The Fundamental Principles of Christianity in the Light of
Modern Thinking. * By JOHN M. MACINNIS, B. D. VII. SALVATION—Luke 19:9.
S ALVATION ” is a very familiar word, but what do we really mean by it? Jesus said, “ Sal vation” came to the house of Zac- chseus on that memorable day on which Jesus went home and abode with him. What did really happen in that house that day? To answer this question correctly will involve a clear definition of what the New Tes tament means by Salvation In order to bring the question be fore us in a concrete way let me briefly call your attention to the ex perience of two men in the. State of New York. On one occasion the late Dr. Parker, of New York City, was asked to go to Rochester to hold a series of evangelistic meetings. While there he became acquainted with a man by the name of Samuel Lee. He was a silversmith, and was ordinarily upright and moral. He was a good citizen but a most self- righteous man. He prided himself on his morality, his kindness as a hus band, father and neighbor and when ever the gospel was presented to him he thrust it aside with the idea that he did not need Salvation. He was good enough as he was. Dr. Parker became interested in him and sought an interview with him. At last he went to his shop and found him standing before a little anvil working away with his hammer in beating a vessel out of solid silver. He asked 1 An address delivered at the Montrose Bible Conference. Copyright, by John M. Maclnnis, 1913.
him why he was not a child of God. Mr. Lee very bluntly told him that he did not see that there was any necessity for his being any better man than he was. He thought he was just as good as most Christians and a great deal better than some of them. After considerable conversa tion during which time he made the sorry excuse that a man of his type is wont to make Dr. Parker felt that he was not making any impression on him. As he was about to leave he said, “ Mr. Lee, I am going to say one word to you, and I defy you to forget what I say.” “Well, what is that?” “ It is this, Mr. Lee: there will be no excuses at the bar of God, Mr. Lee.” Having said this he turned and left the shop. “ Oh, well,” Mr. Lee thought to himself, “ I will soon forget that.” He went on with his work and tried to get his mind on other things. The harder he worked and the more he tried to think of other things the more that word would come back, “ There will be no excuses at the bar of God, Mr. Lee.” As the words rang out in his con sciousness he tried to justify himself in the position he had taken, and to make himself believe that he was a good man for he had done many good and kind things. But the voice would not be silenced, again and again it rang out in the silence of his heart, “ no excuses at the bar of God.” At last he threw down his hammer, put on his hat and went home and en tered the room where his wife, who also •was unconverted, was sitting.
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