Doctor Gordon of Boston used to say that as you passed along Washington street of that city, or Broadway, New York, you might see stores with the card in the window, "To rent, with or without power," and any one could rent the store, and by paying something extra could have power furnished from the engine in the rear. Doctor Gordon thought it would be a good thing to ask men and women when they joined the church if they wanted to be a member on the "with power" or the "without power" basis, and if the latter, to tell them there were no vacancies for that kind in the church, it already had too many members without power.
Turning on the Tap
A man who lived on the bank of Lake Erie had water pipes laid to his house from the lake; and when he wanted water all he had to do was to turn the tap and the water flowed in. If the government had presented him with the lake he would not have known what to do with it. So we may say that if God were to give us grace enough for a lifetime, we should not know how to use it. He has given us the privilege of drawing on Him day by day--not "forty days after sight." There is plenty of grace in the bank of heaven; we need not be afraid of its becoming exhausted.
Keep Close!
The late Dr. Andrew Bonar once remarked in his own quaint fashion that it was always easy to trace the footprints of a person if we walked close behind him, but if we were some distance back we might fail to find them; and accordingly, if we followed close after the Master we would easily see the way, but if we tried to follow afar off we would find it difficult to know the path of His will.
On Both Knees
William Dawson once told this story to illustrate how humble the soul must be before it can find peace.
He said that at a revival meeting a little lad who was used to Methodist ways, went home to his mother and said:
"Mother, John So-and-so is under conviction and seeking for peace, but he will not find it to-night, mother."
"Why, William?" said she.
"Because he is only down on one knee, mother, and he will never get peace until he is down on both knees."
Until conviction of sin brings us down on both knees, until we are completely humbled, until we have no hope in ourselves left, we cannot find the Savior.
Something New
A great many people seem to think that the Bible is out of date, that it is an old book, that it has passed its day. They say it was very good for the dark ages, and that there is some very good history in it, but it was not intended for the present time; we are living in a very enlightened age and men can get on very well without it; we have outgrown it.
Now, you might just as well say that the sun, which has shone so long, is now so old that it is out of date, and that whenever a man builds a house he need not put any windows in it, because we have a newer light and a better light; we have gaslight and electric light. These are something new; and I would advise people, if they think the Bible is too old and worn out, when they build houses, not to put windows in them, but just to light them with electric light; that is something new and that is what they are anxious for.
Bidding Christ Farewell
A rule I have had for years is to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. It is not a creed, a mere empty doctrine, but it is Christ Himself we have. The moment we receive Christ we should receive Him as a friend. When I go away from home I bid my wife and children good-bye; I bid my friends and acquaintances good-bye; but I never heard of a poor backslider going down on his knees and saying:
"I have been near You for ten years. Your service has become tedious and monotonous. I have come to bid You farewell. Good-bye, Lord Jesus Christ!"
I never heard of one doing this. I will tell you how they go away; they just run away.
Any One Can _Believe_
God has put the offer of salvation in such a way that the whole world can lay hold of it. All men can _believe_. A lame man might not perhaps be able to visit the sick; but he can _believe_. A blind man, by reason of his infirmity, cannot do many things; but he can _believe_. A deaf man can _believe_. A dying man can _believe_. God has put salvation so simply that young and old, wise and foolish, rich and poor, can all _believe_ if they will.
The Wrath of God Was on Him
I heard of a rich man who was asked to make a contribution on behalf of some charitable object. The text was quoted to him--"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again," He said that the security might be good enough, but the credit was too long. He was dead within two weeks.
The War was Ended
During the last days of the Civil War, when many men were deserting the Southern flag, Secretary Stanton sent out a notice from the war department that no more refugees should be taken into the Union army.