THE ANGEL’S SONG.
That proclamation has brought joy to many a despairing soul. Gillies once repeated it during a discourse, and enlarged upon it with holy rapture; and while expatiating upon God’s infinite condescension to men, he again and again reiterated the words, “Good will to men; good will to men; oh, how sweet is this!” A woman present, Mrs. Luke, who had long been under spiritual distress, cried out, “And to me also.” Deliverance from spiritual bondage had come.
POWER IN THE WORD JESUS.
A brave cavalry officer was dying of his wounds. He thought himself on the field, at the head of his gallant men. Here I interposed, saying, “You are safe among friends.” “Let me alone,” he sternly replied. “I must renew the attack.” “No,” said I; “let us not talk of battle scenes. You are soon to die. Let us talk of Jesus.” The mention of that name seemed to exert the powerful influence I had often heard ascribed to it. His agitation ceased at once; his delirium passed away; a smile lit up his pallid features. After a moment’s silence, he said in a lower voice, “Jesus, Jesus! It is He who said, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ I want rest: I am weary.” Soon after he entered Eternity.
THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CHRIST.
David Straiton, one of the Scottish martyrs, was brought to the knowledge of the truth through the instrumentality of John Erskine, of Dun. One day, having retired with the young Laird of Laurieston to a quiet and solitary place in the fields, to have the New Testament read to him, it so happened that, in the course of reading, these words of the Saviour occurred, “He that denieth me before men, in the midst of this wicked generation, him will I deny in the presence of my Father and His angels.” On hearing them, he became of a sudden as one enraptured. He threw himself on his knees, extended his hands, and after looking some time earnestly towards heaven, he burst forth in these words, “O, Lord, I have been wicked, and justly mayest Thou withdraw Thy grace from me; but, Lord, for Thy mercy’s sake, let me never deny Thee nor Thy truth, for fear of death or corporal pains.” The issue proved that his prayer was not in vain. For at his trial and death, he displayed much firmness and constancy in the defence of the truth, and gave great encouragement to another gentleman, Norman Gourlay, who suffered along with him.