The Penn's Grove record., 1903-02-06
"BUT WHEN HE WAS YET A GREAT
WAY OFF,

OIl
These words must have a wonderful
meaning, for the measurement is from
Gods standpoint. 1t would be an awful
thing to be a great way off according to
mans conception, but when it is the COM
p~utation of One who is infinite we are
startled, and vet our amazement gives way
instantly to alteration, for we are told that
even If we are so great a distance from
Him we are not to be discouraged. In
unto "all that are afar off" and in Ephe-
slams ii: Is, II, we are told that "Ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by
the blood of Christ" and that Jesus Christ
came and preached peace to you which
were afar off" as well as to them that
were nigh. 1t never is any question with
God as to how deeply one has sinned. 1t is
a remarkable thing that throughout the
whole Bible He has ever chosen the most
conspicuous sins and the most fragrant sin
ners that He might present to US His will
lingness to forgive.
God requires but three things if we
would know Him in this way.
First, there must be a willing mind. In
Isaiah i: l9, we read, eff We be willing and
obedient, We shall eat the good of the
land" In another place we read, "1f there
be first a willing mind, it is accepted for
what a man hath and not for what he
hath not" In still another place we are
| told, eff any man will do His will he shall
know of the doctrine" God Himself, inf
mite though He may be, win not save US
against our wills.
Second, there must be a desire to know
! the truth that we may do it. Mere knowl-
edge of the truth may be our condemna-
ton, and it is the saddest thing in the
world that so many people know and yet
are unwilling to do. 1t viii be an awful
Judgment which must finally fall upon the
rank and file of men because all their lives
they lived under the shadow of the church
and heard the preaching of the word, all
of which condemns them.
The third requirement is an honest con-
fession of ones intentions. God never
gives to one more light than be uses, but
if there is in the heart a single desire, how
ever faint, to know Him, and that desire is
confessed before men and unto God, He
e~nlarges our vision, sheds upon Us more
abundant light, and it is always by the
way of confession that we enter into the
fulness of joy.
This FATHER SAW HIM."
Mr.. Moody says that that father was
looking through the telescope of his love.
I have always felt that he was looking
through his tears. 1t is said that when as.
tronomers want to increase the scope OF
their vision they add to the number OF
lenses. and sometimes our falling tears are
like the lenses in the telescope. They
bring objects far removed nigh unto US.
But what C comfort it is to know that
the Great Father of us all looks after us
with a pity that is infinite and with a sym.
pathy that is beyond. conception. The
vision of the father of the prodigal was
limited, but Gods eye sweeps through al
space, and He sees us wherever we are
He can even behold our thoughts, AMI
when you bowed your head and said, =
ought to come,". and partly lifted you
hand as an expression of your intention
or started to rise that you might make pun
lie your confession, He saw you and wa
ready to run to meet you. This is all tina
He requires on your part. he is ready t.
do all the rest.
It is said that DR.. Rainsford, of Eng
land, in one of the Northield conference
at one time related the story OF an oh
friend of his, a German professor, VIII
was an agnostic, and as You know tn
creed of the a~gnostic is simply, Il do no
know. This old professor came to visi
DR.. Rainsford and went with him to all tn
services of his church. When the day wa
ended the rector said to him, Professor
tell me what you think of it all" His an
swer was, ct is beautiful, but that is all
can say" Then DIR. Ralnsford put to hin
these questions:
First. DO you not think that it is pos
dhle that there may be a Gody and tn
Old professor said, Yes, possible"
Second, Then do you not think that ]