others of the earnestness of a true wit nessing Christian. Dr. Harper had carried out his commission to the very last breath. The Holy Spirit, writing to the church at Smyrna, reminds the believers of every age, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I w ill give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2 : 10 ) . ■k * * Jumping at conclusions is not nearly as good exercise as digging for the facts. * * * A BED OF MONEY It is interesting, and yet in a certain sense, very sad, to read those occasional articles in the newspaper of some poor recluse, hermit or beggar, who lived as a poverty stricken pauper, but who died with a fortune stashed away in some unusual place. A woman in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was seriously injured. Be fore she was taken to the hospital she told officers that all the money she had for her expenses was in her bed. When the authorities investigated they dis covered $20,321.00 in rare gold pieces and bills. When told the good news, in her gravely weakened condition, and just before she died, she declared, “Why, is that all? I thought there would be at least $25,000. That isn’t much for a 50 year savings, is it?’’ She lived as though penniless and died in the misery of her own soul. Even if we had enough of this world’s goods to lie on a money-stuffed mattress, it would be an unsatisfactory resting place. (continued on next page) 17
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH As true born-again believers we know we are living in difficult and perilous times. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ, prophesied in the Bible, could be at any moment. One of Eng lands greatest ministers, Dr. John Harper, had received a call to become pastor of Chicago's famed Moody Me morial Church. He was making the trip on the newest, fastest and sup posedly unsinkable liner, the Titanic. Fortunately, as he leaped from the ill-fated craft, he was able to find some floating debris to which he could cling in the icy water. It was a tragic scene. A man drifted by whp was securely buckled to a life belt. Dr. Harper asked him, “Young man, is your soul safe? Are you saved?” “No,” came the quick reply. As the current separated them, the pastor called out, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” High waves moved them apart for several minutes, then they drifted near each other again. “How about it,” Dr. Harper called out, “Are you saved yet?” The young man still replied, “No.” Not discouraged, but weak from the ordeal the minister told him, “Be lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” So chilled that he could hang on no longer, the gifted and earnest preacher lost his grip and slip ped beneath the dark waters never to be seen again. His words, however, had not been in vain. The young man did believe and shortly thereafter was res cued by a passing ship. He lived to give this testimony concerning the sav ing power of Christ, as well as to tell
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