17. Proof of Salvation

Proof of Salvation

FALLEN CHANGED.—William Booth tells of an unfortunate woman who had been at one of his meetings, where she was noticed by a former companion in sin now converted. The reformed one approached the other and found her in distress about her soul. “Oh,” she said, “I listened to the speakers, but when I saw you standing there so wonderfully changed I could stand it no longer.” She was induced to attend the meetings, and soon became a witness to the truth that “we know that we have passed from death to life.”

HEART CHANGED.—The friends of a young Brahmin strove in vain to make him recant, but all in vain. Then they changed their tactics, and said that the missionaries had given him some medicine to turn his mind. “No,” he replied, “God has given me His Spirit to change my heart.” NO PUZZLE.—An infidel who was trying to confuse a colored man, asked how it could be that a Christian could be in the Spirit and the Spirit in him. “Oh, there is no puzzle about that. It is like that poker. I put it into the fire until it becomes red-hot. Now, the poker is in the fire, and the fire is in the poker.”

INDIAN’S ANSWER.—One evening the Chief of the Delaware Indians was sitting by a fireside with a friend. Both were silently looking into the fire. At last his friend broke the silence by saying: “I have been thinking of a rule delivered by the Author of the Christian religion, which we call the Golden Rule.” “Stop,” said the Chief, “don’t praise it, tell me what it is, and let me think for myself.” He was informed that the rule was “for one man to do to another as he would have the other do to him.” “That’s impossible; it cannot be done,” hastily replied the Indian. Silence followed. The Chief lit his pipe. In about fifteen minutes he replied, as he took the pipe from his mouth: “Brother, I have been thoughtful of what you told me. If the Great Spirit who made man would give him a new heart, he could do as you say, but not else.”

HEAVENLY MOISTURE.—The Spirit, like dew, falls in mystery, giving moisture to some, while others remain dry. The wind blows where it will, but if we desire to feel a stiff breeze we must go out to sea or climb the hills.

DEAD FINGER MARK.—The Princess Elizabeth, imprisoned during her father’s trouble, had a long spell of sickness while in the castle. One time she was found dead in bed with her Bible open before her, and her finger resting on these words: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

BUNYAN’S MUSE.—One day as Bunyan was traveling in the country, musing on the wickedness of his heart, and considering the enmity that was in it toward God, the Scripture came to his mind which declares that Christ “made peace through the blood of His cross.”

ISABELLA BROWN’S ASSURANCE.—Fifteen minutes before she died, Isabella Brown was reading a list of Scripture promises, and in particular noticed this precious one: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” She said faintly, “Oh, they are sweet.” The Psalmist could say: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4.