The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-10-25

"Why, certainly am, Mr.. Whitefeld, y
said she, for you know Jesus Christ came
into the world to save them that are lost
And if you feel that you ere lost man, why
you are just one Of these whom Jesus came
to save"
This remark had great effect on Mr..
Whitefield. He put down the cup of tea he
was drinking, and clappei his hands together,
saying, "Thank God for that Thank God
for that lie believed Gods promise then.
That gave him peace. 1t took away his
trouble. 1t sayed his SOU. He was taken
suddenly i'll, and died IL at same night. But
he died happy.
Here is another illustration of the way in
which Jesus saves people for doing nothing
else but simply trusting in Him. 1t was
given by minister who was settled in the
coal region, aud had good deal to do with
miners. He was talking one day with a
hard working miner on the subject of reli-
gion. The man had never joined the church,
but he was so correct in his conduct that the
minister felt sure that he must be Chris
tian. He asked the man if he thought he
was Christian, and what reason he had for
thinking 80. This was the honest miner 8
answer:
"Sir, said he, "you know l am no schol-
ar; but Ill tell you the best way can why
| hope am Christian. It is not what l
do that l trust in, but Ahat Christ has done
for me. You have been down the shaft into
the mine, cir. This will help me to tell you
what mean. For long time was trying
to do what was right--to live as | ought to
and SO was trusting to my own work for
salvation. But all the while l felt as if |
was still down at the bottom of the shaft
All | could do didn't get me out of the pit.
Then God showed me that all my righteous
ness was but as filthy rags, as the Bible says.
But how was to get out of the shaft Why,
at last found that the only way out of the
deep mine into which sin has brought US,
was to do just as do when | want to get out
of the coal mine. To do this, have only
to get into the bucket when it comes down,
and trust to the men at the windlass to draw
me out. And 30 find it is about my soul.
| cannot draw myself out of the pit but
trust in Jesus, and leave it all to Him. l
used to try to do what was right, and serve
God because was afraid of Him and of the
judgment; but now l try to serve and please
God because | love Him."
! This shows us very clearly the way in
which God provides salvation for His people.
Here is another illustration of the same
truth. A minister was once visiting an old
man who was in great distress aud trouble
about the salvation of his soul He had just
the same difficulty that the miner had, as
mentioned in the last story. He Thought he
must work himself out of the shaft. He was
not willing just to put himself in the bucket,
and trust to the men at the windlass to get
him out. At last the minister said to him,
"Now, suppose | should go to shop and
buy something for you, and pay for it, and
tell you to go and get it, would it be neces-
sary to take any money with your"
"NO," said the old man, Frightening up,
cit would be paid for"
"Need you make any promise to pay at
any future timer" asked the minister.
"No," he replied, 81 should have it for
nothing"
"Well, it is just so, said the minister,
"wth the forgiveness of sins and the saliva
ton of the soul. Jesus has paid the full
price for ua. The groans aud signs, the
tears, the wrath, the pain, the punishment
our sins deserved, He took upon HIMSELF
He bore it all. He paid the full price for
our salvation. He bought it for US with His
precious blood, and He offers it to US, as the
Bible says, without money and without
PRICE
eyes, said the old man, as his eyes filled
with tears, Il see it now, though 1 never
saw it before. 1t is pardon for nothing;
salvation for nothing. Now l understand
what the apostle means when he says, 'Eter-
nal life is the gift of God, through Jesus
Christ our Lord Jesus paid for it, and
now God gives it to US all for nothing"
There is just one other story wish to tell,
and this shows US how God can save the soul
when he peases to do so. A Christian father
and mother had long prayed for their son,
that he might become Christian and be
saved, but it seemed as if their prayers were
not to be heard. He grew up to be care
less, obstinate, disobedient boy, and at last
ran away from home and became sailor.
One day, on board the ship, he had mount
ed up the rigging and while there lost his
hold and fell overheard. A boat was low
cred at once to pick him up; but as the ves-
sci was going very fast at the time, it was a
good while before-ssa young man could be
reached. At last, however, he was brought
on board, though he seemed to be in life
less state. The surgeon of the ship used
all the means he could to restore him, but it
seemed to be in vain. His comrades had
given mp all hope of saving him, when he
gave some signs of life. Then they renewed
their efforts, and after awhile the young man
opened his eyes and cried out in tones of
Joy, " Jesus Christ has saved me-"