ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
execute the sentence. Instead, He steps down and takes the place of the guilty sinner. The Minister of the court, the Holy Ghost, says that all who receive this Substitute have everlast~ ing life. It is your business and mine, my Christian friend, to pass that good news on to everyone in that court room. The whole world is arraigned before the judgment bar of God. And "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23); but the Judge has come down, and taken the sinner's place. The penalty has been paid by Him. And instead of death, He offers life to everyone who will receive it, without works, by grace, through faith, without the law. Some years ago I heard Dr. Harris Gregg tell how he led a little colored boy to Christ; and since then I have often used this way to explain the way of life, not only to colored boys, but also to others convicted of sin and wanting to know the ·way of salvation. This is the substance of Dr. Gregg's story: "On one occasion I arrived in a certain city to conduct a Bible conference. As I got off the train, I noticed that my shoes needed shining; and seeing a young colored boy stand~ ing near his empty chair, I asked him to give me 'a shine.' I wanted to approach the subject of salvation in some way. but somehow I could not make an opening. However, I prayed that God would help me. When the boy had finished, I got to my feet and asked, 'How much do I owe you, my boy?' When he told me, 'Ten cents,' I took a dime out of my pocket. Holding it in my hand, I began by asking: 'This dime belongs to you, doesn't it? You have earned it, haven't you? I will not be fair if I don't pay you, will I?' When he agreed with me on these points, I said further, 'My boy, I give you this dime because you have earned it; it belongs to you. Now put out your hand.' "He put out his hand; and when he had taken it, I took a quarter out of my pocket, adding, 'Now I am going to make you a gift. I do not owe you this, do I? I am already square Page 46]
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