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We would
not want to be understood that approaching death absolutely cuts off all hope
for the sinner. We think of Christ's mercy on the cross to the dying thief.
Real faith in the atoning blood is bound to succeed at any time it is
exercised, but the odds are certainly against deathbed repentance. Sinners
usually die as they have lived. The following story will illustrate the mercy
of God toward one who had not the chance that many others have had: |
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"A
Christian visiting among the poor, one day engaged a man in conversation
about his soul, and while referring to the Bible he held in his hands, was
startled by a feeble voice near by saying: 'Does your book tell of the Blood
that cleanseth from all sin?' The visitor entered the room from which the
plea had issued, and upon a bundle of straw in a corner he found the wasted
form of a suffering woman. Raising herself up on one arm as he entered, she
fixed her large eyes upon him and repeated her question. 'My poor friend,' he
said, 'what do you want to know of the Blood that cleanseth from all sin?'
Her voice and manner now became startling as she cried out, 'What do I want
to know of it? Man! I'm dying; I'm going to stand before God! I have been a
wicked woman all my life. I shall have to answer for everything I have done!
Once,' she continued, 'as I was passing a door, I heard something about the
Blood which cleanseth from all sin. Oh, if I could hear of it now! Tell me if
there is anything about that Blood in your book.' The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and
5th chapters of First John were read before she would consent to a
pause. Almost from the very first she seemed to find peace and joy in
believing in Jesus, in Him who gave His life for the remission of sins. In a
few days she passed away -- a ransomed soul." |
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Why will
people postpone their calling upon God till death or calamity stares them in
the face? If only calamity will wake up a slumbering, sinful world, then we
say, Lord, send the calamity! |
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From: SIN,
THE TELL-TALE By William Edward Shepard, God's Revivalist Press, Ringgold, Young
and Channing Sts. Cincinnati, O. |