Speaking to the Disadvantage of Others.
The great John Newton, an eminent minister of the gospel in the Church of England once told the following:—“In a mixed conversation it is a good rule to say nothing without a just cause, to the disadvantage of others. I was once in a large company where some severe things were spoken of Mr. W., when one person seasonably observed that though the Lord was pleased to effect conversion and edification by a variety of means, he had never known anyone convinced of error by what was said of him behind his back.”
One Book worth all other Books.
John Newton referred to in the foregoing note said: “I have many books that I cannot sit down and read; I have some silver books, and a very few golden books: but I have one book worth them all—the Bible.”
John Newton’s Anchors.
“I have been enabled,” says John Newton, “to commit my soul to Him who says, ‘Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out’ and ‘who is able to save to the uttermost.’ These two texts have been as sheet anchors, by which my soul has outrode many a storm when otherwise hope would have failed. ‘In no wise’ takes in all characters, and ‘to the uttermost’ goes many a league beyond all difficulties. I recommend these anchors; they are sure and steadfast.”
God’s Unspeakable Gift.
God’s love to His people is from everlasting to everlasting; but from everlasting to everlasting there is no manifestation known, or conceivable to us, that can be compared to this. The light of the sun is always the same, but it shines brightest to us at noon; the cross of Christ was the noon-tide of everlasting love, the meridian splendour of eternal mercy. There were many bright manifestations of it before, but they were like the light of the morning, that shines more and more unto the perfect day; and that perfect day was when Christ was on the cross, when darkness covered all the land.—Dr. MacLaurin’s Glorying in the Cross of Christ.
Baptised Unto Moses.
Prof. Neil McMichael, D.D., in commenting on I. Cor. x. 1, 2—“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea”—made the following comment: 1. The Israelites were baptised, both adults and infants; for the Apostle says “were all baptised.” 2. They were not immersed, a fact that Moses and other inspired writers testify. 3. The Egyptians, who pursued them were immersed. 4. The Israelites had baptism without immersion and the Egyptians immersion without baptism. 5. The baptism of the Israelites was deliverance and the immersion of the Egyptians was drowning.”
Rev. Finlay Cook’s Four Rooms.
The following is taken from a letter of Mr. Cook: “July, 1844—I am here in a lonely part of the vineyard, but I have a large house and a good many rooms in it. The first room I have is, ‘Who can tell?’ This is a very large room but a very cold one, and I would not advise my friends to stay long in it. The second room I have is, ‘Good Hope through grace.’ This is a very fine room, and I like to sit in it, but through my neglect the robbers come in and put the furniture out of order. The third room is ‘Love’ This is a beautiful room, and there is always a fire in it, but I can seldom get access to it. The fourth room I have is the ‘Secret Chamber.’ The King Himself sits here, and we cannot get in till He opens the door and brings us in and makes His banner over us to be love. Grace be with you all.”