The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-21
Ten Dollars.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "sAvED FOR NOTHING.

AS 1 entered the church the other morn
ing, certain messenger handed me letter
from friend-or rather an envelope, which
to the feeling seemed to inclose nothing
The envelope was to my address, and l be-
Iered that it contained something, although
1 could not feel that it did In this faith I
opened the apparently empty envelope, and
found that it contained ten dollars in ma
tional currency, as gift from friend. I
took out the money, and accepted the gift
with thanktulness.
Now, suppose some one had come to me
and said, go sir! that way of receiving
money is far too simple. That money never
cost you one drop of sweat, nor a sigh, nor
tear, nor prayer, nor an effort; therefore
it can be of no value, and can do no good |;
money received in that simple way is worth
less money" Would not my reply to such
an one be somewhat like this? Friend, you
speak without consideration. Although the
manner in which l received the gift was
really simple, the money itself is neither
simple nor worthless. 1t is genuine cur
rency, and carries its credentials in its own
face. True, 1 received it freely for my own
personal benefit, but yet the money is hard
and well-earned money. The donor thought
for it, and walked for it, and toiled for it,
and sweat for it. He gave full value for it,
and earned it, as genuine money, justly, and
then inclosed it to me as gift This gift
is of the same value in my hand as it was
in the hand of the giver, 1t has lost moth
ing by the transfer. 1t is the same to me
now, as if l had earned it by my own exer-
tons, and intend to use it for the purpose
for which it was bestowed.
Now, dear reader, have you ever thought
or said that, "Salvation by simple faith in
Christ Jesus is too cheap and easy to be of
any real value to the soul?" Then l think
1 have now given you an illustration just to
the point. Like the simple hand that re-
ceives the letter, even without feeling the
money, simple faith receives Jesus and His
salvation in the simple truth of His divine
testimony. Verily, verify, I sag unto yOu,
he that beheveth on Me hath everlasting life. Z"
John vi. At. SIN Ohom sOe hare redemption
through HIS blood, the forgiveness Of SINS. "
Eph. i. 7. "Ye knoV that ye were not re-
deemed with corrupti6le things, as silver and
gold; but Vith the precious blood Of
Christ" 1. Pet. i. Is, 10, "The blood Of
Jesus Christ, Gods Son, cleanssth as from
all SIM" l John i. 7. Will you say that
poor sinners works or prayers have any
hand in giving value to this great salvatiOn?"
VIII you still say that this atonement of the
blessed Son of God is too cheap and easy to
be of any value to the soul? Or will you
say that this salvation hath lost anything of
its infinite and eternal value by being simply
received as gift into my heart?
Oh! this "great salvation" brought down
the blessed Christ to give His back to
scOurges, His brow to thorns, His heart to
spears, and to make His soul an offering for
sin. 0 sinner, poor sinner! is not the blood
of Jesus value enough for that poor sin.
stained soul of yours? "BehOld the man."
Look how the blessed Christ now in the
Gospel holds forth His bleeding hand with
the blessed gift of eternal salvation to you
VIII you take his gift and live? Or will
you reject it, and meet the "liuing God" in
your sins, and perish p Witness.