The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-08-18
The Book of Remembrance.

sufferer in the Black-rock Convalescent
Home at Brighton, who was bowed down by
despairing remorse, inquired, "Have you
asked to-day for the pardon of all your sins I?
"That have"
"And do you think God has written down
your prayers in His book?"
81 did not know that He kept one for
my prayers"
"He tells us that He has a book of re-
membrance for our thoughts when we think
upon His name; and elsewhere, that our
words are kept account of; and between the
two do you not think that your prayers are
included? And do you think the loving
God has written in that book to-day, on the
25th of February, 1868, William 7. asked
Me for the forgiveness of all his sins, for
My dear Sons sake, and I refused HIM 2"
"No, sir; l cannot believe that
"What, then, has lie written beside your
prayer? 1t is not with Him, as with you or
me, to say, 1 think l may There is no
uncertainty in His mind"
The man thought deeply for time, and
at length replied, "Then it is more likely
that He has written granted, by its side. "
From that moment the fetters of his fears
were broken, and the man was set free to
trample on his sins, and to serve his Saviour.
This was repeated to dying bricklayer,
who had been employed, when mere boy,
at the building of the Crystal Palace, and
who had, at that time, attended the Bible
readings held in Beckenham. Now, he had
again come to the neigborhood, in the last
stage of consumption. He was still young
man, skilled in his work, of high moral
character, and happy in his home. He had
lamented his early fate, and expressed a
dread of death, as if it would close all his
prospects of enjoyment
"Have you, then, no happy thoughts of
heaven-no pleasure in looking forward to
its boundless joys?"
"None whatever" was the mournful re-
ply; ''because | cannot believe that l am
pardoned and saved, and have a right to
expect to enter heaven. l have been honest
and steady, good at my work, and kind
husband; all that know, but it is not all
have to think about. have done decently
well by my feliow-creatures, but very shah.
billy towards my God. How shall I know
that He will forgive me and receive me?"
The suggestion of the book kept for our
prayers and Gods answers caught his fancy.
"There's good deal in that But read me
more of what God says about forgiveness. :"
Two passages seemed to his mind to be
almost conclusive: "By Him all that believe
are justified from all things" and "that
through Him whosoever believeth on Him
shall receive remission of sins" But it was
plain that he could not yet accept the mes
sage of comfort for himself. One more was
left with him-the ninth verse of the first
chapter of the first epistle of John.
The next day was Sunday. A young
artillery officer-himself happy Christian
went to see him, and brought back tidings
of a face beaming with joy.
Early the next morning [ found him as
it had been told me, his thoughtful counte-
nance radiant with his new.found blessing.
81 have got it! have got it" he ex-
claimed; 81 have got the forgiveness of all
my sins. 1t was that last verse that did it
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.' If God had said
He was mercJal to forgive us our sins, l
might have said, Mercy's His own look out;
to show it when He likes, or never, if He
don't But when He says He's just, it's
another matter. Why no honorable man
would like to delay doing justice as soon
as he got the chance of doing it. It's what
you owe to another, and you DON like keep.
ing it back from him a minute. And how
much more would the great God do the JUS
tice, He owes His poor creatures as soon
as they claim it of Him. And 1 see how it
is He owes it to us. 1t is because His own
Son paid for it beforehand.
Then with sudden burst of grateful love
he said, "Now l would not take thousands
of gold and silver, nor health and strength
to enjoy it, to take me off this dying bed. l
would rather take short cut at three and
thirty to 20 to Jesus. want to see Him,
and bless Him for paying the whole debt,
and for opening the door of heaven to me.
This transport of thankful happiness and
bright anticipation, scarcely affected for a
moment by pain or weakness, lasted to the
end; so that he passed through the valley Of
the shadow of death in unclouded light from
his Saviours countenance.
Shall we die in it, and live in it too? 1t
would be no more than obedience to the
Divine command, "Rejoice in the Lord al
aOays9"-Miss Marshs " "Shining Light"
LENGTH OF SERMoNs.-The question is
asked, How long ought a sermon to be!
Well, that depends on its thickness. We have
heard some sermons SO thick through with