The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-01-14
life" Montgomery.
THE PROPHET PRODUCES
CONVICTION

i
CONVICTION
The Way of Sin was exposed by
Christ the prophet. Said the wo-
man, "Sir, give me this water
At last she was suppliant, though
with vague idea Of the needed
blessing. Since conviction precedes
conversion; the sinner must see
herself before she can behold her
Saviour. And how skillfully Jesus
laid bare the central iniquity of
her life! Said he, go, call thy
husband" Evasively she replied
that she had no husband. With
compassionate severity Jesus ex-
posed her record, unworthy in the
past and unholy in the present. In
half acknowledgment of sin the
woman responded, "Sir, | perceive
that thou art a prophet But she
turned from the subject of per-
sonal guilt, as the unsaved often
do, to the discussion of q disputed
theological question. She raised
the point of radical difference of
worship. "Our fathers worshipped
in this mountain; and We say, that
in Jerusalem is the place where
men ought to worship" For CEN
turtles there had been conflict over
this matter and no conclusion had
been reached; perhaps this new
prophet could settle it. So he did,
but not by obscuring the main
point at issue. He utilized the in
curry to lead this convicted wo-
man to a converting knowledge OF
himself as the saving Messiah.
THE SAVIOUR LEADS
TO CONVERSION
The Work Of Grace was wrought
by Christ the Saviour. As to the
worship of God he remarked that
it is independent of locality. Meth
er the sacred mount in Samaris
nor the Temple at Jerusalem car
have a monopoly of acceptable
worship. He declared also that
true worship is intelligent. The
Samaritans, disregarding all the
Old Testament, except the first
five books, were largely ignorant
of Jehovah, but the Jews with i
fuller revelation and richer his,
tory had a wider knowledge, and
in addition they treasured the
promise that from them salvation
would proceed to the outside
world. Finally, Jesus declared that
true worship is spiritual and sin
cere. "For the Father seeketf
such to worship him." These exalt,
ed conceptions were appreciated
by the woman, who already felt
the light pouring in upon her soul
So she said: 81 know that Messias
cometh-when he is come, he will
tell us all things" Precisely the
right moment had arrived for the
self-revelation of Jesus. This poor
woman need not look further or
into the future for the Messiah.
With imperial demeanor Jesus de-
clared: 81 that speak unto thee
am he"
Returning from the village at
the instant Jesus declared his
Messiahship to the Samaritan wo-
man. the disciples beheld in silent
wonder the great Teacher and his
outcast pupil. They saw even as
he told them that the WEAKNESS
and hunger Of Jesus had vanished
in the fulfilment of his mission.
So ready was the field for harvest
that the Samaritan woman having
fully accepted Jesus as her Sa-
viour, fastened back to proclaim
him to her townspeople, and upon
her testimony many believed.
Many more also believed when
Jesus came among them and spent
two days in gracious and fruitful
ministry.
TAKE THE WATER
OF LIFE FREELY
% The Water of Life Saves.
1t is "living water" 1t is "the wa
ter of life" 1t is life-giving be-
fore it is DEMONSTRATING.
(2) The Water of Life Sancti-
fies. See how Jesus cleansed the
soiled and faded life at Jacobs
Well! ......
(3) The Water Of Ii I G
Strengthens. Is any one faint with
thirst? Here is refreshment ana
inward strengthening for any FUR
Their trip and task.
(4) The Water of Life salts
fies. The deepest longings OF the
human heart can find peace no
where else. The, highest warnings
of the soul are gratified only IN
God.
(5) The Water of Life Serves.
The saved life becomes a serving
life. And here is the secret: he
who takes the water Of life De.
comes himself an artesian well OF
refreshing for the desert worid
around him.
CO. The Water of Life Is Free.
"The gift of God" 1t cannot be
purchased. 1t cannot be manufac-
tured. 1t cannot be obtained from
any one else but God. He gives 1t
without money and without price.
CD The Water of Life Is for