Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-11
Do You Know Jesus :

Twas walking hastily along crowded
street when my steps were suddenly arrested
by 9 voice behind me uttering the words,
"Sf, do you know Jesus 2" For the time
sd place it was strange question. IL was
high noon, and many were fastening to the
exchange near by. It was in the center of
busy thoroughfare through which hun
drels were pressing, each intent upon his
own particular errand. In the midst of the
temples of Mammon and of the things Of
his worshipers, heard the strange, thrilling
question, Sir, do you know Jesus Z"
Stranger still, when turned to see the per-
son Who uttered these words, l could not fix
upon any one of the numbers behind me as
the speaker. did not see either to whom
it had been spoken. If it had fallen from
the Gear sky above me it could not have
had bss of personality about it. The air
had horne it to my ear, but from whom /
could not discern and the words, so unus-
ual il that place and at that time, seemed
to have become doubly strange, that their
speaker had 80 quickly vanished. turned
away and passed up the street, pondering
over the question which had 80 mysteri-
ously heard. | thought of the declaration
of Jesus, that "to know" him is " life eter
nal, =" and then | forgot the strangeness of
the query in the sense of its overwhelming
Importance | questioned my own soul,
"Dost thou know Jesus" the eternal life
| applied it mentally to those who passed
me so hurriedly, eager in their pursuit of
| present good. One recognized as shrewd
and practical fnancier. He knew some
thing of the secrets of the clearinghouse.
He understood the vast system Of exchanges
which spreads over our country like a net
| tuorF Ha could 1iuonuroa an Ix no
crisis and its causes. Did he know Jesus
If not, he had missed the highest knowledge.
He knew not him in whom infinite treasures
Of wisdom and grace are found. passed on
| further, and l saw well known merchant
ascending the steps of the custom house.
He was an adept in his business, thoroughly
versed in all the departments of trade. He
knew the value of commodities at glance,
and could predict the turn of markets, and
speculate wisely upon the changes in com.
merce made by the manifold changes of the
times. He was an oracle in the counting.
house and on change. But did he know
Jesus? was my thought. In his calcula.
tions has he ever computed the worth OF
his soul, or the value of Christ's sacrifice
offered for its redemption Did he know
Jesus as his Saviour, and heartily receive
him as his sacrifice before God? II not
what was his acquired knowledge but q
guide for few years, to be utterly useless
! whom Cod ehS.ld os.ii lAi... =. sire up hi.
possessions on earth. Further on, me
another familiar face 1t was pale, and al
air of abstraction spread over it. The mar
of science was coming some new problem
or pondering over some novel facts. lie
knew the laws by which the stars move ant
the waters flow. He had analysed and com
4 bined until he understood many things il
their elements, and the processes by which
these elements were united in many differen
forms. He knew the history of the past
aud could tell where the mountains hat
been built up and seas spread out. Did hi
also know Jesus That is the great ques
ton. Reader, do you know Jesus Do you
know his power to save from sin and the
fear of impending judgment? Do yol
know how free his mercy is how full hi:
grace? You must know him, or perish
You must know him, or miss eternal life
The Presbyterian.