The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-09-13

DET other, who seems
himself to have
revlled Christ just little before, turns
to rebuke his companion and shows
that change has been wrought In him
which continues to be an establishment
to all who read Of 1t.
The malefactor was an unlikely
person to be converted. The disciples
had forsaken Christ and fed but this
sinful man Joins himself to him. He
was the first of a long line Of trophies
from among the foes Of Christ. The
chief prosecutor Of the early church
became Its chief apostle, and the pow
er Of the cross over Christ's enemies
abides. Elijah r. Brown, for many
years editor Of well-known religious
weekly, was once a leader OF infidel
clubs, yet God brought him to Christ
under simple plea from d. l.. Moody.
We should count no man hopeless but
should covet Christ's enemies for his
cause.
Unlikely Place for Conversion.
A cross was an unlikely place for
conversion. The cross has been glori-
| fed In our eyes. but we are not to for
get that II looked no more attractive
lows looks to us. John Wesley de-
clares that at one period he would
have thought II sin to seek to save
souls outside church building. but
he was driven to the fields to preach
and learned that any place can become
holy ground. Samuel Hadley started
heavenward from the back room Of a
low saloon.
The dying hour was an unlikely
period for conversion. This story for
ever rebukes the idea that acceptance
with God depends upon a round Of
sacraments or good works, for he had
time for neither. This lesson still
many years n protesting Christian,
and even an ordained minister. before
he learned II. He tells how he was
thrilled In first preaching salvation, by
faith alone. TO a condemned prisoner
and his Joy when he heard the man
say: II am now ready to die. know
he has taken away my sins and there
is no more condemnation for me-"
Interesting Points.
There are several interesting points
connected with the thiefs conversion.
1t began with the fear Of God. He
asks his companion, "Dost not thou
] fear God seeing thou art In the same
condemnation" His heart had been
solemnized by the darkness which
spread over the land and by all the
scenes Of the crucifixion. "Nobody
fears God any more"-so we are told
today. And indeed this frivolous. self
satisfied age is not marked by the fear
of the Lord. II may require the hor-
rors Of an awful war to bring US to
seriousness and sense of the majesty
of God. Alas, for the fact that some
time even Gods judgments fail In this
matter. Just as one Of the robbers was
unmoved by all he had Witnessed
II was accompanied by frank confess
sion of his sin. 1--WE receive the due
reward of our deeds" How refresh
ing when visiting In prisons, to find
one who acknowledges his guilt and
expresses contrition; there II hope for
such q man.
Remarkable Faith.
But we would speak especially OF
the remarkable faith Of this man. He
prays, "Jesus, remember me when
thou contest In thy kingdom" To the
multitude. and even to the disciples.
the inscription declaring Jesus to be
king of the Jews must have seemed
q mockery indeed. The life Of Jesus
appeared a complete failure and his
claims exploded. Yet In that hour.
there was begotten In the heart Of this
rough fellow faith that saw the king
dom even beyond the cross. II was
faith akin to that by which Abraham
was justified. of whom II Is said he be-
lieved God "who Quickened the dead
and calleth those things which be not
as though they were."
Somehow, men are prone to abuse
Gods gifts. We presume upon such
mercy as II is set forth In this story
and turn the grace Of God into lascivi-
BUSINESS. Men argue that because the
dying thief was saved. they too may
be saved when dying. and 30 they put
OF repentance for their deathbeds.
But how knowest thou. o maD, that
such an opportunity will be thine
Even II time be given at the last. the
heart may be adamant and repentance
an impossibility. True repentance Is
never too late; late repentance Is sell
dom true"