Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-03
ALL ARE CALLED TO Be SAVED
TExT-"MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE cHosEN"-sT Ma
THEW, XX:16.
BY Rev. O. NJ Jackson Conception


spirits. who adore and praise in unceasing
harmony and holy men innumerable, who have
lived as angels here below, and have been
caught up to join in their songs and raptures
Of joy.
And II the Almighty sometimes opens to us
a different scene; II He exhibits to us the
terrible judgment which he has prepared for
the punishment Of sins, and puts on the stern
features of a severe ana uncompromising
judge: yet is even this only a disguise which
His kindness and mercy assume 1t is TO ter
rify US from falling into what He knows w.sSld
cause our misery, and to second His eXertions
for our salvation by our own dread of suffer-
ing and unhappiness. Yet would all this be
nothing If He provided u.s. not with all the
means requisite to attain His proffered good.
And. in truth, those means He has supplied
abundantly, for every weakness and want OF
our humanity has been well cared for by him
our humanity has been well cared for by Him.
The original stain which infected all our pow
ers has been washed away by the lover of
grace and sanctifcation; our subsequent fail
ings cancelled and repaired by the holy sacra-
ment of 9enance
favor. For every state earth source of
grace and assistance has been opened, and in
all the holy table Of the Lord is prepared
against all our enemies"
But who requires such general proofs? Not
all the splendid testimonials which He has
publicly given of this truth, not all the in
Wiling prospects which He has opened to our
view, not all the means which He has pro-
vided for its attainment, can give us half the
conviction of this earnest desire which each
of must derive from the private testimony
of his heart. You alone, besides Cod
Know the extent to winch he mas carried his
mercies In your regard; how He has Invested
Himself of every attribute but his goodness,
to allure you to your own eternal good. You
alone can feel how, as you varied your rebel
lious spirit against Him; He varied no less
the calls of His grace, now checking you by
the gentle voice OF self-reproach, now terrify-
ing you by the threatening denunciations Of
His word one occasion winning you by
new favors in the midst of your ingratitude.
on another arresting you by some unexpected
punishment which He mildly measured, not
by your deserts, but by His love. When you
have wandered you have seen Him, like the
Good Shepherd, tracking you through all your
crooked paths to bear YOU home upon His
shoulders when sunk down in guilt, and unable
to rise you have found Him at your side. like
the good Samaritan; TO pour healing into your
Wounds and refreshment into your soul; when
tired Of your separation YOU have made an
effort to return to Him; He has met you like
the father OF the prodigal, by His embraces.
Well may He exclaim TO you as He did to
Jerusalem, Can woman forget her infant.
so as not to have pity on the son of her womb
get thee In Ny hands; thy walls are always
before my eyes ''-Isiab xlix-15-16.
Oh, yes, my brethren. a painful memorial He
has to remind Him every day Of your life Of
His interest in your salvation. A bloody record
Of what He paid as the ransom Of your evil,
and the price of your redemption.
If you need have this proved, 1 would lead
you w the holy mountain where He enthroned
His love and crowned II and gave Il to us
as an inheritance; but He enthroned IL a
| cross and He crowned It with thorns and He
| made Il purchase that inheritance with much
| precious blood. OH you should sit often and