so, and Congleton signed it, and then handed it to the old man, who took it, and, having warmly thanked his benefactor, he turned to go put of the door, saying, “ I must go and tell my neighbors.” “ Stop! Stop!” said Congleton; “ they must trust my word as you did.” The old couple were seated in another room, and there, having time to tell their misfortunes, he learned their sad history. His gen- erous heart was touched, and he gave them a deed of a little cottage to live in the rest of their days. Outside the office men watched and waited to see how the old man would fare. They laughed and said, “ It's all a hoax; if the old man fared well he would come out and tell us." But now it was nearly twelve. Men looked at each other; time was short. Some would enter but for the laughs and jeers of their companions. The suspense was awful. At last the church bell tolled out; twelve o’clock had come. The door of the office opened, and the old man and his wife came out. “ How is it? How is it?” cried the people. “ Have you got the money?” The old man showed them his check and deed. "Is it good? Is it good?” shouted many voices. “ Good!” said the old man; “ good as the solid gold.” Then there was a rush for Lord Congleton, each crying out, “ My lord, will you not pay my debts? here are my accounts; will you not examine my statements?” “ Friends,” was his reply, “ it is after twelve o’clock, the hour is past, it is too late.” The door was shut, and he drove away. This was a great offer made by one whose means were limited. But here is a greater, made by one whose means are unsearchable— “ the unsearch able riches of Christ.” NOTICE “ Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached un to you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38, 39), SEPTEMBER, 1970
“ To Him gave all the prophets wit ness, that through His name whoso ever believeth* in Him shall receive remissions of sins” (Acts 10:43). This is signed by His own hand, with a pen dipped in His own blood. Thus the blessed Lord offers to cov er up all our liabilities; pay off ail our debts without any compensa tion; ONLY BELIEVE. It costs you nothing, but it cost God His well- beloved Son. It cost the Son His life. Lord Congleton paid the old man’s debts, and gave him a deed to a cottage that was subject to decay, but Christ gives the believer a deed to an inheritance that shall never decay. “ In my Father’s house there are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” You remember the old homestead, where you played when young. You know every building and its use. Christ speaks of the old homestead. He was about to return to it. He knew all about it, the golden street and the many mansions. And to comfort the believer He says, “ Let not your heart be troubled, I am going home to prepare a place especially for you; I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.” Precious promise to the believer. He does not say, I will send death after you, or an angel; but, “ I WILL COME AGAIN.” My little ones are very lonesome when I leave home. They do not expect to see me for months, but I leave them one prom ise that shines out above all others — that is, “ I will come again.” Christ says, I will COME AGAIN. The believer has the EARNEST of this inheritance. “ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel (or glad tidings) of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the EARNEST of our inheritance.” Notice, they heard the Gospel, they believed, God sealed them His after they be lieved. They set to their seal that God was true; God then gave them the earnest or pledge. This is to the believer what the olive leaf brought by the dove was to Noah; what the
bunch of grapes was to the children of Israel in the wilderness; what the ear-rings and bracelets were to Rebekah. Lord Congleton paid this old man’s debts, but he did not make him his heir. God brings the believer into the very nearest and dearest relationship. He makes him HIS CHILD by birth, thus impart ing to him His own nature. Mar vellous grace! “ The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children then heirs; HEIRS OF GOD, and JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST” (Rom. 8:16, 17). “ To an inheri tance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:4, 5). And not only a heavenly inheri tance, but all that He will possess as the Son of Man we will possess with him( I Cor. 3:22, 23). Oh, the depth of God's love, who can com prehend it? It is past finding out, eternity alone can reveal it; to bring us as nigh to His own loving heart as His own well-beloved Son. Chil dren of God. “ Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we me children of God; and it doth noi yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall ap pear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:1, 2). Dear reader, can you honestly lay your hand on your heart and say: “ I am now a child of God, For I’m washed in Jesus’ blood. I am watching and I’m longing while I wait; Soon on wings of love I’ll fly To my home beyond the sky, To my welcome, as I’m sweeping through the gate.” If you cannot, I beseech you not to lay down this paper until you accept Christ. — D. L. 33
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