The Handful of Stones
SOME time since a tall, strong Swede came day after day to the Strangers’ Rest, 24, Park Lane, Liverpool. He looked so very sad that many thought he must have been grieving for the friends from whom he had so recently parted in his home in Sweden.
Soon the day came for the emigrants to embark for America. In taking leave of them, many felt drawn to the depressed, heart-stricken man who had been so constant in his attendance at the readings.
A lady said to him that, just before the Lord departed, He gave a new name to the Holy Spirit― “The Comforter.” He promised His disciples to send them “The Comforter.”
The poor man put his hand on his forehead, saying he was indeed troubled; that his conscience kept him miserable, that he understood all that had been said of the love and invitations of the Lord Jesus Christ to sinners, but he said, “I am too bad to be saved! . . . I am hard and sorrowful!”
A beautiful text came into the mind of the person he addressed; so, facing him, she said, “I want you to do something for me. Will you take a handful of stones with you, and when you get well out to sea, just go to the side of the ship and throw them overboard? They will make a splash, perhaps, but down they go into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, and not all the engineers in the world could ever get even one of those stones up again.”
Then the Bible was opened, and the words read (Heb. 8:12, and 10:17): “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more”; and (Mic. 7:19): “Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
The man lifted his hands above his head, and said, “I see it all now, I am a forgiven sinner. It is all quite clear and plain.”
He departed looking quite relieved and happy, with good gospel books given him by the kind superintendent, who much encouraged him with words of peace and truth.
Such incidents frequently occur. They cause the hearts of those who hold forth the Word of life to rejoice with the Son of God, who now rejoices in the presence of the angels of God over every sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15)
Sunday Morning Texts
1.
The Father…shall give you another Comforter (John 14:16).
OUR Lord was the Comforter of His disciples when He was here. He undertook for them, He conducted their affairs in unwearied love and wisdom. And now at His request, since He is on earth no more, the Father has given to His disciples another Comforter, who undertakes for us this gracious service. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and we always have Him. He abides with us forever; He ministers to our souls daily, and in unwearied love cares for us.
2.
Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but the Spirit of adoption. (Rom. 8:15.)
Let us not forget our favors; let us rejoice in what we have not as well as in what we have. We have not the doubting, distrustful spirit. God has not given us a spirit to question His. Word, or to fear Him in bondage. But He has given us His Spirit, and this is the Spirit of adoption―by Him we know that God is our Father; yes, we know this in our heart of hearts, and the cry of the child is ours―the loving, trusting cry― “Abba, Father.”
3.
Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. (Eph. 1:13.)
When a deed has been finally settled and written out, it is signed and sealed. The sealing comes as the completing act, or the act resulting from the completion of the transaction. The Holy Spirit seals, by His own indwelling, the true believer; and thus He Himself, in His sealing of God’s people, is the evidence of the completeness of their salvation. God will not revoke the deed; the seal will never be broken; the salvation upon which the seal is placed is perfect. The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal.
4.
Be ye filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)
The Comforter is “in you”; the cry, “Abba, Father,” arises from the heart; ye are sealed. Can more be needed? Yes; the full, joyous delight in God―the true, glad, and holy filling up of the heart. All are seeking after some good: “Be ye filled with the Spirit,” and perfect good will store the soul. The vessel at the fountain does not fill itself―the flowing water fills it. But the vessel must be at the right place, or it will not be filled. Neither do men bring full vessels to be filled, but empty. Our portion is the being filled; let us so live and act that Holy-Spirit-given peace, rest, and joy shall overflow our hearts.