Troubled on Every Side

II Cor. iv. 8.

Beloved Brethren and Friends: --O praise the Lord for sweet peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In my lonely hours I am sometimes troubled, and long for your comforting words of heavenly things.

Before our last meeting at Cedar Grove, such a view of God's holiness and my sinfulness was given as to make me exceedingly fear and quake! I felt to say, O wretched man that I am! When I thought of God's purity and my defilement by sin, I felt so wretched and unworthy of divine favor, that it did seem God would not condescend to forgive so vile a wretch. When looking for assurances of me hope, as­surance was almost obscured by despair. Thinking over the past for proof of my duty in public worship, the evidences seemed against me. I felt to be in a dark cloud, shut off from the favor of God and His people. The thought came, God will not receive me, and His people do not care to hear His word.

Thus separated from God and troubled by sin I went to church, but could not feel to join dear saints on Saturday in the worship of our pure and holy God. Yet for a time during the services God was so gracious as to LOOK ON ME IN MERCY and show His Smiling face. Then, praise the Lord, I was made happy with inward sweet and silent peace with God. The love of Christ was warm in my heart, constraining me to be more faithful and obedient to Him. "Oh Praise the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever."

My dear friends, it is surely best for us that we be led to deeply feel and confess our guilt and unworthiness; and be thus prepared to appreciate the GIFT OF SALVATION, bestowed by Jesus the sinner's Friend. In this way, we are led to see the suitableness of Jesus Christ to relieve us from our extremely helpless, sinful condition. Do you say your case is bad indeed? Jesus is the great Physician; and there is never a sinner too vile for His skill to relieve. Jesus alone can cure the sin-sick soul. "He was bruised for our iniquities; and by His stripes we are healed." Isa. liii. 5. His blood cleanses our sin-inflicted wounds. Jesus suffered and wore a crown of thorns, to give us a crown of glory? Blessed Jesus! His cleansing blood and imputed righteousness, reconciles or makes peace between the sinner and his God. So we look not to men, but we look to Jesus--we believe on Jesus, or depend on His perfect obedience to save from hell and recommend us to God; and then we obey Him from a sense of love. Thus the atone­ment and love of Jesus consoles the troubled one, and makes whole the broken-hearted.

O wonderful love of God! Think of it. In the busy rush of this vain selfish world, will you pause to think of God's great love? Will you seriously consider your Maker's rich mercy to you, and your many obligations to repent and obey Him? I beg you to consider the wonder­ful atonement of Jesus Christ. Yes, think of the complete, special atonement of Jesus, to wash away all sin. This living water applied by the Holy Spirit always cleanses the foul disease of sin. This is the "River the streams Whereof make glad the city of God." And, dear readers,

"Whoever will--O gracious word,

Shall of this stream partake;

Come thirsty souls, and bless the Lord,

And drink for Jesus' sake.

"Millions of sinners, vile as you,

Have here found life and peace;

Come then and prove its virtues too,

And drink, adore and bless." 

Yours in love and hope of salvation through the blood of Jesus.

Sparta, Tex.

M.D. DENMAN.