THOUGH I am not at liberty to mention the name of the gentleman to whom reference will here be made, I am able to record a very interesting incident, and to vouch for its strict truth in every detail. The incident occurred in a London restaurant, and on the occasion referred to, the men at one of the tables were conversing upon the subject of religion, and the argument grew so lively that it became impossible for those at the nearest tables not to hear it. As it proceeded the interest of the listeners became intense. The argument was chiefly as to whether salvation was by works or of grace, and whether a person could be assured of his salvation in this life. One of the disputants firmly insisted that salvation is by grace, through faith; not of ourselves, but the gift of God. Another, a Roman Catholic, contended that no man can know he is saved until he dies, and, as a final argument, he exclaimed, “Well, all I can say is this: I have placed myself in the hands of my priest, and he is responsible for my salvation.” At this point a gentleman rose from his table, and, lifting his hat, said: “Gentlemen, I believe I am well known in the Law Courts and in this room. I could not help hearing the argument at your table, and I feel bound to say that our Roman Catholic friend is perfectly logical in what he has said. I also have placed myself in the hands of my Priest, and he is responsible for my salvation. The mistake our friend has made is that he has chosen the wrong priest. My Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ. By faith I have committed myself into His hands, and ‘I am persuaded He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him.'” The effect of this, from a well-known King’s Counsel, was marvellous. Perfect silence reigned as he spoke, and I believe that some men there heard the Gospel for the first time, thus preached in a restaurant by an exponent of the law. Reader, who is your priest? Be not deluded to think that any fellow-mortal who may call himself a “priest” has any right to come between God and your soul. Beware also of placing any trust in any thing you have done, your character or your prayers. Salvation is entirely
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by grace, and faith is the hand that receives it as a free gift from God. All the fitness He desires is that you feel your need of Him, and this He graciously bestows. I wish I could make it plain to you that Jesus Christ is the “one only Priest.” But if my poor words fail, listen to the words of God: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”—
W. Wileman.