: hypnotism, mesmerism, philosophy of personal influence, personal magnetism, suggestive therapeutics, magnetic healing, Christian science and many other similar titles.

It is not our object to take up the various part of spiritualism and give an explanation, but to give a warning against spiritualism in all its forms. Spiritualism is principally carried on and taught by what are known as spiritualistic mediums. These mediums are possessed with devils. In order to be a successful medium one must give himself fully over into the hands of the devil, must deny the power of Christ. They will acknowledge that Christ was a good man, and will try to convince that he was only a good spiritualistic medium.

In order to bring religiously inclined people under the power and influence of spiritualism, the mediums very seldom have anything to say against Jesus Christ or the work of salvation until they have drawn their victims under the power and influence of the devil to the extent that they can not well break loose from the binding power of Satan.

In many places they have what is called a planchette or “weigie” board for amusement in order to deal with familiar spirits, call them up and have them write things that are suggested, or talk to what are supposed to be spirits of departed friends and such like. In these circles, seances and other modes of performance the devil has control of the medium or the one who is acting in that capacity, insomuch that he can imitate the voice and actions of a departed friend. Is it any wonder that the Word of God denominates him the great deceiver. They make the tables dance and do many wonderful works in order to deceive souls by the power of Satan.

The insane asylums of our land contain great numbers of people who have had their minds destroyed through tampering with spiritualism. One lady of our acquaintance, who has spent about twelve years in an insane asylum, became a raving maniac in two or three weeks after she began tampering with the planchette and attending seances. She had been religiously inclined, but was deceived by the devil. Her friends urged her to take part in this supposed harmless amusement, and when she would think of breaking loose from this power the enemy would suggest to her, that she could in this way seek higher attainments in the spiritual life. The devil representing himself as an angel of light made her believe that the spirit talking to her was the Lord, and in this way she was led to continue her work in spiritualism a little longer until she became a raving maniac and a subject for the insane asylum.

Another young lady who tampered with Spiritualism in like manner became possessed of an evil spirit, who at first would say to her, “I am the Lord.” And while she was not religiously inclined she began to take up with some of the sins connected with spiritualism until she was completely under the binding power of Satan.

King Saul when he had departed from the Lord sought the advice of familiar spirits, and the witch of Endor was only what would today be considered a spiritualistic medium, and with her same lying spirit called up Samuel, or at least the devil made it appear it was Samuel, just the same as he does today when people call up a departed one.

Free-lovism is not only an outcome of spiritualism, but is a doctrine taught by spiritualist., although many will deny it. Every spiritualistic medium knows this to be a fact,

While many miraculous things are performed through spiritualism, yet the power of Jesus Christ is greater, and through him there is deliverance for all who have become affected or tainted in anywise thereby. In the first place a positive stand must be taken against the doctrine, and in fact the whole affair rejected as of the devil, its works exposed, and this will open the way for coming to the Lord for deliverance.

HYPNOTISM.

HYPNOTISM is only another name for spiritualism and a more modern name for sorcery. An Eastern institute of science, which is making quite an effort to propagate the philosophy of personal influence, publishes what they call a treatise on hypnotism under the headings of Personal Magnetism, Hypnotism, and Suggestion, in which they write: “The wonderful work of the magicians of olden times was, undoubtedly, due to the slight knowledge they had of this marvelous force,” viz., hypnotism.

This admission from the chief propagators of hypnotism should be enough to convince people of good sense of its origin, and we do not hesitate in saying that it originated from the devil and is carried on by devil power.

Suppose we refer again to those magicians of old. It was when Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh to show the power of God by throwing the rod of Aaron down, which became a serpent, we read: “Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers :now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantment.. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

These magicians were sorcerers and were operated and did their work by the power of Satan, and we read elsewhere in the Word of God of the judgments pronounced upon that class of people. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Revelation 21:8.

You will notice this includes the sorcerers, and it was the sorcerers and magicians who did this work for Pharaoh, and the hypnotic school of science says that the work of those magicians was due to the knowledge they had of hypnotism.

In setting forth what can be done through hypnotism, this school of science says that “people are often cheated out of their last cent, and do hundreds of things that in a day and frequently an hour afterwards they would not have done. As soon as they get away from the presence of the operator and have an opportunity to reason and reflect, they see their folly too late. Hypnotism has unconsciously done its work and hence their all is lost, You may resolve never to be so influenced again, but you might as well resolve to fight the elements or stay the planets in their orbits.”

Who would hesitate in calling such work a direct work of the devil? This is mentioned in order to induce evil inclined people to learn how to do such things. Then they follow this information by stating that in order to know how to protect themselves from such it is necessary to know the secret and science of this subtle power. It matters not whether one takes up the subject from the standpoint of carrying out some evil intent or for supposed protection, they fall under the same power of the devil, and it is only another phase of spiritualism, or really spiritualism itself under another name.

It is not necessary to take a course in spiritulalistic hypnotic devilism in order to protect yourself against its power. You gain this protection through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. A child of God has the power to rebuke such spirits, power, and influence, and as long as he obeys the Lord and resists such, its power will have no influence over him. Hypnotists tell of some marvelous and miraculous things done and performed through the power of hypnotism. We read in Revelation 16:14, “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles.” While God has messengers going forth manifesting the power of God, the devil tries to manifest a greater and more miraculous power in order to deceive people and bring them under such delusions and bondage, and drag their souls down to everlasting destruction.

MESMERISM AND WELTMERISM.

A little over a hundred years ago a man by the name of Mesmer startled the people of France by some miraculous healing of the sick and some who were lame, and in various ways performed miracles that confounded learned men. Spiritualism and relative manifestations of devil power had already gone under various names; but at that time and from that date there began a new chapter in its history under the title Mesmerism. Today its wide influence, so far as name is concerned has given place to hypnotism.

Weltmerism is the name of a school in Missouri operated by a man by the name of Weitmer, who claims to teach the wonderful science of healing through the methods of human magnetism, but which is admitted to be done by the power of hypnotism, although the fact that it is through hypnotic influence is kept from the students until after they have paid for their course of study.

These schools of so-called healings and scientific treatises and such like charge from $5.00 to $25.00, and sometimes even more for a course either by mail or otherwise. Those who take a course of this kind and undertake to follow the teachings become bound by the power of the devil, if not actually possessed. A number of such persons have applied personally to me for help for their souls, and invariably they were bound by the power of Satan until they were un able to extricate themselves or obtain the needed help without the aid of some one else to rebuke the spirit that bound them, that they might be able to make a consecration unto the Lord.

Knowing the power and influence of the devil on this line, we warn every one to beware of his pitfalls, and never through curiosity or vain desire tamper with the poisonous, soul-destroying powers of the enemy. And those who are under the influence and binding power of Satan should immediately seek deliverance through the mighty power of God.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

The devil does not always sail under dark colors. The Word of God teaches that Satan sometimes transforms himself into an angel of light. It has been said that Christian science is a twin sister to spiritualism. This may be true in a sense, as both consist of devilism, instigated and operated by the devil. In other words, it would not be improper to say that Christian science is spiritualism under a name devised by its author to captivate Christian people or those who are religiously inclined. There are those who would not tamper with spiritualism or hypnotism any more than they would with poison; that is, when these things are operated under the names of spiritualism and hypnotism. But the same power and influence under a different cloak and name will be received by some of the same persons who reject it under its true name.

Any one with reason would naturally suppose that Christian science was a science in perfect accord with the Bible, something in harmony with the teachings of Christ, as a Christian is one who is Christlike. But we find that the teaching of Christian science is, that “sin is not forgiven, we can not escape its penalty.” Turning to the Bible, we find different teaching from the so-called science. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 1st John 1:9.

Again, we read from the teaching of Christian science as follows: “Science decides matter or the mortal body to be nothing but a belief and an illusion.” Paul refutes such teaching in these words: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.” Romans 6:12. “He that raised Christ up from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11.

In order to be a true Christian scientist one must learn to believe lies and deny facts. This is done until people really become skeptical on almost any line. They do not go far until they doubt the Bible being the Word of God. They must deny that there is a hell. They question the fact regarding future punishment. They deny that there is such a thing as disease, pain, aches and such like.

A few years ago a brother told me of his visit to a leading Christian scientist. Upon entering the house he found the man sitting in an armchair with his foot upon a pillow in another chair. Having been questioned concerning his infirmities, he said: “The devil has been trying to make me believe that I fell off a load of hay yesterday, and broke my ankle, but I don’t believe it.” The brother then asked, “If that is the case, why do you not get up and walk?”

The trouble was, the man was trying to believe a falsehood in order to be true to the so-called Christian science doctrine. This is like novel reading; it fills people with unbelief until it is very difficult for them really to believe facts when they read them. A spirit of unbelief seems to take hold of them.

A man once told me his experience concerning unbelief. He said, ”For years l tried to believe the Bible, and my wife was a Christian and very much desired that I should be converted, but it seemed that I could not believe the Bible, and sometimes wept because I could not believe it.” The man had a hard time reaching the point where he could actually believe the Bible to be the Word of God and believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Some time after this I visited him at his home. Pointing to his library of many hundred volumes, he said, “I have read every one of those books.” I examined them and found the most of them to be story-books and novels, such as were generally supposed to have good morals. I realized the origin of his unbelief. He had read stories and novels, knowing at the time of the reading that they were not facts, and yet many of them were as plausible as any true story. This was continued until the spirit of unbelief was instilled into him to such an extent that he could scarcely believe the truth. It was an easy matter for him to doubt the truths of the Bible. So it is with Christian scientists, they become filled with skepticism.

The principal feature of Christian science used to captivate and deceive souls is the power of healing. Were it really Christian science, the healings would be done in accordance with the Word of God, and the same as that done by Christ and his apostles, which was by the power of God through Christ arid by faith in his name.

The healing was without charge, as Jesus said to his apostles when he sent them out to heal the sick: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8.

The Christian scientist does not heal people through the name of Jesus Christ, nor by the power of God; does not anoint the sick and lay on hands according to the instructions of Jesus. See Mark 6:13; Luke 4:40; Mark 16:18; and James 5:14.

The Christian scientists do not do their work of healing free of charge, but make a charge generally from $1.50 to $2.00 a sitting. Therefore it is not in accordance with the Word of God, but only a deception of the devil from beginning to end. In order to keep free from the binding powers of Satan, people must have nothing to do with it. Those who have been drawn under the influence and power of Satan in this way, can find deliverance by the power of God through Jesus Christ.

PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE

There are people in this world who consider themselves just about right because of their surrounding circumstances, their standing in society, or their religious profession. All these things do not always have weight in the sight of God. People should live a moral life, otherwise they can not get to heaven; but their morality will not save them, nor take them to heaven.

No doubt Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jews and a teacher among them, was a man of high standing in society, strictly moral, and had quite a profession of religion, yet Jesus gave him to understand that his profession would not take him through to heaven. He said to him: “Ye must be born again.”

It requires a change of heart in order to be a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; in order to be a Christian in the full sense of the word.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justIfied rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18: 10-14.

Jesus in speaking of those two men was aiming to impress upon the minds of the people the difference between those who trusted in themselves and in their own righteousness and despised others, and some of those whom they despised. The Pharisee had only what we would call an empty profession of religion and gloried in his good works. He told how often he fasted, and said that he gave tithes of all that he possessed. But Paul says: “Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1st Corinthians 13:3.

A man may even give all his goods to the poor, and yet not be charitable in the sense of what is required in the salvation of Jesus Christ. The charity necessary is that of the love of God in the heart. People who give for fame, to be seen of others, for self-exaltation or grudge, will not receive the reward of the righteous. They, whose motives and hearts are like those of the Pharisee receive only a Pharisee’s reward.

Now consider the prayer of the publican. He was despised of the Pharisee. He felt humble in the sight of God. On account of his sins and wickedness conviction rested upon him. He felt so unworthy that he would not lift up his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Now hear the words of Jesus: “I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”

God hears the prayer of the humble, and those are the kind that are answered. It is not the long, smooth, flowery prayers that are most effectual, but it is the one that expresses the sentiment of the heart in humble submission to the will of God, begging mercy and compassion. These are prayers that reach the throne and receive the desired help from the Lord.

ZACCHAEUS.

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

A beautiful lesson is to be learned from this account of Zacchaeus. He had beard of Jesus and his mighty works. No doubt,. he had concluded that if these things were really true he would very much like to become one of his followers. He was quite a prominent man, being chief among the publicans, and also a wealthy man. There were such great crowds of people following after Jesus and around about him that Zacchaeus was not able to see him, therefore he climbed up into the tree. Now, when Jesus came along be saw Zacchaeus in the tree. He knew him and knew that he was a sinner; knew that he was in need of salvation, and knew of the interest Zacchaeus had manifested in him.

Just so it is today with sinners, the Lord knows every one whose heart is inclined toward him. He knows they are sinners, that they are in need of salvation, many of them are exalted, high up in self-conceit, but those who will humble themselves and come down, as did Zacchaeus out of the tree, the Lord will receive them and will be their guest and grant unto them salvation, as he did unto Zacchaeus. And when Jesus saw the honesty of heart and that Zacchaeus had really repented of his evil ways, he received him as one of his followers.

He has the same power now as he had when Zacchaeus came to him, and is yet “seeking to save that which was lost.” The way is still open for every sinner who will come unto him and be saved.

PETER—HIS DENIAL AND REPENTANCE.

Simon Peter, who was once a humble fisherman by the sea, became a follower of Jesus, was chosen to the ministry and ordained and sent forth to preach the gospel of the kingdom, heal the sick, cast out devils, and through him was manifested the power of God. There came a time, however, when Jesus, just before his death, told his disciples that they would become offended because of him, but Peter declared that he would not become offended. Jesus then said: “Verily I say unto you, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.”

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” Luke 22: 31-34.

This was very hard for Peter to believe that he would deny the One whom he dearly loved. Shortly after this time Jesus was brought unto the judgment-hall and there tried in the presence of wicked men and pronounced guilty of death. “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26: 69-75.

Luke says that when the cock crew, the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. It was then that he remembered what Jesus had told him. That one look from the Lord and a remembrance of his words sent conviction and sorrow to Peter’s heart. He then realized his sad condition, realized the terrible sin he had committed, but it was too late, it could not be recalled.

The only thing now was repentance, and he did repent, weeping bitterly. Although he sinned in this way and lost all the grace from his heart, yet he did not lose faith in Jesus. He still believed in him just the same, and loved him, and this is what brought repentance to him. Jesus had told him that Satan desired to have him, and Jesus prayed that the faith of Peter fail not. Then he further said, When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.

It did not take Peter very long to repent and become converted, and we find him on the day of Pentecost strengthening the hearts of his brethren, offering the gospel of salvation, not only for the encouragement of his brethren, but the sinners and wicked men; warning every sinner to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved.

JUDAS—HIS TRANSGRESSION.

Judas Iscariot, one whom Jesus chose as an apostle to preach his word and whom he sent forth endued with power to heal the sick, cast out devils and work for the salvation of souls, and who, doubtless, faithfully performed his work for a long time, finally not only disobeyed the Lord “by transgression,” but he even became possessed with devils. His heart was filled with covetousness to such an extent that he sought the company of evil-doers and persecutors of Jesus, entering into covenant with them wherein he betrayed his Master, sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. He let the devil put it into his heart to betray Jesus. See John 13:2.

Shortly after this while sitting at the table Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him, and they began to ask him, who it was that would do it. “Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly... .He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night” John 13: 26-30.

Luke says: “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.” Luke 22: 3-6.

Matthew says: “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” Matthew 26: 14-16.

Just before the betrayal, Jesus feeling the burden of the sins of the people upon him and knowing what he must pass through, he took Peter and James and John, and said unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

“And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straight-way to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.” Mark 14:34-46.

What a sad time this must have been! our blessed Lord and Savior betrayed into the hands of wicked men by one who had been chosen to preach his word but now of whom Satan had taken possession. We note the sad scene of the trials and crucifixion which followed. And truly it must have been a testing time to all who had believed upon Jesus.

“Then Judas which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed and went and hanged himself.”

Judas, saw his mistake and realized his sin, repented of it before the chief priests, but did not make his acknowledgements to Jesus. May all take warning and not be led away into covetousness and permit the devil to put a desire into the heart to do wicked deeds, and, even take possession to the extent that their wicked plans will be carried out and then be whirled into eternity without making peace with God. It is the desire of the devil to destroy both soul and body in hell if possible. He undertook to destroy Jesus and his disciples, Peter and Judas, but Jesus was subject to the will of the Father in all things. Peter denied his Master, but repented and was quickly restored, but the devil did succeed in having his way with Judas. After his death prayer was made to know who should be chosen, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell.” Acts 1:25.

WHO CAN BE SAVED?

Before the birth of Jesus Christ it was said, “He shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. And Paul tells us in Romans 5:8 that he died for sinners. We read in John 3:16, “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11: 28,29. Again he said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9. On the day of Pentecost Peter said to the people: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

By these scriptures we find that the way is open for sinners to obtain the experience of salvation and be made free from their sins. It is left for them to decide. God has made the sacrifice of his Son, who says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” Those who are willing to give up their sins and their sinful life, make right wherein they have wronged any one, to the extent of their ability, forsake their sins, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to such there is hope, and the Lord will grant unto them the desire of their hearts.

It is the business of the devil to prevent people from getting saved by telling them that they are too wicked to get saved. When we remember that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, it should inspire hope in the heart of the sinner.

For the encouragement of some who may be discouraged on this line we will notice some who were saved, of which mention is made in the New Testament.

Peter was a minister of the gospel. He went so far as to deny even knowing Jesus, and to curse and swear.

Saul of Tarsus was a murderer and persecutor of the children of God, consenting to their death and casting them into prison. The Lord saved his soul and he became the apostle Paul.

There was a thief upon the cross who believed in Jesus and was accepted of him. Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven devils were cast, became a child of God and a true follower of Jesus.

Many that used curious arts (see Acts 19), who were like the spiritualists, hypnotists, Christian scientists, and such like of to-day, gave up their works of the devil and burned their books and received an experience of salvation.

Peter even told those who crucified Jesus how to get saved when they said, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37.

By these instances we find there is hope for the murderer, thief, users of profanity, those who are possessed with devils, or otherwise under the power and influence of the devil.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22: 17.

HINDRANCES TO GETTING SAVED.

IT would be very difficult to give all the excuses people have for not getting saved. The enemy of souls places every obstacle he possibly can in the way to prevent people getting the experience of salvation. It will be necessary to mention but few of the excuses and hindrances. Many wait for conviction, saying that they are not convicted enough. We read in John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” When there is knowledge of condemnation and knowledge of not being in favor with God, that is sufficient to begin to call upon God for salvation.

Worldly companions or business is another obstacle. The one who desires to live for God must decide to turn from sin in every form and from wicked and worldly companions, so far as taking part in their wickedness is concerned.

If engaged in a business which is not in accordance with the Word of God, such must be abandoned. There are many kinds of business that a person can engage in that will be in accordance with the Word of God.

The opinion of others and what they may say sometimes has its weight in preventing many from coming to the Lord. But when a decision is made to obey God at all cost, such things will only be as small matters. Likewise the giving up of friends, riches, worldly conformity and such like.

Secret societies is another invention of Satan to prevent people from serving the Lord. Many times those belonging to them take the time attending lodges when they should be attending religious services. And the associations of these societies are almost invariably that of a worldly nature and where the children of God should not be found. In these societies are found opposers to religion, infidels, unbelievers and wicked people of every sort, and those who claim to be children of God take the same oath of allegiance in order to become members, binding them together in the same brotherhood, while the Word of God says: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

If a child of God is ignorantly ensnared in one of those places, he can see his duty by the Word of God and must immediately make his escape or he can not retain the experience of salvation, and those who are in there who are not children of God must decide to give up such things in order to get an experience.

Some of these secret orders teach that if people follow the religion of those orders and live true members they will get to heaven. This is only a deception of the devil. The Word of the Lord is true and people must obey it and must not therefore be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. These scriptures are applicable not only to secret orders, but to every order and creed that contains unbelievers, or those who are unsaved.

Some say, “Just turn over a new leaf and say you are saved.” In this way many are deceived and prevented from obtaining an experience of salvation. They receive no change of heart and thus find what they suppose the way of salvation a very hard one. The truth of the matter is, they are not on the narrow way, but still on the broad way with only a profession. Their desires are good, but their souls are not satisfied. It takes something more than turning over a new leaf. It takes a change of heart, wrought by the power of God through the forsaking of sin and believing the truth.

Stubbornness is another hindrance. Sometimes when an experience is sought everything will be yielded to the will of God until something is reached which appears to be the idol of the heart. To become stubborn then means to lose it all like the rich young nobleman who came to Jesus; with him there was one thing lacking that Jesus required of him, and that was to sell his possessions and distribute to the poor and follow him. This man became stubborn and would not meet the conditions. The young man refused to do any more but went away sorrowful. His good works from his youth up now availed nothing, so far as pertained to the salvation of his soul.

Evil thoughts seem to stand like mountains in the way of others. The devil will bring evil thoughts to you, but it is your place to resist and give no place to the devil. He may continue this for a time, but you are commanded to resist him steadfastly in the faith.

Then there are doubts and fears. Such as are troubled on this line should consider the mighty power of God, his ability to deliver, his willingness and his trueness to his Word. Unbelief is the principal barrier of all and prevents obtaining the experience of salvation when seemingly all the conditions are met. Many have trouble on the line of unbelief. When that point has been reached that everything can willingly be given to the Lord with a willing heart it should be remembered that God is true to his Word and faileth not. Begin accepting and believing the Word, because the Lord has said it, and unbelief will flee away, and it will then be an easy matter to obtain the desired experience.

Worrying over the past, present, or future will not help matters any, but often prevents people from reaching a point of perfect submission to the will of God. It prevents decision and an action of faith.

A little incident once occurred in my presence, which made a vivid impression upon my mind concerning people who worry. A little three-year-old girl was carrying a cup of milk across the room, when she suddenly stumbled and fell, striking her hands heavily upon the floor, while the cup rolled some distance away from her, spilling the milk. The little girl looked up as if puzzled to know whether or not she should cry because of her sudden fall, or because the milk was spilled. While thus hesitating her sister said, “I would not cry over spilled milk.” And her little brother added, “Well, I would not cry before I spilled it.” The little one concluded if such was the case it was useless to cry at all, and arose with a smile, determined to make the best of it.

Just so it is with worrying. It does no good to worry about a thing before it happens, neither does it do any good to worry after it happens.

The enemy sometimes tries to make some people believe they will become insane. Generally such people could not be insane if such was their desire, every one will finally be saved, or that there will be a chance to get into favor with God after death, is a hindrance to many, as they conclude it does not matter much if they do not seek God in this life.

The belief that Christians sin more or less every day causes many to settle down upon good resolutions, and thus instead of obtaining a change of heart only have a change of mind. Instead of having a possession of salvation they have but a mere profession.

It should be understood that all who sin are sinners. They are on the territory of the devil, and belong to the devil. The Bible says, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not. . . .He that committeth sin is of the devil.. - -Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” 1st John 3: 6-9.

“Joining church” is another scheme of Satan to keep people out of the kingdom of God. A sinner might join all the so-called churches in existence and still be out of Christ, then die and go to hell. They are “humbugs “—a mixture of sin, compromise, worldly conformity, legalism, deceptions, and such like, under the cloak of religion. Neither Christ nor his disciples ever advised the people to join any such institutions.

Jesus built a church. See Matthew 16:18. It was called the “church of God,” and was purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28. He is the head of the church. Colossians 1:18. He says: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9. Then the way to join the church of the Bible is to go through the door, Jesus Christ. This is done by getting salvation. Your name is then written in heaven. Hebrews 12: 23; Luke 10:20. And Paul says, “Ye are complete in him.” Colossians 2:10.

Again there are others who are hindered by the belief that their sins are gradually forgiven and the time will come when the last one is swept away. Such is not the case. When the Lord forgives, he forgives all, but none are forgiven without repentance and the meeting of the proper conditions.

The seeking of salvation is deferred by many who wait for a more convenient season, or go on hoping to get saved some time, not now.

A few years ago I was in correspondence with a judge. This judge had been reared by Christian parents but afterwards drifted into the ways of sin. He married an accomplished young Christian lady. He gave her the promise that he would sometime get saved. She would frequently remind him of his promise, only to be put off with the words, “Sometime I will get saved, not now.” She became ill, and during her illness often plead with him to give his heart to God. The death messenger came for her, and before her departure from this life she implored him to yield himself to God. Again he faithfully promised, “Sometime I will, not now.” His loving companion was laid away among the dead. His resolve was unheeded from day to day as time passed on.

One night as he slept he dreamed. In his dream he saw his whole life come before him as a panorama, scene after scene. First, he saw himself an infant in the arms of his mother. Next an innocent child bowing at his mother’s knee, learning his prayers. He saw himself at the time when he had grown older and heard the loving admonitions of his mother, and her earnest prayers in his behalf. Then came the time when he committed his first sin, and drifted into wickedness. This was followed by scenes wherein the Spirit of the Lord was calling after him, and he would not yield.

As these many scenes passed before his vision he saw the time when he first met his wife, his engagement, marriage, and the tender pleadings of his wife for him to become a Christian. He could see and hear his answer, “Sometime, not now.” Then came the sad scene of her death, and his last promise to her, “Sometime I will get saved.” He saw her cold in death, the burial scene, and himself making resolutions to meet her in heaven sometime. He soon drifted deeper than ever in sin, seemingly having forgotten his pledge. Then came the scene of his own death, and where he was in hell. He could see the lake of fire and hear the shrieks and moanings of lost souls, while around him were gathered a number of little devils laughing and scoffing at him. The scenes of his whole life one after another from his infancy to his death would come before him; then when the scene came before him of his situation in hell, the devils around him would laugh and jeer at him and tauntingly say, “Sometime I’ll get saved, not now. Ha! ha! It is too late now.” These terrible scenes were repeated until he was awakened, always ending with the words, “Sometime I’ll get saved, not now. Ha! ha! It is too late now.”

This was but a dream, nevertheless it should serve as a warning to those who are in like manner putting off their salvation, expecting to sometime get saved. There is a time coming when it will be too late to seek the Lord. Seek him now while he may be found.

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:31-46.

HOW TO REMOVE HINDRANCES.

In seeking and obtaining an experience of salvation we have a part to perform, then God does his part of the work. The one who is seeking pardon of his sins can not hope for mercy while hardness is held in the heart against someone else. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” These are the words of Jesus. And a lack of fulfiling the Word of God on this point has kept many from obtaining the desire of their heart. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18.

“Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1st Peter 5:5-7.

“He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.. . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10.

Should you be at a loss to know just what to do or what is required of you, flee to the Lord in earnest prayer and appropriate the following promise: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.

Weeping will not save any from their sins. Although many may feel like weeping and shedding tears, it requires something more than that. It requires obedience to the Word of God, and when the proper conditions are met, the Lord will speak the words of pardon. Do not get the idea that it requires just about so much weeping and working up to a certain pitch of feeling, but rather look at the requirements and promises of God and appropriate the same to your own case with perfect obedience, and you will not be disappointed. Obedience to the Word of God will bring results accordingly, as we read, The obedient shall eat the good of the land. The prophet Samuel told King Saul, To obey is better than sacrifice.

Jesus taught by way of illustration concerning salvation that when a man intended to build a house he should first sit down and count the cost to see whether he had sufficient means wherewith to build. Likewise people who are seeking salvation should sit down and count the cost, and see whether they are fully decided to pay the price by meeting the conditions of the Word of God. His promises to them will be as good seed sown upon good ground, which will spring up unto everlasting life, and bring forth an abundance of fruit.

A lack of feeling prevents many from believing. They desire to have the feeling before believing the work done. When the conditions are fully met, so there is no doubt on that line, it is our privilege to believe the work is done, because we have only to believe God’s Word since we have fully done our part, To simply wait for the feeling would be to wait in vain.

Suppose some one were to offer you a watch for $10.00; you needed the watch, knew it was worth the money, and could easily spare the $10.00. The moment you decide to make the exchange it is yours and an easy matter to complete the bargain. You simply say, I will accept the offer, here is the $10.00. The man holds out the watch to you and says, Here is your watch.

But now suppose you hesitate in accepting it. He would say you have paid for it and it is yours. You say, Yes, I know I have paid for it and am entitled to it, but I do not yet feel that I have it. I would rather feel that I have it before I claim it. The man says, Well, take it and you will feel it. You say, Yes, but I do not feel yet that I have it, and I do not like to make any mistake.

You can see how foolish it would be to parley concerning such a deal. Well, in your dealings with the Lord concerning your soul it is just the same. When you have decided to accept the offered mercy from the hand of the Lord and have paid the price by meeting the conditions, you can just as positively lay hold upon the promises as yours and receive the benefit without doubt, and it is the believing them true in your own case that brings the feeling, just the same as reaching out and taking the watch in the other deal would make you feel that you had it in your possession.

Decision and perfect submission to the will of God open the way to easily remove every hindrance and bring the peace of God to the soul.

DISOBEDIENCE AND JUDGMENTS.

Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of the Lord (Genesis 2:16, 17) and were driven from the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:23, 24.

Cain sinned (Genesis 4: 7,8) and killed his brother Abel, for which the Lord pronounced a curse upon him (Genesis 4:11); and he became a fugitive and a vagabond upon the face of the earth.

The people in the days of Noah refused to obey God (Genesis 6:5) and were destroyed by the flood. Genesis 7:23.

Because of the wickedness of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20) the Lord destroyed their cities. Genesis 19:28.

The men who came to the house of Lot with wicked device were smitten with blindness. Genesis 19: 11.

Lot’s wife disobeyed and turned to a pillar of salt Genesis 19:26.

Achan disobeyed the command (Joshua 6:19) and he and his household were destroyed. Joshua 7:24, 25.

The children of Israel murmured against the Lord and he sent fiery serpents upon them. Numbers 21:6.

King Saul disobeyed and the kingdom was rent from him. 1st Samuel 15: 1-23.

Korab, Dathan and Abirarn rebelled against Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the earth opened and swallowed them up. Numbers 16: 1-33.

Nebuchadnezzar became exalted and God humbled him and made him eat grass in the field like the oxen, and the throne was taken from him. Daniel 4:30-33.

Herod was a persecutor and became exalted and the angel of the Lord smote him and he was eaten by worms. Acts 12:22, 23.

Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive the apostles and fell dead. Acts 5:1-11.

Simon the sorcerer desired to buy the gift of the power of God and Peter pronounced judgment upon him., Acts 8: 19-23.

Jonah undertook to run away from the Lord in order to keep from doing what the Lord had told him to do and he was cast overboard into the sea. Jonah 1:1-17.

Elymas withstood Paul and tried to turn the people away from the truth, and he was smitten with blindness. Acts 13:7-11.

The seven unsaved sons of Sceva undertook to cast devils out of a man in the name of Jesus whom Paul preached and had to flee naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16.

Judas betrayed his Master and went out and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5.

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God! Psalm 9:17.

It must be remembered that while God is a God of love and extends mercy to the humble and penitent, he is just as faithful to fulfil his Word by executing the judgments written.

It is the privilege of all to choose their Master whom they expect to serve; the course they will pursue; the road they desire to travel; the broad way to destruction, or the narrow way to life everlasting.

Do not charge God with being unjust. The two ways are set before you, and he implores you to take the narrow way, and offers all the needed help. If you refuse to obey, who is to blame? Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” There need be no further warning. God will be true to his Word, and those who die in their sins will awaken in hell to spend eternity in the regions of the lost.

OBEDIENCE AND MERCY.

God will be true to his Word whether it be with judgments or with mercy. He will be merciful to those who humble themselves and obey. “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.” When he gave his last commission to his disciples telling them to go forth and preach the gospel, he said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” There are many instances recorded in the Word of God showing his mercy to the most vile and wicked people, when they would turn from their sins and believe his Word.

When the fiery serpents were sent upon the children of Israel, because of their wickedness, all who repented and acknowledged their sins and looked upon the brazen serpent, which Moses lifted up in the wilderness, received mercy and were healed. Numbers 21:6-10.

Moses prayed for the rebellious children of Israel, who were about to be destroyed. In his prayer he said: “The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty.... Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word.” Numbers 14: 18-20.

Jonah repented of his disobedience and the Lord sent him to declare his words. Jonah 3: 1-4.

The king of Nineveh and the people repented and went in fasting and prayer, and the Lord spared their city. Jonah 3:5-10.

Peter denied his Master, repented, and obtained mercy. Matthew 26:69-75. Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor and murderer, became obedient unto the Lord and was saved from his sins and became the apostle Paul. Acts 9:1-18; Acts 13:9.

Peter even told those who crucified Jesus how to get saved. Acts 4:10-12; Acts 2:37, 38.

Are you in sin and wickedness? then flee to the Lord for mercy; humble yourself as did the king of Nineveh, or as did Saul of Tarsus, and others who were wicked men, and the Lord will extend his mercy even unto you. Get in earnest about the matter. There is hope for you if you will do your part. There is mercy for you if you will obey. The thing that is necessary is for you to get at it at once and obey the Lord.

It is not enough to say, I intend to do what is right some time, or, I believe the Word of God is true, and hope to get right before I die. Such an action will not answer. It must be a positive turning away from your sins, seeking the Lord and believing for the needed help. Square your life by the Word of God and by his help you can obtain the fulfilment of the promises in your case.

SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST.

When Satan can not prevent souls from getting saved in any other way he will try to get them to believe the falsehood that they have sinned against the Holy Ghost. In a recent talk with a brother he stated that for a long time he had been feeling that he ought to give his heart to God, but went on in the ways of sin, attending dances and seeking worldly pleasures. One evening while getting ready to go to the ballroom he felt very much impressed that he ought to attend religious services that evening and seek salvation.

The Lord had been impressing it upon his mind for some time to seek his favor, but the young man decided that he would not go to the meeting, but went to the ballroom. Upon his return home that night something told him that he had sinned away his day of grace, that It was his last call for salvation, and now there was no hope for him, telling him that he had sinned against the Holy Ghost.

This was a false spirit, and the young man accepted the whispering of such a spirit as truth and for three years was in the most deplorable agony of soul that could be imagined in this life. Finally he awoke to the fact that it was an evil spirit that had been telling him this, and that there was yet a ray of hope. He then began to seek the Lord and continued until the Lord delivered him from all his troubles and saved his soul.

There are many people struggling along in the same way as did this young man, and such will have to come to the same conclusion and learn that it is a false and lying spirit, and they can very quickly find a ray of hope and the necessary help through Jesus Christ. Such a spirit must be resisted and rebuked and then help sought through the Lord. Jesus said, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him: but whoso speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31, 32.

The backslider is often attacked by the devil, who quotes Hebrews 6: 4-6: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

The devil says you have been saved once and have tasted of the good word of God, now it is impossible to renew you again unto repentance. The devil is a liar from the beginning, and he will lie to those who backslide in order to keep them from getting back to the Lord.

The impossibility of renewing again unto repentance depends upon the extent to which they have gone, “If they shall fall away,”etc. By reading Hebrews 10:29, we find an explanation which says: “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

This is what is meant by “fall away,” or sin against the Holy Ghost; that is, to go to the extent of counting the blood of Jesus Christ wherewith we were sanctified an unholy thing, and after having known his power through his having wrought the work in our heart, to say that the blood of Jesus had no more power than the blood of an animal.

This would be falling away to the extent that there would be no repentance. It is dangerous indeed to reject the proffered mercies of the Lord and the gentle wooings of his Holy Spirit, as it opens the way for the devil to deceive and bring in his delusions. But people who find that they are only under a deception of the devil should immediately seek help from the Lord through earnest prayer, and he who is mighty to save is ready to grant deliverance.

THE VICTORY WON.

After having yielded to the Lord with a perfect surrender and obedience and allegiance to his will, the Lord extends his pardoning power and sets the captive soul free from all actual transgressions. All the sins that have ever been committed are swept away, and the Lord says: “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8: 12. All these have been forever blotted out, never to be remembered, and if no more sins are committed the Lord will never impute sin against the one who has thus been forgiven. Should the devil in the future in any way captivate the soul and cause sin to be committed, that does not bring up past sins, but only sins that are committed from the time of conversion.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The soul that has been converted from the powers of darkness into the light and experience of the gospel is now at peace with God. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.

The Lord says: “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” Hebrews 8:10.

A life of faith is now begun, and the Lord says: “Now the just shall live by faith: but If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10: 38, 39. It is not only a life of faith, but a life of prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

The young convert should learn not only to send up petitions in his own behalf for things needed, but should learn always to praise the Lord in his prayers, with much thanksgiving for blessings already received.

Family worship should be established at least morning and evening, and secret prayer should not be neglected. There should also be attendance to public worship as frequently as convenient. Prayer, praise and thanksgiving can be made also while at work, or walking leisurely about from place to place. Talk to the Lord as you would to a friend. Tell him your troubles, trials and difficulties and your pleasures in his service and seek his aid at times when necessary.

CHRIST CROWNED WITHIN.

The one who has been saved from all sins committed and has entered into the joys of a Christian life can go forth rejoicing in the same, realizing that his sins have been swept away through the precious blood of Jesus. But such a person will not continue very long without realizing the need of something more. In times of provocation it will be found that there is yet something in the heart that should not be there. This is not sin that is imputed or held against you for any wickedness that you have done, but it is that which passed upon all men because of the sin of Adam, which inclines the heart away from God. This must also be purged out of the heart. We read in John 15:2 where Jesus says: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” Likewise every child of God is a branch of the true vine, and that evil inclined nature which every one inherited through the fall of Adam must be purged out. There are many places in the New Testament where we find that after one is converted there is a deeper experience and higher attainment to reach. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5: 1.

Having reached this experience the way is now open which gives access to the deeper experience of standing grace. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2. When the purging mentioned in John 15: 2, takes place, it places us in the “standing grace” herein mentioned.

The sinner who comes to the Lord is dead in trespasses and in sins, and when pardoned is made alive in Christ Jesus through a spiritual birth, is born of the Spirit, “born again,” as Jesus told Nicodemus. He is then where he can offer himself a living sacrifice, as we read in Romans 12: 1, 2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what Is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” This brings one into the experience of sanctification. “Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:16.

A child of God is a holy person, and we are to walk in his steps, who did no sin. The Lord made a promise to Abraham that “he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Luke. 1:74, 75. This does not mean that we become holy at death, or just as we pass into eternity, but it is our privilege to live in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1st Thessalonians 4:3. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1st Thessalonians 5:24.

After the testing times through which the followers of Jesus had endured, they met together with one accord in earnest prayer for the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4.

Having reached the blessed experience of full salvation and living a life free from sin, we are not yet placed beyond trials and temptations. Even Christ was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Yea, the Word tells us that he was tempted on every point as we are. Hebrews 4:15. His trial and time of testing was very great while in the garden of Gethsemane, and, no doubt, at many other times. He was persecuted, and told his followers that they would in like manner be persecuted. “They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions.”

Sometimes it is necessary for us to be tried and tested in order to become more useful in the service of our Master. Peter says: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1st Peter 1:6-8.

Then when you are tried, remember it is only something that is more precious than gold to your soul, providing you go through with it in the proper manner. As Paul says it “worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

In Romans 5:3-5, he tells us just how to go through these trials in order to have an increase of patience and experience after having received full salvation in our hearts. He says: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

If this admonition is heeded, trials will always prove a benefit. And it says we are to glory in tribulations. There may be some trials that are of such a nature that the source of the trial can not be immediately removed, but through giving God the praise for the same, and going through it with real glory in the soul, when the trial is over there will be found that there is an increase of patience and also of experience, as the experience of passing through that trial will only be a benefit in passing through greater ones in the future. But to pass through a trial with murmurings and complainings will only work impatience instead of patience, and there will be no spiritual benefit derived. James says: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:2-5. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12.

Even after we get an experience of full salvation we can grow in grace and in the knowledge of truth. “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2nd Peter 1:5-8.

Then see to it that you abound in these graces and there will be no necessity of your backsliding. If these things are observed and fulfilled in you, the Word says, Ye shall never fall; as much as to say you will fall if you do not heed the same.

“But he that lacketh these things is blind and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” People who do not grow in grace and knowledge of the truth in these things become so blinded by the enemy, that many often forget, or come to the conclusion that they have never been purged from their old sins. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2nd Peter 1:10.

Read the Word of God daily and live by the promises given therein. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23.

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