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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf2b396 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51931 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51931) diff --git a/old/51931-0.txt b/old/51931-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ee1db4a..0000000 --- a/old/51931-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3209 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to bring men to Christ, by R. A. Torrey - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: How to bring men to Christ - -Author: R. A. Torrey - -Release Date: May 1, 2016 [EBook #51931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Lisa Anne Hatfield and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -Italic text enclosed with _underscores_. - -Bold text enclosed with =equal signs=. - -Small–caps replaced by ALL CAPS. - -More notes appear at the end of the file. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST - - BY - - R. A. TORREY - - _Superintendent Chicago Bible Institute_ - - - CHICAGO: - - THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION - - 250 LA SALLE AVE. - - Eastern Depot: East Northfield, Mass. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - _JUST PUBLISHED. By the same Author._ - - =Vest Pocket Companion for Christian Workers.= - - The best texts for personal work. Classified for practical use, - printed in full, and arranged for ready reference. - - From Mr. Torrey’s preface: - - “There is medicine in the Bible for every sin–sick soul, but - every soul does not need the same medicine. This book attempts - to arrange the remedies according to the maladies.” - - 120 pages, bound in Russia leather in vest pocket size, price 25 - cents. - - _Fleming H. Revell Company, Publishers_, - NEW YORK. CHICAGO. TORONTO. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1893 - BY FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY - In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington D. C. - - - - - _By the same Author._ - - =Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word =.15= - of God. 16mo., paper= - - - “Masterful.”―_Indiana Baptist._ - - “Of sterling excellence.”―_Christian at Work._ - - “Thoughtful, helpful and timely.”―_Golden Rule._ - - “It gives in clear and comprehensive style a cogent argument for - the complete inspiration and absolute authority of the Bible. - Because of its terseness and freedom from technical expressions - it will form a useful compendium of information for Christian - workers.”―_Messiah’s Herald._ - - _Fleming H. Revell Company, Publishers._ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PREFACE - - -This book is written because it seems to be needed. The author has been -repeatedly requested by Ministers, Y. M. C. A. Secretaries, Christian -Workers, and his own students to put into a permanent and convenient -shape the substance of what he has said at Conventions, Summer Schools -and in the class–room on personal work. The time has come to yield to -these requests. Never before in the history of the Church were there so -many who desire to win others to Christ. The good work done by the Young -People’s Society of Christian Endeavor is in no other direction so -evident as in the many thousands of young people in this land who to–day -are on fire with a desire to win souls. But while they desire to do this -work, many do not know how. This little book aims to tell them. There -are several well–known and valuable manuals of texts to be used with -inquirers, but this book is intended not only to point out passages to -be used but to show how to use them, illustrating this use by cases from -actual experience. It is hoped that from a careful study of these pages -any earnest Christian can learn how to do efficient work in bringing -others to the Saviour. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PREFACE. - - CHAPTER. PAGE. - - I. THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS IN BRINGING MEN TO CHRIST 7 - - II. HOW TO BEGIN 14 - - III. DEALING WITH THE INDIFFERENT OR CARELESS 20 - - IV. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED BUT DO NOT 29 - KNOW HOW - - V. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED AND KNOW 36 - HOW, BUT WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES - - VI. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES 50 - - VII. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE, AND BACK–SLIDERS 57 - - VIII. DEALING WITH PROFESSED SKEPTICS AND INFIDELS 65 - - IX. DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINING 77 - - X. DEALING WITH THOSE WHO WISH TO PUT OFF DECISION UNTIL SOME 83 - OTHER TIME - - XI. DEALING WITH THE WILLFUL AND THE DELUDED 87 - - XII. SOME HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS 94 - - XIII. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 104 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS IN BRINGING MEN TO CHRIST - - -There are certain general conditions, the fulfilment of which is -absolutely essential to real success in bringing men to Christ. These -conditions, fortunately, are few and simple and such as any one can -meet. - - -1. _The one who would have real success in bringing others to Christ -must himself be_ A THOROUGHLY CONVERTED PERSON. Jesus said to Peter, -“When thou art _converted_ strengthen thy brethren.” He was in no -position to help his brethren until he himself, after his cowardly -denial, had turned again to his Lord with his whole heart. If we would -bring others to Christ we must turn away from all sin, and worldliness -and selfishness with our whole heart, yielding to Jesus the absolute -lordship over our thoughts, purposes and actions. If there is any -direction in which we are seeking to have our own way and not letting -Him have His own way in our lives, our power will be crippled and men -lost that we might have saved. The application of this principle to the -numerous questions that come up in the life of every young Christian as -to whether he should do this or that, each individual can settle for -himself if Christ’s honor and not his own pleasure is upper–most in his -mind and if he looks honestly to God to guide him. - - -2. _The one who would have real success in bringing others to Christ -must have a_ LOVE FOR SOULS, _i. e._ _a longing for the salvation of the -lost_. If we have no love for souls, our efforts will be mechanical and -powerless. We may know how to approach men and what to say to them, but -there will be no power in what we say and it will not touch the heart. -But if like Paul we have “great heaviness and unceasing pain in our -hearts” for the unsaved, there will be an earnestness in our tone and -manner that will impress the most careless. Furthermore if we have a -love for souls we will be on the constant watch for opportunities to -speak with the unsaved and will find opportunities on the street, in the -store, in the home, on the cars and everywhere that would otherwise have -entirely escaped our notice. - -But how is one to get a love for souls? This question is easily -answered. First of all, a love for souls like every other grace of -Christian character, is the work of the Holy Spirit. If then we are -conscious that we do not have that love for souls that we should have, -the first thing to do is to go to God and humbly confess this lack in -our lives and ask Him by His Holy Spirit to supply that which we so -sorely need, and expect Him to do it (1 Jno. v. 14, 15; Phil. iv. 19). -In the second place Jesus Christ had an intense love for souls (Matt. -xxiii. 37; Luke xix. 10), and intimate and constant companionship with -Him will impart to our lives this grace which was so prominent in His. -In the third place feelings are the outcome of thoughts. If we desire -any given feeling in our lives we should dwell upon the thoughts which -are adapted to produce that feeling. If any saved person will dwell long -enough upon the peril and wretchedness of any man out of Christ and the -worth of his soul in God’s sight as seen in the death of God’s Son to -save him, a feeling of intense desire for that man’s salvation is almost -certain to follow. In the fourth place, reflection upon our own ruined -and unhappy condition without Christ and the great sacrifice that Christ -made to save us, is sure to fill our hearts with a desire to bring -others to the Saviour we have found. - - -3. _The one who would have real success in bringing men to Christ must -have a_ WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE. The Word of God is the sword of -the Spirit (Eph. vi. 17). It is the instrument God uses to convict of -sin, to reveal Christ and to regenerate men. If we would work together -with God, the Bible is the instrument upon which we must rely and which -we must use in bringing men to Christ. We must know how to use the Bible -so as (1) to show men their need of a Saviour, (2) to show them Jesus as -the Saviour they need, (3) to show them how to make this Saviour their -own Saviour, (4) to meet the difficulties that stand in the way of their -accepting Christ. A large part of the following pages will be devoted to -imparting this knowledge. - - -4. _The one who would have real success in bringing men to Christ must_ -PRAY MUCH. Solid work in soul winning must be accompanied by prayer at -every step. (1). We must pray God to lead us to the right persons to -approach. God does not intend that we speak to every one we meet. If we -try to do it, we will waste much valuable time in speaking to those whom -we cannot help, that we might have used in speaking to those to whom we -could have done much good. God alone knows the one to whom He intends us -to speak, and we must ask Him to point him out to us, and, expect Him to -do it. (Acts viii. 29). (2). We must pray God to show us just what to -say to those to whom He leads us. After all our study of the passages to -be used in dealing with the various classes of men, we shall need God’s -guidance in each specific case. Every experienced worker will testify to -the many instances in which God has led them to use some text of -Scripture that they would not otherwise have used but which proved to be -just the one needed. (3). We must pray God to give power to that which -He has given us to say. We need not only a message from God but power -from God to send the message home. Most workers have to learn this -lesson by humiliating experiences. They sit down beside an unsaved man -and reason and plead and bring forth texts from the word of God, but the -man does not accept Christ. At last it dawns upon them that they are -trying to convert the man in their own strength and then they lift an -humble and earnest prayer to God for his strength, and God hears and in -a short time this “very difficult case” has settled the matter and is -rejoicing in Christ. (4). We must pray God to carry on the work after -our work has come to an end. After having done that which seems to have -been our whole duty in any given instance, whatever may have been the -apparent issue of our work, whether successful or unsuccessful, we -should definitely commit the case to God in prayer. If there is anything -the average worker in this hurrying age needs to have impressed upon -him, it is the necessity of more prayer. By praying more we will not -work any less and we will accomplish vastly more. - - -5. _The one who would have real success in bringing men to Christ must -be_ “BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.” “Ye shall receive power after that -the Holy Ghost, is come upon you,” said Jesus to his disciples after -having given them the great commission to go out and bring men to -Himself. The supreme condition of soul winning power is the same to–day: -“after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” A later chapter will be -given to a study of what “the Baptism of the Holy Ghost” is and how any -Christian can obtain it. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - HOW TO BEGIN - - -When God has led us to think that He wishes us to make an effort to lead -some given individual to Christ, the first question that confronts us -is, “How shall I begin?” If the person has gone into an inquiry room, or -remained to an after–meeting, or even if they are merely present at -prayer–meeting, Sunday–school or other ordinary service of the church, -it is comparatively easy. You can then ask him if he is a Christian, or -if he would not like to be a Christian, or why he is not a Christian or -some other direct and simple question that will lead inevitably to a -conversation along this line. But if the person is one in whom you have -become interested outside the religious meeting and who is perhaps an -entire stranger, it does not at first sight appear so simple, and yet it -is not so very difficult. The person can be engaged in conversation on -some general topic or on something suggested by passing events, and soon -brought around to the great subject. Christ’s conversation with the -woman of Samaria in the 4th chapter of John is a very instructive -illustration of this. Oftentimes even in dealing with entire strangers -it is well to broach the subject at once and ask them if they are -Christians or if they are saved or some similar question. If this is -done courteously and earnestly it will frequently set even careless -people to thinking and result in their conversion. It is astonishing how -often one who undertakes this work in humble dependence upon God and -under His direction, finds the way prepared and how seldom he receives -any rebuff. One day the writer met a man on one of the most crowded -streets of Chicago. As I passed him the impulse came to speak to him -about the Saviour. Stopping a moment and asking God to show me if the -impulse was from Him, I turned around and followed the man. I overtook -him in the middle of the street, laid my hand upon his shoulder and -said: “My friend, are you a Christian?” He started and said: “That’s a -strange question to ask a man.” I said, “I know it, and I do not ask -that question of every stranger, but God put it into my heart to ask it -of you.” He then told me that his cousin was a minister and had been -urging this very matter upon him, that he himself was a graduate of -Amherst college, but had been ruined by drink. After further -conversation we separated but later the man accepted Christ as his -Saviour. - -It is often best to win a person’s confidence and affection before -broaching the subject. It is well to select some one and then lay your -plans to win him to Christ. Cultivate his acquaintance, show him many -attentions and perform many acts of kindness great and small and at last -when the fitting moment arrives take up the great question. An old and -thorough going infidel in Chicago was in this way won to Christ by a -young woman, who found him sick and alone. She called day after day and -showed him many kindnesses and as the consumption fastened itself more -firmly upon him she spoke to him of the Saviour and had the joy of -seeing him accept Christ. - -A wisely chosen tract placed in the hand of the one with whom you wish -to speak will often lead easily and naturally to the subject. One day I -was riding on a train and praying that God would use me to lead some one -to His Son. A young lady, daughter of a minister, with whom I had had -some conversation on this subject came in with a friend and took the -seat immediately in front of me. I took out a little bundle of tracts -and selected one that seemed adapted for the purpose and handed it to -her and asked her to read it. As she read, I prayed. When she had -finished, I leaned over and asked her what she thought about it. She was -deeply moved and I asked her if she would not accept Christ right there. -Her difficulties were soon met and answered and she accepted Christ. As -she left the train she thanked me very heartily for what I had done for -her. - -You will often meet some one whose face tells the story of unhappiness -or discontent: in such a case it is easy to ask the person if he is -happy and when he answers “no” you can say, “I can tell you of one who -will make you happy if you will only take Him.” Skill in beginning a -conversation will come with practice. One may be rather awkward about it -at first but as we go on we will acquire facility. - -When the subject is once opened the first thing to find out is where the -person with whom you are dealing stands; then you will know how to -wisely treat his case. In the chapters immediately following this all -the classes of men one is likely to meet will be given, and the first -point to be ascertained is to which class any given individual belongs. -But how can we find out to which class any person belongs? First. By -asking him questions. Such questions as “Are you a Christian?” “Are you -saved?” “Do you know that your sins are forgiven?” “Have you eternal -life?” “Are you confessing Christ openly before the world?” “Are you a -friend of Jesus?” “Have you been born again?” One may answer these -questions untruthfully, either through ignorance or a desire to mislead -you. Nevertheless, their answers and the manner of them will show you a -great deal about their real state. Second. By watching his face. A man’s -face will often reveal that which his words try to conceal. Any one who -cultivates the study of the faces of those with whom he deals will soon -be able to tell in many instances the exact state of those with whom -they are dealing irrespective of anything they may say. Third. By the -Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit if we only look to Him to do it will often -flash into our minds a view of the man’s position, and just the -scripture he needs. - -When we have learned where the person with whom we are dealing stands, -the next thing to do is to lead him as directly as we can to accept -Jesus Christ, as his personal Savior and Master. We must always bear in -mind that the primary purpose of our work, is not to get persons to join -the church or to give up their bad habits or to do anything else than -this, to accept Jesus Christ, as their Saviour—the one who bore their -sins in his own body on the tree and through whom they can have -immediate and entire forgiveness,—and as their Master to whom they -surrender absolutely the guidance of their thoughts, feelings, purposes -and actions. Having led any one to thus accept Christ the next step will -be to show him from God’s word that he has forgiveness of sins and -eternal life. Acts x. 43; xiii. 39; Jno. iii. 36; v. 24, will answer for -this purpose. The next step will be to show him how to make a success of -the Christian life upon which he has entered. How to do this will be -told later. Each person is to be led to accept Christ through a use of -the word of God. In the chapters that immediately follow this we will -try to show what specific portions of the word to use in given cases and -how to use them. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - DEALING WITH THE INDIFFERENT OR CARELESS - - -One of the classes of men most frequently met with, is The Indifferent, -or Careless. There are several ways of dealing with them. One is to show -them their need of a Saviour. A good verse to use for this purpose is -Romans iii. 23. Get the person with whom you are dealing to read the -verse, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Then -say to him: “Who have sinned?” “All.” “Who does that include?” and keep -up the questioning until he says, “It includes me.” Then ask him what it -is that he has done, and keep at it until he comes out plainly and says: -“I have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This is likely to -make him feel his need of a Saviour. Another good verse to use is Isaiah -liii. 6. After the verse has been read, ask him who it is that has gone -astray and by a series of questions bring him to the point where he will -say, “I have gone astray.” Then ask him what kind of a sheep one is that -has “gone astray” and hold him to it until he says “a lost sheep.” “What -are you then?” “Lost.” Then ask him what the Lord has done with his sin, -and hold him to that point until he sees the truth of the verse, that -God has laid his sin on Jesus Christ. Now, he is in a position for you -to put to him the direct question: “Will you accept this Saviour upon -whom the Lord has laid your sin?” Still another verse to use is Psalms -cxxx. 3. When the verse has been read, ask him, “If the Lord marked -iniquities could you stand?” In dealing with this class of men I use -Matthew xxii. 37, 38 more frequently than any other passage of -Scripture. Before having the person read the verse, it is well to ask -him, “Do you know that you have committed the greatest sin that a man -can commit?” In all probability he will answer, “No, I have not.” Then -ask him what he thinks the greatest sin a man can commit. When he has -answered, say to him, Now let us see what God considers the greatest -sin. Read the verses and ask him, “What is the first and greatest of the -commandments?” Then ask him, “What then is the greatest sin?” He will -soon answer that the violation of the first and greatest of the -commandments must be the greatest sin. Ask him if he has kept that -commandment and when he confesses, as sooner or later he must, that he -has not, ask him of what he is guilty in the sight of God, and hold him -to that point until he admits that he is guilty of committing the -greatest sin that a man can commit. An illustration from life may help -to make the use of this verse clear. I was dealing with a very bright -young man who evidently had no deep sense of sin nor of his need of a -Saviour. In fact when I asked if he was a Christian he said promptly -that he always had been; but there was something in his manner that -showed that he had no clear understanding of what it meant to be a -Christian. I then asked if he had been born again and he did not even -understand what I was talking about. I next asked if he knew he had -committed the greatest sin that a man could possibly commit and he at -once answered, “No, I never did in my life.” I asked what he considered -the greatest sin, and he replied “murder.” I took my Bible and opened it -to Matthew xxii. 37, 38, and asked him to read the verses, which he did. -I then asked him, “If this is the first and greatest commandment, what -must be the greatest sin?” He answered, “I suppose the breaking of that -commandment.” I then asked if he had always kept that commandment, if he -had always loved God with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all -his mind. If he had always put God first in everything. He replied that -he had not. I then asked him, “Of what then are you guilty?” The Spirit -of God carried the text home and with the greatest earnestness he -replied, “I have committed the greatest sin that a man can commit, but I -never saw it before in my life.” Another verse that can be used with -effect is John viii. 34. After the man has read the verse, “Whosoever -committeth sin is the servant of sin,” ask him “what is one who commits -sin?” Then ask him if he commits sin. Then put to him the direct -question, “What are you then,” and hold him to it until he says “the -servant of sin.” Then ask him if he does not desire to be delivered from -that awful bondage. Hold him to this point until he sees his need of -Jesus Christ as a Deliverer from the slavery of sin. The Holy Spirit has -used Isaiah lvii. 21 to the salvation of many men who have been -indifferent to the claims of the Gospel. After the verse, “There is no -peace saith my God to the wicked,” has been read slowly, thoughtfully, -and earnestly, ask him who it is that says this. Then ask him if it is -true; then ask him if it is true in his case. “Have you peace?” One -night a careless young man was going out of one of our tents in Chicago -and as he passed by me I took him by the hand and said to him, “You need -the Saviour.” He wanted to know why I thought so. I replied, “Because -you have no peace.” He said, “Yes I have.” “No you have not.” He then -asked me how I knew that. I told him God said so and quoted the above -passage. He tried to laugh it off and say the verse was not true in his -case. Then he became angry and went out of the tent in a rage, but the -next night I saw him kneeling with one of our workers in prayer and when -he arose from his knees, the worker came over and said he wished to -speak with me. As I approached him he held out his hand and said, “I -wanted to beg your pardon for what I said last night; what you said was -true, I didn’t have peace.” I asked him if he had now accepted the -Saviour. He said he had. - -Galatians iii. 10 is a verse which we very frequently use in our work in -dealing with the Indifferent. After the one with whom you are dealing -has read the verse, “For as many as are of the works of the law are -under the curse; for it is written cursed is every one that continueth -not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” -ask him the question, “What is every one that continueth not in all -things which are written in the book of the law to do them?” When he -answers, “Cursed,” ask him if he has continued in all things which are -written in the book of the law to do them and when he replies, “No, I -have not,” put to him the direct question, “What are you then?” and hold -him to that point until he says, “I am under the curse.” In very many -cases the inquirer will be ready at once to be led to the thirteenth -verse of the same chapter which shows how he may be saved from that -curse under which he rests. Romans vi. 23 can often be used with good -effect. “For the wages of sin is death.” Ask “what are the wages of -sin?” Then, “who earns those wages?” Then, “Are you a sinner?” “What -wages then have you earned?” “Do you wish to take your wages?” John iii. -36 is a verse which can be used in a similar way. Ask the question, -“Upon whom is it that the wrath of God abides?” Then, “Do you believe on -the Son?” “What then abides upon you?” Then put the decisive question, -“Are you willing to go away with the wrath of God abiding upon you?” -2 Thes. i. 7‒9, and John viii. 24; Rev. xx. 15; xxi. 8; xiv. 10‒11, set -forth in a most impressive way the awful consequences of sin. If these -verses are used they should be read with the deepest earnestness and -solemnity and dwelt upon until the person with whom you are dealing -realizes their terrible import. - -There is another way to arouse a man from his indifference, and that is -by showing what Jesus has done for him. I have found Isaiah liii. 5‒6 -more effectual for this purpose than any other passage in the Bible. An -incident from life will illustrate its use. A lady had asked prayers for -her daughter, a young woman about twenty years of age. At the close of -the services I stepped up to the daughter and asked her if she would not -accept Jesus Christ as her Saviour at once. She stamped her foot in -anger and said, “My mother should have known better than to do that; she -knows it will only make me worse.” I asked her if she would not sit down -for a few minutes and as soon as we were seated I opened my Bible to -this passage and began to read, “But he was wounded for our -transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of -our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like -sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the -Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” I made no comment upon -the verses whatever, but the Spirit of God carried them home and tears -began to roll down the cheeks of the young woman. She did not come out -as a Christian that night but did shortly afterward. It is well in using -these verses, whenever it is possible, to get the inquirer to change the -pronoun from the plural to the singular. “He was wounded for _my_ -transgressions; he was bruised for _my_ iniquities, etc.” John iii. 16 -can be used in a similar way. I was talking one night to one who was -apparently most indifferent and hardened. She told me the story of her -sin, with seemingly very little sense of shame, and when I urged her to -accept Christ, she simply refused. I put a Bible in her hands and asked -her to read this verse. She began to read, “God so loved the world that -He gave His only begotten Son,” and before she had finished reading the -verse she had broken into tears, softened by the thought of God’s -wondrous love to her. First Peter ii. 24 is a verse of similar -character. Ask the inquirer whose sins they were that Jesus bore in his -own body on the tree, and hold him to it until he says, “My sins.” -1 Peter i. 18‒19; Luke xxii. 44; Matt. xxvii. 46, are useful as bringing -out in detail what Christ has suffered for us. - -There is still another way to arouse indifferent persons, and that is by -showing them that the one damning sin is that of which they themselves -are guilty—the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ. Heb. x. 28‒29 is very -effective for this purpose. John xvi. 9; iii. 18, 19, 20, and Acts ii. -36 can also be used. - -Oftentimes you will meet one who is not willing to sit down and let you -deal with him in this deliberate way. In that case the only thing to do -is to look up to God for guidance and power and give him some pointed -verse in great earnestness, such for example as Heb. x. 28‒29; Romans -vi. 23; John iii. 36; Isaiah lvii. 21, and leave it for the Spirit of -God to carry the truth home to his heart. A passing shot of this kind -has often resulted in the salvation of a soul. The passages given above -can be wisely used with one who is not altogether indifferent or -careless but who has not a sufficiently deep sense of sin and need to be -ready to accept the Gospel. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW - - -There is a very large class of persons who are anxious to be saved but -simply do not know how. It is not difficult to lead this class of -persons to Christ. Perhaps no other passage in the Bible is more used -for this purpose than Isaiah liii. 6. It makes the way of salvation very -plain. Read the first part of the verse to the inquirer, “All we like -sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way.” Then -ask, “Is that true of you,” and when he has thought it over and said -“yes,” then say to him, “Now let us see what God has done with your -sins,” and read the remainder of the verse, “And the Lord hath laid on -him the iniquity of us all.” “What then is it necessary for you to do to -be saved?” Very soon he can be led to see that all that it is necessary -for him to do is to accept the sin bearer whom God has provided. Some -years ago I noticed in a meeting a white–haired man who did not stand up -with the Christians. At the close of the service I walked down to him -and said, “Are you not a Christian?” He said he was not. I was sure he -was interested, so I put to him the direct question, “Would you become a -Christian to–night if I would show you the way?” and he replied that he -would. We sat down together and I opened my Bible to Isaiah liii. 6 and -read the first part of the verse, “All we like sheep have gone astray, -we have turned every one to his own way.” I then said to him, “Is that -true of you?” and he answered “yes.” “Now,” I said, “let us read the -rest of the verse, ‘And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us -all.’” “What has the Lord done,” I said, “with your sins?” He thought a -moment and said “he has laid them on Christ.” “What then” I said “is all -that you have to do to be saved?” and he replied quite promptly, “Accept -him.” “Well,” I said, “will you accept him to–night?” He said, “I will.” -“Let us then kneel down and tell God so.” We knelt down and I led in -prayer and he followed in a very simple way telling God that he was a -sinner but that he believed that He had laid his sins upon Jesus Christ, -and asking God for Christ’s sake to forgive his sins. When he had -finished I asked him if he thought God had heard his prayer and that his -sins were forgiven, and he said “yes.” I then asked him if he would -begin to lead a Christian life at once, set up the family altar and -openly confess Christ before the world, and he replied that he would. -Some months after I met his pastor and made inquiries about him and -found that he had gone to his home in a distant village, set up the -family altar and united with the church together with his son, the only -remaining member of the family out of Christ. Apparently all that this -man was waiting for was for some one to make the way of salvation plain -to him. I sometimes put it this way in using this verse: “There are two -things which a man needs to know and one thing he needs to do in order -to be saved. What he needs to _know_ is, first, that he is a lost sinner -and this verse tells him that; second, that Christ is an all–sufficient -Saviour and this verse tells him that. What he needs to _do_ is simply -to accept this all–sufficient Saviour whom God has provided.” John i. 12 -brings out this thought very clearly, “As many as _received him_ to them -gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on -his name.” After the verse has been read you can ask the one with whom -you are dealing, “To whom is it that God gives the power to become the -sons of God?” “As many as receive him.” What must you then do to become -a son of God? “Receive him.” Well, will you receive him as your Saviour -and as your master now? Isaiah lv. 7; Acts xvi. 31; John iii. 16 and -iii. 36 are all useful in making the way of salvation plain. John iii. -14 compared with Numbers xxi. 8 and the following verses, can often be -used with good effect. When they are used you should lead the inquirer -to see just what the serpent–bitten Israelite had to do to be saved—that -he had simply to look at the brazen serpent lifted up upon the pole—then -show him that the sin–bitten man has to do simply the same thing—look at -Christ lifted up on the Cross for his sins. Romans i. 16 is another -excellent verse to use. It makes the way of salvation very clear. You -can ask the inquirer whom it is, according to his verse, that the Gospel -saves, and he will see that it is “every one that believeth.” Then ask -him, “What then is all that is necessary for one to do in order to be -saved,” and he will see that it is simply to believe. Then ask him -“believe what,” and the answer is “the Gospel.” The next question that -naturally arises is, what is the Gospel? This is answered by 1 Cor. xv.; -1‒4. These verses show what the Gospel is, “that Christ died for our -sins according to the Scriptures; that he was buried and that he rose -the third day according to the scriptures” and this is what he must -believe in order to be saved. He must believe from his heart that Christ -died for his sins and that he rose again. Then ask the inquirer, “do you -believe that Christ died for your sins? do you believe that he rose -again?” If he says that he does, ask him if he will make this a heart -faith and get down and ask God for Christ’s sake, to forgive his sins -and believe he does it because he says so, and then trust in the living -Saviour to save him day by day from the power of sin. Romans x. 9–10 -also makes the way of salvation clear to many minds where other verses -fail. Romans x. 13 makes it, if possible, more simple still. This shows -that all that a man has to do to be saved is to “call upon the name of -the Lord.” You can ask the inquirer “Are you ready now and here to get -down and call upon the name of the Lord for salvation and to believe -that God saves you because he says he will?” The way of salvation can be -made plain by the use of Exodus xii. 7, 13, 23. These verses show that -it was the blood that made the Israelites safe and just so it is to–day -the blood that makes us safe, and when God sees the blood he passes over -us. The only thing for us to do is to get behind the blood. Then show -the inquirer that the way to be behind the blood is by simple faith in -Jesus Christ. Luke xviii. 10–14 is exceedingly useful in showing what a -man may have and yet be lost (the Pharisee) and what a man may lack and -yet be saved (the Publican) and that all that a man has to do to be -saved is simply to do as the Publican did, that is take the sinner’s -place and cry to God for mercy and then he will go down to his house -justified. This passage can be used in the following manner to make the -meaning more clear. Ask the inquirer, “Which one of these two (the -Pharisee or the Publican) went down to his house justified?” Then ask -him, “What did the Publican do that the Pharisee did not do, that -brought him the forgiveness of his sins while the Pharisee went out of -the Temple unforgiven?” When he studies the passage he will soon see -that what the Publican did was simply to take the sinner’s place before -God and cry for mercy and that as soon as he did this he was “justified” -or forgiven. Then you can ask him, “What is all that it is necessary for -you to do to find forgiveness?” Then ask him, “Will you do it now and -here?” and when he has done so ask him if he believes God’s word and if -he is going down to his house justified. What saving faith is, is -beautifully illustrated by Luke vii. 48–50. The fiftieth verse tells us -that this woman had saving faith. Now ask the inquirer, “What was the -faith she had,” and show him that her faith was simply such faith that -Jesus could and would forgive her sins, that she came to him to do it. -This is saving faith. Galatians iii. 10–13 also makes the way of -salvation very simple. The tenth verse shows the sinner’s position -before accepting Christ—“under the curse.” The thirteenth verse shows -what Christ has done—has been made a curse for us. What the sinner had -to do is, evidently, simply to accept Christ. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED AND KNOW HOW, - BUT WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES - - -A very large number of persons whom we try to lead to Christ, we will -find are really anxious to be saved and know how, but are confronted -with difficulties which they deem insurmountable. - - -1. One of the difficulties is, “_I am too great a sinner_.” 1 Tim. i. 15 -meets this fully. One Sunday morning a man who had led a wild and -wandering life and who had recently lost $35,000 and been separated from -his wife, said to me in response to my question, why he was not -Christian, “I am too great a sinner to be saved.” I turned at once to -1 Tim. i. 15. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, -that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am -chief.” He quickly replied, “well, I am the chief of sinners.” “Well,” I -said, “that verse means you then.” He replied, “It is a precious -promise.” I said, “Will you accept it now?” and he said, “I will.” Then -I said, “Let us kneel down and tell God so,” and we knelt down and he -confessed to God his sins, and asked God for Christ’s sake to forgive -him his sins. I asked him if he had really accepted Christ and he said -he had. I asked him if he really believed that he was saved and he said -he did. He took an early opportunity of confessing Christ. He left the -city in a short time but I was able to follow him. He became a most -active Christian, working at his business day times but engaged in some -form of Christian work every night in the week. He was reunited to his -wife and adopted a little child out of an orphan asylum and had a happy -Christian home. Luke xix. 10 is also a very useful passage to use in -dealing with this class of men; especially useful when a man says, “I am -lost.” You can say, “I have a passage intended expressly for you. If you -really mean what you say, you are just the man Jesus is seeking. ‘For -the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.’” Romans v. -6‒8 is a very effective passage. I stopped a man one night as he was -hurrying out of a meeting. Laying my hand on his shoulder I said “Did -you not hold your hand up to–night for prayers?” He said “yes.” I said, -“Why then are you hurrying away? Do you know God loves you?” He replied, -“You do not know who you are talking to.” “I do not care who I am -talking to but I know God loves you.” He said: “I am the meanest thief -in Minneapolis.” I said “If you are the meanest thief in Minneapolis, -then I know God loves you,” and I opened my Bible to Romans v. 8. “But -God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners -Christ died for us.” “Now,” I said, “If you are the meanest thief in -Minneapolis, you are a sinner, and this verse tells that God loves -sinners.” The man broke down and going into another room with me told me -his story. He was just out of confinement for crime; had started out -that very night to commit what he said would have been one of the most -daring burglaries ever committed in the city of Minneapolis; with his -two companions in crime he was passing a corner where he happened to -hear an open–air meeting going on and stopped a few minutes to hear and -in spite of the protests and oaths of his companions stayed through the -meeting and went with us to the Mission. After telling me his story we -kneeled in prayer. Through tears he cried to God for mercy, having been -led by God’s precious promise to believe that God loved a sinner even as -vile as he. Matt. ix. 12, 13; Romans x. 13 (Emphasize “whosoever”); John -iii. 16 (Emphasize the “whosoever”); Isaiah i. 18; 1 John iv. 14; John -ii. 1‒2; Isaiah xliv. 22; Isaiah xliii. 25 are also useful passages in -dealing with this class of men. Isaiah i. 18 and Ps. li. 14 are -especially useful in dealing with men who have committed murder. Never -tell any one that his sins are not great. It is well sometimes to say to -these men, “Yes, your sins are great, greater than you think, but they -have all been settled” and show them Isaiah liii. 6; 1 Peter ii. 24. A -woman once came to me in great agitation. After many ineffectual -attempts she was at last able to unburden her heart. Fourteen years -before she had killed a man and had borne the memory of the act upon her -conscience until it had almost driven her crazy. When she told the story -to another Christian and myself, we turned to Isaiah liii. 6. After -reading the verse very carefully to her, I asked her what the Lord had -done with her sin. After a few moments’ deep and anxious thought she -said, “He has laid it on Christ,” I took a book in my hand. “Now,” I -said “let my right hand represent you, and my left hand Christ, and this -book your sin.” I laid the book upon my right hand and I said: “Where is -your sin now?” She said “On me.” “Now,” I said, “what has God done with -it?” She said “Laid it on Christ,” and I laid the book over on the other -hand. “Where is your sin now?” I asked. It was long before she could -summon courage to answer, and then with a desperate effort she said, “On -Christ.” I said, “then is it on you any longer?” Slowly the light came -into her face and she burst out with a cry, “No, it is on Him, it is on -Christ.” John i. 29; Acts x. 43; Heb. vii. 25, are also helpful texts in -dealing with this class of men. - - -2. Another difficulty we frequently meet with, is “_I can’t hold out_,” -or “_I am afraid of failure_.” 1 Peter i. 5 is useful in showing that we -are not to keep ourselves but are “kept by the power of God.” John x. -28, 29 shows that the safety of the one who accepts Christ does not -depend upon his “holding out” but upon the keeping power of the Father -and the Son. 2 Tim. i. 12 shows that it is Christ’s business and not -ours to keep that which is entrusted to him and that he is able to do -it. Isaiah xli. 10, 13 are also helpful. Jude 24 shows that whether we -can keep from falling or not, Christ is able to keep us from falling. -2 Chron. xxxii. 7, 8; Romans xiv. 4; 2 Thes. iii. 3, are also good texts -to use. 1 Cor. x. 13 is especially useful when one is afraid that some -great temptation will overtake him and he will fall. - - -3. Another difficulty very similar to the preceding one, is “_I am too -weak_.” With such a person, use 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10. Ask him “where is it -that Christ’s strength is made perfect?” When he answers “in weakness,” -tell him “then the weaker you are in your own strength the better.” -Philippians iv. 13 shows that however weak we may be, we can do all -things through Christ which strengtheneth us. 1 Cor. x. 13 will show -that God knows all about our weakness and will not permit us to be -tempted above our strength. - - -4. “_I cannot give up my evil ways or bad habits._” Gal. vi. 7, 8, will -show them that they must give them up or perish. Philippians iv. 13 will -show them that they can give them up in Christ’s strength. It is an -excellent plan to point the one who fears that he cannot give up his bad -habits, to Christ, as a risen Saviour, 1 Cor. xv. 3, 4. A man once came -to me and said: “I come to you to know if there is any way I can get -power to overcome my evil habits.” He told me his story; he had been -converted in childhood but had come to Chicago, fallen in with evil -companions and gone down, and now could not break away from his sins. I -said to him: “You know only half the gospel, the gospel of a crucified -Saviour. Through trusting in the crucified Saviour you found pardon. But -Jesus Christ is also a risen Saviour, 1 Cor. xv. 4, ‘All power is given -unto Him,’ Matt. xxviii. 18. He has power to give you victory over your -evil habits. Do you believe that?” He said, “yes.” “You trusted,” I -continued, “in the crucified Christ and found pardon, did you not?” -“Yes,” he replied. “Now,” I said, “will you trust the risen Christ to -save you from the power of your sins?” “Yes, I will.” “Let us kneel down -then, and tell him so.” We knelt and talked it all over with the -Saviour. When he arose his very countenance was changed. “I am so glad I -came,” he said. Some time after I received a letter from him telling me -how he found constant victory through trusting in the _risen_ Christ. - - -5. “_I will be persecuted if I become a Christian._” Never tell any one -that he will not be persecuted, but show him from such passages as -2 Tim. ii. 12; 2 Tim. iii. 12; Matt. v. 10, 11, 12; Mark viii. 35; Acts -xiv. 22, that persecution is the only path to Glory. Show them from -Romans viii. 18 that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy -to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us. Show them -from Acts v. 41; 1 Peter ii. 20, 21, that it is a privilege to be -persecuted for Christ’s sake. Heb. xii. 2, 3 is useful in showing them -where to look for victory in persecution. - - -6. “_It will hurt my business_,” or “_I can’t be a Christian in my -present business_.” Point such an one to Mark viii. 36. This will show -him that it is better to lose his business than to lose his soul. After -this thought has been sufficiently impressed upon his mind, show him -Matt. vi. 32, 33 which contains God’s promise that if we put God and His -kingdom first, that He will provide for all our real temporal needs. -Matt. xvi. 24‒27; Luke xii. 16‒21; xvi. 24‒26 are also very effective -passages to use with this class. - - -7. “_Too much to give up._” Mark viii. 36 will show them that they had -better give up everything than to lose their soul. Philippians iii. 7, -8; Ps. xvi. 11 will show them that what they give up is nothing compared -with what they get. Ps. lxxxiv. 11; Romans viii. 32 will show them that -God will not ask them to give up any good thing; in other words, that -the only things God asks them to give up are the things that are hurting -them. A young woman once refused to come to the Saviour saying, “There -is too much to give up.” “Do you think God loves you?” I answered. -“Certainly.” “How much do you think he loves you?” She thought a moment -and answered, “Enough to give his son to die for me.” “Do you think, if -God loved you enough to give his son to die for you, he will ask you to -give up anything it is for your good to keep?” “No.” “Do you wish to -keep anything that it is not for your good to keep?” “No.” “Then you had -better come to Christ at once.” And she did. 1 John ii. 17; Luke xii. -16‒21 will show them how worthless are the things which they are trying -to keep. - - -8. “_The Christian life is too hard._” Say to the inquirer, “Let me show -you from God’s word that you are mistaken about the Christian life being -hard.” Then turn him to Matt. xi. 30; Prov. iii. 17; Ps. xvi. 11; 1 John -v. 3, and show him that a Christian life is not hard but exceedingly -pleasant. Then turn him to Prov. xiii. 15, and show him that it is the -sinner’s life that is hard. - - -9. “_I am afraid of my ungodly companions_;” or “_I will lose my friends -if I take Christ_.” Prov. xxix. 25 will show them the consequence of -yielding to the fear of man and the security of the one who trusts in -the Lord. Prov. xiii. 20 will show them the result of holding on to -their companions, and Ps. i. 1 will show the blessedness of giving up -evil companions. 1 John i. 3 shows how much better companionship one -gets than he loses by coming to Christ. - - -10. “_My heart is too hard._” Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27, will show them that -though their hearts are hard as stone, that will make no difference -because God will give them a new heart. - - -11. “_I have no feeling._” Ask the inquirer what kind of feeling he -thinks he must have before he comes to Christ. If it is the peace of -which Christians speak, show him from Gal. v. 22; Eph. i. 13; Acts v. -32; 1 Peter i. 8; Matt. x. 32, that this feeling is the result of -accepting Christ and confessing Him, and that he cannot expect it until -he accepts and confesses Christ. If the feeling which he thinks he must -have is the feeling that he is a sinner, then show him by Is. lv. 7 that -it is _not the feeling_ that we are sinners that God demands, _but a -turning away_ from sin. Or, from Acts xvi. 31; John i. 12; that God does -not ask us to feel that we are sinners but to confess that we are -sinners and trust in Christ as a Saviour. Is. lv. 1; Rev. xxii. 17, will -show the inquirer that all the feeling he needs is a desire for -salvation. - -It is often times well, however, with this class of inquirers to show -them the passages for “The Indifferent” until they do feel that they are -sinners. - - -12. “_I am seeking Christ, but cannot find Him._” - -Jer. xxix. 13, shows that when we seek him with the whole heart we shall -find him. Speaking with a woman one evening in an after–meeting she said -to me, “I have been seeking Christ two years and cannot find Him.” I -replied, “I can tell you when you will find him.” She looked at me in -surprise and I turned to Jer. xxix. 13, and read “And ye shall seek me, -and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” “There,” -I said, “that shows you when you will find Christ. You will find him -when you search for him with all your heart. Have you done that?” After -a little thought she answered “No.” “Well, then,” I said, “let us kneel -right down here now.” She did this and in a few moments she was -rejoicing in Christ. You can point one who has this difficulty to Luke -xv. 1‒10; xix. 10. These passages show that Jesus is seeking the sinner -and you can say, “if you are really seeking Christ it will not take a -seeking Saviour and a seeking sinner very long to find each other.” - - -13. “_I cannot believe._” - -In most cases where one says this the real difficulty which lies back of -their inability to believe is unwillingness to forsake sin. John v. 44, -is a good passage to use with such a one, or Is. lv. 7. In the use of -the latter passage, hold the man’s attention to the fact that all God -asks of him is that he turn away from sin and turn to Him. - - -14. “_God won’t receive me_,” or “_I have sinned away the day of -grace_,” or “_I am afraid I have committed the unpardonable sin_.” - -The people who honestly say this, are as a rule about the most difficult -class to deal with of any that you will meet. John vi. 37, is the great -text to use with them for it shows that Jesus will receive any one who -will come to him. Hold him continually to that point, “Him that cometh -to me I will in no wise cast out” and if they keep saying “He won’t -receive me” repeat the text, looking to the Spirit of God to carry the -truth home. Many an utterly despondent soul has found light and peace -through this verse in God’s word. Rev. xxii. 17, is also useful as it -shows that any one who will can have the water of life freely. Is. lv. -1, shows that any one who desires salvation can have it. Is. i. 18, -shows that no matter how great a man’s sins may be still here is pardon. -Acts x. 43, and John iii. 16, that “_whosoever_” will believe upon -Christ will find pardon and eternal life. Romans x. 13, shows that any -one, no matter who or what he is, who will “call upon the name of the -Lord shall be saved.” It is well sometimes to turn to Heb. vi. 4‒6, and -Matt. xii. 31‒32, and show the inquirer just what the unpardonable sin -is and what its results are. Matt. xii. 31, 32, shows that it is -blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and put it squarely to him, “have you -ever blasphemed against the Holy Ghost?” Heb. vi. 4‒6, shows that the -difficulty is not in God’s unwillingness to forgive, but in the man’s -unwillingness to repent and that any one who is concerned about his -salvation evidently has not committed the unpardonable sin nor sinned -away his day of grace. A little instruction along this line is often -times all that is needed. - - -15. “_It is too late._” - -When an inquirer says this, it is often times well to use 2 Cor. vi. 2, -and tell him that God says, it is just the time. Luke xxiii. 39‒43, is -useful as showing that even at the last hour Jesus will hearken to the -sinner’s cry. 2 Peter iii. 9, will show that His will is that none -should perish, but that He is delaying the judgment that He may save as -many as will come. Deut. iv. 30, 31, is an especially helpful passage as -it says “Even in the latter days” if thou turn to the Lord he will be -merciful. Is. i. 18, and Rev. xxii. 17, can alone be used here. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES - - -1. Among those who entertain false hopes, perhaps the largest class are -_those who expect to be saved by their righteous lives_. These persons -are easily known by such sayings as these, “I am doing the best I can.” -“I do more good than evil.” “I am not a great sinner.” “I have never -done anything very bad.” Gal. iii. 10, is an excellent passage to use, -for it shows that all those who are trusting in their works are under -the curse of the law and that there is no hope on the ground of the law -for any one who does not “continue in all things which are written in -the book of the law to do them.” James ii. 10 is also useful. Gal. ii. -16, and Romans iii. 19, 20 are very effective by showing that by the -deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight. Matt. -v. 20—All these passages show the kind of righteousness God demands and -that no man’s righteousness comes up to God’s standard, and that if a -man wishes to be saved he must find some other means of salvation than -by his own deeds. It is sometimes well in using these passages to say to -the inquirer: “You do not understand the kind of righteousness that God -demands or you would not talk as you do. Now let us turn to His word and -see what kind of righteousness it is that God demands.” There is another -way of dealing with this class, by the use of such passages as Luke xvi. -15; Rom. ii. 16; 1 Sam. xvi. 7. These passages show that God looks at -the heart. Hold the inquirer right to that point. Every man when brought -face to face with that, must tremble because he knows that whatever his -outward life may be, his heart will not stand the scrutiny of God’s eye. -No matter how selfrighteous a man is, we need not be discouraged for -somewhere in the depths of every man’s heart is the consciousness of sin -and all we have to do is to work away until we touch that point. Every -man’s conscience is on our side. Matt. xxii. 37, 38 can be used when a -man says “I am doing the best I can, or doing more good than evil.” Say -to him, “You are greatly mistaken about that; so far from doing more -good than evil, do you know that you have broken the first and greatest -of God’s laws?” Then show him the passage. Heb. xi. 6, John vi. 29, show -that the one thing that God demands is faith and that without that it is -impossible to please God, and John xvi. 9, shows that unbelief in Christ -is the greatest sin. John iii. 36, shows that the question of eternal -life depends solely upon a man’s accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ, -and Heb. x. 28, 29, that the sin which brings the heaviest punishment is -that of treading under foot the Son of God. Before using this latter -passage, it would be well to say, “You think you are very good, but do -you know that you are committing the most awful sin in God’s sight which -a man can commit?” If he replies, “No,” then say “Well let me show you -from God’s word that you are;” then turn to this passage and read it -with great solemnity and earnestness. - - -2. Another class of those who entertain false hopes, are _those who -think_ “_God is too good to damn anyone_.” - -When any one says this, you can reply, “We know nothing of God’s -goodness but what we learn from the Bible, and we must go to that book -to find out the character of God’s goodness. Let us turn to Romans ii. -2, 4, 5.” Having read the verses, you can say something like this, “Now, -my friend, you see that the purpose of God’s goodness is to lead you to -repentance, not to encourage you in sin and when we trample upon his -goodness, then we are treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and -revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” John viii. 21, 24 and iii. -36, will show the man that however good God may be that he will reject -all who reject His Son. Still another way to deal with these men is by -showing them from John v. 40; 2 Peter iii. 9‒11 or Ezek. xxxiii. 11, -that it is not so much God who damns men as men who damn themselves in -spite of God’s goodness because they will not come to Christ and accept -the life freely offered. You can say “God is not willing that any should -perish and he offers life freely to you, but there is one difficulty in -the way. Let us turn to John v. 40, and see what the difficulty is.” -Then read the passage: “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life,” -and say, “My friend here is the difficulty, you won’t come; life is -freely offered to you but if you will not accept it, you must perish.” -2 Peter ii. 4‒6, 9; Luke xiii. 3, show how the “good” God deals with -persons who persist in sin. Sometimes this last passage can be -effectively used in this way: “You say God is too good to damn any one. -Now let us see what God Himself says in his word.” Then turn to the -passage and read, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” -Repeat the passage over and over again until it has been driven home. - - -3. A third class of those who entertain false hopes, are _those who say -“I am trying to be a Christian.”_ John i. 12, will show them that it is -not “trying” to be a Christian or “trying” to live a better life or -“trying” to do anything that God asks of us, but simply to receive Jesus -Christ, who did it all, and you can ask the inquirer, “will you now stop -your trying and simply receive Jesus as Saviour?” Acts xvi. 31, shows -that God does not ask us to _try_ what we can do but _trust_ Jesus and -what He has done and will do. Romans iii. 23‒25, shows that we are not -to be justified by trying to do, “but freely by His grace, through the -redemption that is in Christ Jesus” on the simple condition of faith. - - -4. Still another class of those who entertain false hopes are _those who -say_, “_I feel I am going to Heaven_,” or “_I feel I am saved_.” Show -them from John iii. 36 that it is not a question of what they feel but -what God says, and what God says distinctly in his word is that, “He -that believeth not on the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God -abideth on him.” One afternoon I was talking with a lady who a few weeks -before had lost her only child. At the time of the child’s death she had -been deeply interested, but her serious impressions had largely left -her. I put to her the question, “Do you not wish to go where your little -one has gone?” She replied at once “I expect to.” “What makes you think -you will?” I said. She replied, “I feel so, I feel that I will go to -heaven when I die.” I then asked her, if there was anything she could -point to in the word of God which gave her a reason for believing that -she was going to heaven when she died. “No,” she said, “there is not.” -Then she turned and questioned me, saying, “Do you expect to go to -heaven when you die?” “Yes,” I replied, “I know I shall.” “How do you -know it?” she said. “Have you any word from God for it?” “Yes,” I -answered and turned her to John iii. 36. She was thus led to see the -difference between a faith that rested upon her feelings and a faith -that rested upon the word of God. - -Luke xviii. 9‒14, can also be used in the following way; you can say -“there was a man in the Bible who felt he was all right, but was all -wrong. Let me read you about him.” Then read about the Pharisee who was -so sure that he was all right, but who was all the time an unforgiven -sinner; and make the inquirer see how untrustworthy our feelings are and -what the ground of assurance is, viz: God’s word. Prov. xiv. 12 can also -be used as showing that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man -but the end thereof are the ways of death.” - - -5. The last class of those who entertain false hopes, are _those who say -they are saved though they are leading sinful lives_. In the case of -many forms of sin, a good passage to use is 1 Cor. vi. 9‒10. 1 John ii. -29 will also in many cases sweep away this false hope. 1 John v. 4‒5 is -useful as showing that one who is really born of God overcomes the world -and the fact that they are living in sin and are not overcoming the -world is evidence that they have not been born of God. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - DEALING WITH THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE AND WITH BACK–SLIDERS - - -I. THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE. - -Those who lack assurance may be divided into two classes. - - -1. _Those who lack assurance because of ignorance._ 1 John v. 13, will -show all such that we may know that we have eternal life. Often times -when you ask people if they know they are saved, or if they know their -sins are forgiven, or if they know they have eternal life, they will -reply, “Why no one knows that.” You can say to them, “Yes the Bible says -that all who believe may know it,” and then show them 1 John v. 13. John -i. 12 shows that Christ gives to as many as receive Him, power to become -the Sons of God. A good way to use this verse is to ask the inquirer -questions regarding it. “What does every one who receives Him receive -power to become?” The inquirer if he is attentively looking at the verse -will answer, “A son of God.” Then ask the next question, “Have you -received Him?” If he replies “Yes,” then ask him, “What are you then?” -It will probably be necessary to go over it several times but at last -the inquirer will see it and say “I am a son of God.” John iii. 36 can -be used in a similar way. Ask the inquirer “who do these verses say has -everlasting life?” “He that believeth on the Son.” “Do you believe on -the Son?” “What have you then?” In a little while he will see it and say -“Everlasting life.” Then have him say over and over again “I have -everlasting life,” and have him kneel down and thank God for giving him -everlasting life. One night I found a young man upon his knees at the -close of the service in great distress. I showed him from the Bible how -Jesus Christ had borne his sins and asked him if he would accept Christ -as his Saviour; he said he would; but he seemed to get no light and went -out of the meeting in deep distress. The next night he was there again, -professing to have accepted Christ but with no assurance that his sins -were forgiven. I tried to show him from God’s word what God said of -those who accepted the Saviour, but the light did not come. Finally he -rose to leave the meeting. I had just shown him from John iii. 36 that -God said that “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” As -he turned to leave me, he said, “Will you pray for me?” I said “Yes.” He -walked a little way down the aisle and I called to him and said, “Do you -believe I will pray for you?” He turned with a look of astonishment and -replied, “Yes, of course.” “Why do you think I will pray for you?” I -then asked. “Because you said so,” he replied. I said “Isn’t God’s word -as good as mine?” He saw it at once, that while he had been willing to -believe my word, he had not been willing to believe God’s word, and he -received assurance on the spot and knew that he had everlasting life. -John v. 24 and 1 John v. 12 can be used in a similar way. - -Acts xiii. 39 is very useful in dealing with this class of persons. Ask -the inquirer: “What does this verse say that all who believe are?” -“Justified.” Then ask him, “Do you believe?” “What are you then?” It -will probably take two or three times going over it before he sees it -and when he answers “I am justified,” tell him to thank God for -justifying him and confess Christ, and see to it that he does so. Many -inquirers of this class stumble over the fact that they have not the -witness of the Holy Spirit. Show them from 1 John v. 10 that the witness -of the word to their acceptance is sufficient, and that, if they believe -not this witness of God in His word, they make Him a liar. Show them -further from Eph. i. 13, that it is after we believe the testimony of -the word that we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The -natural order in assurance is this: First, assurance of our -justification, _resting on the “Word of God.”_ Second, public confession -of Christ, “with the mouth,” Romans x. 10. Third, the witness of the -Holy Spirit. The trouble with many is that they wish to invert this -order and have the witness of the Holy Spirit before they confess Christ -with the mouth. From Matt. x. 32, 33, we learn that when we confess -Christ before men, then He confesses us before the Father. We cannot -reasonably expect the witness of the Spirit from the Father until we are -confessed before the Father. So confession of Christ logically precedes -the witness of the Spirit. - -It is very important in using these texts to make clear what saving -faith is; because many may say that they believe when they do not, in -the sense of these texts, and so get a false assurance and entertain -false hopes and never find deliverance. There is a great deal of -careless dealing with those who lack assurance. Workers are so anxious -to have inquirers come out clearly that they urge them on to assurance -when they have no right to have assurance of salvation as they have not -really accepted Christ. - -John i. 12, and 2 Tim. i. 12, make very clear what believing -is—receiving Jesus or committing to Jesus. Romans x. 10, will serve a -similar purpose by showing that it “is _with the heart_ man believeth -unto righteousness.” - - -2. _Those who lack assurance because of sin._ The trouble with those who -lack assurance is, often, that there is some sin or questionable -practice which they ought to confess and give up. John viii. 12; Is. lv. -7; Prov. xxviii. 13; Ps. xxxii. 1‒5, are useful passages in dealing with -this class of men, for they show that it is when sin is confessed and -forsaken and we follow Christ, that we receive pardon, light and -assurance. Often times it is well when one lacks assurance to put the -question squarely to him: “Do you know of any sin on to which you are -holding or anything in your life which your conscience troubles you -about?” - - -II. BACK–SLIDERS. There are two classes of back–sliders and they should -be dealt with in different ways. - - -1. _Careless back–sliders; those who have no great desire to come back -to the Saviour._ With such persons use Jer. ii. 5, drive the question -right home, “What iniquity have you found in the Lord?” Show them the -base ingratitude and folly of forsaking such a Saviour and Friend. Very -likely they have wandered away because of unkind treatment by professed -Christians, but hold them right to the point of how _the Lord_ treated -them and how they are now treating Him. Use also Jer. ii. 13, and show -them what they have forsaken and for what. Have them read the verse and -ask them, “is not that verse true? When you forsook the Lord did you not -forsake the ‘fountain of living waters’ and turn to ‘broken cisterns -that can hold no water?’” Illustrate the text by showing how foolish it -would be to turn from a fountain of pure living water to broken cisterns -or muddy pools. God has greatly honored this verse in bringing -back–sliders back to himself. Use Jer. ii. 19. When they have read it -ask them whether they have not found it “an evil thing and bitter” -having forsaken the Lord their God. Prov. xiv. 14; 1 Kings xi. 9, and -Luke xv. 13‒17, can often times be used with effect with an impenitent -back–slider, showing him the result of his wandering. I have a friend -who always uses Amos. iv. 11, 12, and often times with good results. - - -2. _Back–sliders who are sick of their wanderings and sin and desire to -come back to the Lord._ These are perhaps as easy a class to deal with -as we ever find. Jer. iii. 12, 13, and 22, will show them how ready the -Lord is to receive them back and that all he asks of them is that they -acknowledge their sin and return to him. Hos. xiv. 1‒4, is full of -tender invitation to penitent back–sliders and also shows the way back -to God. Is. xliii. 22, 24, 25, and Is. xliv. 20‒22; Jer. xxix. 11‒13; -Deut. iv. 28‒31; 2 Chron. vii. 14; 1 John i. 9; ii. 1‒2, set forth God’s -unfailing love for the back–slider and His willingness to receive him -back. Mark xvi. 7; 2 Chron. xv. 4; xxxiii. 1‒9, 12, 13, give -illustrations of great back–sliders who returned to the Lord and how -lovingly He received them, 1 John i. 9; Jer. iii. 12‒13; 2 Chron. xv. -12, 15; vii. 14, show just what steps the back–slider must take to come -back to the Lord and be restored to his favor, viz: humble himself, -confess his sins and turn from his sin. Luke xv. 11‒24, is perhaps the -most useful passage of all in dealing with a back–slider who wishes to -return for it has both the steps which the back–slider must take and the -kind of reception he will receive. - -When a back–slider has returned he should always be given instructions -as to how to live so as not to back–slide again. The instruction to be -given will be found in Chapter xii. sec. 15. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - DEALING WITH PROFESSED SKEPTICS AND INFIDELS - - -There are various classes of Sceptics and the same methods of dealing -will not answer for all. - - -1. _Skeptics who are mere triflers._ With such use 1 Cor. i. 18. If a -man says the Bible is foolishness to him, you can say “Yes, that is just -what the Bible itself says.” He will probably be surprised at this reply -and then you can show him 1 Cor. i. 18; “the preaching of the cross is -to them that perish foolishness.” Then you can say to him, “You see that -the Bible says that it is foolishness to some—them that _perish_—and the -reason it is foolishness to you is because you are perishing.” 1 Cor. -ii. 14, can be used in a similar way. A worker was one night dealing -with a man who said to him when he was trying to persuade him to come to -Christ, “all that you are saying is foolishness to me.” The worker -quickly replied, “Yes, that is just what the Bible says.” The man looked -at him in astonishment and said: “What?” “You said all that I have been -saying to you was foolishness to you, and that is just what the Bible -says.” The man was more astonished then than ever and the worker turned -him to 1 Cor. ii. 14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of -the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he -know them because they are spiritually discerned.” The man said “I never -saw that before; I never thought of it in that light before.” 2 Cor. iv. -3, 4, is very useful in showing the trifler that he is lost and that his -skepticism arises from the fact that the “god of this world hath blinded -his mind.” 2 Thes. ii. 10‒12, is useful in showing the origin of -skepticism, “because they received not the love of the truth” and the -consequences of skepticism—delusion and damnation. John viii. 21, 24, is -also very searching in dealing with this class of skeptics, showing the -terrible consequences of unbelief. John v. 44; iii. 18, 19, 20 expose -the origin of scepticism. Ps. xiv. 1, is useful in some cases though one -needs to be guarded in its use, using it only when it can be done with -earnestness and tenderness. 2 Thes. i. 7, 8 can also be used with good -results. - - -2. _Serious minded skeptics._ There is a large class of men and women in -our day who are really desirous of knowing the truth but who are in an -utter fog of skepticism. John vii. 17 is a very helpful passage in -dealing with such. It shows the way out of skepticism to faith. Get the -skeptic to act along the line of that verse. Put to him the question, -“Will you surrender your will to God and promise to search honestly and -earnestly to find out what God’s will is that you may do it, to ask God -to show you whether you need a Saviour and whether Jesus is a Divine -Saviour, the Son of God; and will you promise that, if God will show you -that Jesus is the Son of God, to accept Him as your Saviour and confess -Him before the world?” Have him make his promise definite, by putting it -down in black and white. If you get him to do this, his skepticism will -soon take wings. - -One evening at the close of a service I asked a gentleman why he was not -a Christian. He replied: “I will tell you. I do not talk much about it; -for I am not proud of it as some are, but I am a skeptic. I have lain -awake nights thinking about this matter.” “Do you believe there is a -God?” “Yes, I never gave up my faith that there was a God.” “Well, if -there is a God you ought to obey him. Will you to–night take your stand -upon the will of God to follow it wherever it carries you even if it -carries you over the Niagara Falls?” “I try to do as near right as I -know how.” “That is not what I asked; will you take your stand on the -will of God to follow it wherever it carries you?” “I have never put it -that way.” “Will you put it that way to–night?” “I will.” “Do you -believe God answers prayer?” “I don’t know; I am afraid not.” “You don’t -know that he does not?” “No.” “Well, here is a possible clue to the -truth, will you follow it, will you ask God to show you whether Jesus is -His Son; and what your duty concerning him is?” “I will.” Not long after -that the man came into a meeting with a new look in his face. He arose -and said: “I was all in a mist. I believed nothing.” Then he told us -what he had done. He had done just as he promised. “And now,” he -continued, “my doubts are all gone. I don’t know where they have gone -but they are gone.” If the skeptic will not act in this way you can -“stop his mouth” by showing him that he is not an honest skeptic and -that the trouble with him is not his skepticism but his sin. If the man -does not believe there is a God, you can begin one step further back. -Ask him if he believes there is an absolute difference between right and -wrong (if he does not he is a mere trifler). If he says he does, ask him -if he will take his stand upon the right and follow it wherever it -carries him. He may try to put you off by saying “What is right?” or -that he is doing the right as nearly as he knows how. Get him to promise -that he will take his stand upon the right, whatever he may find it to -be and follow it whatever the consequence may be. Then show him that if -he is honest in this promise, he will try to find out what the right is. -Next say to him, “You do not know whether God answers prayer or not. I -know He does, and you will admit that here is a possible clue to -knowledge. If you are honest in your desire to know the truth, you will -follow this possible clue. You can get down and at least pray, ‘O my -God, if there be a God, teach me thy will and I will do it. Show me -whether Jesus is thy son or not. If you show that he is, I will accept -Him as my Saviour and confess Him before the world.’” Then tell the man -to begin reading the Gospel of John, reading slowly and thoughtfully, -only a few verses at a time, asking God for light each time before -reading and promising God that he will follow the light as fast as He -makes it clear. If the man will follow this rational course, it will -result in every case in the skeptic coming out into the clear light of -faith in the Bible, as the word of God, and Jesus Christ as the Son of -God. If the man is not an honest skeptic, this course of treatment will -reveal the fact and then you can show him that the difficulty is not -with his skepticism but with his rebellious heart. - -If the man says that he does not know whether there is an absolute -difference between right and wrong, then you can set it down at once -that he is bad and turn upon him kindly and earnestly and say to him, -“My friend, there is something wrong in your life; no man that is living -right doubts that there is a difference between right and wrong. Now you -probably know what is wrong and the trouble is not with your skepticism, -but with your sin.” One afternoon after I had given out an invitation -for any skeptic or any one else who wished to talk with me, to remain -after the meeting, a young man with whom I had dealt some months before -stayed. I asked him what his trouble was. He replied, “The same trouble -that I told you in the spring, I cannot believe that there is a God.” I -asked him if he had done as I had advised him to do in our former -conversation; if he had taken his stand upon the right to follow it -wherever it carried him. He replied that he did not know that there was -any difference between right and wrong. “I do not know that there is -such a thing as right.” I looked him right in the eyes and said, “Is -there some sin your life?” - -He said “Yes.” I said “what is it?” He replied, “The same that I told -you last spring.” I said, “You promised to give it up, have you given it -up?” He said “No, I have not.” “Well,” I said, “there is the difficulty, -not with your skepticism. Give up that sin and your skepticism will take -care of itself.” In some confusion he replied, “I guess that is the -trouble.” - - -3. _Those who doubt the existence of God._ - -The passages under 1 and 2 can also be used with this class and -generally it is wise to use them before those given under this head. -There are however, three passages that are often times effective with -this specific class of skeptics. Ps. xiv. 1; before using this passage -you can say to the man, “Let me read you from God’s own word what he -says about those who deny his existence.” Often times it is well to -leave the passage to do its own work. Sometimes, however, it is wise to -dwell a little upon it. Call the man’s attention to the fact that it is -“in his heart” that the fool says “there is no God.” He does not believe -there is a God because he does not wish to. You can add that the folly -of saying in one’s heart that there is no God is seen in two points; -first, there is a God and it is folly to say there is not one, and -second, the doctrine that there is not a God always brings misery and -wretchedness. Put it right to the man, and ask him if he ever knew a -happy atheist. Ps. xix. 1, 2; Romans i. 19‒22, are also effective -passages. - - -4. _Those who doubt that the Bible is the word of God._ - -Romans iii. 3, 4, is useful in showing that questioning the fact does -not alter the fact. Matt. xxiv. 35, is often used by the Spirit to carry -to the heart of the skeptic the certainty and immutability of God’s -word. Mark vii. 13; Matt. v. 18; John x. 35; Luke xxiv. 27, 44, are -useful as giving Christ’s testimony that the Old Testament is the Word -of God. They are especially helpful in dealing with those who say that -they accept the authority of Christ but not that of the Old Testament, -for in them Christ sets His seal to the Old Testament Scriptures and -they show conclusively that if we accept His authority we must accept -that of the Old Testament also. Along the same line John xiv. 26, and -xvi. 12, 13, are useful as containing Christ’s indorsement of the New -Testament. - -1 Thes. ii. 13, can be used with good effect to meet the statement which -is often made, that Paul nowhere claims that his teaching is the word of -God. 2 Peter i. 21, John viii. 47; Luke xvi. 30, 31, can also be used in -dealing with this class. 2 John v. 10, is very effective in showing the -guilt of those who believe not the record that God has given. Before -using this last passage you can say, “You doubt, do you, that the Bible -is the Word of God? Now let us see what God says about those that -believe not His testimony;” then turn them to the passage and have them -read it. - - -5. _Those who doubt a future existence._ - -1 Cor. xv. 35‒36; Jno. v. 28‒29; Dan. xii. 2. - - -6. _Those who doubt the doctrine of future punishment, or the conscious, -endless suffering of the lost._ Rev. xxi. 8, defines what “death” means -when used in the scriptures Rev. xvii. 8, compared with Rev. xix. 20, -shows what perdition or destruction means in the scriptures. Rev. xix. -20, compared with Rev. xx. 10 shows that “the lake of fire” is not a -place where those consigned to it cease to exist, for we find in the -latter passage the beast and false prophet are still there at the end of -a thousand years and that they, so far from being annihilated or losing -conscious existence are tormented night and day forever and ever. Rev. -xiii. 7‒8 show that those who are subjected to the terrible retribution -here described are those whose names are not written in the Book of -Life. Matt. x. 28 shows that there is destruction for the soul apart -from the destruction of the body. Luke xii. 5, shows that after one is -killed and is of course dead, there is a punishment in “hell.” Mark iii. -28‒29 (R. V.) shows that there is such a thing as eternal sin. Luke xvi. -23‒26, shows that the condition of the wicked dead is one of conscious -torment. Mark xiv. 21, shows that the retribution visited upon the -wicked is of so stern a character that it would be better for him upon -whom it is visited if he had never been born. - -2 Peter ii. 4; Jude 6, show that hell is not a place where the -inhabitants cease to exist, but where they are reserved alive, for the -purpose of God. Heb. x. 28‒29, show that while the punishment of -transgression of the Mosaic law was death, that sorer punishment awaits -those who have “trodden under foot the Son of God.” Matt. xxv. 41 gives -further light upon the subject. It shows that the wicked go to the same -place with the Beast and False Prophet and the Devil mentioned in Rev. -xix. 20, and xx. 10, and share the same endless, conscious torment. - - -7. _Those who doubt the divinity of Christ._ - -a. In Acts x. 36; 1 Cor. ii. 8, compare Ps. xxiv. 8‒10; Heb. i. 8; John -xx. 28; Rom. ix. 5; Rev. i. 17, compare Is. xliv. 6, we find several -divine titles applied to Christ, the same titles being applied to Christ -in the New Testament that are applied to Jehovah in the old. - -b. In Heb. i. 10, 3, we find divine offices attributed to Christ. - -c. In John v. 22‒23, compare Rev. v. 13; Heb. i. 6; Phil. ii. 10, we -find it taught that Jesus Christ should be worshiped as God. - -d. In John v. 22‒23 we find Jesus claiming the same honor as his Father, -and either He was Divine or the most blasphemous impostor that ever -lived. Drive it home that the one who denies Christ’s Divinity puts Him -in the place of a blasphemous imposter. Mark xiv. 61, 62, can be used in -a similar way. - -e. 1 Jno. ii. 22, 23, compared with 1 Jno. v. 1, 5, shows that the one -who denies the Divinity of Christ, no matter who he may be, is a liar -and an antichrist. 1 Jno. v. 10‒12, shows that he who does not believe -that Jesus is divine makes God a liar, “Because he believeth not the -record that God gave of His Son.” Heb. x. 28‒29, shows the folly, guilt -and punishment of rejecting Christ as the Son of God. John viii. 24, -shows beyond a question that no one who does not believe in the Divinity -of Jesus Christ will be saved. Jno. xx. 31, shows that we have life -through believing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. - -(Note. It is best as a rule before taking up specific difficulties to -deal with the inquirer with the passage under the head of “Skeptics who -are triflers,” or those under “Serious minded skeptics.”) - -Often times there is no need to take up specific questions as for -example about future punishment until the inquirer has first settled the -matter whether he will accept Christ as his Saviour. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINING - - -1. THOSE WHO COMPLAIN OF GOD. - -Many that you wish to lead to Christ will say something to the effect -that God is unjust and cruel, Job. xl. 2, and Romans ix. 20, are very -pointed passages to use with inquirers of this class and need no -comment. It might be well to preface the reading of the passages with -some remark like this; “Do you know of how enormous a sin you are guilty -in accusing God of being unjust and cruel? Let me read what God says -about it in His Word.” Then read the passages. Romans xi. 33 will serve -to show the complaining that the reason God’s ways seem unjust and cruel -is because they are so deep and unsearchable; and that the trouble is -not with God’s ways but the limitation of their understanding. Heb. xii. -5, 7, 10, 11 are especially useful in cases where the inquirer complains -because of his own misfortunes or sorrows. Is. lv. 8‒9 will often times -prove helpful. Not infrequently you will meet with one who will say that -“God is unjust to create men and then damn them.” Turn such an one to -Ezek. xxxiii. 11. This passage meets this complaint by showing that God -has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires their welfare -and that the wicked bring damnation upon themselves by their stubborn -refusal to repent. 1 Tim. ii. 3‒4, shows that God, so far from creating -man to damn him, desires that all men be saved. 2 Peter iii. 9, teaches -that God is not willing that any should perish and is delaying His -purposes in order that all may come to repentance. John v. 40, and Matt. -xxiii. 37, show that the whole cause of man’s damnation is his own -willful and persistent refusal to come to Christ. John iii. 36, and iii. -16, are also helpful in many cases. - - -2. THOSE WHO COMPLAIN OF THE BIBLE. Men will often times say, “The Bible -is contradictory and absurd;” or “the Bible seems foolish to me.” Two -classes of passages can be used in dealing with such inquirers. - -a. 1 Cor. i. 18; ii. 14; 2 Cor. iv. 3‒4; Dan. xii. 10; Rom. xi. 33, 34 -and in extreme cases 2 Thes. ii. 10, 11, 12. - -b. Jno. vii. 17; Ps. xxv. 14; Matt. xi. 25, (see remarks under Serious -Minded Skeptics and Skeptics who are Triflers.) Sometimes the best thing -to do with a man who says the Bible is full of contradictions, is to -hand him your Bible and ask him to show you one. In most cases he will -not attempt to do it; as people who complain about the Bible, as a rule -know nothing about its contents. One day a man was brought to me to deal -with and when I asked him why he was not a Christian he replied, “The -Bible is full of contradictions.” I at once asked him to show me one. -“Oh!” he said, “it’s full of them.” I said, “If it is full of them you -ought to be able to show me one.” He said, “Well, there is one in -Psalms.” I said, “Show it to me.” He commenced looking in the back of -the New Testament for the book of Psalms. I said, “You are not looking -in the right part of the Bible for Psalms. Let me find it for you.” I -found him the book of Psalms and handed it to him. After fumbling around -he said, “I could find it, if I had my own Bible here.” “Well,” I said, -“Will you bring your Bible to–night?” He promised he would and agreed to -meet me at a certain place in the church. The appointed hour came, but -he did not. Some months afterwards in another series of meetings in the -same church one of the workers stopped me and said, “Here’s a man I wish -you would deal with; he is a skeptic.” I looked at him and recognized -him as the same man. “Oh!” I said, “you are the man that lied to me -here;” and with much confusion he admitted that he was, but he was still -playing his old game of saying that the Bible was full of -contradictions. In nine cases out of ten, men who say this, know nothing -about the Bible, and when you ask them to show you a contradiction in -the Bible they are filled with confusion. - - -3. THOSE WHO COMPLAIN OF GOD’S WAY OF SALVATION. - -A great many men will say, “I do not see why God could not save men in -some other way than by the death of His son.” Is. lv. 8, 9, Romans xi. -33 are useful in dealing with such. I have used Romans ix. 20 with -effect with men of this sort. A young student said to me one night, when -I asked why he was not a Christian, that he did not see why it was -necessary for Christ to die for him; why God did not save him in some -other way. I opened my Bible and read to him Romans ix. 20, and put the -question right to him, “Who art thou that repliest against God?” and -then said to him, “Do you realize what you are doing, that you are -condemning God?” The young man very much confused said “I did not mean -to do that.” “Well,” I said; “that is what you are doing.” “If that is -so,” he replied, “I will take it back.” A good way to do with such men -is to show them by the use of passages given under the chapter “Dealing -with the Indifferent” that they are lost sinners. When any one is led to -see this, God’s way of salvation will approve itself as just the thing. - - -4. THOSE WHO COMPLAIN OF CHRISTIANS. Very frequently when we try to -persuade men to accept Christ as their Saviour, they reply; “_There are -too many hypocrites in church_.” Romans xiv. 4 and 12, especially the -latter verse, are exceedingly effective in dealing with such. - -Romans ii. 1, and Matt. vii. 1‒5, are also excellent. Jno. xxi. 21, 22 -is useful in showing the objector that he is solely responsible for his -own relation to Christ and that what others do is none of his affairs. -Sometimes the inquirer will _complain of the way Christian people have -treated him_. In such a case turn the attention of the inquirer from the -way in which Christian people have treated him to the way in which God -has treated him. For this purpose use Jer. ii. 5; Is. liii. 5; Romans v. -6‒8. Then ask him if the fact that Christians have treated him badly is -any excuse for his treatment of a Heavenly Father who has treated him so -well. One night turning to an aged man I asked him if he was a -Christian. He replied that he was not, that he was a back–slider. I -asked him why he back–slid. He replied that Christian people had treated -him badly. I opened my Bible and read Jer. ii. 5, to him, “Thus saith -the Lord, what iniquity have your fathers found in _me_, that they are -gone far from _me_, and have walked after vanity and are become vain?” I -said, “Did you find any iniquity in God? Did God not use you well?” With -a good deal of feeling the man admitted that God had not treated him -badly and I held him right to this point of God’s treatment of him, and -not man’s treatment, and his treatment of God. Matt. xviii. 23‒35; Eph. -iv. 30‒32; Matt. vi. 14‒15, are also useful as showing the absolute -necessity of our forgiving men. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - -DEALING WITH THOSE WHO WISH TO PUT OFF A DECISION UNTIL SOME OTHER TIME - - -1. There are several classes of those who wish to put off a decision. -One of the largest is composed of _those who say “I want to wait,” or -“Not to–night,” or “I will think about it,” or “I will come to–morrow -night_,” or some such thing. Use Is. lv. 6. The inquirer having read the -passage, ask him when it is that he is to seek the Lord, and when he -answers “While he may be found,” ask him when that is and then drive it -home. Ask him if he is sure that he can find Him to–morrow if he does -not seek Him to–day. Or you can use Prov. xxix. 1. It is well after he -has read this verse to ask the one with whom you are dealing what -becomes of the one who “being often reproved hardeneth his neck” and -when he answers “He shall be destroyed,” ask him how he shall be -destroyed, and when he answers “Suddenly,” ask him if he is willing to -run the risk. Or you can use Matt. xxv. 10‒12. Ask him who it was that -went into the marriage? and when he answers “They that were ready” ask -him if he is ready. Then ask him what happened after those who were -ready went in. Then ask him where “those who were not ready” were. Then -put it to him, “Are you willing to be on the out–side?” Or you can use -Luke xii. 19, 20. Ask the inquirer for how long a time this man thought -he had made provision. Then ask him: “If God should call you to–night -would you be ready?” Matt. xxiv. 44, is especially effective in dealing -with those who say “I am not ready.” 1 Kings xviii. 21, can be used with -good effect. An excellent way to use this verse is by asking the person -whether he would be willing to wait a year and not have an opportunity -under any circumstances, no matter what came up, of accepting Christ. -When he answers, “No, I might die within a year,” ask him if he would be -willing to wait a month. Then bring it down to a week and finally to a -day, and ask him if he would like God and the Holy Spirit and all -Christians to leave him alone for a day and he not have an opportunity, -under any circumstances of accepting Christ? Almost any thoughtful -person will say, “No.” Then tell him that if that is the case he had -better accept Christ at once. Dr. Chalmers was the first one to use this -method and it has been followed by many others with great success. Prov. -xxvii. 1; James iv. 13, 14; Job. xxxvi. 18; Luke xiii. 24‒28; xii. 19, -20; John viii. 21; xii. 35; vii. 33‒34, can also be used with this -class. - - -2. Those who say “_I must get fixed in business first, then I will -become a Christian_,” or “_I must do something else first._” Matt. vi. -33, is the great passage to use in such cases; for it shows that we must -seek the kingdom of God first. - - -3. Those who say “_I am waiting God’s time_.” If one says this, ask him -if he will accept Christ in God’s time if you will show him when God’s -time is. Then turn to 2 Cor. vi. 2, or Heb. iii. 15. - - -4. Those who say “_I am too young_,” or “_I want to wait until I am -older_.” Ecc. xii. 1, is an all–sufficient answer to such. Matt. xix. -14, and xviii. 3, are also good passages to use as they show that youth -is the best time to come to Christ and that all must become children, -even if they are old, before they can enter into the kingdom of Heaven. -It is often times wise in dealing with persons who wish to put off a -decision until some time in the future to use the passages given for -“The Indifferent,” until such a deep impression is made of their need of -Christ that they will not be willing to postpone accepting Christ. - -In dealing with those under “1” above, it is best to use only one -passage and drive that home by constant repetition. One night I was -dealing with a man who was quite interested but who kept saying “I -cannot decide to–night.” I quoted Prov. xxix. 1. To every answer he made -I would come back to this passage. I must have repeated it a great many -times in the course of the talk until the man was made to feel not only -his need of Christ but the danger of delaying and the necessity of a -prompt decision. He tried to get away from the passage but I held him to -this one point. The passage lingered with him and it was emphasized by -the providence of God; for that very night he was assaulted and quite -seriously injured, and he came the next night with his head bandaged and -accepted Christ. The pounding which he received from his assailant would -probably have done him little good if the text of scripture had not been -pounded into his mind. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - DEALING WITH THE WILLFUL AND THE DELUDED - - -1. THE WILLFUL - -There are several varieties of the Willful. There are those for example -who say “_I do not wish you to talk to me_.” In such a case it is -usually best to give some pointed passage of scripture and let it talk -for itself and then leave the person alone to reflect upon it. Romans -vi. 23; Heb. x. 28, 29; Heb. xii. 25; Mark xvi. 16; Prov. xxix. 1, and -Prov. i. 24‒33, are passages which are good for this purpose. - -Then there are those who say “_I cannot forgive_.” Matt. vi. 15 and -xviii. 23‒35, are good to use as showing that they must forgive or be -lost. Phil. iv. 13, and Ezek. xxxvi. 26, will show them how they can -forgive. There are a great many people who are kept from Christ by an -_unforgiving_ spirit. Some times this difficulty can be removed by -getting the person to kneel in prayer and ask God to take away their -unforgiving spirit. I once reasoned a long time with an inquirer who was -under deep conviction, but was held back from accepting Christ by a -hatred in her heart toward some one who had wronged her. She kept -insisting that she could not forgive. Finally I said, “let us get down -and tell God about this matter.” To this she consented and scarcely had -we knelt when she burst into a flood of tears, and the difficulty was -removed and she accepted Christ immediately. - -There are those again who say “_I love the world too much_.” Mark viii. -36, is the great text to use with this class. Luke xiv. 33, will show -the absolute necessity that the world be given up. Luke xii. 16‒20; -1 Jno. ii. 15, 16, 17, will show the folly of holding on to the world -and Ps. lxxxiv. 11, Romans viii. 32, will show that the Lord will hold -back no good thing from them. - -There are those who say “_I cannot acknowledge a wrong that I have -done_.” Prov. xxviii. 13, will show the wretchedness and woe that is -sure to follow unless the wrong is acknowledged. Others will say “_I do -not want to make a public confession_.” Romans x. 10; Matt. x. 32, 33, -will show that God will accept nothing else. Mark viii. 38; Jno. xii. -42, 43, and Prov. xxix. 25, will show the peril of not making it. There -are those who say “_I want to have my own way_.” Is. lv. 8‒9, will show -how much better God’s way is, and Prov. xiv. 12, shows the consequences -of having our own way. Finally there are those who say “_I neither -accept Christ nor reject Him_.” Matt. xii. 30, will show that they must -do one or the other. This verse has been used to the conviction of a -great many. - - -2. THE DELUDED - -_a._ Under this head come the _Roman Catholics_. A good way to deal with -a Roman Catholic is to show him the necessity of the new birth and what -the new birth is. Jno. iii. 3, 5, 7, shows the necessity of the new -birth. What the new birth is, is shown in Ezek. xxxvi. 25‒27; 2 Cor. v. -17; 2 Peter i. 4. Many Roman Catholics understand the new birth to mean -baptism, but it can be easily shown them that the language used does not -fit baptism. Further than this, in 1 Cor. iv. 15, Paul says to the -Corinthian Christians he had begotten them again through the gospel. If -the new birth meant baptism he must have baptized them, but in 1 Cor. i. -14, he declares he had not baptized them. Acts viii. 13, 21, 23, shows -that a man may be baptized, and yet his heart not be “right in the sight -of God” so he has “neither part nor lot in this matter.” It is well to -take a step further and show the inquirer what the evidences of the new -birth are. 1 Jno. ii. 29; iii. 9, 14‒17; v. 1, 4, give the Biblical -evidences of the new birth. The next question that will arise is “How to -be born again.” This question is answered in Jno. i. 12; 1 Peter i. 23; -Jas. i. 18. - -Acts iii. 19, is a good text to use with Roman Catholics as it shows the -necessity of repentance and conversion. What repentance is, will be -shown by Is. lv. 7; Jonah iii. 10. Still another way of dealing with -Roman Catholics is by showing them that it is the believer’s privilege -to know that he has eternal life. Roman Catholics almost always lack -assurance. They do not know that they are forgiven, but hope to be -forgiven some day. If you can show them that we may _know_ that we are -forgiven and that we have eternal life, it will awaken in a great many -of them a desire for this assurance. 1 John v. 13, shows that it is the -believer’s privilege to know. Acts xiii. 38, 39; x. 43, John iii. 36, -are very useful in leading them into this assurance. Still another way -of dealing with them (but it is not best to use it until you have -already made some progress with them) is to show them the advantage of -Bible study. Good texts for this purpose are John v. 39; 1 Peter ii. 1, -2; 2 Tim. iii. 13‒17; Jas i. 21, 22; Ps. i. 1, 2; Josh. i. 8; Mark vii. -7, 8, 13; Matt. xxii. 29. These texts, excepting the one in 1 Peter ii. -1, 2, are all practically the same in the “Douay” or Roman Catholic -Bible as they are in the Protestant Bible and it is well oftentimes in -dealing with a Catholic to use the Catholic Bible. - -Still another way of dealing with a Roman Catholic is to use the same -method that you would in dealing with an impenitent sinner—that is to -awaken a sense that he is a sinner and needs Christ. For this purpose -use Matt. xxii. 37, 38; Gal. iii. 10, 13; Is. liii. 6. - -Many people think that there is no use of talking with Roman Catholics, -that they cannot be brought to Christ. This is a great mistake. Many of -them are longing for something they do not find in the Roman Catholic -church, and, if you can show them from the word of God how to find it, -they come along very easily and they make very earnest Christians. Do -not attack the Roman Catholic church. Give them the truth, and the -errors in time will take care of themselves. Often times our attacks -only expose our ignorance. - -There is one point at which we always have the advantage in dealing with -a Roman Catholic; that is that there is peace and power in Christianity -as we know it that there is not in Christianity as they know it, and -they appreciate the difference. - - -_b._ _Jews._ The best way to deal with a Jew is to show him that his own -Bible points to Christ. The most helpful passages to use are Is. liii.; -Dan. ix. 26; Zech. xii. 10. There are also useful passages in the New -Testament; the whole book of Hebrews, especially the ninth and tenth -chapters and the seventh chapter, 25th to 28th verses, and the whole -Gospel of Matthew. A great many Jews to–day are inquiring into the -claims of Jesus of Nazareth, and are open to approach upon this subject. -The great difficulty in the way of the Jew coming out as a Christian is -the terrific persecution which he must endure if he does. This -difficulty can be met by the passages already given under the head of -“Those Who are Afraid of Persecution.” - -(Note. There are a number of good tracts for Jews which can be had from -the Mildmay Mission to the Jews, 79 Mildmay Road, London.) - - -_c._ _Spiritualists._ Lev. xix. 31; xx. 6; Deut. xviii. 10‒12; 2 Kings -xxi. 1, 2, 6; 1 Chron. x. 13; Is. viii. 19, 20; 1 John iv. 1‒3; 2 Thes. -ii. 9‒12, are passages to be used with this class. - -In dealing with all classes of deluded people it is well to begin by -using Jno. vii. 17, and bring them to a place where they heartily desire -to know the truth. There is no hope of bringing a man out of his -delusion, unless he desires to know the truth. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - SOME HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS - - -There are a few general suggestions to be made that will prove helpful -to the worker. - - -1. _As a rule choose persons to deal with of your own sex and about your -own age._ There are exceptions to this rule. One should be always -looking to the Holy Spirit for his guidance as to whom to approach, and -He may lead us to one of the opposite sex, but unless there is clear -guidance in the matter, it is quite commonly agreed among those who have -had large experience in Christian work that men do, on the whole, most -satisfactory work with men, and women with women. Especially is this -true of the young. Many unfortunate complications oftentimes arise when -young men try to lead young women to Christ or vice versa. Of course, an -elderly motherly woman may do excellent work with a young man or boy, -and an elderly, fatherly man may do good work with a young woman or -girl. It is not wise ordinarily for a young and inexperienced person to -approach one very much older and maturer and wiser than themselves on -this subject. - - -2. _Whenever it is possible, get the person with whom you are dealing -alone._ No one likes to open his heart freely to another on this most -personal and sacred of all subjects when there are others present. Many -will from pride defend themselves in a false position when several are -present, who would fully admit their error or sin or need, if they were -alone with you. As a rule it is far better for a single worker to deal -with a single unconverted person, than for several workers to deal with -a single inquirer or for a single worker to deal with several inquirers -at once. If you have several to deal with take them one by one. Workers -often find that when they have made no headway while talking to several -at once, by taking individuals off by themselves they soon succeed in -leading them one by one to Christ. - - -3. _Let your reliance be wholly in the Spirit of God and the Word of -God._ - - -4. _Do not content yourself with merely reading passages from the -Bible—much less in merely quoting them, but have the one with whom you -are dealing read them himself that the truth may find entrance into the -heart through the eye as well as the ear._ - - -5. _It is ofttimes well to use but a single passage of scripture, drive -that home and clinch it_ so that the one with whom you have been dealing -cannot forget it, but will hear it ringing in his memory long after you -have ceased talking. Dr. Ichabod Spencer once in dealing with a young -man who had many difficulties kept continually quoting the passage “now -is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” The young man -tried to get Dr. Spencer on to something else, but over and over again -he rang out the words. The next day the young man returned rejoicing in -Christ and thanking the doctor that he had “hammered” him with that -text. The words kept ringing in his ears during the night and he could -not rest until he had settled the matter by accepting Christ. It is a -good thing when a person can point to some definite verse in the word of -God and say “I know on the authority of that verse that my sins are -forgiven and I am a child of God.” There are times, however when a -powerful effect is produced by a piling up of passages along some line -until the mind is convinced and the heart conquered. - - -6. _Always hold the person with whom you are dealing to the main point -of accepting Christ._ If he wishes to discuss the claims of various -denominations, or the question of baptism, or theories of future -punishment or any other question other than the central one of his need -of a Saviour and Christ the Saviour he needs; tell him that those -questions are proper to take up in their right place and time, but the -time to settle them is after he has settled the first and fundamental -question of accepting or rejecting Christ. Many a case has been lost by -an inexperienced worker allowing himself to be involved in a discussion -of some side issue which it is utter folly to discuss with an -unregenerated person. - - -7. _Be courteous._ Many well–meaning but indiscreet Christians by their -rudeness and impertinence repel those whom they would win to Christ. It -is quite possible to be at once perfectly frank and perfectly courteous. -You can point out to men their awful sin and need without insulting -them. Your words may be very searching, while your manner is very gentle -and winning. Indeed, the more gentle and winning our manner is, the -deeper our words will go, for they will not stir up the opposition of -those with whom we deal. Some zealous workers approach those with whom -they wish to deal in such a manner that the latter at once assume the -defensive and clothe themselves with an armor that it is impossible to -penetrate. - - -8. _Be dead in earnest._ Only the earnest man can make the unsaved man -feel the truth of God’s word. It is well to let the passages that we -would use with others first sink into our own souls. I know of a very -successful worker who for a long time used the one passage, “prepare to -meet thy God,” with every one with whom she dealt, but that passage had -taken such complete possession of her heart and mind that she used it -with tremendous effect. A few passages that have mastered us are better -than many passages that we have mastered from some text book. - -The reader of this book is advised to ponder, upon his knees, such of -the passages suggested in it as he decides to use until he himself feels -their power. We read of Paul that he “ceased not to warn every one night -and day, with tears.” (Acts xx. 31.) Genuine earnestness will go farther -than any skill learned in a training class or from the study of such a -book as this. - - -9. _Never lose your temper when trying to_ _lead a soul to Christ._ Some -persons are purposely exasperating, but even such may be won, by -patience, forbearance and gentleness. - -They certainly cannot be won if you lose your temper. Nothing delights -them more, or gives them more comfort in their sins. The more extremely -irritating they are in their words and actions the more impressed they -will be if you return insults with kindness. Often times the one who has -been most insufferable will come back in penitence. One of the most -insulting men I ever met afterwards became one of the most patient, -persistent and effective of workers. - - -10. _Never have a heated argument with one whom you would lead to -Christ._ This always comes from the flesh and not from the spirit. (Gal. -v. 20, 22, 23.) It arises from pride and unwillingness to let the other -person get the best of you in argument. Refuse to argue. If the one with -whom you are talking has mistaken notions that must be removed before he -can be led to Christ quietly and pleasantly show him their error. If the -error is not essential refuse to discuss it and hold the person to the -main question. - - -11. _Never interrupt any one else who is dealing with a soul._ You may -think he is not doing it in the wisest way, but if you can do it any -better, bide your time and you will have the opportunity. Many an -unskilled worker has had some one at the very point of decision when -some meddler has broken in and upset the whole work. On the other hand, -do not let others, if you can help it, interrupt you. Just a little word -plainly but courteously spoken will usually prevent it. - - -12. _Don’t be in a hurry._ One of the great faults of Christian work -to–day is haste. We are too anxious for immediate results and so do -superficial work. It is very noticeable how many of those with whom -Christ dealt came out slowly. Nicodemus, Joseph, Peter and even -Paul—though the final step in his case seems very sudden—are cases in -point. It was three days even after the personal appearance of Jesus to -Paul on the way to Damascus before the latter came out into the light -and openly confessed Christ. (Acts xxii. 16.) One man with whom slow but -thorough work has been done, and who at last has been brought out -clearly for Christ, is better than a dozen with whom hasty work has been -done, who think they have accepted Christ when in reality they have not. -It is often a wise policy to plant a truth in a man’s heart and leave it -to work. The seed on rocky ground springs up quickly but withers as -quickly. - - -13. _Whenever it is possible and wise, get the person with whom you are -dealing on his knees before God._ It is wonderful how many difficulties -disappear in prayer, and how readily stubborn people yield when they are -brought into the very presence of God himself. I remember talking with a -young woman, in an inquiry room, for perhaps two hours and making no -apparent headway; but, when at last we knelt in prayer, in less than -five minutes she was rejoicing in her Saviour. - - -14. _Whenever you seem to fail in any given case go home and pray over -it and study it to see why you failed._ If you have been at a loss as to -what scripture to use, study that portion of this book that describes -the different classes we meet and how to deal with them and see where -this case belongs and how you ought to have treated it. Then go back if -you can and try again. In any case you will be better prepared next -time. The greatest success in this work comes through many apparent -defeats. It will be well to frequently study these hints and suggestions -to see if your failures come through neglect of them. - - -15. _Before parting from the one who has_ _accepted Christ, be sure to -give him definite instructions as to how to succeed in the Christian -life._ The following are points that should be always insisted upon. -(a.) Confess Christ with the mouth before men every opportunity you get. -Rom. x. 9, 10; Matt. x. 32, 33. (b.) Be baptized and partake regularly -of the Lord’s supper. Acts ii. 38, 42; Luke xxii. 19; 1 Cor. xi. 24‒26. -(c.) Study the Word of God daily. 1 Pet. ii. 2; Acts xx. 32; 2 Tim. iii. -13‒17; Acts xvii. 11. (d.) Pray daily, often and in every time of -temptation. Luke xi. 9‒13; xxii. 40; 1 Thes. v. 17. (e.) Put away out of -your life every sin, even the smallest, and everything you have doubts -about, and obey every word of Christ 1 Jno. i. 6, 7; Rom. xiv. 23; Jno. -xiv. 23. (f.) Seek the society of Christians. Eph. iv. 12‒16; Acts ii. -42, 47; Heb. x. 24, 25. (g.) Go to work for Christ. Matt. xxv. 14‒29. -(h.) When you fall into sin don’t be discouraged, but confess it at -once, believe it is forgiven because God says so and get up and go on. -1 Jno. i. 9; Phil. iii. 13‒14. It would be well to give these -instructions in some permanent form to the one whom you have led to -Christ. You can write them out or get a little tract called the -“Christian Life Card” published by Jno. C. Collins, Bureau of Supplies, -New Haven, Conn. This contains them and some other matter. - - -16. _When you have led any one to Christ, follow him up and help him in -the development of his Christian life._ Many are led to Christ and then -neglected and get on very poorly. This is a great mistake. The work of -following up those who are converted is as important as the work of -leading them to Christ, and as a rule no one can do it so well as the -person whom God used in their conversion. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - - -There is one condition of success in bringing men to Christ that is of -such cardinal importance, and so little understood, that it demands a -separate chapter. I refer to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts i. -5; Luke xxiv. 49 (comp. Acts i. 8), and Acts ii. 4, we have three -expressions; “baptized with the Holy Spirit,” “endured with power from -on high” and “filled with the Holy Spirit.” By a careful comparison of -these and related passages we will find that these various expressions -refer to one and the same experience. This experience we shall see as we -proceed in the study of this subject is an absolutely necessary -condition of acceptable and effective service for Christ. - - -1. WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? - -1. _It is a definite and distinct operation of the Holy Spirit of which -one may know whether it has been wrought in him or not._ This is evident -from the fact that Jesus bade His disciples tarry in Jerusalem until -they had received this enduement, (Luke xxiv. 49, comp. Acts i. 8), and -if it was not a definite and distinct operation of which they might know -whether they had received it or not, of course, they would not know when -this command of Christ had been complied with and when they were ready -to begin their witnessing. - - -2. _It is an operation of The Holy Spirit separate from His regenerating -work._ This appears from Acts i. 5, where the disciples are told “ye -shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” But from -Jno. xv. 3; xiii. 10 we learn that the disciples were already -regenerated. It appears also from Acts viii. 15, 16 where we are told of -certain who had already believed and were baptized with water, but upon -whom the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen. The same thing is shown by Acts -xix. 1‒6, where we are told of certain who were disciples, but who had -not received the Holy Spirit since they believed. _One may then be -regenerated by the Holy Spirit without being baptized with the Holy -Spirit. Such an one is saved but he is not yet fitted for service._ -Every believer has the Holy Spirit, Rom. viii. 9, but not every believer -has the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, (Acts viii. 12‒16; xix. 1‒2). We -shall see very soon that every believer may have the baptism of the Holy -Spirit. - - -3. _The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is always connected with testimony or -service_, (see 1 Cor. xii. 4‒13; Acts i. 5‒8; Luke xxiv. 49; Acts ii. 4; -iv. 8, 31; vii. 55; ix. 17, 20; x. 45‒46; xix. 6.) The Baptism of the -Holy Spirit has no direct reference to cleansing from sin. This is an -important point to bear in mind for many reasons. There is a line of -teaching on this subject that leads men to expect that if they receive -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the old carnal nature will be -eradicated. There is not a line of scripture to support this position. -As said above, and as any one can learn for himself if he will examine -all the passages in which the baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned, -it is always connected with testimony and service. It is indeed -accompanied with a great moral and spiritual uplifting and pre–supposes, -as we shall see, an entire surrender of the will to Christ, but its -primary and immediate purpose is fitting for service. We will get a more -definite idea of what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is, if we consider -its manifestations and results as stated in the Bible. (a.) Let us look -first at the passage that goes most into detail on this subject, 1 Cor. -xii. 4‒13. We see at once that _the manifestations or results of the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit are not precisely the same in all persons_. -For example, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will not make every one who -receives it a successful evangelist or teacher. Some quite different -gift may be imparted. This fact is often overlooked and much -disappointment and doubt are the result. The manifestations or results -vary with the lines of service to which God has called different -individuals. One receives the gift of an evangelist, another of a -teacher, another of government, another of a helper, another of a -mother, (1 Cor. xii. 28‒31; Eph. iv. 8, 11.) (b.) 1 Cor. xii. 7, 11. -_There will be some gift in every case._ Not the same gift but some -gift, of an evangelist, or a pastor, or of a teacher or some other. (c.) -1 Cor. xii. 11. _The Holy Spirit is Himself the one who decides what the -gift or gifts shall be which he will impart to each individual._ It is -not for us to select some place of service and then ask the Holy Spirit -to qualify us for that service, nor for us to select some gift, and then -ask the Spirit to impart to us that gift. It is for us to put ourselves -entirely at the disposal of the Holy Spirit to send us where “He will,” -into what line of service “He will” (Acts xiii. 2,) and to impart what -gift “He will.” He is absolutely sovereign and our rightful position is -that of absolute and unconditional surrender to Him. This is where many -fail of a blessing and meet with disappointment. I know a most sincere -and self–sacrificing man who gave up a lucrative business and took up -the work of an evangelist. He had heard of the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit; and had been led to suppose that, if he received it, it would -qualify him for the work of an evangelist. The man came more than four -thousand miles to this country, but the work did not open to him. He was -in much perplexity and doubt until he was led to see that it was not for -him to select the work of an evangelist, as good as that work was, and -then expect the Holy Spirit to qualify him for this self–chosen work. He -gave himself up to be sent into whatever work the Spirit might will. -Into the work in which he was sent the power of the Spirit came upon him -and he received this very gift of an evangelist which he had coveted. -(d.) Acts i. 5, 8. _The Baptism of the Holy Spirit always imparts power -for service, the services to which God calls us._ In a certain city was -an uneducated boy who was led to Christ. In his very lowly occupation he -began witnessing for Jesus. He went on from step to step in Christ’s -work. My attention was called to him by a gentleman who was interested -in him, and who said he would like to have me meet him. The gentleman -brought him to Chicago, and I invited him one night to speak in one of -our tents. It was in an exceedingly hard neighborhood. Into the same -tent an organized mob once came to break up the meeting. It was a -difficult audience to hold. The young man began in what appeared to me -to be a very commonplace way, and I was afraid I had made a mistake in -asking him to speak, but I prayed and watched the audience. There was -nothing remarkable in his address as he went on—excepting the bad -grammar. But I noticed that all the people were listening. They -continued to listen to the end. When I asked if there was any one who -wished to accept Christ, people rose in different parts of the tent to -signify that they did. Thinking it all over, I told the facts to a man -who had known the speaker before. “It is just so wherever he goes” was -the reply. What was the explanation? This uneducated boy had received -the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and had received power. One night at the -close of an address on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a minister came -to me on the platform and said: “I need this power, won’t you pray for -me?” “Let us kneel right down here now,” I replied, and we did. A few -weeks after I met a gentleman who had been standing by. “Do you -remember,” he said “the minister with whom you prayed at New Britain. He -went back to his church; his church is packed Sunday evenings, a large -part of the audience are young men and he is having conversions right -along.” He had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and “power.” (e.) -Acts iv. 29‒31. _The Baptism of the Holy Spirit always imparts boldness -in testimony and service._ Peter is a notable example of this. Contrast -Peter in Acts iv. 8‒12 with Peter in Mark xiv. 66‒72. Perhaps some one -who reads this book has a great desire to speak to others and win them -to Christ, but an insuperable timidity stands in the way. If you will -only get the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, all that will be overcome. - -We are now in a position to define the baptism of the Holy Spirit. _The -Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of God falling upon the -believer, taking possession of his faculties, imparting to him gifts not -naturally his own, but which qualify him for the service to which God -has called him._ - - -2. THE NECESSITY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A PREPARATION FOR -CHRISTIAN WORK. - -(1.) _In Luke xxiv. 49. Jesus bade the apostles to tarry in Jerusalem -until they were “endued with power from on high.”_ These men had been -appointed to be witnesses of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. -(Luke xxiv. 45‒48. Acts; i. 22; x. 39‒41.) They had received what would -seem to be a splendid and sufficient training for this work. For more -than three years they had been to school to the best of teachers, Jesus -Himself. They had been eye witnesses of his miracles, death, burial, -resurrection and ascension. But there was still one thing needed. And -this need was of such vital importance that Jesus would not permit them -to enter upon their appointed work until that need had been met. That -need was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. If the apostles with their -unparalleled fitting for service, were not permitted to enter that -service until all their other training had been supplemented by the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit, what daring presumption it is for any of us -with our inferior training to dare to do it. But this is not all, _even -Jesus Himself did not enter upon his ministry until specially anointed -with the Holy Spirit and with power_. (Acts x. 38, comp. Luke iii. 22 -and iv. 1, 14). _This baptism is an absolutely essential preparation for -Christian work._ It is either ignorance of the plain requirements of -God’s word or the most daring presumption on our part when we try to do -work for Christ until we know we have been Baptized with the Holy -Spirit. - - -(2.) _It is the privilege of every believer to be baptized with the Holy -Spirit._ This appears from Acts ii. 39, R. V. “To you is the promise and -to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord -our God shall call unto him.” The context, the use of the word “promise” -in this and the preceding chapter (ch. i. 4; ii. 16, 33.) and the use of -the expression “gift of the Holy Spirit” throughout the book, all prove -conclusively that “the promise” of this verse means the promise of the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit; and the verse tells us that this promise is -for all in all ages of the church’s history whom God shall call unto -him, _i. e._ for every believer. If we have not this baptism it is our -own fault. It is for us and we are responsible before God for all the -work we might have done, and all the souls we might have won if we were -so baptized, and we are guilty to the extent that the work is not done -and the souls not won. - - -3. HOW CAN WE OBTAIN THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? - -We now come to the practical question: how can we obtain this Baptism of -the Holy Spirit which is such an absolute necessity in our work for -Christ? Fortunately the answer to this question is very plainly stated -in the Bible. - - -(1) “Repent ye and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus -Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of -the Holy Spirit” (Acts ii. 38 R. V.) _The first step toward obtaining -this Baptism is repentance._ Repentance means “a change of mind,” a -change of mind about sin, about God, and in this case especially (as the -context shows) a change of mind about Christ. A real change of mind such -as leads to action—to our turning away from all sin, our turning to God, -our turning away from rejecting Jesus Christ to accepting Him. _The -second step is the confession of our renunciation of sin and acceptance -of Jesus Christ in God’s appointed way by baptism in the name of Jesus -Christ._ The Baptism with the Holy Spirit in at least one instance (Acts -x. 44‒48) preceded the baptism with water but this was manifestly an -exceptional case and God says “repent ye and be baptized every one of -you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye -shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” (Acts ii. 38, R. V.) - - -(2) “The Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him.” (Acts -v. 32). _The condition of the gift of the Holy Ghost here stated is that -we “obey Him.”_ Obedience means more than the mere performance of some -of the things that God bids us do. It means the entire surrender of our -wills, ourselves and all we have, to Him. It means that we come to Him -and say from the heart, “here I am, I am thine, thou hast bought me with -a price, I acknowledge thine ownership. Take me, do with me what thou -wilt, send me where thou wilt, use me as Thou wilt.” This entire -yielding of ourselves to God is the condition of our receiving the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is at this point that many fail of -this blessing. At the close of a convention a gentleman hurried to the -platform and said there was a lady in great distress who wished to speak -with me. It was an hour before I could get to her, but I found her still -in great mental suffering in the intensity of her desire for the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit. Others had talked to her but it had seemed to do no -good. I sat down behind her and said, “Is your will wholly surrendered?” -She did not know. “You wish to be a Christian worker do you not?” “Yes.” -“Are you willing to go back to Baltimore and be a servant girl if it is -God’s will?” “No!” “You will never receive this blessing until your own -will is wholly laid down.” “I can’t lay it down.” “Would you like to -have God lay it down for you?” “Yes.” “Well, let us ask Him to do it.” -We did, he heard the prayer, the will was laid down, the Baptism of the -Holy Spirit was received and she went from the church rejoicing. - -Obedience means also the doing in all matters great and small, the will -of God as revealed in His Word or by His Spirit. Any refusal to do what -God bids us do, any conscious doing of what he bids us not do, even in -very little matters, is sufficient to shut us out of this blessing. If -there is anything no matter how little, that comes up before us to -trouble us as we pray over this matter, we should set it right with God -at once. Mr. Finney tells of one who, in great agony prayed for days for -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit but received no answer. At last as she -was praying one night she put her hand to her head and took off some -little adornment that always came up before her when she prayed and cast -it from her. Immediately she received the long desired blessing. It -seemed a very little thing but it was a matter of controversy with God -and hindered the blessing. - - -(3.) “How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to -them that ask Him.” (Luke xi. 13.) - -(a.) There must be definite prayer for this Baptism. It is often said -that the Holy Spirit is already here and that every believer has the -Spirit and so we ought not to pray for the Holy Spirit. This argument -overlooks the distinction between having the Holy Spirit and having this -specific operation of the Holy Spirit. (see 1. 2.) It also contradicts -the plain teaching of God’s word that He gives “the Holy Spirit to them -that ask Him.” It is furthermore shown to be fallacious by the fact that -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts was constantly given -in connection with and in answer to prayer. (Acts i. 14; ii. 1‒4; iv. -31; viii. 15,17.) - -(b.) Prayer implies desire. There is no real prayer for the Baptism of -the Spirit unless there is _a deep desire for it_. As long as a man -thinks he can get along somehow without this blessing, he is not likely -to get it; but when a man reaches the place where he feels he must have -this no matter what it costs, he is far on the way toward receiving it. -Many a minister of the gospel and other worker has been brought to a -place where he has felt he could not go on with his ministry without -this gift and then the gift has soon followed and the character of his -work has been entirely transformed. - -(c.) _The prayer to be effectual must be in faith (Mark xi. 24)._ James -says in regard to the prayer for wisdom, “Let him ask in faith, nothing -wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of sea driven with the -wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive -anything of the Lord.” (Jas. i. 6, 7.) The same principle, of course, -holds in regard to the prayer for the Holy Spirit. It is at this very -point that many miss the blessing. How to approach God in faith is -clearly taught by 1 Jno. v. 14, 15. “This is the confidence that we have -in Him, that, if we ask anything according to his will He heareth us, -and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have -the petitions that we desired of him.” When we ask Him for the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit we know that we have asked something according to His -will for it is definitely promised in His word. Therefore we know that -“He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us we know that we have the -petition” which we have asked of him. As soon then as I am sure I have -met the conditions stated above of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and -asked it of God I have a right to count this blessing mine—the prayer is -heard and I have the petition I asked of him—and get up and enter into -my work assured that in my work will be seen the Spirit’s power. “But,” -some one will say, “shall we expect no manifestations?” Yes, but where? -In service. When I know on the authority of God’s word that my prayer is -heard, I have the right to enter upon any service to which He calls me -and confidently expect the manifestation of the Spirit’s power in that -service. It is a mistake to wait or look for, as so many do, the -manifestation in electric shocks or peculiar emotional experiences. They -may and often do accompany the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But the Bible -clearly teaches us (i Cor. xii. 4‒11) that the place to look for -manifestations, is in service and the most important, reliable and -scriptural manifestations are found in our work. “Must we not wait,” it -may be asked, “until we know that we have received the baptism of the -Holy Spirit?” Most assuredly, but how are we to know? The same way in -which we know we are saved, _by the testimony of God’s word_. When I -know I have met the conditions and have asked this gift which is -“according to his will” I know by God’s word (1 Jno. v. 14, 15.) that my -prayer is heard, and that I have the petition I desired of him. I have a -right to arise with no other evidence than the all–sufficient evidence -of God’s word, and enter into the service to which God calls me. “Did -not the early disciples wait ten days?” it may again be asked. Yes, and -the reason why is clearly given in Acts ii. 1.—“When the day of -Pentecost was fully come.” In the O. T. types the day of Pentecost had -been appointed as the day in God’s economy for the first giving of the -Holy Spirit and the offering of the first–fruits (the church) and so the -Holy Spirit could not be given until that day. (Lev. xxiii. 9‒17.) But -after the Spirit was once given we find no protracted period of waiting -on the part of those who sought this blessing. (Acts iv. 31; viii. 15, -17; ix. 17, 20; xix. 6.) Men are obliged to wait to–day, but it is only -because they have not met the conditions, or do not believe and claim -the blessing simply on the Word of God. The moment we meet the -conditions and claim the blessing it is ours. (Mark xi. 24 R.V.) Any -child of God may lay down this book, meet the conditions, ask the -blessing, claim it and have it. In a Students’ Summer School at Lake -Geneva after a talk by F. B. Meyer on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a -student remained to talk with me. He said he had heard of this before -and had been seeking it for months but could not get it. I found his -will was not surrendered, but that was soon settled. Then I said, “Let -us kneel down and ask God for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” He did -so. Was that petition “according to his will?” I asked. “Yes.” “Was the -prayer heard?” After some hesitation, “It must have been.” “Have you -what you asked of Him?” “I don’t feel it.” I read 1 Jno. v. 15 from the -Bible that lay open before us: “If we know that he hears us, whatsoever -we ask, we know that _we have_ the petition we desired of him.” “Was the -prayer heard?” “Yes.” “Have you what you asked?” “I must have; for God -says so.” We arose and soon separated. Going back to the school in a few -days I met the young man again. His face was now all aglow and he knew -he had received what at first he took upon the bare word of God. - - -4. THE REPETITION OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. - -One thing more needs to be said before we leave this subject. _The -Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that needs frequent -repeating._ This appears from a comparison of Acts ii. 4—where Peter -with others was filled with the Holy Spirit—with Acts iv. 8.—where Peter -was filled again,—and with Acts iv. 31 where Peter with others was -filled yet again. A new filling is needed and should be sought for each -new emergency of Christian service. There are many who once knew -experimentally what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit meant who are trying -to work to–day in the power of that old experience and are working -without God. They need and must have a new Baptism before God can use -them. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - =_Rev. Frederick B. Meyer, B. A._= - - -“_Few books of recent years are better adapted to instruct and help -Christians than those of this author. 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Gordon, D.D._= - - -_“‘In Christ,’ ‘The Two Fold Life,’ and ‘The Ministry of the Spirit,’ -are worthy to lie on the table by any dying couch, side by side with -Thomas A. Kempis’ ‘Imitation of Christ,’ and Jeremy Taylor’s ‘Holy -Living and Dying.’ These are fit to be placed among the religious -classics approved after long experience, by Christians of every name. I -believe they will live as such and in this belief I am not -singular.”_―REV. JOSEPH COOK. - - - =_The Ministry of the Spirit._= Introduction by Rev. F. - B. Meyer, B.A. 12mo, cloth, gilt top. $1.00 - - “Dr. Gordon’s last book, ‘The Ministry of the Spirit,’ was - published on the day of his death. It fitly completes the noble - series of books which came from his pen. It gives his mature - convictions upon a matter which had engrossed his thought for - many years. In depth of spiritual insight we doubt if it is - surpassed by any work on this topic.”―_The Watchman._ - - =_Risen with Christ;_= or, the Resurrection of Christ - and of the Believer. 16mo, decorated antique paper - covers. .25 - - =_The Holy Spirit in Missions._= 12mo, cloth, gilt - top. 1.25 - - “Fervid and intense in its style, emphasizing the duty of - preaching the gospel as a witness among all nations.”―_The - Missionary Herald._ - - =_Grace and Glory._= Sermons for the Life that Now is - and That which is to Come. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; - cloth, gilt top. 1.50 - - =_Ecce Venit;_= or, Behold He Cometh. 12mo, paper, - net, 50c.; cloth, gilt top. 1.25 - - =_In Christ;_= or, the Believer’s Union with his Lord. - 12mo, paper, net, 35c.; cloth, gilt top. 1.00 - - POCKET EDITION, uniform with “A Gift of Love.” - 18mo, cloth. 1.00 - - “To realize what is meant by being _in Christ_ is the - believer’s highest happiness in this life: a book which helps - to this way will find a wide sale.”―_The N. Y. Evangelist._ - - =_The Ministry of Healing;_= or, Miracles of Cures in - all ages. With History of the Doctrine from the - Earliest Times. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, gilt - top. 1.25 - - =_The Two Fold Life;_= or, Christ’s Work for Us, and - Christ’s Work in Us. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, - gilt top. - - =_The First Thing In the World;_= or, The Primacy of - Faith. 16mo, Popular Vellum Series, 20c.; Cheaper - Edition, net, 10c.; per doz. net, 1.00 - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - - Printed Corrected Page - comprhensive comprehensive 2 gives in clear and comprehensive - iuformatiou information 2 information for Christian workers - Backsliders Back–sliders 5 ASSURANCE, AND BACK–SLIDERS - very every 9 every other grace of - sorely, need sorely need, 9 sorely need, and expect Him - 1. I 9 (1 Jno. v. 14, 15; - Christ, Christ 10 bringing men to Christ - need need, 10 need, (3) to show them - Saviour Saviour, 10 Saviour, (4) to meet the - “All”. “All.” 20 sinned?” “All.” “Who - gone “gone 21 “gone astray” and hold - sin. sin? 22 the greatest sin? - Galations Galatians 24 Galatians iii. 10 is a verse - wages. wages? 25 to take your wages? - then than 26 for this purpose than - God. God? 32 the sons of God? - Chirst Christ 32 at Christ lifted up - 1. i. 32 Romans i. 16 is another excellent - Gospel. Gospel? 33 what is the Gospel? - will. will? 33 he says he will? - Galations Galatians 35 Galatians iii. 10‒13 also - of, of 35 makes the way of salvation - God” God 36 confessed to God his sins - lost,” lost.’” 37 that which was lost.’” - moments moments’ 39 a few moments’ deep - Now Now, 39 “Now,” I said - sin. sin.” 40 your sin.” I laid - longer er longer 40 on you any longer - Chr. Chron. 41 falling. 2 Chron. xxxii. 7, 8 - “yes”. “yes.” 42 He said, “yes.” - not. not? 42 did you not? - came came, 42 so glad I came, - kingdom, kingdom 43 put God and His kingdom - righr right 46 let us kneel right down - umerciful merciful 49 he will be merciful - WITN WITH 50 DEALING WITH THOSE WHO - “No”, “No,” 52 replies, “No,” then - repentence repentance 53 repentance, not to encourage - “Yes”, “Yes,” 55 “Yes,” I replied - How “How 55 “How do you know - assurance, is assurance is, 56 ground of assurance is, - Backsliders Back–sliders 57 ASSURANCE AND WITH BACK–SLIDERS - Him? Him?” 58 “Have you received Him?” - “Justified”. “Justified.” 59 “Justified.” Then ask him - mouth”. mouth,” 60 “with the mouth,” - backslider back–slider 64 back–slider who wishes to - 16 15 64 in Chapter xii. sec. 15. - him. him, 69 Next say to him, - world.” world.’” 69 Him before the world.’” - thoughfully thoughtfully 69 slowly and thoughtfully - your, your 70 but with your sin - “hell”. “hell.” 74 punishment in “hell.” - 6 7. 75 7. _Those who doubt_ - skeptics Skeptics 76 Skeptics who are triflers - god God 77 COMPLAIN OF GOD. - well. well? 82 not use you well? - to–night. to–night, 83 or “Not to–night,” - in.” in. 84 went in. Then ask - Christian. Christian, 85 _become a Christian_, - _or_ or 85 _am too young_,” or - all sufficient all–sufficient 85 all–sufficient answer to - repetiton repetition 86 home by constant repetition - sayng saying 86 but who kept saying - 1. 87 There are several - repentence repentance 90 the necessity of repentance - as as as 96 through the eye as - Spirit”, Spirit,” 104 with the Holy Spirit,” - Spirit, Spirit. 104 Holy Spirit.” By - i. e. _i. e._ 112 _i. e._ for every believer - (3) 3. 113 3. HOW CAN WE - Spirit. Spirit? 113 THE HOLY SPIRIT? - Spirit Spirit” 113 of the Holy Spirit” - him”. him.” 114 that obey him.” - said said, 115 behind her and said, - down, down. 115 can’t lay it down. - you. you? 115 down for you? - 24. 24.) 117 _faith (Mark xi. 24)._ - wisdom. wisdom, 117 prayer for wisdom, - Spirit. Spirit? 119 of the Holy Spirit? - asked, asked. 119 again be asked. - thiug thing 121 One thing more needs - Tho The 123 =_The Life and Light_= - jesse Jesse 125 By Jesse Page. - 2mo 12mo 125 Illustrated. 12mo, cloth. - A’ Kempis. A. Kempis’ 126 with Thomas A. Kempis’ - believer s believer’s 126 is the believer’s highest happiness - ― 126 sale.”―_The N. Y. Evangelist._ - - -On Page 85, “I must do something else first.” has been italicized for -consistency. - -On Page 116, started a new paragraph at “(a.) There must be”. - -Punctuation for chapter headings has been regularized. Missing periods -have been added to the chapter number. Periods have been removed from -chapter titles and centered section headings. - -The font style for headings of a given level have been made consistent. - -Biblical references have been regularized to the form: [num] name -chapter. verse, where [num] is an optional arabic numeral, chapter is a -lower–case roman numeral, and verse is an arabic numeral. For example, -2 Cor. ix. 8 and 1 Jno. iii. 23‒24. - -Missing periods after Biblical book abbreviations have been silently -added. Additionally, some superfluous periods and commas following -Biblical references have been removed. - -Some missing punctuation has been silently added. - -Some hyphenation inconsistencies have been retained. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's How to bring men to Christ, by R. A. 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Torrey; A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .fss { font-size: 75%; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - abbr { border-bottom-width: thin; border-bottom-style: dotted; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; }} - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always;} - .table0 { margin: auto; } - .table1 { margin: auto; } - .table2 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .table3 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .table4 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .table5 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .table6 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .table7 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c002 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c004 { font-size: 0.9em; } - .c005 { font-size: 1.2em; } - .c006 { margin-top: 8em; } - .c007 { font-size: 1.1em; } - .c008 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; } - .c009 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; margin-top: 2em; font-size: 0.9em; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c010 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; font-size: 0.9em; - margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c011 { vertical-align: top; text-align: center; padding-right: 1em; } - .c012 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c013 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; } - .c014 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin: 1em auto; margin-top: 4em; - } - .c015 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin: 1em auto; } - .c016 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; } - .c017 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; margin-top: 1em; font-size: 0.9em; - } - .c018 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c019 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c020 { vertical-align: top; text-align: right; padding-right: 1em; } - .c021 { font-size: 2em; } - .c022 { font-size: 0.7em; } - .c023 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c024 { vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; } - .c025 { text-align: right; } - .c026 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; - text-indent: 1.4em; } - .c027 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; } - .c028 { margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c029 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .tnotes {background-color: #eeeeee; border: 1px solid black;} - .covernote {visibility: hidden; display: none;} - @media handheld { - .covernote {visibility: visible; display: block;} - } - h1 {font-size: 2em;} - h2 {font-size: 1.6em;} - .thinb {border: solid black; margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em;} - .sc-cite {font-style: normal; font-variant: small-caps;} - abbr {border:none; text-decoration:none; font-variant:normal;} - cite {font-variant: normal; font-style: normal;} - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to bring men to Christ, by R. A. Torrey - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: How to bring men to Christ - -Author: R. A. Torrey - -Release Date: May 1, 2016 [EBook #51931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Lisa Anne Hatfield and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c002' title='How to Bring Men to Christ'>HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='c004'>BY</span></div> - <div class='c001'><span class='c005'>R. A. TORREY</span></div> - <div class='c001'><span class='c005'><i>Superintendent Chicago Bible Institute</i></span></div> - <div class='c006'>CHICAGO:</div> - <div class='c001'><span class='c007'>THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION</span></div> - <div class='c001'><span class='sc'>250 La Salle Ave.</span></div> - <div class='c001'>Eastern Depot: East Northfield, Mass.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<p class='c000'> </p> - -<div class='thinb'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><i>JUST PUBLISHED. By the same Author.</i></div> - <div class='c001'><b>Vest Pocket Companion for Christian Workers.</b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The best texts for personal work. Classified for practical -use, printed in full, and arranged for ready reference.</p> - -<p class='c010'>From Mr. Torrey’s preface:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is medicine in the Bible for every sin–sick soul, -but every soul does not need the same medicine. This book -attempts to arrange the remedies according to the maladies.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>120 pages, bound in Russia leather in vest pocket size, -price 25 cents.</p> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c011' colspan='3'><i>Fleming H. Revell Company, Publishers</i>,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>NEW YORK.</td> - <td class='c011'>CHICAGO.</td> - <td class='c013'>TORONTO.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<hr class='c014' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1893</div> - <div><span class='sc'>by Fleming H. Revell Company</span></div> - <div>In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington D. C.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c015' /> -<p class='c000'> </p> -<div class='thinb'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><i>By the same Author.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c016'><b>Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God. 16mo., paper</b></td> - <td class='c013'><b>.15</b></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c009'>“Masterful.”―<cite><i>Indiana Baptist.</i></cite></p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of sterling excellence.”―<cite><i>Christian at Work.</i></cite></p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thoughtful, helpful and timely.”―<cite><i>Golden Rule.</i></cite></p> - -<p class='c010'>“It gives in clear and <a id='tn002'></a>comprehensive style a cogent argument -for the complete inspiration and absolute authority -of the Bible. Because of its terseness and freedom from -technical expressions it will form a useful compendium of -<a id='tn002_2'></a>information for Christian workers.”―<cite><i>Messiah’s Herald.</i></cite></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c017'> - <div><i>Fleming H. Revell Company, Publishers.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 id='preface' class='c018'>PREFACE</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>This book is written because it seems to be -needed. The author has been repeatedly requested -by Ministers, Y. M. C. A. Secretaries, -Christian Workers, and his own students to -put into a permanent and convenient shape -the substance of what he has said at Conventions, -Summer Schools and in the class–room -on personal work. The time has come -to yield to these requests. Never before in -the history of the Church were there so many -who desire to win others to Christ. The good -work done by the Young People’s Society of -Christian Endeavor is in no other direction -so evident as in the many thousands of young -people in this land who to–day are on fire -with a desire to win souls. But while they -desire to do this work, many do not know -how. This little book aims to tell them. -There are several well–known and valuable -manuals of texts to be used with inquirers, -but this book is intended not only to point -out passages to be used but to show how to -use them, illustrating this use by cases from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>actual experience. It is hoped that from a -careful study of these pages any earnest Christian -can learn how to do efficient work in -bringing others to the Saviour.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> - <h2 class='c018'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table2' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c011' colspan='3'><a href='#preface'>PREFACE.</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><span class='c021'> </span></td> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c013'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <th class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='sc'>Chapter.</span></th> - <th class='c013'><span class='sc'>Page.</span></th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='1'>I.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch01'><span class='sc'>The General Conditions of Success in Bringing Men to Christ</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>7</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='2'>II.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch02'><span class='sc'>How to Begin</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>14</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='3'>III.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch03'><span class='sc'>Dealing with the Indifferent or Careless</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>20</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='4'>IV.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch04'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who are Anxious to be Saved but do not Know How</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>29</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='5'>V.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch05'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who are Anxious to be Saved and Know How, but who have difficulties</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>36</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='6'>VI.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch06'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who entertain false hopes</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>50</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='7'>VII.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a id='tn005'></a><a href='#ch07'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who lack Assurance, and Back–sliders</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>57</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='8'>VIII.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch08'><span class='sc'>Dealing with Professed Skeptics and Infidels</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>65</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='9'>IX.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch09'><span class='sc'>Dealing with the complaining</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>77</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='10'>X.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch10'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who wish to put off decision until some other time</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>83</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='11'>XI.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch11'><span class='sc'>Dealing with the Willful and the Deluded</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>87</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='12'>XII.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch12'><span class='sc'>Some hints and suggestions</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>94</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c020'><abbr title='13'>XIII.</abbr></td> - <td class='c016'><a href='#ch13'><span class='sc'>The Baptism of the Holy Spirit</span></a></td> - <td class='c013'>104</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span><span class='c021'>HOW TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch01' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='1'>I.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS IN BRINGING MEN TO CHRIST</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>There are certain general conditions, the -fulfilment of which is absolutely essential to -real success in bringing men to Christ. These -conditions, fortunately, are few and simple -and such as any one can meet.</p> - -<p class='c019'>1. <i>The one who would have real success in -bringing others to Christ must himself be</i> <span class='fss'>A -THOROUGHLY CONVERTED PERSON</span>. Jesus said -to Peter, “When thou art <em>converted</em> strengthen -thy brethren.” He was in no position to help -his brethren until he himself, after his cowardly -denial, had turned again to his Lord with -his whole heart. If we would bring others to -Christ we must turn away from all sin, -and worldliness and selfishness with our -whole heart, yielding to Jesus the absolute -lordship over our thoughts, purposes and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>actions. If there is any direction in which -we are seeking to have our own way and not -letting Him have His own way in our lives, -our power will be crippled and men lost that -we might have saved. The application of -this principle to the numerous questions that -come up in the life of every young Christian -as to whether he should do this or that, each -individual can settle for himself if Christ’s -honor and not his own pleasure is upper–most -in his mind and if he looks honestly to -God to guide him.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <i>The one who would have real success in -bringing others to Christ must have a</i> <span class='fss'>LOVE -FOR SOULS</span>, <i>i. e.</i> <i>a longing for the salvation of -the lost</i>. If we have no love for souls, our -efforts will be mechanical and powerless. We -may know how to approach men and what -to say to them, but there will be no power in -what we say and it will not touch the heart. -But if like Paul we have “great heaviness and -unceasing pain in our hearts” for the unsaved, -there will be an earnestness in our tone and -manner that will impress the most careless. -Furthermore if we have a love for souls we -will be on the constant watch for opportunities -to speak with the unsaved and will find -opportunities on the street, in the store, in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>the home, on the cars and everywhere that -would otherwise have entirely escaped our -notice.</p> - -<p class='c023'>But how is one to get a love for souls? This -question is easily answered. First of all, a -love for souls like <a id='tn009'></a>every other grace of Christian -character, is the work of the Holy Spirit. -If then we are conscious that we do not have -that love for souls that we should have, the -first thing to do is to go to God and humbly -confess this lack in our lives and ask Him by -His Holy Spirit to supply that which we so -<a id='tn009_2'></a>sorely need, and expect Him to do it (<a id='tn009_3'></a><abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 14, 15; <abbr title='Philippians'>Phil.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 19). In the second -place Jesus Christ had an intense love for -souls (<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='23'>xxiii.</abbr> 37; Luke <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 10), and -intimate and constant companionship with -Him will impart to our lives this grace -which was so prominent in His. In the -third place feelings are the outcome of -thoughts. If we desire any given feeling in -our lives we should dwell upon the thoughts -which are adapted to produce that feeling. -If any saved person will dwell long enough -upon the peril and wretchedness of any man -out of Christ and the worth of his soul in -God’s sight as seen in the death of God’s -Son to save him, a feeling of intense desire -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>for that man’s salvation is almost certain to -follow. In the fourth place, reflection upon -our own ruined and unhappy condition without -Christ and the great sacrifice that Christ -made to save us, is sure to fill our hearts with -a desire to bring others to the Saviour we have -found.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. <i>The one who would have real success -in bringing men to <a id='tn010'></a>Christ must have a</i> <span class='fss'>WORKING -KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE</span>. The Word of -God is the sword of the Spirit (<abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 17). -It is the instrument God uses to convict of -sin, to reveal Christ and to regenerate men. -If we would work together with God, the Bible -is the instrument upon which we must rely -and which we must use in bringing men to -Christ. We must know how to use the Bible -so as (1) to show men their need of a Saviour, -(2) to show them Jesus as the Saviour they -<a id='tn010_2'></a>need, (3) to show them how to make this -Saviour their own <a id='tn010_3'></a>Saviour, (4) to meet the -difficulties that stand in the way of their accepting -Christ. A large part of the following -pages will be devoted to imparting this knowledge.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. <i>The one who would have real success -in bringing men to Christ must</i> <span class='fss'>PRAY MUCH</span>. -Solid work in soul winning must be accompanied -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>by prayer at every step. (1). We -must pray God to lead us to the right persons -to approach. God does not intend that we -speak to every one we meet. If we try to do -it, we will waste much valuable time in speaking -to those whom we cannot help, that -we might have used in speaking to those -to whom we could have done much -good. God alone knows the one to -whom He intends us to speak, and we must -ask Him to point him out to us, and, expect -Him to do it. (Acts <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 29). (2). We -must pray God to show us just what to say -to those to whom He leads us. After all our -study of the passages to be used in dealing -with the various classes of men, we shall -need God’s guidance in each specific case. -Every experienced worker will testify to the -many instances in which God has led them -to use some text of Scripture that they would -not otherwise have used but which proved to -be just the one needed. (3). We must pray -God to give power to that which He has given -us to say. We need not only a message from -God but power from God to send the message -home. Most workers have to learn this lesson -by humiliating experiences. They sit down -beside an unsaved man and reason and plead -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>and bring forth texts from the word of God, -but the man does not accept Christ. At last -it dawns upon them that they are trying to -convert the man in their own strength and -then they lift an humble and earnest prayer -to God for his strength, and God hears and in -a short time this “very difficult case” has settled -the matter and is rejoicing in Christ. (4). -We must pray God to carry on the work after -our work has come to an end. After having -done that which seems to have been our -whole duty in any given instance, whatever -may have been the apparent issue of our work, -whether successful or unsuccessful, we should -definitely commit the case to God in prayer. -If there is anything the average worker in this -hurrying age needs to have impressed upon -him, it is the necessity of more prayer. By -praying more we will not work any less and -we will accomplish vastly more.</p> - -<p class='c019'>5. <i>The one who would have real success in -bringing men to Christ must be</i> “<span class='fss'>BAPTIZED -WITH THE HOLY GHOST</span>.” “Ye shall receive -power after that the Holy Ghost, is come -upon you,” said Jesus to his disciples after -having given them the great commission to go -out and bring men to Himself. The supreme -condition of soul winning power is the same -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>to–day: “after that the Holy Ghost is come -upon you.” A later chapter will be given to -a study of what “the Baptism of the Holy -Ghost” is and how any Christian can obtain it.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span> - <h2 id='ch02' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='2'>II.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>HOW TO BEGIN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>When God has led us to think that He -wishes us to make an effort to lead some given -individual to Christ, the first question that -confronts us is, “How shall I begin?” If the -person has gone into an inquiry room, or remained -to an after–meeting, or even if they are -merely present at prayer–meeting, Sunday–school -or other ordinary service of the church, -it is comparatively easy. You can then ask -him if he is a Christian, or if he would not -like to be a Christian, or why he is not a -Christian or some other direct and simple -question that will lead inevitably to a conversation -along this line. But if the person -is one in whom you have become interested -outside the religious meeting and who is perhaps -an entire stranger, it does not at first -sight appear so simple, and yet it is not so -very difficult. The person can be engaged in -conversation on some general topic or on -something suggested by passing events, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>soon brought around to the great subject. -Christ’s conversation with the woman of Samaria -in the 4th chapter of John is a very instructive -illustration of this. Oftentimes even -in dealing with entire strangers it is well to -broach the subject at once and ask them if -they are Christians or if they are saved or -some similar question. If this is done courteously -and earnestly it will frequently set even -careless people to thinking and result in their -conversion. It is astonishing how often one -who undertakes this work in humble dependence -upon God and under His direction, finds -the way prepared and how seldom he receives -any rebuff. One day the writer met a man -on one of the most crowded streets of Chicago. -As I passed him the impulse came to speak -to him about the Saviour. Stopping a moment -and asking God to show me if the impulse was -from Him, I turned around and followed the -man. I overtook him in the middle of the -street, laid my hand upon his shoulder and -said: “My friend, are you a Christian?” He -started and said: “That’s a strange question -to ask a man.” I said, “I know it, and I do -not ask that question of every stranger, but -God put it into my heart to ask it of you.” -He then told me that his cousin was a minister -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>and had been urging this very matter upon -him, that he himself was a graduate of Amherst -college, but had been ruined by drink. -After further conversation we separated but -later the man accepted Christ as his Saviour.</p> - -<p class='c023'>It is often best to win a person’s confidence -and affection before broaching the subject. -It is well to select some one and then lay -your plans to win him to Christ. Cultivate -his acquaintance, show him many attentions -and perform many acts of kindness great -and small and at last when the fitting moment -arrives take up the great question. An old -and thorough going infidel in Chicago was in -this way won to Christ by a young woman, -who found him sick and alone. She called -day after day and showed him many kindnesses -and as the consumption fastened itself -more firmly upon him she spoke to him of -the Saviour and had the joy of seeing him accept -Christ.</p> - -<p class='c023'>A wisely chosen tract placed in the hand -of the one with whom you wish to speak will -often lead easily and naturally to the subject. -One day I was riding on a train and praying -that God would use me to lead some one to -His Son. A young lady, daughter of a minister, -with whom I had had some conversation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>on this subject came in with a friend and took -the seat immediately in front of me. I took -out a little bundle of tracts and selected one -that seemed adapted for the purpose and -handed it to her and asked her to read it. As -she read, I prayed. When she had finished, -I leaned over and asked her what she -thought about it. She was deeply moved and -I asked her if she would not accept Christ -right there. Her difficulties were soon met -and answered and she accepted Christ. As -she left the train she thanked me very heartily -for what I had done for her.</p> - -<p class='c023'>You will often meet some one whose face -tells the story of unhappiness or discontent: -in such a case it is easy to ask the person if -he is happy and when he answers “no” you -can say, “I can tell you of one who will make -you happy if you will only take Him.” Skill -in beginning a conversation will come with -practice. One may be rather awkward about -it at first but as we go on we will acquire -facility.</p> - -<p class='c023'>When the subject is once opened the first -thing to find out is where the person with -whom you are dealing stands; then you will -know how to wisely treat his case. In the -chapters immediately following this all the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>classes of men one is likely to meet will be -given, and the first point to be ascertained is -to which class any given individual belongs. -But how can we find out to which class any -person belongs? First. By asking him questions. -Such questions as “Are you a Christian?” -“Are you saved?” “Do you know -that your sins are forgiven?” “Have you eternal -life?” “Are you confessing Christ openly -before the world?” “Are you a friend of -Jesus?” “Have you been born again?” One -may answer these questions untruthfully, -either through ignorance or a desire to mislead -you. Nevertheless, their answers and -the manner of them will show you a great deal -about their real state. Second. By watching -his face. A man’s face will often reveal -that which his words try to conceal. Any one -who cultivates the study of the faces of those -with whom he deals will soon be able to tell -in many instances the exact state of those -with whom they are dealing irrespective of -anything they may say. Third. By the -Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit if we only look -to Him to do it will often flash into our minds -a view of the man’s position, and just the -scripture he needs.</p> - -<p class='c023'>When we have learned where the person -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>with whom we are dealing stands, the next -thing to do is to lead him as directly as we -can to accept Jesus Christ, as his personal -Savior and Master. We must always bear in -mind that the primary purpose of our work, -is not to get persons to join the church or -to give up their bad habits or to do anything -else than this, to accept Jesus Christ, as their -Saviour—the one who bore their sins in his -own body on the tree and through whom they -can have immediate and entire forgiveness,—and -as their Master to whom they surrender -absolutely the guidance of their thoughts, feelings, -purposes and actions. Having led any -one to thus accept Christ the next step will -be to show him from God’s word that he has -forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -43; <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 39; <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36; <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 24, will answer -for this purpose. The next step will be to -show him how to make a success of the -Christian life upon which he has entered. -How to do this will be told later. Each -person is to be led to accept Christ through -a use of the word of God. In the chapters -that immediately follow this we will try -to show what specific portions of the word to -use in given cases and how to use them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span> - <h2 id='ch03' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='3'>III.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THE INDIFFERENT OR CARELESS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>One of the classes of men most frequently -met with, is The Indifferent, or Careless. -There are several ways of dealing with -them. One is to show them their need of a -Saviour. A good verse to use for this purpose -is Romans <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 23. Get the person with -whom you are dealing to read the verse, “For -all have sinned and come short of the glory -of God.” Then say to him: “Who have -sinned?” “All<a id='tn020'></a>.” “Who does that include?” -and keep up the questioning until he says, -“It includes me.” Then ask him what it is -that he has done, and keep at it until he -comes out plainly and says: “I have sinned -and come short of the glory of God.” This -is likely to make him feel his need of a -Saviour. Another good verse to use is Isaiah -<abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 6. After the verse has been read, ask -him who it is that has gone astray and by a -series of questions bring him to the point -where he will say, “I have gone astray.” Then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>ask him what kind of a sheep one is that has -<a id='tn021'></a>“gone astray” and hold him to it until he says -“a lost sheep.” “What are you then?” “Lost.” -Then ask him what the Lord has done with -his sin, and hold him to that point until he -sees the truth of the verse, that God has laid -his sin on Jesus Christ. Now, he is in a -position for you to put to him the direct question: -“Will you accept this Saviour upon whom -the Lord has laid your sin?” Still another -verse to use is Psalms <abbr title='130'>cxxx.</abbr> 3. When the -verse has been read, ask him, “If the Lord -marked iniquities could you stand?” In dealing -with this class of men I use Matthew <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> -37, 38 more frequently than any other passage -of Scripture. Before having the person -read the verse, it is well to ask him, “Do you -know that you have committed the greatest -sin that a man can commit?” In all probability -he will answer, “No, I have not.” Then ask -him what he thinks the greatest sin a man can -commit. When he has answered, say to him, -Now let us see what God considers the greatest -sin. Read the verses and ask him, “What is -the first and greatest of the commandments?” -Then ask him, “What then is the greatest -sin?” He will soon answer that the violation -of the first and greatest of the commandments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>must be the greatest sin. Ask him if he has -kept that commandment and when he confesses, -as sooner or later he must, that he has -not, ask him of what he is guilty in the sight -of God, and hold him to that point until he -admits that he is guilty of committing the -greatest sin that a man can commit. An illustration -from life may help to make the use -of this verse clear. I was dealing with a -very bright young man who evidently had no -deep sense of sin nor of his need of a Saviour. -In fact when I asked if he was a Christian he -said promptly that he always had been; but -there was something in his manner that showed -that he had no clear understanding of what it -meant to be a Christian. I then asked if he -had been born again and he did not even understand -what I was talking about. I next -asked if he knew he had committed the greatest -sin that a man could possibly commit and -he at once answered, “No, I never did in my -life.” I asked what he considered the greatest -sin, and he replied “murder.” I took my -Bible and opened it to Matthew <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 37, -38, and asked him to read the verses, which -he did. I then asked him, “If this is the first -and greatest commandment, what must be -the greatest sin<a id='tn022'></a>?” He answered, “I suppose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>the breaking of that commandment.” I then -asked if he had always kept that commandment, -if he had always loved God with -all his heart, with all his soul, and with all -his mind. If he had always put God first in -everything. He replied that he had not. I -then asked him, “Of what then are you guilty?” -The Spirit of God carried the text home and -with the greatest earnestness he replied, “I -have committed the greatest sin that a man -can commit, but I never saw it before in my -life.” Another verse that can be used with -effect is John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 34. After the man has -read the verse, “Whosoever committeth sin is -the servant of sin,” ask him “what is one who -commits sin?” Then ask him if he commits sin. -Then put to him the direct question, “What -are you then,” and hold him to it until he -says “the servant of sin.” Then ask him if he -does not desire to be delivered from that awful -bondage. Hold him to this point until -he sees his need of Jesus Christ as a Deliverer -from the slavery of sin. The Holy Spirit has -used Isaiah <abbr title='57'>lvii.</abbr> 21 to the salvation of -many men who have been indifferent to the -claims of the Gospel. After the verse, “There -is no peace saith my God to the wicked,” has -been read slowly, thoughtfully, and earnestly, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>ask him who it is that says this. Then -ask him if it is true; then ask him if it is true -in his case. “Have you peace?” One night -a careless young man was going out of one of -our tents in Chicago and as he passed by me -I took him by the hand and said to him, “You -need the Saviour.” He wanted to know why -I thought so. I replied, “Because you have -no peace.” He said, “Yes I have.” “No you -have not.” He then asked me how I knew -that. I told him God said so and quoted the -above passage. He tried to laugh it off and -say the verse was not true in his case. Then -he became angry and went out of the tent in -a rage, but the next night I saw him kneeling -with one of our workers in prayer and when -he arose from his knees, the worker came over -and said he wished to speak with me. As I -approached him he held out his hand and -said, “I wanted to beg your pardon for what -I said last night; what you said was true, I -didn’t have peace.” I asked him if he had -now accepted the Saviour. He said he had.</p> - -<p class='c023'><a id='tn024'></a>Galatians <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10 is a verse which we very -frequently use in our work in dealing with -the Indifferent. After the one with whom -you are dealing has read the verse, “For -as many as are of the works of the law -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>are under the curse; for it is written cursed -is every one that continueth not in all things -which are written in the book of the law to -do them” ask him the question, “What is -every one that continueth not in all things -which are written in the book of the law to -do them?” When he answers, “Cursed,” -ask him if he has continued in all things -which are written in the book of the law to -do them and when he replies, “No, I have -not,” put to him the direct question, “What -are you then?” and hold him to that point -until he says, “I am under the curse.” In very -many cases the inquirer will be ready at once -to be led to the thirteenth verse of the same -chapter which shows how he may be saved -from that curse under which he rests. Romans -<abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 23 can often be used with good effect. -“For the wages of sin is death.” Ask “what -are the wages of sin?” Then, “who earns -those wages?” Then, “Are you a sinner?” -“What wages then have you earned?” “Do -you wish to take your wages<a id='tn025'></a>?” John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36 is -a verse which can be used in a similar way. -Ask the question, “Upon whom is it that the -wrath of God abides?” Then, “Do you believe -on the Son?” “What then abides upon -you?” Then put the decisive question, “Are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>you willing to go away with the wrath of -God abiding upon you?” <abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 7‒9, -and John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 24; <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 15; <abbr title='20'>xxi.</abbr> 8; <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> -10‒11, set forth in a most impressive way the -awful consequences of sin. If these verses -are used they should be read with the deepest -earnestness and solemnity and dwelt upon -until the person with whom you are dealing -realizes their terrible import.</p> - -<p class='c023'>There is another way to arouse a man from -his indifference, and that is by showing what -Jesus has done for him. I have found Isaiah -<abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 5‒6 more effectual for this purpose <a id='tn026'></a>than -any other passage in the Bible. An incident -from life will illustrate its use. A lady had -asked prayers for her daughter, a young -woman about twenty years of age. At the -close of the services I stepped up to the -daughter and asked her if she would not accept -Jesus Christ as her Saviour at once. -She stamped her foot in anger and said, “My -mother should have known better than to do -that; she knows it will only make me worse.” -I asked her if she would not sit down for a -few minutes and as soon as we were seated I -opened my Bible to this passage and began to -read, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, -he was bruised for our iniquities; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>the chastisement of our peace was upon him; -and with his stripes we are healed. All we -like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -every one to his own way; and the Lord hath -laid on him the iniquity of us all.” I made -no comment upon the verses whatever, but -the Spirit of God carried them home and -tears began to roll down the cheeks of the -young woman. She did not come out as a -Christian that night but did shortly afterward. -It is well in using these verses, whenever it -is possible, to get the inquirer to change the -pronoun from the plural to the singular. “He -was wounded for <em>my</em> transgressions; he was -bruised for <em>my</em> iniquities, etc.” John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 16 -can be used in a similar way. I was talking -one night to one who was apparently most -indifferent and hardened. She told me the -story of her sin, with seemingly very little -sense of shame, and when I urged her to -accept Christ, she simply refused. I put a -Bible in her hands and asked her to read this -verse. She began to read, “God so loved -the world that He gave His only begotten -Son,” and before she had finished reading the -verse she had broken into tears, softened by -the thought of God’s wondrous love to her. -First Peter <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 24 is a verse of similar character. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>Ask the inquirer whose sins they were -that Jesus bore in his own body on the tree, -and hold him to it until he says, “My sins.” -<abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18‒19; Luke <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 44; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='27'>xxvii.</abbr> 46, are useful as bringing out in detail -what Christ has suffered for us.</p> - -<p class='c023'>There is still another way to arouse indifferent -persons, and that is by showing them -that the one damning sin is that of which -they themselves are guilty—the sin of rejecting -Jesus Christ. <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28‒29 is very effective -for this purpose. John <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 9; <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 18, -19, 20, and Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 36 can also be used.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Oftentimes you will meet one who is not -willing to sit down and let you deal with him -in this deliberate way. In that case the only -thing to do is to look up to God for guidance -and power and give him some pointed verse -in great earnestness, such for example as -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28‒29; Romans <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 23; John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36; -Isaiah <abbr title='57'>lvii.</abbr> 21, and leave it for the Spirit of -God to carry the truth home to his heart. A -passing shot of this kind has often resulted -in the salvation of a soul. The passages given -above can be wisely used with one who is not -altogether indifferent or careless but who has -not a sufficiently deep sense of sin and need -to be ready to accept the Gospel.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span> - <h2 id='ch04' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='4'>IV.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>There is a very large class of persons who -are anxious to be saved but simply do not -know how. It is not difficult to lead this -class of persons to Christ. Perhaps no other -passage in the Bible is more used for this purpose -than Isaiah <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 6. It makes the way of -salvation very plain. Read the first part of -the verse to the inquirer, “All we like sheep -have gone astray, we have turned every one -to his own way.” Then ask, “Is that true of -you,” and when he has thought it over and -said “yes,” then say to him, “Now let us see -what God has done with your sins,” and read -the remainder of the verse, “And the Lord -hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” -“What then is it necessary for you to do to -be saved?” Very soon he can be led to see -that all that it is necessary for him to do is to -accept the sin bearer whom God has provided. -Some years ago I noticed in a meeting a white–haired -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>man who did not stand up with the -Christians. At the close of the service I -walked down to him and said, “Are you not -a Christian?” He said he was not. I was -sure he was interested, so I put to him the -direct question, “Would you become a Christian -to–night if I would show you the way?” -and he replied that he would. We sat down -together and I opened my Bible to Isaiah <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> -6 and read the first part of the verse, “All we -like sheep have gone astray, we have turned -every one to his own way.” I then said to -him, “Is that true of you?” and he answered -“yes.” “Now,” I said, “let us read the rest of -the verse, ‘And the Lord hath laid on him -the iniquity of us all.’” “What has the Lord -done,” I said, “with your sins?” He thought a -moment and said “he has laid them on Christ.” -“What then” I said “is all that you have to -do to be saved?” and he replied quite promptly, -“Accept him.” “Well,” I said, “will you accept -him to–night?” He said, “I will.” “Let us -then kneel down and tell God so.” We knelt -down and I led in prayer and he followed in -a very simple way telling God that he was a -sinner but that he believed that He had laid -his sins upon Jesus Christ, and asking God for -Christ’s sake to forgive his sins. When he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>had finished I asked him if he thought God -had heard his prayer and that his sins were -forgiven, and he said “yes.” I then asked -him if he would begin to lead a Christian life -at once, set up the family altar and openly -confess Christ before the world, and he replied -that he would. Some months after I -met his pastor and made inquiries about him -and found that he had gone to his home in a -distant village, set up the family altar and -united with the church together with his -son, the only remaining member of the -family out of Christ. Apparently all that -this man was waiting for was for some -one to make the way of salvation plain to -him. I sometimes put it this way in using -this verse: “There are two things which a -man needs to know and one thing he needs -to do in order to be saved. What he needs to -<em>know</em> is, first, that he is a lost sinner and this -verse tells him that; second, that Christ is -an all–sufficient Saviour and this verse tells -him that. What he needs to <em>do</em> is simply to -accept this all–sufficient Saviour whom God -has provided.” John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12 brings out this -thought very clearly, “As many as <em>received -him</em> to them gave he power to become the -sons of God, even to them that believe on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>his name.” After the verse has been read -you can ask the one with whom you are dealing, -“To whom is it that God gives the power -to become the sons of God<a id='tn032'></a>?” “As many as -receive him.” What must you then do to -become a son of God? “Receive him.” Well, -will you receive him as your Saviour and as -your master now? Isaiah <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 7; Acts <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 31; -John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 16 and <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36 are all useful in making -the way of salvation plain. John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 14 -compared with Numbers <abbr title='21'>xxi.</abbr> 8 and the following -verses, can often be used with good -effect. When they are used you should lead -the inquirer to see just what the serpent–bitten -Israelite had to do to be saved—that he -had simply to look at the brazen serpent lifted -up upon the pole—then show him that the -sin–bitten man has to do simply the same -thing—look at <a id='tn032_2'></a>Christ lifted up on the Cross -for his sins. Romans <a id='tn032_3'></a><abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 16 is another excellent -verse to use. It makes the way of salvation -very clear. You can ask the inquirer -whom it is, according to his verse, that the -Gospel saves, and he will see that it is “every -one that believeth.” Then ask him, “What then -is all that is necessary for one to do in order to -be saved,” and he will see that it is simply to -believe. Then ask him “believe what,” and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>the answer is “the Gospel.” The next question -that naturally arises is, what is the Gospel<a id='tn033'></a>? -This is answered by <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr>; 1‒4. These -verses show what the Gospel is, “that Christ -died for our sins according to the Scriptures; -that he was buried and that he rose the third -day according to the scriptures” and this is -what he must believe in order to be saved. -He must believe from his heart that Christ -died for his sins and that he rose again. Then -ask the inquirer, “do you believe that Christ -died for your sins? do you believe that he -rose again?” If he says that he does, ask -him if he will make this a heart faith and get -down and ask God for Christ’s sake, to forgive -his sins and believe he does it because he -says so, and then trust in the living Saviour -to save him day by day from the power of sin. -Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 9–10 also makes the way of salvation -clear to many minds where other verses -fail. Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 13 makes it, if possible, -more simple still. This shows that all that a -man has to do to be saved is to “call upon the -name of the Lord.” You can ask the inquirer -“Are you ready now and here to get down and -call upon the name of the Lord for salvation -and to believe that God saves you because -he says he will<a id='tn033_2'></a>?” The way of salvation can be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>made plain by the use of Exodus <abbr title='12'><abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr></abbr> 7, 13, -23. These verses show that it was the blood -that made the Israelites safe and just so it is -to–day the blood that makes us safe, and when -God sees the blood he passes over us. The -only thing for us to do is to get behind the -blood. Then show the inquirer that the way -to be behind the blood is by simple faith in -Jesus Christ. Luke <abbr title='18'><abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr></abbr> 10–14 is exceedingly -useful in showing what a man may have -and yet be lost (the Pharisee) and what a -man may lack and yet be saved (the Publican) -and that all that a man has to do to be -saved is simply to do as the Publican did, that is -take the sinner’s place and cry to God for -mercy and then he will go down to his house -justified. This passage can be used in the -following manner to make the meaning more -clear. Ask the inquirer, “Which one of these -two (the Pharisee or the Publican) went down -to his house justified?” Then ask him, “What -did the Publican do that the Pharisee did not -do, that brought him the forgiveness of his -sins while the Pharisee went out of the Temple -unforgiven?” When he studies the passage -he will soon see that what the Publican -did was simply to take the sinner’s place before -God and cry for mercy and that as soon as he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>did this he was “justified” or forgiven. Then -you can ask him, “What is all that it is necessary -for you to do to find forgiveness?” -Then ask him, “Will you do it now and here?” -and when he has done so ask him if he believes -God’s word and if he is going down to his -house justified. What saving faith is, is beautifully -illustrated by Luke <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 48–50. The -fiftieth verse tells us that this woman had -saving faith. Now ask the inquirer, “What -was the faith she had,” and show him that -her faith was simply such faith that Jesus -could and would forgive her sins, that she -came to him to do it. This is saving faith. -<a id='tn035'></a>Galatians <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10–13 also makes the way <a id='tn035_2'></a>of -salvation very simple. The tenth verse shows -the sinner’s position before accepting Christ—“under -the curse.” The thirteenth verse shows -what Christ has done—has been made a curse -for us. What the sinner had to do is, evidently, -simply to accept Christ.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span> - <h2 id='ch05' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='5'>V.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO BE SAVED AND KNOW HOW, BUT WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>A very large number of persons whom we -try to lead to Christ, we will find are really -anxious to be saved and know how, but are -confronted with difficulties which they deem -insurmountable.</p> - -<p class='c019'>1. One of the difficulties is, “<i>I am too great -a sinner</i>.” <abbr title='First Timothy'>1 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 15 meets this fully. -One Sunday morning a man who had led a -wild and wandering life and who had recently -lost $35,000 and been separated from his -wife, said to me in response to my question, -why he was not Christian, “I am too great a -sinner to be saved.” I turned at once to -<abbr title='First Timothy'>1 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 15. “This is a faithful saying and -worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus -came into the world to save sinners, of whom I -am chief.” He quickly replied, “well, I am the -chief of sinners.” “Well,” I said, “that verse -means you then.” He replied, “It is a precious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>promise.” I said, “Will you accept it now?” and -he said, “I will.” Then I said, “Let us kneel -down and tell God so,” and we knelt down and -he confessed to <a id='tn036'></a>God his sins, and asked God -for Christ’s sake to forgive him his sins. I -asked him if he had really accepted Christ and -he said he had. I asked him if he really believed -that he was saved and he said he did. -He took an early opportunity of confessing -Christ. He left the city in a short time but -I was able to follow him. He became a most -active Christian, working at his business day -times but engaged in some form of Christian -work every night in the week. He was reunited -to his wife and adopted a little child -out of an orphan asylum and had a happy -Christian home. Luke <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 10 is also a very -useful passage to use in dealing with this -class of men; especially useful when a man -says, “I am lost.” You can say, “I have a passage -intended expressly for you. If you really -mean what you say, you are just the man -Jesus is seeking. ‘For the Son of man is -come to seek and save that which was lost<a id='tn037'></a>.’” -Romans <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 6‒8 is a very effective passage. I -stopped a man one night as he was hurrying -out of a meeting. Laying my hand on his -shoulder I said “Did you not hold your hand -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>up to–night for prayers?” He said “yes.” I -said, “Why then are you hurrying away? Do -you know God loves you?” He replied, -“You do not know who you are talking to.” -“I do not care who I am talking to but -I know God loves you.” He said: “I am -the meanest thief in Minneapolis.” I said “If -you are the meanest thief in Minneapolis, -then I know God loves you,” and I opened -my Bible to Romans <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 8. “But God commendeth -his love toward us in that while we -were yet sinners Christ died for us.” “Now,” -I said, “If you are the meanest thief in Minneapolis, -you are a sinner, and this verse tells -that God loves sinners.” The man broke down -and going into another room with me told me -his story. He was just out of confinement -for crime; had started out that very night to -commit what he said would have been one of -the most daring burglaries ever committed in -the city of Minneapolis; with his two companions -in crime he was passing a corner where -he happened to hear an open–air meeting going -on and stopped a few minutes to hear -and in spite of the protests and oaths of his -companions stayed through the meeting and -went with us to the Mission. After telling -me his story we kneeled in prayer. Through -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>tears he cried to God for mercy, having been -led by God’s precious promise to believe that -God loved a sinner even as vile as he. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 12, 13; Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 13 (Emphasize “whosoever”); -John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 16 (Emphasize the “whosoever”); -Isaiah <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18; <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='1'>iv.</abbr> 14; John <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 1‒2; -Isaiah <abbr title='44'>xliv.</abbr> 22; Isaiah <abbr title='43'>xliii.</abbr> 25 are also useful -passages in dealing with this class of men. -Isaiah <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18 and <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='51'>li.</abbr> 14 are especially useful -in dealing with men who have committed murder. -Never tell any one that his sins are not -great. It is well sometimes to say to these -men, “Yes, your sins are great, greater than -you think, but they have all been settled” -and show them Isaiah <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 6; <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 24. -A woman once came to me in great agitation. -After many ineffectual attempts she was at last -able to unburden her heart. Fourteen years -before she had killed a man and had borne -the memory of the act upon her conscience -until it had almost driven her crazy. When -she told the story to another Christian and -myself, we turned to Isaiah <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 6. After -reading the verse very carefully to her, I asked -her what the Lord had done with her sin. -After a few moments<a id='tn039'></a>’ deep and anxious -thought she said, “He has laid it on Christ,” -I took a book in my hand. “Now<a id='tn039_2'></a>,” I said “let -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>my right hand represent you, and my left -hand Christ, and this book your sin.<a id='tn040'></a>” I laid -the book upon my right hand and I said: -“Where is your sin now?” She said “On -me.” “Now,” I said, “what has God done with -it?” She said “Laid it on Christ,” and I laid the -book over on the other hand. “Where is -your sin now?” I asked. It was long before -she could summon courage to answer, and -then with a desperate effort she said, “On -Christ.” I said, “then is it on you any <a id='tn040_2'></a>longer?” -Slowly the light came into her face and -she burst out with a cry, “No, it is on Him, -it is on Christ.” John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 29; Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 43; -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 25, are also helpful texts in dealing -with this class of men.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. Another difficulty we frequently meet -with, is “<i>I can’t hold out</i>,” or “<i>I am -afraid of failure</i>.” <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 5 is useful in -showing that we are not to keep ourselves but -are “kept by the power of God.” John <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -28, 29 shows that the safety of the one who -accepts Christ does not depend upon his -“holding out” but upon the keeping power of -the Father and the Son. <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12 shows -that it is Christ’s business and not ours to -keep that which is entrusted to him and that -he is able to do it. Isaiah <abbr title='41'>xli.</abbr> 10, 13 are also -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>helpful. Jude 24 shows that whether we can -keep from falling or not, Christ is able -to keep us from falling. <a id='tn041'></a><abbr title='Second Chronicles'>2 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='32'>xxxii.</abbr> 7, 8; -Romans <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 4; <abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 3, are also good -texts to use. <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 13 is especially useful -when one is afraid that some great temptation -will overtake him and he will fall.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. Another difficulty very similar to the -preceding one, is “<i>I am too weak</i>.” With -such a person, use <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 9, 10. Ask him -“where is it that Christ’s strength is made -perfect?” When he answers “in weakness,” -tell him “then the weaker you are in your own -strength the better.” Philippians <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 13 shows -that however weak we may be, we can do -all things through Christ which strengtheneth -us. <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 13 will show that God -knows all about our weakness and will not -permit us to be tempted above our strength.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. “<i>I cannot give up my evil ways or -bad habits.</i>” <abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 7, 8, will show them -that they must give them up or perish. Philippians -<abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 13 will show them that they can -give them up in Christ’s strength. It is an -excellent plan to point the one who fears that -he cannot give up his bad habits, to Christ, -as a risen Saviour, <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 3, 4. A man -once came to me and said: “I come to you to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>know if there is any way I can get power to -overcome my evil habits.” He told me his -story; he had been converted in childhood but -had come to Chicago, fallen in with evil companions -and gone down, and now could not -break away from his sins. I said to him: “You -know only half the gospel, the gospel of a -crucified Saviour. Through trusting in the -crucified Saviour you found pardon. But Jesus -Christ is also a risen Saviour, <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 4, ‘All -power is given unto Him,’ <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='28'>xxviii.</abbr> 18. -He has power to give you victory over your -evil habits. Do you believe that?” He said, -“yes<a id='tn042_2'></a>.” “You trusted,” I continued, “in the -crucified Christ and found pardon, did you -not<a id='tn042_3'></a>?” “Yes,” he replied. “Now,” I said, “will -you trust the risen Christ to save you from -the power of your sins?” “Yes, I will.” “Let -us kneel down then, and tell him so.” We -knelt and talked it all over with the Saviour. -When he arose his very countenance was -changed. “I am so glad I came<a id='tn042_4'></a>,” he said. -Some time after I received a letter from him -telling me how he found constant victory -through trusting in the <em>risen</em> Christ.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='ch05s5'></a>5. “<i>I will be persecuted if I become a Christian.</i>” -Never tell any one that he will not be -persecuted, but show him from such passages -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>as <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 12; <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>iii.</abbr> 12; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 10, -11, 12; Mark <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 35; Acts <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 22, that persecution -is the only path to Glory. Show them -from Romans <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 18 that the sufferings of this -present time are not worthy to be compared -with the Glory which shall be revealed in us. -Show them from Acts <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 41; <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 20, 21, -that it is a privilege to be persecuted for -Christ’s sake. <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 2, 3 is useful in showing -them where to look for victory in persecution.</p> - -<p class='c019'>6. “<i>It will hurt my business</i>,” or “<i>I can’t -be a Christian in my present business</i>.” Point -such an one to Mark <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 36. This will show him -that it is better to lose his business than to -lose his soul. After this thought has been sufficiently -impressed upon his mind, show him -<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 32, 33 which contains God’s promise -that if we put God and His <a id='tn043'></a>kingdom first, -that He will provide for all our real temporal -needs. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 24‒27; Luke <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 16‒21; <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 24‒26 -are also very effective passages to use -with this class.</p> - -<p class='c019'>7. “<i>Too much to give up.</i>” Mark <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 36 -will show them that they had better give up -everything than to lose their soul. Philippians -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 7, 8; <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 11 will show them that what -they give up is nothing compared with what -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>they get. <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='84'>lxxxiv.</abbr> 11; Romans <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 32 will -show them that God will not ask them to give -up any good thing; in other words, that the only -things God asks them to give up are the things -that are hurting them. A young woman once -refused to come to the Saviour saying, “There -is too much to give up.” “Do you think God -loves you?” I answered. “Certainly.” “How -much do you think he loves you?” She -thought a moment and answered, “Enough to -give his son to die for me.” “Do you think, -if God loved you enough to give his son to -die for you, he will ask you to give up anything -it is for your good to keep?” “No.” “Do -you wish to keep anything that it is not for -your good to keep?” “No.” “Then you had -better come to Christ at once.” And she did. -<abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 17; Luke <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 16‒21 will show them -how worthless are the things which they -are trying to keep.</p> - -<p class='c019'>8. “<i>The Christian life is too hard.</i>” Say -to the inquirer, “Let me show you from God’s -word that you are mistaken about the Christian -life being hard.” Then turn him to <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 30; <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 17; <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 11; <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 3, -and show him that a Christian life is not hard -but exceedingly pleasant. Then turn him to -<abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 15, and show him that it is the sinner’s -life that is hard.</p> - -<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>9. “<i>I am afraid of my ungodly companions</i>;” -or “<i>I will lose my friends if I take -Christ</i>.” <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 25 will show them the consequence -of yielding to the fear of man and the -security of the one who trusts in the Lord. -<abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 20 will show them the result of holding -on to their companions, and <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 1 will -show the blessedness of giving up evil companions. -<abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 3 shows how much better -companionship one gets than he loses by coming -to Christ.</p> - -<p class='c019'>10. “<i>My heart is too hard.</i>” <abbr title='Ezekiel'>Ezek.</abbr> <abbr title='36'>xxxvi.</abbr> -26, 27, will show them that though their hearts -are hard as stone, that will make no difference -because God will give them a new heart.</p> - -<p class='c019'>11. “<i>I have no feeling.</i>” Ask the inquirer -what kind of feeling he thinks he must have -before he comes to Christ. If it is the peace -of which Christians speak, show him from -<abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 22; <abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 13; Acts <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 32; <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> -8; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 32, that this feeling is the result of -accepting Christ and confessing Him, and -that he cannot expect it until he accepts and -confesses Christ. If the feeling which he -thinks he must have is the feeling that he is a -sinner, then show him by <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 7 that it is <em>not -the feeling</em> that we are sinners that God demands, -<em>but a turning away</em> from sin. Or, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>from Acts <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 31; John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12; that God does -not ask us to feel that we are sinners but to -confess that we are sinners and trust in -Christ as a Saviour. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 1; <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 17, -will show the inquirer that all the feeling he -needs is a desire for salvation.</p> - -<p class='c023'>It is often times well, however, with this -class of inquirers to show them the passages -for “<a href='#ch03'>The Indifferent</a>” until they do feel that -they are sinners.</p> - -<p class='c019'>12. “<i>I am seeking Christ, but cannot find -Him.</i>”</p> - -<p class='c023'><abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 13, shows that when we seek him -with the whole heart we shall find him. -Speaking with a woman one evening in an -after–meeting she said to me, “I have been -seeking Christ two years and cannot find Him.” -I replied, “I can tell you when you will find -him.” She looked at me in surprise and I -turned to <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 13, and read “And ye shall -seek me, and find me, when ye shall search -for me with all your heart.” “There,” I said, -“that shows you when you will find Christ. -You will find him when you search for him -with all your heart. Have you done that?” -After a little thought she answered “No.” -“Well, then,” I said, “let us kneel <a id='tn046'></a>right down -here now.” She did this and in a few moments -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>she was rejoicing in Christ. You can point one -who has this difficulty to Luke <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 1‒10; <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> -10. These passages show that Jesus is seeking -the sinner and you can say, “if you are -really seeking Christ it will not take a seeking -Saviour and a seeking sinner very long to find -each other.”</p> - -<p class='c019'>13. “<i>I cannot believe.</i>”</p> - -<p class='c023'>In most cases where one says this the real -difficulty which lies back of their inability to -believe is unwillingness to forsake sin. John -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 44, is a good passage to use with such a -one, or <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 7. In the use of the latter -passage, hold the man’s attention to the fact -that all God asks of him is that he turn away -from sin and turn to Him.</p> - -<p class='c019'>14. “<i>God won’t receive me</i>,” or “<i>I have -sinned away the day of grace</i>,” or “<i>I am -afraid I have committed the unpardonable -sin</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c023'>The people who honestly say this, are as a -rule about the most difficult class to deal -with of any that you will meet. John <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 37, -is the great text to use with them for it shows -that Jesus will receive any one who will come -to him. Hold him continually to that point, -“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise -cast out” and if they keep saying “He won’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>receive me” repeat the text, looking to the -Spirit of God to carry the truth home. Many -an utterly despondent soul has found light -and peace through this verse in God’s word. -<abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 17, is also useful as it shows that -any one who will can have the water of life -freely. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 1, shows that any one who desires -salvation can have it. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18, shows -that no matter how great a man’s sins may -be still here is pardon. Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 43, and John -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 16, that “<em>whosoever</em>” will believe upon -Christ will find pardon and eternal life. -Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 13, shows that any one, no -matter who or what he is, who will “call -upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” -It is well sometimes to turn to <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 4‒6, -and <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 31‒32, and show the inquirer -just what the unpardonable sin is and what -its results are. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 31, 32, shows that -it is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and -put it squarely to him, “have you ever blasphemed -against the Holy Ghost?” <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> -4‒6, shows that the difficulty is not in God’s -unwillingness to forgive, but in the man’s -unwillingness to repent and that any one who -is concerned about his salvation evidently -has not committed the unpardonable sin nor -sinned away his day of grace. A little instruction -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>along this line is often times all that -is needed.</p> - -<p class='c019'>15. “<i>It is too late.</i>”</p> - -<p class='c023'>When an inquirer says this, it is often -times well to use <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 2, and tell him -that God says, it is just the time. Luke <abbr title='23'>xxiii.</abbr> -39‒43, is useful as showing that even at the -last hour Jesus will hearken to the sinner’s -cry. <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 9, will show that His will is -that none should perish, but that He is delaying -the judgment that He may save as many -as will come. <abbr title='Deuteronomy'>Deut.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 30, 31, is an especially -helpful passage as it says “Even in the -latter days” if thou turn to the Lord he will -be <a id='tn049'></a>merciful. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18, and <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 17, can -alone be used here.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span> - <h2 id='ch06' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='6'>VI.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING <a id='tn050'></a>WITH THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>1. Among those who entertain false hopes, -perhaps the largest class are <i>those who expect -to be saved by their righteous lives</i>. -These persons are easily known by such sayings -as these, “I am doing the best I can.” -“I do more good than evil.” “I am not a -great sinner.” “I have never done anything -very bad.” <abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10, is an excellent passage -to use, for it shows that all those who -are trusting in their works are under the curse -of the law and that there is no hope on the -ground of the law for any one who does not -“continue in all things which are written in -the book of the law to do them.” James <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> -10 is also useful. <abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 16, and Romans -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 19, 20 are very effective by showing that -by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be -justified in God’s sight. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 20—All -these passages show the kind of righteousness -God demands and that no man’s righteousness -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>comes up to God’s standard, and that if a man -wishes to be saved he must find some other -means of salvation than by his own deeds. -It is sometimes well in using these passages -to say to the inquirer: “You do not understand -the kind of righteousness that God demands -or you would not talk as you do. Now -let us turn to His word and see what kind of -righteousness it is that God demands.” There -is another way of dealing with this class, by the -use of such passages as Luke <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 15; <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 16; -<abbr title='First Samuel'>1 Sam.</abbr> <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 7. These passages show that God -looks at the heart. Hold the inquirer right to -that point. Every man when brought face -to face with that, must tremble because he -knows that whatever his outward life may -be, his heart will not stand the scrutiny of -God’s eye. No matter how selfrighteous a -man is, we need not be discouraged for somewhere -in the depths of every man’s heart is -the consciousness of sin and all we have to -do is to work away until we touch that point. -Every man’s conscience is on our side. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 37, 38 can be used when a man says “I -am doing the best I can, or doing more good -than evil.” Say to him, “You are greatly mistaken -about that; so far from doing more -good than evil, do you know that you have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>broken the first and greatest of God’s laws?” -Then show him the passage. <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 6, -John <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 29, show that the one thing that God -demands is faith and that without that it is -impossible to please God, and John <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 9, -shows that unbelief in Christ is the greatest -sin. John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36, shows that the question of -eternal life depends solely upon a man’s accepting -or rejecting Jesus Christ, and <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -28, 29, that the sin which brings the heaviest -punishment is that of treading under foot the -Son of God. Before using this latter passage, it -would be well to say, “You think you are very -good, but do you know that you are committing -the most awful sin in God’s sight which -a man can commit?” If he replies, “No<a id='tn052'></a>,” then -say “Well let me show you from God’s word -that you are;” then turn to this passage and -read it with great solemnity and earnestness.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. Another class of those who entertain -false hopes, are <i>those who think</i> “<i>God is too -good to damn anyone</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c023'>When any one says this, you can reply, “We -know nothing of God’s goodness but what we -learn from the Bible, and we must go to that -book to find out the character of God’s goodness. -Let us turn to Romans <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 2, 4, 5.” Having -read the verses, you can say something -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>like this, “Now, my friend, you see that the -purpose of God’s goodness is to lead you to -<a id='tn053'></a>repentance, not to encourage you in sin and -when we trample upon his goodness, then -we are treasuring up wrath against the day of -wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment -of God.” John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 21, 24 and <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36, -will show the man that however good God -may be that he will reject all who reject His -Son. Still another way to deal with these -men is by showing them from John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 40; <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 9‒11 or <abbr title='Ezekiel'>Ezek.</abbr> <abbr title='33'>xxxiii.</abbr> 11, that it is -not so much God who damns men as men -who damn themselves in spite of God’s goodness -because they will not come to Christ and -accept the life freely offered. You can say -“God is not willing that any should perish -and he offers life freely to you, but there is -one difficulty in the way. Let us turn to -John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 40, and see what the difficulty is.” -Then read the passage: “Ye will not come to -me that ye might have life,” and say, “My -friend here is the difficulty, you won’t come; -life is freely offered to you but if you will not -accept it, you must perish.” <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 4‒6, 9; -Luke <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 3, show how the “good” God deals -with persons who persist in sin. Sometimes -this last passage can be effectively used in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>this way: “You say God is too good to damn -any one. Now let us see what God Himself -says in his word.” Then turn to the passage -and read, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise -perish.” Repeat the passage over and -over again until it has been driven home.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. A third class of those who entertain false -hopes, are <i>those who say “I am trying to be a -Christian.”</i> John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12, will show them that -it is not “trying” to be a Christian or “trying” -to live a better life or “trying” to do anything -that God asks of us, but simply to receive -Jesus Christ, who did it all, and you can ask -the inquirer, “will you now stop your trying -and simply receive Jesus as Saviour?” Acts -<abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 31, shows that God does not ask us to -<em>try</em> what we can do but <em>trust</em> Jesus and what -He has done and will do. Romans <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 23‒25, -shows that we are not to be justified by trying -to do, “but freely by His grace, through the -redemption that is in Christ Jesus” on the simple -condition of faith.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. Still another class of those who entertain -false hopes are <i>those who say</i>, “<i>I feel I -am going to Heaven</i>,” or “<i>I feel I am saved</i>.” -Show them from John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36 that it is not a -question of what they feel but what God says, -and what God says distinctly in his word is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>that, “He that believeth not on the Son, shall -not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on -him.” One afternoon I was talking with a -lady who a few weeks before had lost her only -child. At the time of the child’s death she -had been deeply interested, but her serious impressions -had largely left her. I put to her -the question, “Do you not wish to go where -your little one has gone?” She replied at once -“I expect to.” “What makes you think you -will?” I said. She replied, “I feel so, I feel that -I will go to heaven when I die.” I then asked -her, if there was anything she could point to -in the word of God which gave her a reason -for believing that she was going to heaven -when she died. “No,” she said, “there is not.” -Then she turned and questioned me, saying, -“Do you expect to go to heaven when you die?” -“Yes<a id='tn055'></a>,” I replied, “I know I shall.” <a id='tn055_2'></a>“How do -you know it?” she said. “Have you any word -from God for it?” “Yes,” I answered and turned -her to John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36. She was thus led to see the -difference between a faith that rested upon -her feelings and a faith that rested upon the -word of God.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Luke <abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> 9‒14, can also be used in -the following way; you can say “there was -a man in the Bible who felt he was all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>right, but was all wrong. Let me read -you about him.” Then read about the -Pharisee who was so sure that he was all -right, but who was all the time an unforgiven -sinner; and make the inquirer see how untrustworthy -our feelings are and what the ground -of <a id='tn056'></a>assurance is, viz: God’s word. <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 12 -can also be used as showing that “there is a way -which seemeth right unto a man but the end -thereof are the ways of death.”</p> - -<p class='c019'>5. The last class of those who entertain -false hopes, are <i>those who say they are saved -though they are leading sinful lives</i>. In the -case of many forms of sin, a good passage to -use is <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 9‒10. <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 29 will also -in many cases sweep away this false hope. <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 4‒5 is useful as showing that one who -is really born of God overcomes the world and -the fact that they are living in sin and are not -overcoming the world is evidence that they -have not been born of God.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span> - <h2 id='ch07' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='7'>VII.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'><span class='sc'>Dealing with those who Lack Assurance and with <a id='tn057'></a>Back–sliders</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'><abbr title='1'>I.</abbr> <span class='sc'>Those who Lack Assurance.</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>Those who lack assurance may be divided -into two classes.</p> - -<p class='c019'>1. <i>Those who lack assurance because of ignorance.</i> -<abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 13, will show all such that -we may know that we have eternal life. Often -times when you ask people if they know they -are saved, or if they know their sins are forgiven, -or if they know they have eternal life, -they will reply, “Why no one knows that.” -You can say to them, “Yes the Bible says that -all who believe may know it,” and then show -them <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 13. John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12 shows that -Christ gives to as many as receive Him, power -to become the Sons of God. A good way to -use this verse is to ask the inquirer questions -regarding it. “What does every one who receives -Him receive power to become?” The -inquirer if he is attentively looking at the -verse will answer, “A son of God.” Then ask -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>the next question, “Have you received Him?<a id='tn058'></a>” -If he replies “Yes,” then ask him, “What are -you then?” It will probably be necessary to go -over it several times but at last the inquirer -will see it and say “I am a son of God.” -John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36 can be used in a similar way. Ask -the inquirer “who do these verses say has everlasting -life?” “He that believeth on the Son.” -“Do you believe on the Son?” “What have -you then?” In a little while he will see it and -say “Everlasting life.” Then have him say -over and over again “I have everlasting life,” -and have him kneel down and thank God for -giving him everlasting life. One night I found -a young man upon his knees at the close of -the service in great distress. I showed him -from the Bible how Jesus Christ had borne -his sins and asked him if he would accept -Christ as his Saviour; he said he would; but -he seemed to get no light and went out of the -meeting in deep distress. The next night he -was there again, professing to have accepted -Christ but with no assurance that his sins -were forgiven. I tried to show him from God’s -word what God said of those who accepted -the Saviour, but the light did not come. Finally -he rose to leave the meeting. I had just -shown him from John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36 that God said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>that “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting -life.” As he turned to leave me, he -said, “Will you pray for me?” I said “Yes.” -He walked a little way down the aisle and I -called to him and said, “Do you believe I will -pray for you?” He turned with a look of astonishment -and replied, “Yes, of course.” -“Why do you think I will pray for you?” I -then asked. “Because you said so,” he replied. -I said “Isn’t God’s word as good as mine?” -He saw it at once, that while he had been -willing to believe my word, he had not been -willing to believe God’s word, and he received -assurance on the spot and knew that he had -everlasting life. John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 24 and <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 12 -can be used in a similar way.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Acts <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 39 is very useful in dealing with -this class of persons. Ask the inquirer: -“What does this verse say that all who believe -are?” “Justified<a id='tn059'></a>.” Then ask him, “Do you -believe?” “What are you then?” It will -probably take two or three times going over -it before he sees it and when he answers “I -am justified,” tell him to thank God for justifying -him and confess Christ, and see to it -that he does so. Many inquirers of this class -stumble over the fact that they have not the -witness of the Holy Spirit. Show them from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span><abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 10 that the witness of the word to -their acceptance is sufficient, and that, if they -believe not this witness of God in His word, -they make Him a liar. Show them further -from <abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 13, that it is after we believe the -testimony of the word that we are “sealed -with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The natural -order in assurance is this: First, assurance -of our justification, <i>resting on the “Word of -God.”</i> Second, public confession of Christ, -“with the mouth<a id='tn060'></a>,” Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 10. Third, -the witness of the Holy Spirit. The trouble -with many is that they wish to invert this -order and have the witness of the Holy Spirit -before they confess Christ with the mouth. -From <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 32, 33, we learn that when we -confess Christ before men, then He confesses -us before the Father. We cannot reasonably -expect the witness of the Spirit from the Father -until we are confessed before the Father. So -confession of Christ logically precedes the -witness of the Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c023'>It is very important in using these texts to -make clear what saving faith is; because many -may say that they believe when they do not, in -the sense of these texts, and so get a false assurance -and entertain false hopes and never -find deliverance. There is a great deal of careless -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>dealing with those who lack assurance. -Workers are so anxious to have inquirers come -out clearly that they urge them on to assurance -when they have no right to have assurance -of salvation as they have not really accepted -Christ.</p> - -<p class='c023'>John <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12, and <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12, make very -clear what believing is—receiving Jesus or -committing to Jesus. Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 10, will serve -a similar purpose by showing that it “is <em>with -the heart</em> man believeth unto righteousness.”</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <i>Those who lack assurance because of -sin.</i> The trouble with those who lack assurance -is, often, that there is some sin or questionable -practice which they ought to confess -and give up. John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 12; <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 7; <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> -<abbr title='28'>xxviii.</abbr> 13; <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='32'>xxxii.</abbr> 1‒5, are useful passages -in dealing with this class of men, for they -show that it is when sin is confessed and -forsaken and we follow Christ, that we receive -pardon, light and assurance. Often times it -is well when one lacks assurance to put the -question squarely to him: “Do you know of -any sin on to which you are holding or anything -in your life which your conscience troubles -you about?”</p> - -<p class='c019'><abbr title='2'>II.</abbr> <span class='sc'>Back–sliders.</span> There are two classes -of back–sliders and they should be dealt with -in different ways.</p> - -<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>1. <i>Careless back–sliders; those who have -no great desire to come back to the Saviour.</i> -With such persons use <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 5, drive the -question right home, “What iniquity have you -found in the Lord?” Show them the base -ingratitude and folly of forsaking such a -Saviour and Friend. Very likely they have -wandered away because of unkind treatment -by professed Christians, but hold them right -to the point of how <em>the Lord</em> treated them -and how they are now treating Him. Use -also <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 13, and show them what they -have forsaken and for what. Have them read -the verse and ask them, “is not that verse -true? When you forsook the Lord did you -not forsake the ‘fountain of living waters’ and -turn to ‘broken cisterns that can hold no -water?’” Illustrate the text by showing how -foolish it would be to turn from a fountain of -pure living water to broken cisterns or muddy -pools. God has greatly honored this verse -in bringing back–sliders back to himself. Use -<abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 19. When they have read it ask them -whether they have not found it “an evil thing -and bitter” having forsaken the Lord their -God. <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 14; 1 Kings <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 9, and Luke -<abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 13‒17, can often times be used with effect -with an impenitent back–slider, showing him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>the result of his wandering. I have a friend -who always uses Amos. <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 11, 12, and often -times with good results.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <i>Back–sliders who are sick of their wanderings -and sin and desire to come back to -the Lord.</i> These are perhaps as easy a class -to deal with as we ever find. <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 12, 13, -and 22, will show them how ready the Lord -is to receive them back and that all he asks -of them is that they acknowledge their sin -and return to him. <abbr title='Hosea'>Hos.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 1‒4, is full of -tender invitation to penitent back–sliders and -also shows the way back to God. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='43'>xliii.</abbr> 22, -24, 25, and <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='44'>xliv.</abbr> 20‒22; <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 11‒13; -<abbr title='Deuteronomy'>Deut.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 28‒31; <abbr title='Second Chronicles'>2 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 14; <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> -<abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 9; <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 1‒2, set forth God’s unfailing love for -the back–slider and His willingness to receive -him back. Mark <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 7; <abbr title='Second Chronicles'>2 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 4; -<abbr title='33'>xxxiii.</abbr> 1‒9, 12, 13, give illustrations of great -back–sliders who returned to the Lord and how -lovingly He received them, <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 9; <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>iii.</abbr> 12‒13; -<abbr title='Second Chronicles'>2 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 12, 15; <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 14, show just -what steps the back–slider must take to come -back to the Lord and be restored to his favor, -viz: humble himself, confess his sins and turn -from his sin. Luke <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 11‒24, is perhaps the -most useful passage of all in dealing with a -<a id='tn064'></a>back–slider who wishes to return for it has both -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>the steps which the back–slider must take and -the kind of reception he will receive.</p> - -<p class='c023'>When a back–slider has returned he should -always be given instructions as to how to live -so as not to back–slide again. The instruction -to be given will be found in <a id='tn064_2'></a><a href='#ch12s15'>Chapter <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> sec. 15</a>.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span> - <h2 id='ch08' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='8'>VIII.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH PROFESSED SKEPTICS AND INFIDELS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>There are various classes of Sceptics and -the same methods of dealing will not answer -for all.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='ch08s1'></a>1. <i>Skeptics who are mere triflers.</i> With -such use <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18. If a man says the Bible -is foolishness to him, you can say “Yes, that -is just what the Bible itself says.” He will -probably be surprised at this reply and then -you can show him <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18; “the preaching -of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” -Then you can say to him, “You see -that the Bible says that it is foolishness to -some—them that <em>perish</em>—and the reason it is -foolishness to you is because you are perishing.” -<abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 14, can be used in a similar -way. A worker was one night dealing with a -man who said to him when he was trying to -persuade him to come to Christ, “all that -you are saying is foolishness to me.” The -worker quickly replied, “Yes, that is just what -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>the Bible says.” The man looked at him in -astonishment and said: “What?” “You said all -that I have been saying to you was foolishness -to you, and that is just what the Bible says.” -The man was more astonished then than ever -and the worker turned him to <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 14, “But -the natural man receiveth not the things of -the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness -unto him; neither can he know them because -they are spiritually discerned.” The man -said “I never saw that before; I never thought -of it in that light before.” <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 3, 4, is -very useful in showing the trifler that he is -lost and that his skepticism arises from the -fact that the “god of this world hath blinded -his mind.” <abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 10‒12, is useful in -showing the origin of skepticism, “because -they received not the love of the truth” and -the consequences of skepticism—delusion and -damnation. John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 21, 24, is also very -searching in dealing with this class of skeptics, -showing the terrible consequences of unbelief. -John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 44; <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 18, 19, 20 expose the origin of -scepticism. <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 1, is useful in some -cases though one needs to be guarded in its -use, using it only when it can be done with -earnestness and tenderness. <abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 7, 8 -can also be used with good results.</p> - -<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span><a id='ch08s2'></a>2. <i>Serious minded skeptics.</i> There is a -large class of men and women in our day who -are really desirous of knowing the truth but -who are in an utter fog of skepticism. John -<abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 17 is a very helpful passage in dealing with -such. It shows the way out of skepticism to -faith. Get the skeptic to act along the line -of that verse. Put to him the question, “Will -you surrender your will to God and promise -to search honestly and earnestly to find out -what God’s will is that you may do it, to ask -God to show you whether you need a Saviour -and whether Jesus is a Divine Saviour, the -Son of God; and will you promise that, if -God will show you that Jesus is the Son of -God, to accept Him as your Saviour and confess -Him before the world?” Have him make -his promise definite, by putting it down in -black and white. If you get him to do this, -his skepticism will soon take wings.</p> - -<p class='c023'>One evening at the close of a service -I asked a gentleman why he was not a -Christian. He replied: “I will tell you. -I do not talk much about it; for I am not -proud of it as some are, but I am a skeptic. -I have lain awake nights thinking about this -matter.” “Do you believe there is a God?” -“Yes, I never gave up my faith that there was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>a God.” “Well, if there is a God you ought -to obey him. Will you to–night take your -stand upon the will of God to follow it wherever -it carries you even if it carries you over -the Niagara Falls?” “I try to do as near right -as I know how.” “That is not what I asked; -will you take your stand on the will of God -to follow it wherever it carries you?” “I -have never put it that way.” “Will you put -it that way to–night?” “I will.” “Do you -believe God answers prayer?” “I don’t know; -I am afraid not.” “You don’t know that he -does not?” “No.” “Well, here is a possible -clue to the truth, will you follow it, will you -ask God to show you whether Jesus is His -Son; and what your duty concerning him -is?” “I will.” Not long after that the -man came into a meeting with a new look in -his face. He arose and said: “I was all in a -mist. I believed nothing.” Then he told us -what he had done. He had done just as he -promised. “And now,” he continued, “my -doubts are all gone. I don’t know where they -have gone but they are gone.” If the skeptic -will not act in this way you can “stop his -mouth” by showing him that he is not an honest -skeptic and that the trouble with him is not -his skepticism but his sin. If the man does not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>believe there is a God, you can begin one step -further back. Ask him if he believes there is -an absolute difference between right and wrong -(if he does not he is a mere trifler). If he says -he does, ask him if he will take his stand -upon the right and follow it wherever it -carries him. He may try to put you off by -saying “What is right?” or that he is doing the -right as nearly as he knows how. Get him to -promise that he will take his stand upon the -right, whatever he may find it to be and follow -it whatever the consequence may be. -Then show him that if he is honest in this -promise, he will try to find out what the right -is. Next say to him<a id='tn069'></a>, “You do not know -whether God answers prayer or not. I know -He does, and you will admit that here is -a possible clue to knowledge. If you are -honest in your desire to know the truth, you -will follow this possible clue. You can -get down and at least pray, ‘O my God, if -there be a God, teach me thy will and -I will do it. Show me whether Jesus is -thy son or not. If you show that he is, I -will accept Him as my Saviour and confess -Him before the world.<a id='tn069_2'></a>’” Then tell the man -to begin reading the Gospel of John, reading -slowly and <a id='tn069_3'></a>thoughtfully, only a few verses at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>a time, asking God for light each time before -reading and promising God that he will follow -the light as fast as He makes it clear. If the -man will follow this rational course, it will result -in every case in the skeptic coming out -into the clear light of faith in the Bible, as -the word of God, and Jesus Christ as the Son -of God. If the man is not an honest skeptic, -this course of treatment will reveal the fact -and then you can show him that the difficulty -is not with his skepticism but with his rebellious -heart.</p> - -<p class='c023'>If the man says that he does not know -whether there is an absolute difference between -right and wrong, then you can set it -down at once that he is bad and turn upon -him kindly and earnestly and say to him, -“My friend, there is something wrong in -your life; no man that is living right doubts -that there is a difference between right and -wrong. Now you probably know what is -wrong and the trouble is not with your skepticism, -but with <a id='tn070'></a>your sin.” One afternoon -after I had given out an invitation for any -skeptic or any one else who wished to talk -with me, to remain after the meeting, a young -man with whom I had dealt some months before -stayed. I asked him what his trouble was. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>He replied, “The same trouble that I told you -in the spring, I cannot believe that there is -a God.” I asked him if he had done as I -had advised him to do in our former conversation; -if he had taken his stand upon the -right to follow it wherever it carried him. He -replied that he did not know that there was -any difference between right and wrong. “I do -not know that there is such a thing as right.” -I looked him right in the eyes and said, “Is -there some sin your life?”</p> - -<p class='c023'>He said “Yes.” I said “what is it?” He replied, -“The same that I told you last spring.” -I said, “You promised to give it up, have you -given it up?” He said “No, I have not.” “Well,” -I said, “there is the difficulty, not with your -skepticism. Give up that sin and your skepticism -will take care of itself.” In some confusion -he replied, “I guess that is the trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. <i>Those who doubt the existence of God.</i></p> - -<p class='c023'>The passages under 1 and 2 can also be -used with this class and generally it is wise to -use them before those given under this head. -There are however, three passages that are -often times effective with this specific -class of skeptics. <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 1; before using -this passage you can say to the man, “Let me -read you from God’s own word what he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>says about those who deny his existence.” -Often times it is well to leave the passage -to do its own work. Sometimes, however, it -is wise to dwell a little upon it. Call the -man’s attention to the fact that it is “in his -heart” that the fool says “there is no God.” -He does not believe there is a God because he -does not wish to. You can add that the folly -of saying in one’s heart that there is no God -is seen in two points; first, there is a God and -it is folly to say there is not one, and second, -the doctrine that there is not a God always -brings misery and wretchedness. Put it right -to the man, and ask him if he ever knew a -happy atheist. <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 1, 2; Romans <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 19‒22, -are also effective passages.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. <i>Those who doubt that the Bible is the -word of God.</i></p> - -<p class='c023'>Romans <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 3, 4, is useful in showing that -questioning the fact does not alter the fact. -<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 35, is often used by the Spirit to -carry to the heart of the skeptic the certainty -and immutability of God’s word. Mark <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> -13; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 18; John <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 35; Luke <abbr title='10'>xxiv.</abbr> 27, 44, -are useful as giving Christ’s testimony that -the Old Testament is the Word of God. They -are especially helpful in dealing with those -who say that they accept the authority of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>Christ but not that of the Old Testament, -for in them Christ sets His seal to the Old -Testament Scriptures and they show conclusively -that if we accept His authority we -must accept that of the Old Testament also. -Along the same line John <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 26, and <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 12, -13, are useful as containing Christ’s indorsement -of the New Testament.</p> - -<p class='c023'><abbr title='First Thessalonians'>1 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 13, can be used with good effect -to meet the statement which is often made, -that Paul nowhere claims that his teaching -is the word of God. <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 21, John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> -47; Luke <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 30, 31, can also be used in dealing -with this class. <abbr title='Second John'>2 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 10, is very -effective in showing the guilt of those who -believe not the record that God has given. -Before using this last passage you can say, -“You doubt, do you, that the Bible is the -Word of God? Now let us see what God says -about those that believe not His testimony;” -then turn them to the passage and have them -read it.</p> - -<p class='c019'>5. <i>Those who doubt a future existence.</i></p> - -<p class='c023'><abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 35‒36; <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 28‒29; <abbr title='Daniel'>Dan.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 2.</p> - -<p class='c019'>6. <i>Those who doubt the doctrine of future -punishment, or the conscious, endless suffering -of the lost.</i> <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='21'>xxi.</abbr> 8, defines what -“death” means when used in the scriptures -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span><abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='17'>xvii.</abbr> 8, compared with <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 20, -shows what perdition or destruction means in -the scriptures. <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 20, compared with -<abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 10 shows that “the lake of fire” is not -a place where those consigned to it cease to -exist, for we find in the latter passage the -beast and false prophet are still there at the -end of a thousand years and that they, so far -from being annihilated or losing conscious existence -are tormented night and day forever -and ever. <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 7‒8 show that those who -are subjected to the terrible retribution here -described are those whose names are not written -in the Book of Life. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28 shows -that there is destruction for the soul apart -from the destruction of the body. Luke -<abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 5, shows that after one is killed and is of -course dead, there is a punishment in “hell<a id='tn074'></a>.” -Mark <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 28‒29 (<abbr title='Revised Version'>R. V.</abbr>) shows that there is such -a thing as eternal sin. Luke <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 23‒26, shows -that the condition of the wicked dead is one -of conscious torment. Mark <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 21, shows -that the retribution visited upon the wicked -is of so stern a character that it would be -better for him upon whom it is visited if he -had never been born.</p> - -<p class='c023'><abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 4; Jude 6, show that hell is -not a place where the inhabitants cease to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>exist, but where they are reserved alive, for -the purpose of God. <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28‒29, show -that while the punishment of transgression of -the Mosaic law was death, that sorer punishment -awaits those who have “trodden under -foot the Son of God.” <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='25'>xxv.</abbr> 41 gives -further light upon the subject. It shows that -the wicked go to the same place with the -Beast and False Prophet and the Devil mentioned -in <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 20, and <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 10, and share -the same endless, conscious torment.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='tn075'></a>7. <i>Those who doubt the divinity of -Christ.</i></p> - -<p class='c023'>a. In Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 36; <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 8, compare <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> -<abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 8‒10; <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 8; John <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 28; <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>ix.</abbr> 5; -<abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 17, compare <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='44'>xliv.</abbr> 6, we find several -divine titles applied to Christ, the same titles -being applied to Christ in the New Testament -that are applied to Jehovah in the old.</p> - -<p class='c023'>b. In <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 10, 3, we find divine offices -attributed to Christ.</p> - -<p class='c023'>c. In John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 22‒23, compare <abbr title='Revelation'>Rev.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 13; -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 6; <abbr title='Philippians'>Phil.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 10, we find it taught that -Jesus Christ should be worshiped as God.</p> - -<p class='c023'>d. In John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 22‒23 we find Jesus claiming -the same honor as his Father, and either He -was Divine or the most blasphemous impostor -that ever lived. Drive it home that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>one who denies Christ’s Divinity puts Him in -the place of a blasphemous imposter. Mark -<abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 61, 62, can be used in a similar way.</p> - -<p class='c023'>e. <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 22, 23, compared with <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 1, 5, shows that the one who denies the -Divinity of Christ, no matter who he may be, -is a liar and an antichrist. <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 10‒12, -shows that he who does not believe that Jesus -is divine makes God a liar, “Because he believeth -not the record that God gave of His -Son.” <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28‒29, shows the folly, guilt -and punishment of rejecting Christ as the -Son of God. John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 24, shows beyond a -question that no one who does not believe in -the Divinity of Jesus Christ will be saved. -<abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 31, shows that we have life through -believing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of -God.</p> - -<p class='c023'>(Note. It is best as a rule before taking up -specific difficulties to deal with the inquirer -with the passage under the head of “<a id='tn076'></a><a href='#ch08s1'>Skeptics who are triflers</a>,” or those under “<a href='#ch08s2'>Serious minded skeptics</a>.”)</p> - -<p class='c023'>Often times there is no need to take up -specific questions as for example about future -punishment until the inquirer has first settled -the matter whether he will accept Christ as -his Saviour.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span> - <h2 id='ch09' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='9'>IX.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINING</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>1. <span class='sc'>Those who complain of <a id='tn077'></a>God.</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>Many that you wish to lead to Christ will -say something to the effect that God is unjust -and cruel, Job. <abbr title='40'>xl.</abbr> 2, and Romans <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 20, -are very pointed passages to use with inquirers -of this class and need no comment. It -might be well to preface the reading of the -passages with some remark like this; “Do -you know of how enormous a sin you are -guilty in accusing God of being unjust and -cruel? Let me read what God says about it -in His Word.” Then read the passages. Romans -<abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 33 will serve to show the complaining -that the reason God’s ways seem unjust -and cruel is because they are so deep and -unsearchable; and that the trouble is not with -God’s ways but the limitation of their understanding. -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 5, 7, 10, 11 are especially -useful in cases where the inquirer complains -because of his own misfortunes or sorrows. <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> -<abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 8‒9 will often times prove helpful. Not infrequently -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>you will meet with one who will say -that “God is unjust to create men and then -damn them.” Turn such an one to <abbr title='Ezekiel'>Ezek.</abbr> -<abbr title='33'>xxxiii.</abbr> 11. This passage meets this complaint -by showing that God has no pleasure in the -death of the wicked, but desires their welfare -and that the wicked bring damnation upon -themselves by their stubborn refusal to repent. -<abbr title='First Timothy'>1 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 3‒4, shows that God, so far from -creating man to damn him, desires that all -men be saved. <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 9, teaches that -God is not willing that any should perish and -is delaying His purposes in order that all may -come to repentance. John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 40, and <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='23'>xxiii.</abbr> 37, show that the whole cause of man’s -damnation is his own willful and persistent refusal -to come to Christ. John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36, and <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> -16, are also helpful in many cases.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <span class='sc'>Those who complain of the bible.</span> -Men will often times say, “The Bible is contradictory -and absurd;” or “the Bible seems -foolish to me.” Two classes of passages can -be used in dealing with such inquirers.</p> - -<p class='c023'>a. <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18; <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 14; <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>iv.</abbr> 3‒4; <abbr title='Daniel'>Dan.</abbr> -<abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 10; <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 33, 34 and in extreme cases -<abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 10, 11, 12.</p> - -<p class='c023'>b. <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 17; <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='25'>xxv.</abbr> 14; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 25, -(see remarks under <a href='#ch08s2'>Serious Minded Skeptics</a> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>and <a href='#ch08s1'>Skeptics who are Triflers</a>.) Sometimes the -best thing to do with a man who says the -Bible is full of contradictions, is to hand him -your Bible and ask him to show you one. In -most cases he will not attempt to do it; as -people who complain about the Bible, as a rule -know nothing about its contents. One day -a man was brought to me to deal with and -when I asked him why he was not a Christian -he replied, “The Bible is full of contradictions.” -I at once asked him to show me one. -“Oh!” he said, “it’s full of them.” I said, “If -it is full of them you ought to be able to show -me one.” He said, “Well, there is one in -Psalms.” I said, “Show it to me.” He commenced -looking in the back of the New Testament -for the book of Psalms. I said, “You -are not looking in the right part of the Bible -for Psalms. Let me find it for you.” I found -him the book of Psalms and handed it to him. -After fumbling around he said, “I could find -it, if I had my own Bible here.” “Well,” I -said, “Will you bring your Bible to–night?” He -promised he would and agreed to meet me at -a certain place in the church. The appointed -hour came, but he did not. Some months -afterwards in another series of meetings in -the same church one of the workers stopped -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>me and said, “Here’s a man I wish you would -deal with; he is a skeptic.” I looked at him -and recognized him as the same man. “Oh!” -I said, “you are the man that lied to me here;” -and with much confusion he admitted that -he was, but he was still playing his old game -of saying that the Bible was full of contradictions. -In nine cases out of ten, men who -say this, know nothing about the Bible, and -when you ask them to show you a contradiction -in the Bible they are filled with confusion.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. <span class='sc'>Those who complain of God’s way of -Salvation.</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>A great many men will say, “I do not see -why God could not save men in some other -way than by the death of His son.” <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> -8, 9, Romans <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 33 are useful in dealing with -such. I have used Romans <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 20 with effect -with men of this sort. A young student said to -me one night, when I asked why he was not a -Christian, that he did not see why it was necessary -for Christ to die for him; why God did -not save him in some other way. I opened -my Bible and read to him Romans <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 20, -and put the question right to him, “Who art -thou that repliest against God?” and then -said to him, “Do you realize what you are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>doing, that you are condemning God?” The -young man very much confused said “I did -not mean to do that.” “Well,” I said; “that is -what you are doing.” “If that is so,” he replied, -“I will take it back.” A good way to -do with such men is to show them by the use -of passages given under the chapter “<a href='#ch03'>Dealing with the Indifferent</a>” that they are lost sinners. -When any one is led to see this, God’s -way of salvation will approve itself as just the -thing.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. <span class='sc'>Those who complain of Christians.</span> -Very frequently when we try to persuade men -to accept Christ as their Saviour, they reply; -“<i>There are too many hypocrites in church</i>.” -Romans <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 4 and 12, especially the latter -verse, are exceedingly effective in dealing with -such.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Romans <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 1, and <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 1‒5, are also -excellent. <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='21'>xxi.</abbr> 21, 22 is useful in showing -the objector that he is solely responsible for -his own relation to Christ and that what others -do is none of his affairs. Sometimes the inquirer -will <i>complain of the way Christian -people have treated him</i>. In such a case turn -the attention of the inquirer from the way in -which Christian people have treated him to -the way in which God has treated him. For -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>this purpose use <abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 5; <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 5; Romans -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 6‒8. Then ask him if the fact that Christians -have treated him badly is any excuse for -his treatment of a Heavenly Father who has -treated him so well. One night turning to an -aged man I asked him if he was a Christian. -He replied that he was not, that he was a -back–slider. I asked him why he back–slid. -He replied that Christian people had treated -him badly. I opened my Bible and read -<abbr title='Jeremiah'>Jer.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 5, to him, “Thus saith the Lord, what -iniquity have your fathers found in <em>me</em>, that -they are gone far from <em>me</em>, and have walked -after vanity and are become vain?” I said, -“Did you find any iniquity in God? Did God -not use you well<a id='tn082'></a>?” With a good deal of feeling -the man admitted that God had not -treated him badly and I held him right to this -point of God’s treatment of him, and not -man’s treatment, and his treatment of God. -<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> 23‒35; <abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 30‒32; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> -14‒15, are also useful as showing the absolute -necessity of our forgiving men.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span> - <h2 id='ch10' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='10'>X.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THOSE WHO WISH TO PUT OFF A DECISION UNTIL SOME OTHER TIME</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'><a id='ch10s1'></a>1. There are several classes of those who -wish to put off a decision. One of the largest -is composed of <i>those who say “I want to -wait,” or “Not to–night<a id='tn083'></a>,” or “I will think about -it,” or “I will come to–morrow night</i>,” or some -such thing. Use <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 6. The inquirer having -read the passage, ask him when it is that -he is to seek the Lord, and when he answers -“While he may be found,” ask him when that -is and then drive it home. Ask him if he is -sure that he can find Him to–morrow if he -does not seek Him to–day. Or you can use -<abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 1. It is well after he has read -this verse to ask the one with whom you are -dealing what becomes of the one who “being -often reproved hardeneth his neck” and when -he answers “He shall be destroyed,” ask him -how he shall be destroyed, and when he answers -“Suddenly,” ask him if he is willing to -run the risk. Or you can use <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='25'>xxv.</abbr> 10‒12. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>Ask him who it was that went into the marriage? -and when he answers “They that were -ready” ask him if he is ready. Then ask him -what happened after those who were ready -went <a id='tn084'></a>in. Then ask him where “those who -were not ready” were. Then put it to him, -“Are you willing to be on the out–side?” Or you -can use Luke <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 19, 20. Ask the inquirer for -how long a time this man thought he had made -provision. Then ask him: “If God should -call you to–night would you be ready?” <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 44, is especially effective in dealing with -those who say “I am not ready.” 1 Kings <abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> -21, can be used with good effect. An excellent -way to use this verse is by asking the person -whether he would be willing to wait a -year and not have an opportunity under any -circumstances, no matter what came up, of -accepting Christ. When he answers, “No, I -might die within a year,” ask him if he would -be willing to wait a month. Then bring it -down to a week and finally to a day, and ask -him if he would like God and the Holy Spirit -and all Christians to leave him alone for a -day and he not have an opportunity, under any -circumstances of accepting Christ? Almost -any thoughtful person will say, “No.” Then -tell him that if that is the case he had better -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>accept Christ at once. Dr. Chalmers was the -first one to use this method and it has been -followed by many others with great success. -<abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='27'>xxvii.</abbr> 1; James <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 13, 14; Job. <abbr title='36'>xxxvi.</abbr> 18; -Luke <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 24‒28; <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 19, 20; John <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 21; <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 35; -<abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 33‒34, can also be used with this class.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. Those who say “<i>I must get fixed in -business first, then I will become a Christian</i><a id='tn085'></a>,” -or “<a id='tn085_2'></a><i>I must do something else first.</i>” <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 33, -is the great passage to use in such cases; for it -shows that we must seek the kingdom of God -first.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. Those who say “<i>I am waiting God’s -time</i>.” If one says this, ask him if he will -accept Christ in God’s time if you will show -him when God’s time is. Then turn to <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> -<abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 2, or <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 15.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. Those who say “<i>I am too young</i>,” <a id='tn085_3'></a>or “<i>I -want to wait until I am older</i>.” Ecc. <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 1, is -an <a id='tn085_4'></a>all–sufficient answer to such. <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 14, -and <abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> 3, are also good passages to use -as they show that youth is the best time to -come to Christ and that all must become -children, even if they are old, before they can -enter into the kingdom of Heaven. It is often -times wise in dealing with persons who wish -to put off a decision until some time in the -future to use the passages given for “<a href='#ch03'>The Indifferent</a>,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>until such a deep impression is made -of their need of Christ that they will not be -willing to postpone accepting Christ.</p> - -<p class='c023'>In dealing with those under “<a href='#ch10s1'>1</a>” above, it -is best to use only one passage and drive that -home by constant <a id='tn086'></a>repetition. One night I was -dealing with a man who was quite interested -but who kept <a id='tn086_2'></a>saying “I cannot decide to–night.” -I quoted <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 1. To every -answer he made I would come back to this -passage. I must have repeated it a great many -times in the course of the talk until the man -was made to feel not only his need of Christ -but the danger of delaying and the necessity -of a prompt decision. He tried to get away -from the passage but I held him to this one -point. The passage lingered with him and -it was emphasized by the providence of God; -for that very night he was assaulted and quite -seriously injured, and he came the next night -with his head bandaged and accepted Christ. -The pounding which he received from his assailant -would probably have done him little -good if the text of scripture had not been -pounded into his mind.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span> - <h2 id='ch11' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='11'>XI.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>DEALING WITH THE WILLFUL AND THE DELUDED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>1. <span class='sc'>The Willful</span></p> - -<p class='c023'><a id='tn087'></a>There are several varieties of the Willful. -There are those for example who say -“<i>I do not wish you to talk to me</i>.” In such a -case it is usually best to give some pointed -passage of scripture and let it talk for itself -and then leave the person alone to reflect -upon it. Romans <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 23; <abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 28, 29; -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 25; Mark <abbr title='16'>xvi.</abbr> 16; <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 1, and -<abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 24‒33, are passages which are good for -this purpose.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Then there are those who say “<i>I cannot forgive</i>.” -<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='6'>vi.</abbr> 15 and <abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> 23‒35, are good -to use as showing that they must forgive or be -lost. <abbr title='Philippians'>Phil.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 13, and <abbr title='Ezekiel'>Ezek.</abbr> <abbr title='36'>xxxvi.</abbr> 26, will -show them how they can forgive. There are -a great many people who are kept from -Christ by an <em>unforgiving</em> spirit. Some -times this difficulty can be removed by getting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>the person to kneel in prayer and ask God -to take away their unforgiving spirit. I once -reasoned a long time with an inquirer who -was under deep conviction, but was held back -from accepting Christ by a hatred in her heart -toward some one who had wronged her. She -kept insisting that she could not forgive. -Finally I said, “let us get down and tell God -about this matter.” To this she consented -and scarcely had we knelt when she burst into -a flood of tears, and the difficulty was removed -and she accepted Christ immediately.</p> - -<p class='c023'>There are those again who say “<i>I love the -world too much</i>.” Mark <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 36, is the great -text to use with this class. Luke <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 33, will -show the absolute necessity that the world be -given up. Luke <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 16‒20; <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 15, 16, -17, will show the folly of holding on to the -world and <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='84'>lxxxiv.</abbr> 11, Romans <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 32, will -show that the Lord will hold back no good -thing from them.</p> - -<p class='c023'>There are those who say “<i>I cannot acknowledge -a wrong that I have done</i>.” <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='28'>xxviii.</abbr> -13, will show the wretchedness and woe that -is sure to follow unless the wrong is acknowledged. -Others will say “<i>I do not want to make -a public confession</i>.” Romans <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 10; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -32, 33, will show that God will accept nothing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>else. Mark <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 38; <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 42, 43, and <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> -<abbr title='29'>xxix.</abbr> 25, will show the peril of not making it. -There are those who say “<i>I want to have my -own way</i>.” <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 8‒9, will show how much -better God’s way is, and <abbr title='Proverbs'>Prov.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 12, shows -the consequences of having our own way. -Finally there are those who say “<i>I neither -accept Christ nor reject Him</i>.” <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 30, -will show that they must do one or the other. -This verse has been used to the conviction of a -great many.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <span class='sc'>The Deluded</span></p> - -<p class='c023'><i>a.</i> Under this head come the <i>Roman -Catholics</i>. A good way to deal with a Roman -Catholic is to show him the necessity of the -new birth and what the new birth is. <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 3, 5, 7, shows the necessity of the new birth. -What the new birth is, is shown in <abbr title='Ezekiel'>Ezek.</abbr> -<abbr title='36'>xxxvi.</abbr> 25‒27; <abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 17; <abbr title='Second Peter'>2 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 4. -Many Roman Catholics understand the new -birth to mean baptism, but it can be easily -shown them that the language used does not -fit baptism. Further than this, in <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> -<abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 15, Paul says to the Corinthian Christians -he had begotten them again through the gospel. -If the new birth meant baptism he must -have baptized them, but in <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 14, he -declares he had not baptized them. Acts -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span><abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 13, 21, 23, shows that a man may be -baptized, and yet his heart not be “right in -the sight of God” so he has “neither part -nor lot in this matter.” It is well to take a -step further and show the inquirer what the -evidences of the new birth are. <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 29; -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 9, 14‒17; <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 1, 4, give the Biblical evidences -of the new birth. The next question that -will arise is “How to be born again.” This -question is answered in <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 12; <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 23; -<abbr title='James'>Jas.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 18.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Acts <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 19, is a good text to use with Roman -Catholics as it shows the necessity of <a id='tn090'></a>repentance -and conversion. What repentance is, -will be shown by <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='55'>lv.</abbr> 7; Jonah <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10. Still -another way of dealing with Roman Catholics -is by showing them that it is the believer’s -privilege to know that he has eternal life. Roman -Catholics almost always lack assurance. -They do not know that they are forgiven, but -hope to be forgiven some day. If you can -show them that we may <em>know</em> that we are -forgiven and that we have eternal life, it will -awaken in a great many of them a desire for -this assurance. <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 13, shows that it -is the believer’s privilege to know. Acts <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> -38, 39; <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 43, John <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 36, are very useful in leading -them into this assurance. Still another way -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>of dealing with them (but it is not best to use -it until you have already made some progress -with them) is to show them the advantage of -Bible study. Good texts for this purpose are -John <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 39; <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 1, 2; <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>iii.</abbr> 13‒17; -Jas <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 21, 22; <abbr title='Psalms'>Ps.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 1, 2; <abbr title='Joshua'>Josh.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 8; Mark <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 7, -8, 13; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 29. These texts, excepting -the one in <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Peter</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 1, 2, are all practically -the same in the “Douay” or Roman Catholic -Bible as they are in the Protestant Bible and -it is well oftentimes in dealing with a Catholic -to use the Catholic Bible.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Still another way of dealing with a Roman -Catholic is to use the same method that you -would in dealing with an impenitent sinner—that -is to awaken a sense that he is a sinner -and needs Christ. For this purpose use <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> -<abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 37, 38; <abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10, 13; <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr> 6.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Many people think that there is no use of -talking with Roman Catholics, that they cannot -be brought to Christ. This is a great mistake. -Many of them are longing for something -they do not find in the Roman Catholic -church, and, if you can show them from the -word of God how to find it, they come along -very easily and they make very earnest Christians. -Do not attack the Roman Catholic -church. Give them the truth, and the errors -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>in time will take care of themselves. Often -times our attacks only expose our ignorance.</p> - -<p class='c023'>There is one point at which we always have -the advantage in dealing with a Roman Catholic; -that is that there is peace and power in -Christianity as we know it that there is not -in Christianity as they know it, and they appreciate -the difference.</p> - -<p class='c019'><i>b.</i> <i>Jews.</i> The best way to deal with a Jew is to show -him that his own Bible points to Christ. The -most helpful passages to use are <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='53'>liii.</abbr>; -<abbr title='Daniel'>Dan.</abbr> <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 26; <abbr title='Zechariah'>Zech.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 10. There are also -useful passages in the New Testament; the -whole book of Hebrews, especially the ninth -and tenth chapters and the seventh chapter, -25th to 28th verses, and the whole Gospel -of Matthew. A great many Jews to–day are -inquiring into the claims of Jesus of Nazareth, -and are open to approach upon this subject. -The great difficulty in the way of the Jew -coming out as a Christian is the terrific persecution -which he must endure if he does. This -difficulty can be met by the passages already -given under the head of “<a href='#ch05s5'>Those Who are Afraid of Persecution</a>.”</p> - -<p class='c023'>(Note. There are a number of good tracts -for Jews which can be had from the Mildmay -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>Mission to the Jews, 79 Mildmay Road, London.)</p> - -<p class='c019'><i>c.</i> <i>Spiritualists.</i> <abbr title='Leviticus'>Lev.</abbr> <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 31; <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 6; <abbr title='Deuteronomy'>Deut.</abbr> -<abbr title='18'>xviii.</abbr> 10‒12; <abbr title='Second Kings'>2 Kings</abbr> <abbr title='21'>xxi.</abbr> 1, 2, 6; <abbr title='First Chronicles'>1 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -13; <abbr title='Isaiah'>Is.</abbr> <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 19, 20; <abbr title='First John'>1 John</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 1‒3; <abbr title='Second Thessalonians'>2 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> -9‒12, are passages to be used with this class.</p> - -<p class='c023'>In dealing with all classes of deluded people -it is well to begin by using <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 17, and -bring them to a place where they heartily desire -to know the truth. There is no hope of -bringing a man out of his delusion, unless he -desires to know the truth.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span> - <h2 id='ch12' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='12'>XII.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>SOME HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>There are a few general suggestions to be -made that will prove helpful to the worker.</p> - -<p class='c019'>1. <i>As a rule choose persons to deal with -of your own sex and about your own age.</i> -There are exceptions to this rule. One should -be always looking to the Holy Spirit for his -guidance as to whom to approach, and He may -lead us to one of the opposite sex, but unless -there is clear guidance in the matter, it is -quite commonly agreed among those who have -had large experience in Christian work that -men do, on the whole, most satisfactory work -with men, and women with women. Especially -is this true of the young. Many unfortunate -complications oftentimes arise when young -men try to lead young women to Christ or vice -versa. Of course, an elderly motherly woman -may do excellent work with a young man or -boy, and an elderly, fatherly man may do good -work with a young woman or girl. It is not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>wise ordinarily for a young and inexperienced -person to approach one very much older and -maturer and wiser than themselves on this -subject.</p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <i>Whenever it is possible, get the person -with whom you are dealing alone.</i> No one -likes to open his heart freely to another on -this most personal and sacred of all subjects -when there are others present. Many will -from pride defend themselves in a false position -when several are present, who would -fully admit their error or sin or need, if they -were alone with you. As a rule it is far better -for a single worker to deal with a single -unconverted person, than for several workers -to deal with a single inquirer or for a single -worker to deal with several inquirers at once. -If you have several to deal with take them one -by one. Workers often find that when they -have made no headway while talking to several -at once, by taking individuals off by themselves -they soon succeed in leading them one -by one to Christ.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. <i> Let your reliance be wholly in the Spirit -of God and the Word of God.</i></p> - -<p class='c019'>4. <i> Do not content yourself with merely -reading passages from the Bible—much less in -merely quoting them, but have the one with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>whom you are dealing read them himself that -the truth may find entrance into the heart -through the eye <a id='tn096'></a>as well as the ear.</i></p> - -<p class='c019'>5. <i>It is ofttimes well to use but a single -passage of scripture, drive that home and -clinch it</i> so that the one with whom you have -been dealing cannot forget it, but will hear it -ringing in his memory long after you have -ceased talking. Dr. Ichabod Spencer once in -dealing with a young man who had many difficulties -kept continually quoting the passage -“now is the accepted time, behold now is the -day of salvation.” The young man tried to get -Dr. Spencer on to something else, but over and -over again he rang out the words. The next -day the young man returned rejoicing in -Christ and thanking the doctor that he had -“hammered” him with that text. The words -kept ringing in his ears during the night and -he could not rest until he had settled the matter -by accepting Christ. It is a good thing when -a person can point to some definite verse in -the word of God and say “I know on the -authority of that verse that my sins are forgiven -and I am a child of God.” There are -times, however when a powerful effect is produced -by a piling up of passages along some -line until the mind is convinced and the heart -conquered.</p> - -<p class='c019'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>6. <i>Always hold the person with whom you -are dealing to the main point of accepting -Christ.</i> If he wishes to discuss the claims of -various denominations, or the question of baptism, -or theories of future punishment or any -other question other than the central one of -his need of a Saviour and Christ the Saviour he -needs; tell him that those questions are proper -to take up in their right place and time, -but the time to settle them is after he has -settled the first and fundamental question of -accepting or rejecting Christ. Many a case has -been lost by an inexperienced worker allowing -himself to be involved in a discussion of some -side issue which it is utter folly to discuss -with an unregenerated person.</p> - -<p class='c019'>7. <i>Be courteous.</i> Many well–meaning but -indiscreet Christians by their rudeness and impertinence -repel those whom they would win -to Christ. It is quite possible to be at once -perfectly frank and perfectly courteous. You -can point out to men their awful sin and need -without insulting them. Your words may be -very searching, while your manner is very -gentle and winning. Indeed, the more -gentle and winning our manner is, the deeper -our words will go, for they will not stir up -the opposition of those with whom we deal. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Some zealous workers approach those with -whom they wish to deal in such a manner -that the latter at once assume the defensive -and clothe themselves with an armor that -it is impossible to penetrate.</p> - -<p class='c019'>8. <i>Be dead in earnest.</i> Only the earnest -man can make the unsaved man feel the truth -of God’s word. It is well to let the passages -that we would use with others first sink into -our own souls. I know of a very successful -worker who for a long time used the one passage, -“prepare to meet thy God,” with every -one with whom she dealt, but that passage had -taken such complete possession of her heart -and mind that she used it with tremendous -effect. A few passages that have mastered us -are better than many passages that we have -mastered from some text book.</p> - -<p class='c023'>The reader of this book is advised to ponder, -upon his knees, such of the passages suggested -in it as he decides to use until he -himself feels their power. We read of -Paul that he “ceased not to warn every one -night and day, with tears.” (Acts <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 31.) -Genuine earnestness will go farther than any -skill learned in a training class or from the -study of such a book as this.</p> - -<p class='c019'>9. <i>Never lose your temper when trying to</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span><i>lead a soul to Christ.</i> Some persons are -purposely exasperating, but even such may be -won, by patience, forbearance and gentleness.</p> - -<p class='c023'>They certainly cannot be won if you lose -your temper. Nothing delights them more, -or gives them more comfort in their sins. -The more extremely irritating they are in -their words and actions the more impressed -they will be if you return insults with kindness. -Often times the one who has been -most insufferable will come back in penitence. -One of the most insulting men I ever met -afterwards became one of the most patient, -persistent and effective of workers.</p> - -<p class='c019'>10. <i>Never have a heated argument with -one whom you would lead to Christ.</i> This -always comes from the flesh and not from the -spirit. (<abbr title='Galatians'>Gal.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 20, 22, 23.) It arises from -pride and unwillingness to let the other person -get the best of you in argument. Refuse to -argue. If the one with whom you are talking -has mistaken notions that must be removed -before he can be led to Christ quietly and -pleasantly show him their error. If the error -is not essential refuse to discuss it and hold the -person to the main question.</p> - -<p class='c019'>11. <i>Never interrupt any one else who is -dealing with a soul.</i> You may think he is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>not doing it in the wisest way, but if you can -do it any better, bide your time and you will -have the opportunity. Many an unskilled -worker has had some one at the very point of -decision when some meddler has broken in and -upset the whole work. On the other hand, -do not let others, if you can help it, interrupt -you. Just a little word plainly but courteously -spoken will usually prevent it.</p> - -<p class='c019'>12. <i>Don’t be in a hurry.</i> One of the -great faults of Christian work to–day is haste. -We are too anxious for immediate results and -so do superficial work. It is very noticeable -how many of those with whom Christ dealt -came out slowly. Nicodemus, Joseph, Peter -and even Paul—though the final step in his -case seems very sudden—are cases in point. -It was three days even after the personal appearance -of Jesus to Paul on the way to Damascus -before the latter came out into the -light and openly confessed Christ. (Acts <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> -16.) One man with whom slow but thorough -work has been done, and who at last has been -brought out clearly for Christ, is better than -a dozen with whom hasty work has been done, -who think they have accepted Christ when -in reality they have not. It is often a wise -policy to plant a truth in a man’s heart and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>leave it to work. The seed on rocky ground -springs up quickly but withers as quickly.</p> - -<p class='c019'>13. <i>Whenever it is possible and wise, get -the person with whom you are dealing on his -knees before God.</i> It is wonderful how many -difficulties disappear in prayer, and how readily -stubborn people yield when they are brought -into the very presence of God himself. I remember -talking with a young woman, in an inquiry -room, for perhaps two hours and making -no apparent headway; but, when at last we -knelt in prayer, in less than five minutes she -was rejoicing in her Saviour.</p> - -<p class='c019'>14. <i>Whenever you seem to fail in any given -case go home and pray over it and study it to -see why you failed.</i> If you have been at a loss -as to what scripture to use, study that portion -of this book that describes the different classes -we meet and how to deal with them and see -where this case belongs and how you ought to -have treated it. Then go back if you can and -try again. In any case you will be better -prepared next time. The greatest success -in this work comes through many apparent -defeats. It will be well to frequently study -these hints and suggestions to see if your failures -come through neglect of them.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='ch12s15'></a>15. <i>Before parting from the one who has</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span><i>accepted Christ, be sure to give him definite -instructions as to how to succeed in the -Christian life.</i> The following are points that -should be always insisted upon. (a.) Confess -Christ with the mouth before men every opportunity -you get. <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 9, 10; <abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> -32, 33. (b.) Be baptized and partake regularly -of the Lord’s supper. Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 38, 42; Luke -<abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 19; <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 24‒26. (c.) Study the Word -of God daily. <abbr title='First Peter'>1 Pet.</abbr> <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 2; Acts <abbr title='20'>xx.</abbr> 32; <abbr title='Second Timothy'>2 Tim.</abbr> -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 13‒17; Acts <abbr title='17'>xvii.</abbr> 11. (d.) Pray daily, often -and in every time of temptation. Luke <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> -9‒13; <abbr title='22'>xxii.</abbr> 40; <abbr title='First Thessalonians'>1 Thes.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 17. (e.) Put away -out of your life every sin, even the smallest, -and everything you have doubts about, and -obey every word of Christ <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 6, 7; <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> -<abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 23; <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 23. (f.) Seek the society of -Christians. <abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 12‒16; Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 42, 47; -<abbr title='Hebrews'>Heb.</abbr> <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 24, 25. (g.) Go to work for Christ. -<abbr title='Matthew'>Matt.</abbr> <abbr title='25'>xxv.</abbr> 14‒29. (h.) When you fall into -sin don’t be discouraged, but confess it at -once, believe it is forgiven because God says -so and get up and go on. <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 9; <abbr title='Philippians'>Phil.</abbr> -<abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 13‒14. It would be well to give these instructions -in some permanent form to the one -whom you have led to Christ. You can write -them out or get a little tract called the “Christian -Life Card” published by <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> C. Collins, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>Bureau of Supplies, New Haven, Conn. This -contains them and some other matter.</p> - -<p class='c019'>16. <i>When you have led any one to Christ, -follow him up and help him in the development -of his Christian life.</i> Many are led to -Christ and then neglected and get on very -poorly. This is a great mistake. The work -of following up those who are converted is as -important as the work of leading them to -Christ, and as a rule no one can do it so well -as the person whom God used in their conversion.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span> - <h2 id='ch13' class='c018'>CHAPTER <abbr title='13'>XIII.</abbr> <br /> <br /> <span class='c022'>THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>There is one condition of success in bringing -men to Christ that is of such cardinal importance, -and so little understood, that it demands -a separate chapter. I refer to the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 5; Luke -<abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 49 (comp. Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 8), and Acts <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 4, we -have three expressions; “baptized with the -Holy Spirit<a id='tn104'></a>,” “endured with power from on -high” and “filled with the Holy Spirit<a id='tn104_2'></a>.” By a -careful comparison of these and related passages -we will find that these various expressions -refer to one and the same experience. -This experience we shall see as we proceed in -the study of this subject is an absolutely necessary -condition of acceptable and effective -service for Christ.</p> - -<p class='c019'>1. <span class='sc'>What is the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit?</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>1. <i>It is a definite and distinct operation of -the Holy Spirit of which one may know -whether it has been wrought in him or not.</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>This is evident from the fact that Jesus bade -His disciples tarry in Jerusalem until they -had received this enduement, (Luke <abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 49, -comp. Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 8), and if it was not a definite and -distinct operation of which they might know -whether they had received it or not, of course, -they would not know when this command of -Christ had been complied with and when they -were ready to begin their witnessing.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='ch13s1_2'></a>2. <i>It is an operation of The Holy Spirit -separate from His regenerating work.</i> This -appears from Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 5, where the disciples are -told “ye shall be baptized with the Holy -Spirit not many days hence.” But from <abbr title='John'>Jno.</abbr> -<abbr title='15'>xv.</abbr> 3; <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 10 we learn that the disciples were -already regenerated. It appears also from -Acts <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 15, 16 where we are told of certain -who had already believed and were baptized -with water, but upon whom the -Holy Spirit had not yet fallen. The same -thing is shown by Acts <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 1‒6, where -we are told of certain who were disciples, -but who had not received the Holy Spirit -since they believed. <em>One may then be regenerated -by the Holy Spirit without being -baptized with the Holy Spirit. Such an one -is saved but he is not yet fitted for service.</em> -Every believer has the Holy Spirit, <abbr title='Romans'>Rom.</abbr> <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>9, but not every believer has the Baptism of the -Holy Spirit, (Acts <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 12‒16; <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 1‒2). We -shall see very soon that every believer may -have the baptism of the Holy Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c019'>3. <i>The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is always -connected with testimony or service</i>, (see -<abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 4‒13; Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 5‒8; Luke <abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 49; -Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 4; <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 8, 31; <abbr title='7'>vii.</abbr> 55; <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 17, 20; <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 45‒46; -<abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 6.) The Baptism of the Holy Spirit has -no direct reference to cleansing from sin. -This is an important point to bear in mind -for many reasons. There is a line of teaching -on this subject that leads men to expect -that if they receive the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit, the old carnal nature will be eradicated. -There is not a line of scripture to support this -position. As said above, and as any one can -learn for himself if he will examine all the -passages in which the baptism of the Holy -Spirit is mentioned, it is always connected -with testimony and service. It is indeed accompanied -with a great moral and spiritual uplifting -and pre–supposes, as we shall see, an entire -surrender of the will to Christ, but its primary -and immediate purpose is fitting for service. -We will get a more definite idea of what -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is, if we consider -its manifestations and results as stated in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>Bible. (a.) Let us look first at the passage that -goes most into detail on this subject, <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> -<abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 4‒13. We see at once that <em>the manifestations -or results of the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit are not precisely the same in all persons</em>. -For example, the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit will not make every one who receives -it a successful evangelist or teacher. Some -quite different gift may be imparted. This -fact is often overlooked and much disappointment -and doubt are the result. The -manifestations or results vary with the lines -of service to which God has called different -individuals. One receives the gift of an evangelist, -another of a teacher, another of government, -another of a helper, another of a mother, -(<abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 28‒31; <abbr title='Ephesians'>Eph.</abbr> <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 8, 11.) (b.) <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> -<abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 7, 11. <em>There will be some gift in every -case.</em> Not the same gift but some gift, of an -evangelist, or a pastor, or of a teacher or some -other. (c.) <abbr title='First Corinthians'>1 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 11. <em>The Holy Spirit is -Himself the one who decides what the gift or -gifts shall be which he will impart to each -individual.</em> It is not for us to select some -place of service and then ask the Holy Spirit -to qualify us for that service, nor for us to -select some gift, and then ask the Spirit to -impart to us that gift. It is for us to put ourselves -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>entirely at the disposal of the Holy -Spirit to send us where “He will,” into what -line of service “He will” (Acts <abbr title='13'>xiii.</abbr> 2,) and to -impart what gift “He will.” He is absolutely -sovereign and our rightful position is that of -absolute and unconditional surrender to Him. -This is where many fail of a blessing and -meet with disappointment. I know a most -sincere and self–sacrificing man who gave up -a lucrative business and took up the work of -an evangelist. He had heard of the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit; and had been led to suppose -that, if he received it, it would qualify -him for the work of an evangelist. The man -came more than four thousand miles to this -country, but the work did not open to him. -He was in much perplexity and doubt until he -was led to see that it was not for him to select -the work of an evangelist, as good as that -work was, and then expect the Holy Spirit -to qualify him for this self–chosen work. He -gave himself up to be sent into whatever work -the Spirit might will. Into the work in which -he was sent the power of the Spirit came -upon him and he received this very gift of an -evangelist which he had coveted. (d.) Acts -<abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 5, 8. <em>The Baptism of the Holy Spirit always -imparts power for service, the services -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>to which God calls us.</em> In a certain city was -an uneducated boy who was led to Christ. -In his very lowly occupation he began witnessing -for Jesus. He went on from step to -step in Christ’s work. My attention was -called to him by a gentleman who was interested -in him, and who said he would like to -have me meet him. The gentleman brought -him to Chicago, and I invited him one night -to speak in one of our tents. It was in an -exceedingly hard neighborhood. Into the -same tent an organized mob once came to -break up the meeting. It was a difficult audience -to hold. The young man began in -what appeared to me to be a very commonplace -way, and I was afraid I had made a mistake -in asking him to speak, but I prayed and -watched the audience. There was nothing -remarkable in his address as he went on—excepting -the bad grammar. But I noticed that -all the people were listening. They continued -to listen to the end. When I asked if there -was any one who wished to accept Christ, -people rose in different parts of the tent to -signify that they did. Thinking it all over, I -told the facts to a man who had known the -speaker before. “It is just so wherever he -goes” was the reply. What was the explanation? -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>This uneducated boy had received -the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and had received -power. One night at the close of an -address on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a -minister came to me on the platform and said: -“I need this power, won’t you pray for me?” -“Let us kneel right down here now,” I replied, -and we did. A few weeks after I met a gentleman -who had been standing by. “Do you -remember,” he said “the minister with whom -you prayed at New Britain. He went back -to his church; his church is packed Sunday -evenings, a large part of the audience are -young men and he is having conversions right -along.” He had received the Baptism of the -Holy Spirit and “power.” (e.) Acts <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 29‒31. <em>The -Baptism of the Holy Spirit always imparts -boldness in testimony and service.</em> Peter is -a notable example of this. Contrast Peter in -Acts <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 8‒12 with Peter in Mark <abbr title='14'>xiv.</abbr> 66‒72. -Perhaps some one who reads this book has a -great desire to speak to others and win them -to Christ, but an insuperable timidity stands -in the way. If you will only get the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit, all that will be overcome.</p> - -<p class='c023'>We are now in a position to define the -baptism of the Holy Spirit. <i>The Baptism of -the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of God falling upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>the believer, taking possession of his faculties, -imparting to him gifts not naturally his -own, but which qualify him for the service -to which God has called him.</i></p> - -<p class='c019'>2. <span class='sc'>The necessity of the baptism of the -Holy Spirit as a preparation for Christian -work.</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>(1.) <i>In Luke <abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> 49. Jesus bade the apostles -to tarry in Jerusalem until they were “endued -with power from on high.”</i> These men -had been appointed to be witnesses of the life, -death and resurrection of Christ. (Luke <abbr title='24'>xxiv.</abbr> -45‒48. Acts; <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 22; <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 39‒41.) They had received -what would seem to be a splendid and -sufficient training for this work. For more -than three years they had been to school to -the best of teachers, Jesus Himself. They had -been eye witnesses of his miracles, death, -burial, resurrection and ascension. But there -was still one thing needed. And this need was of -such vital importance that Jesus would not permit -them to enter upon their appointed work -until that need had been met. That need was -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. If the apostles -with their unparalleled fitting for service, -were not permitted to enter that service until -all their other training had been supplemented -by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>what daring presumption it is for any of us with -our inferior training to dare to do it. But this -is not all, <em>even Jesus Himself did not enter -upon his ministry until specially anointed with -the Holy Spirit and with power</em>. (Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 38, -comp. Luke <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 22 and <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 1, 14). <em>This baptism is -an absolutely essential preparation for Christian -work.</em> It is either ignorance of the plain -requirements of God’s word or the most daring -presumption on our part when we try to do -work for Christ until we know we have been -Baptized with the Holy Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c019'>(2.) <i>It is the privilege of every believer to be -baptized with the Holy Spirit.</i> This appears -from Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 39, <abbr title='Revised Version'>R. V.</abbr> “To you is the promise -and to your children and to all that are afar -off, even as many as the Lord our God shall -call unto him.” The context, the use of the -word “promise” in this and the preceding -chapter (ch. <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 4; <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 16, 33.) and the use of the -expression “gift of the Holy Spirit” throughout -the book, all prove conclusively that “the -promise” of this verse means the promise of -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit; and the verse -tells us that this promise is for all in all ages -of the church’s history whom God shall call -unto him, <a id='tn112'></a><i>i. e.</i> for every believer. If we -have not this baptism it is our own fault. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>It is for us and we are responsible before God -for all the work we might have done, and all -the souls we might have won if we were so -baptized, and we are guilty to the extent that -the work is not done and the souls not won.</p> - -<p class='c019'><a id='tn113'></a>3. <span class='sc'>How can we obtain the Baptism of -the Holy Spirit<a id='tn113_2'></a>?</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>We now come to the practical question: how -can we obtain this Baptism of the Holy Spirit -which is such an absolute necessity in our -work for Christ? Fortunately the answer to -this question is very plainly stated in the Bible.</p> - -<p class='c019'>(1) “Repent ye and be baptized every one of -you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission -of your sins; and ye shall receive -the gift of the Holy Spirit<a id='tn113_3'></a>” (Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 38 <abbr title='Revised Version'>R. V.</abbr>) -<em>The first step toward obtaining this Baptism -is repentance.</em> Repentance means “a change of -mind,” a change of mind about sin, about -God, and in this case especially (as the context -shows) a change of mind about Christ. A real -change of mind such as leads to action—to our -turning away from all sin, our turning to God, -our turning away from rejecting Jesus Christ -to accepting Him. <em>The second step is the confession -of our renunciation of sin and acceptance -of Jesus Christ in God’s appointed way -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.</em> The -Baptism with the Holy Spirit in at least one instance -(Acts <abbr title='10'>x.</abbr> 44‒48) preceded the baptism with -water but this was manifestly an exceptional -case and God says “repent ye and be baptized -every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ -unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall -receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” (Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> -38, <abbr title='Revised Version'>R. V.</abbr>)</p> - -<p class='c019'>(2) “The Holy Spirit whom God hath given -to them that obey him<a id='tn114'></a>.” (Acts <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 32). <em>The condition -of the gift of the Holy Ghost here stated -is that we “obey Him.”</em> Obedience means more -than the mere performance of some of the -things that God bids us do. It means the -entire surrender of our wills, ourselves and all -we have, to Him. It means that we come to -Him and say from the heart, “here I am, I am -thine, thou hast bought me with a price, I acknowledge -thine ownership. Take me, do with -me what thou wilt, send me where thou wilt, -use me as Thou wilt.” This entire yielding -of ourselves to God is the condition of our receiving -the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it -is at this point that many fail of this blessing. -At the close of a convention a gentleman -hurried to the platform and said there was a -lady in great distress who wished to speak -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>with me. It was an hour before I could get -to her, but I found her still in great mental -suffering in the intensity of her desire for the -Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Others had talked -to her but it had seemed to do no good. -I sat down behind her and said<a id='tn115'></a>, “Is your will -wholly surrendered?” She did not know. “You -wish to be a Christian worker do you not?” -“Yes.” “Are you willing to go back to Baltimore -and be a servant girl if it is God’s will?” -“No!” “You will never receive this blessing -until your own will is wholly laid down.” “I -can’t lay it down<a id='tn115_2'></a>.” “Would you like to have -God lay it down for you<a id='tn115_3'></a>?” “Yes.” “Well, let -us ask Him to do it.” We did, he heard the -prayer, the will was laid down, the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit was received and she went -from the church rejoicing.</p> - -<p class='c023'>Obedience means also the doing in all matters -great and small, the will of God as revealed -in His Word or by His Spirit. Any refusal -to do what God bids us do, any conscious -doing of what he bids us not do, even -in very little matters, is sufficient to shut us -out of this blessing. If there is anything no -matter how little, that comes up before us to -trouble us as we pray over this matter, we -should set it right with God at once. Mr. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>Finney tells of one who, in great agony prayed -for days for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit -but received no answer. At last as she was -praying one night she put her hand to her -head and took off some little adornment that -always came up before her when she prayed -and cast it from her. Immediately she received -the long desired blessing. It seemed -a very little thing but it was a matter of controversy -with God and hindered the blessing.</p> - -<p class='c019'>(3.) “How much more shall your Heavenly -Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask -Him.” (Luke <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 13.)</p> - -<p class='c023'><a id='tn116'></a>(a.) There must be -definite prayer for this Baptism. It is often -said that the Holy Spirit is already here and -that every believer has the Spirit and so we -ought not to pray for the Holy Spirit. This -argument overlooks the distinction between -having the Holy Spirit and having this specific -operation of the Holy Spirit. (see <a href='#ch13s1_2'>1. 2.</a>) It -also contradicts the plain teaching of God’s -word that He gives “the Holy Spirit to them -that ask Him.” It is furthermore shown to be -fallacious by the fact that the Baptism of the -Holy Spirit in the book of Acts was constantly -given in connection with and in answer to -prayer. (Acts <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 14; <abbr title='1'>ii.</abbr> 1‒4; <abbr title='1'>iv.</abbr> 31; <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 15,17.)</p> - -<p class='c023'>(b.) Prayer implies desire. There is no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>real prayer for the Baptism of the Spirit unless -there is <em>a deep desire for it</em>. As long as a -man thinks he can get along somehow without -this blessing, he is not likely to get it; but -when a man reaches the place where he feels -he must have this no matter what it costs, -he is far on the way toward receiving it. -Many a minister of the gospel and other worker -has been brought to a place where he has -felt he could not go on with his ministry without -this gift and then the gift has soon followed -and the character of his work has been -entirely transformed.</p> - -<p class='c023'>(c.) <i>The prayer to be effectual must be in -faith (Mark <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 24<a id='tn117'></a>).</i> James says in regard to -the prayer for wisdom<a id='tn117_2'></a>, “Let him ask in faith, -nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is -like a wave of sea driven with the wind and -tossed. For let not that man think that he -shall receive anything of the Lord.” (<abbr title='James'>Jas.</abbr> <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 6, 7.) -The same principle, of course, holds in regard -to the prayer for the Holy Spirit. It is -at this very point that many miss the blessing. -How to approach God in faith is clearly -taught by <abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 14, 15. “This is the confidence -that we have in Him, that, if we ask -anything according to his will He heareth us, -and if we know that he hear us whatsoever -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>we ask, we know that we have the petitions -that we desired of him.” When we ask Him -for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we know -that we have asked something according to -His will for it is definitely promised in His -word. Therefore we know that “He heareth -us; and if we know that He hear us we know -that we have the petition” which we have -asked of him. As soon then as I am sure I -have met the conditions stated above of the -gift of the Holy Spirit, and asked it of God -I have a right to count this blessing mine—the -prayer is heard and I have the petition I -asked of him—and get up and enter into my -work assured that in my work will be seen -the Spirit’s power. “But,” some one will say, -“shall we expect no manifestations?” Yes, -but where? In service. When I know on the -authority of God’s word that my prayer is -heard, I have the right to enter upon any service -to which He calls me and confidently expect -the manifestation of the Spirit’s power in -that service. It is a mistake to wait or look -for, as so many do, the manifestation in electric -shocks or peculiar emotional experiences. -They may and often do accompany the Baptism -of the Holy Spirit. But the Bible clearly -teaches us (i Cor. <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> 4‒11) that the place to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>look for manifestations, is in service and the -most important, reliable and scriptural manifestations -are found in our work. “Must we -not wait,” it may be asked, “until we know -that we have received the baptism of the -Holy Spirit<a id='tn119'></a>?” Most assuredly, but how are -we to know? The same way in which we -know we are saved, <em>by the testimony of God’s -word</em>. When I know I have met the conditions -and have asked this gift which is “according -to his will” I know by God’s word (<abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> -<abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 14, 15.) that my prayer is heard, and that -I have the petition I desired of him. I have a -right to arise with no other evidence than the -all–sufficient evidence of God’s word, and enter -into the service to which God calls me. “Did -not the early disciples wait ten days?” it may -again be asked<a id='tn119_2'></a>. Yes, and the reason why is -clearly given in Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 1.—“When the day of -Pentecost was fully come.” In the O. T. types -the day of Pentecost had been appointed as -the day in God’s economy for the first giving -of the Holy Spirit and the offering of the first–fruits -(the church) and so the Holy Spirit -could not be given until that day. (<abbr title='Leviticus'>Lev.</abbr> <abbr title='23'>xxiii.</abbr> -9‒17.) But after the Spirit was once given -we find no protracted period of waiting on the -part of those who sought this blessing. (Acts -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span><abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 31; <abbr title='8'>viii.</abbr> 15, 17; <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr> 17, 20; <abbr title='19'>xix.</abbr> 6.) Men are -obliged to wait to–day, but it is only because -they have not met the conditions, or do not -believe and claim the blessing simply on the -Word of God. The moment we meet the -conditions and claim the blessing it is ours. -(Mark <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 24 R.V.) Any child of God may lay -down this book, meet the conditions, ask the -blessing, claim it and have it. In a Students’ -Summer School at Lake Geneva after a talk -by F. B. Meyer on the Baptism of the Holy -Spirit, a student remained to talk with me. -He said he had heard of this before and had -been seeking it for months but could not get -it. I found his will was not surrendered, but -that was soon settled. Then I said, “Let us -kneel down and ask God for the Baptism of -the Holy Spirit.” He did so. Was that petition -“according to his will?” I asked. “Yes.” -“Was the prayer heard?” After some hesitation, -“It must have been.” “Have you what -you asked of Him?” “I don’t feel it.” I read -<abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 15 from the Bible that lay open before -us: “If we know that he hears us, whatsoever -we ask, we know that <em>we have</em> the petition -we desired of him.” “Was the prayer -heard?” “Yes.” “Have you what you asked?” -“I must have; for God says so.” We arose and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>soon separated. Going back to the school in -a few days I met the young man again. His -face was now all aglow and he knew he had -received what at first he took upon the bare -word of God.</p> - -<p class='c019'>4. <span class='sc'>The Repetition of the Baptism of -the Holy Spirit.</span></p> - -<p class='c023'>One <a id='tn121'></a>thing more needs to be said before we -leave this subject. <em>The Baptism of the Holy -Spirit is an experience that needs frequent -repeating.</em> This appears from a comparison -of Acts <abbr title='2'>ii.</abbr> 4—where Peter with others was -filled with the Holy Spirit—with Acts <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> -8.—where Peter was filled again,—and with -Acts <abbr title='4'>iv.</abbr> 31 where Peter with others was -filled yet again. A new filling is needed and -should be sought for each new emergency of -Christian service. There are many who once -knew experimentally what the Baptism of the -Holy Spirit meant who are trying to work to–day -in the power of that old experience and -are working without God. They need and -must have a new Baptism before God can -use them.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='large'><b><i><abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> Frederick B. Meyer, B. A.</i></b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>“<i>Few books of recent years are better adapted to instruct and -help Christians than those of this author. He is a man ‘mighty -in the Scriptures.’</i>”―<cite><span class='sc'>D. L. Moody.</span></cite></p> - -<table class='table3' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Old Testament Heroes</i></b>, 12mo, cloth, each</td> - <td class='c024'>$1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Joshua</i></b> and the Land of Promise.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Moses,</i></b> the Servant of God.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Joseph:</i></b> Beloved—Hated—Exalted.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Israel:</i></b> A Prince with God.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Abraham;</i></b> or, The Obedience of Faith.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Elijah</i></b> and the Secret of His Power.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“Such studies as these may serve as models to those who are grappling with the problem of a Sunday–night preaching service. These sermons are of exceptional excellence.”―<cite><i>The Golden Rule.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Christian Lite Series.</i></b> 18mo, cloth, each 50c.; white cloth, each.</td> - <td class='c024'>.60</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Key Words of the Inner Life.</i></b></span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>The Future Tenses of the Blessed Life.</i></b></span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>The Present Tenses of the Blessed Life.</i></b></span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>The Shepherd Psalm.</i></b></span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Christian Living.</i></b></span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“The Christian Life series of books by F. 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Meyer are well adapted to inspire the purpose of holy living.”―<cite><i>The Central Presbyterian.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Expository Series.</i></b> 12mo, cloth, each.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>The Way Into the Holiest.</i></b> An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i><a id='tn123'></a>The Life and Light of Men.</i></b> Expositions in John’s Gospel.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='small'><b><i>Tried by Fire.</i></b> Expositions of First Epistle of Peter.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“These expositions have the character of all Mr. Meyer’s writings. They combine devout insight into the rich resources of the Word of God with skill in adapting it to the scriptural needs of his readers.”―<cite><i>The S. S. Times.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Envelope Series of Booklets.</i></b> Packets Nos. 1 and 2, each containing 12 Tracts, assorted.</td> - <td class='c024'>net, .20</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Choice Extracts</i></b> from the Writings of <abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> F. B. Meyer. Compiled by <abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> B. Fay Mills. 24mo, paper, each 5c.;</td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'>per dozen.</td> - <td class='c024'>net, .35</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'>Larger edition, 16mo, paper.</td> - <td class='c024'>.15</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='large'><b><i><abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> James Stalker, D. D.</i></b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>“<i>Dr. Stalker is strong in every essential. No inferior work can -be charged against him. Volume after volume have placed his -claims as an author on a high plane.</i>”</p> -<div class='c025'>―<cite><span class='sc'>The Presbyterian Review.</span></cite></div> - -<table class='table4' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Life of Jesus Christ.</i></b> 12mo, cloth.</td> - <td class='c024'>$ .60</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“Every one needs a brief, comprehensive, but attractive Life of Christ, that may be almost committed to memory, so that whatever is read thereafter may find its fitting place in our Lord’s history. For this purpose I know of none equal to ‘Stalker’s Life of Christ.’ It is powerfully and charmingly written.”―<cite><i>F. N. Peloubet.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“A remarkably lucid, accurate, and suggestive analysis of the Christ Life. 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Addresses.</i></b> 12mo, cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>.75</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Contents</span>:―Conscience; Christ and the Wants of Humanity; The Religion of To–Day; The Evidences of Religion; Public Spirit; Temptation; The Four Men; Youth and Age.</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“Pleasant as well as profitable reading, and is just the thing to put in the hands of a young man.... Admirable models of sermonizing.”―<cite><i>The Christian Intelligencer.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Four Men.</i></b> An Address delivered to the Students at Yale University. 16mo. 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The Man Whom God Sees.</span></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“A better address to young persons there could hardly be, and it could hardly have been more effective in personal delivery than it is in print.”―<cite><i>The Independent.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Temptation.</i></b> A Talk to Young Men. 16mo. Popular Vellum Series.</td> - <td class='c024'>.20</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'>Cheaper edition, 10c.; per dozen.</td> - <td class='c024'>net, 1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“An earnest plea for closer relations with Christ to make one strong to resist evil.”―<cite><i>The Baptist.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='large'><b><i>Charles H. 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Romans to Revelation.</i></b></td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Feathers for Arrows</i></b>; or, Illustrations for Preachers and Teachers. 12mo, cloth.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“The work covers a wide range of subjects. The metaphors are always striking and frequently brilliant, while the truths that they illustrate are such as have always formed the staple of Mr. Spurgeon’s discourses. 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Kempis’ ‘Imitation of Christ,’ and Jeremy -Taylor’s ‘Holy Living and Dying.’ These are fit to be placed -among the religious classics approved after long experience, by -Christians of every name. I believe they will live as such and in -this belief I am not singular.”</i>―<cite><span class='sc'><abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> Joseph Cook.</span></cite></p> - -<table class='table6' summary=''> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Ministry of the Spirit.</i></b> Introduction by <abbr title='Reverend'>Rev.</abbr> F. B. Meyer, B.A. 12mo, cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>$1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“Dr. Gordon’s last book, ‘The Ministry of the Spirit,’ was published on the day of his death. It fitly completes the noble series of books which came from his pen. It gives his mature convictions upon a matter which had engrossed his thought for many years. In depth of spiritual insight we doubt if it is surpassed by any work on this topic.”―<cite><i>The Watchman.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Risen with Christ;</i></b> or, the Resurrection of Christ and of the Believer. 16mo, decorated antique paper covers.</td> - <td class='c024'>.25</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Holy Spirit in Missions.</i></b> 12mo, cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.25</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“Fervid and intense in its style, emphasizing the duty of preaching the gospel as a witness among all nations.”―<cite><i>The Missionary Herald.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Grace and Glory.</i></b> Sermons for the Life that Now is and That which is to Come. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.50</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>Ecce Venit;</i></b> or, Behold He Cometh. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.25</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>In Christ;</i></b> or, the Believer’s Union with his Lord. 12mo, paper, net, 35c.; cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Pocket Edition</span>, uniform with “A Gift of Love.” 18mo, cloth.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.00</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016'> </td> - <td class='c012' colspan='2'><span class='small'>“To realize what is meant by being <i>in Christ</i> is the <a id='tn126_3'></a>believer’s highest happiness in this life: a book which helps to this way will find a wide sale.”<a id='tn126_4'></a>―<cite><i>The N. Y. Evangelist.</i></cite></span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Ministry of Healing;</i></b> or, Miracles of Cures in all ages. With History of the Doctrine from the Earliest Times. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'>1.25</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The Two Fold Life;</i></b> or, Christ’s Work for Us, and Christ’s Work in Us. 12mo, paper, net, 50c.; cloth, gilt top.</td> - <td class='c024'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c016' colspan='2'><b><i>The First Thing In the World;</i></b> or, The Primacy of Faith. 16mo, Popular Vellum Series, 20c.; Cheaper Edition, net, 10c.; per doz.</td> - <td class='c024'>net, 1.00</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c018'>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table7' summary=''> - <tr> - <th class='c011'>Printed</th> - <th class='c011'>Corrected</th> - <th class='c011'>Page</th> - <th class='c027'> </th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>comprhensive</td> - <td class='c012'>comprehensive</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn002'>2</a></td> - <td class='c027'>gives in clear and comprehensive</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>iuformatiou</td> - <td class='c012'>information</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn002_2'>2</a></td> - <td class='c027'>information for Christian workers</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Backsliders</td> - <td class='c012'>Back–sliders</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn005'>5</a></td> - <td class='c027'><span class='sc'>Assurance, and Back–sliders</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>very</td> - <td class='c012'>every</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn009'>9</a></td> - <td class='c027'>every other grace of</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>sorely, need</td> - <td class='c012'>sorely need,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn009_2'>9</a></td> - <td class='c027'>sorely need, and expect Him</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>1.</td> - <td class='c012'>I</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn009_3'>9</a></td> - <td class='c027'>(<abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='5'>v.</abbr> 14, 15;</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Christ,</td> - <td class='c012'>Christ</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn010'>10</a></td> - <td class='c027'>bringing men to Christ</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>need</td> - <td class='c012'>need,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn010_2'>10</a></td> - <td class='c027'>need, (3) to show them</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Saviour</td> - <td class='c012'>Saviour,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn010_3'>10</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Saviour, (4) to meet the</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“All”.</td> - <td class='c012'>“All.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn020'>20</a></td> - <td class='c027'>sinned?” “All.” “Who</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>gone</td> - <td class='c012'>“gone</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn021'>21</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“gone astray” and hold</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>sin.</td> - <td class='c012'>sin?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn022'>22</a></td> - <td class='c027'>the greatest sin?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Galations</td> - <td class='c012'>Galatians</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn024'>24</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Galatians <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10 is a verse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>wages.</td> - <td class='c012'>wages?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn025'>25</a></td> - <td class='c027'>to take your wages?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>then</td> - <td class='c012'>than</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn026'>26</a></td> - <td class='c027'>for this purpose than</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>God.</td> - <td class='c012'>God?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn032'>32</a></td> - <td class='c027'>the sons of God?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Chirst</td> - <td class='c012'>Christ</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn032_2'>32</a></td> - <td class='c027'>at Christ lifted up</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>1.</td> - <td class='c012'><abbr title='1'>i.</abbr></td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn032_3'>32</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Romans <abbr title='1'>i.</abbr> 16 is another excellent</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Gospel.</td> - <td class='c012'>Gospel?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn033'>33</a></td> - <td class='c027'>what is the Gospel?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>will.</td> - <td class='c012'>will?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn033_2'>33</a></td> - <td class='c027'>he says he will?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Galations</td> - <td class='c012'>Galatians</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn035'>35</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Galatians <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr> 10‒13 also</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>of,</td> - <td class='c012'>of</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn035_2'>35</a></td> - <td class='c027'>makes the way of salvation</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>God”</td> - <td class='c012'>God</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn036'>36</a></td> - <td class='c027'>confessed to God his sins</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>lost,”</td> - <td class='c012'>lost.’”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn037'>37</a></td> - <td class='c027'>that which was lost.’”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>moments</td> - <td class='c012'>moments’</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn039'>39</a></td> - <td class='c027'>a few moments’ deep</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Now</td> - <td class='c012'>Now,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn039_2'>39</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“Now,” I said</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>sin.</td> - <td class='c012'>sin.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn040'>40</a></td> - <td class='c027'>your sin.” I laid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>longer er</td> - <td class='c012'>longer</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn040_2'>40</a></td> - <td class='c027'>on you any longer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Chr.</td> - <td class='c012'>Chron.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn041'>41</a></td> - <td class='c027'>falling. <abbr title='Second Chronicles'>2 Chron.</abbr> <abbr title='32'>xxxii.</abbr> 7, 8</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“yes”.</td> - <td class='c012'>“yes.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn042_2'>42</a></td> - <td class='c027'>He said, “yes.”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>not.</td> - <td class='c012'>not?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn042_3'>42</a></td> - <td class='c027'>did you not?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>came</td> - <td class='c012'>came,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn042_4'>42</a></td> - <td class='c027'>so glad I came,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>kingdom,</td> - <td class='c012'>kingdom</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn043'>43</a></td> - <td class='c027'>put God and His kingdom</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>righr</td> - <td class='c012'>right</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn046'>46</a></td> - <td class='c027'>let us kneel right down</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>umerciful</td> - <td class='c012'>merciful</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn049'>49</a></td> - <td class='c027'>he will be merciful</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>WITN</td> - <td class='c012'>WITH</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn050'>50</a></td> - <td class='c027'>DEALING WITH THOSE WHO</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“No”,</td> - <td class='c012'>“No,”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn052'>52</a></td> - <td class='c027'>replies, “No,” then</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>repentence</td> - <td class='c012'>repentance</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn053'>53</a></td> - <td class='c027'>repentance, not to encourage</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“Yes”,</td> - <td class='c012'>“Yes,”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn055'>55</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“Yes,” I replied</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>How</td> - <td class='c012'>“How</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn055_2'>55</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“How do you know</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>assurance, is</td> - <td class='c012'>assurance is,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn056'>56</a></td> - <td class='c027'>ground of assurance is,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Backsliders</td> - <td class='c012'>Back–sliders</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn057'>57</a></td> - <td class='c027'><span class='sc'>Assurance and with Back–sliders</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Him?</td> - <td class='c012'>Him?”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn058'>58</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“Have you received Him?”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“Justified”.</td> - <td class='c012'>“Justified.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn059'>59</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“Justified.” Then ask him</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>mouth”.</td> - <td class='c012'>mouth,”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn060'>60</a></td> - <td class='c027'>“with the mouth,”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>backslider</td> - <td class='c012'>back–slider</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn064'>64</a></td> - <td class='c027'>back–slider who wishes to</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>16</td> - <td class='c012'>15</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn064_2'>64</a></td> - <td class='c027'>in Chapter <abbr title='12'>xii.</abbr> sec. 15.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>him.</td> - <td class='c012'>him,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn069'>69</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Next say to him,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>world.”</td> - <td class='c012'>world.’”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn069_2'>69</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Him before the world.’”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>thoughfully</td> - <td class='c012'>thoughtfully</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn069_3'>69</a></td> - <td class='c027'>slowly and thoughtfully</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>your,</td> - <td class='c012'>your</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn070'>70</a></td> - <td class='c027'>but with your sin</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>“hell”.</td> - <td class='c012'>“hell.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn074'>74</a></td> - <td class='c027'>punishment in “hell.”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>6</td> - <td class='c012'>7.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn075'>75</a></td> - <td class='c027'>7. <i>Those who doubt</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>skeptics</td> - <td class='c012'>Skeptics</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn076'>76</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Skeptics who are triflers</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>god</td> - <td class='c012'>God</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn077'>77</a></td> - <td class='c027'><span class='sc'>complain of God.</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>well.</td> - <td class='c012'>well?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn082'>82</a></td> - <td class='c027'>not use you well?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>to–night.</td> - <td class='c012'>to–night,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn083'>83</a></td> - <td class='c027'>or “Not to–night,”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>in.”</td> - <td class='c012'>in.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn084'>84</a></td> - <td class='c027'>went in. Then ask</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Christian.</td> - <td class='c012'>Christian,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn085'>85</a></td> - <td class='c027'><i>become a Christian</i>,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><i>or</i></td> - <td class='c012'>or</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn085_3'>85</a></td> - <td class='c027'><i>am too young</i>,” or</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>all sufficient</td> - <td class='c012'>all–sufficient</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn085_4'>85</a></td> - <td class='c027'>all–sufficient answer to</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>repetiton</td> - <td class='c012'>repetition</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn086'>86</a></td> - <td class='c027'>home by constant repetition</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>sayng</td> - <td class='c012'>saying</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn086_2'>86</a></td> - <td class='c027'>but who kept saying</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>1.</td> - <td class='c012'> </td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn087'>87</a></td> - <td class='c027'>There are several</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>repentence</td> - <td class='c012'>repentance</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn090'>90</a></td> - <td class='c027'>the necessity of repentance</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>as as</td> - <td class='c012'>as</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn096'>96</a></td> - <td class='c027'>through the eye as</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Spirit”,</td> - <td class='c012'>Spirit,”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn104'>104</a></td> - <td class='c027'>with the Holy Spirit,”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Spirit,</td> - <td class='c012'>Spirit.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn104_2'>104</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Holy Spirit.” By</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>i. e.</td> - <td class='c012'><i>i. e.</i></td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn112'>112</a></td> - <td class='c027'><i>i. e.</i> for every believer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>(3)</td> - <td class='c012'>3.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn113'>113</a></td> - <td class='c027'>3. <span class='sc'>How can we</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Spirit.</td> - <td class='c012'>Spirit?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn113_2'>113</a></td> - <td class='c027'><span class='sc'>the Holy Spirit?</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Spirit</td> - <td class='c012'>Spirit”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn113_3'>113</a></td> - <td class='c027'>of the Holy Spirit”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>him”.</td> - <td class='c012'>him.”</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn114'>114</a></td> - <td class='c027'>that obey him.”</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>said</td> - <td class='c012'>said,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn115'>115</a></td> - <td class='c027'>behind her and said,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>down,</td> - <td class='c012'>down.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn115_2'>115</a></td> - <td class='c027'>can’t lay it down.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>you.</td> - <td class='c012'>you?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn115_3'>115</a></td> - <td class='c027'>down for you?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>24.</td> - <td class='c012'>24.)</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn117'>117</a></td> - <td class='c027'><i>faith (Mark <abbr title='11'>xi.</abbr> 24).</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>wisdom.</td> - <td class='c012'>wisdom,</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn117_2'>117</a></td> - <td class='c027'>prayer for wisdom,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Spirit.</td> - <td class='c012'>Spirit?</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn119'>119</a></td> - <td class='c027'>of the Holy Spirit?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>asked,</td> - <td class='c012'>asked.</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn119_2'>119</a></td> - <td class='c027'>again be asked.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>thiug</td> - <td class='c012'>thing</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn121'>121</a></td> - <td class='c027'>One thing more needs</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>Tho</td> - <td class='c012'>The</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn123'>123</a></td> - <td class='c027'><b><i>The Life and Light</i></b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>jesse</td> - <td class='c012'>Jesse</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn125_2'>125</a></td> - <td class='c027'>By Jesse Page.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>2mo</td> - <td class='c012'>12mo</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn125_3'>125</a></td> - <td class='c027'>Illustrated. 12mo, cloth.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>A’ Kempis.</td> - <td class='c012'>A. Kempis’</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn126'>126</a></td> - <td class='c027'>with Thomas A. Kempis’</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'>believer s</td> - <td class='c012'>believer’s</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn126_3'>126</a></td> - <td class='c027'>is the believer’s highest happiness</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'> </td> - <td class='c012'>―</td> - <td class='c020'><a href='#tn126_4'>126</a></td> - <td class='c027'>sale.”―<cite><i>The N. Y. Evangelist.</i></cite></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c028'>On Page <a href='#tn085_2'>85</a>, “I must do something else first.” has been italicized for consistency.</p> - -<p class='c029'>On Page <a href='#tn116'>116</a>, started a new paragraph at “(a.) There must be”.</p> - -<p class='c029'>Punctuation for chapter headings has been regularized. Missing periods have been added to the chapter number. -Periods have been removed from chapter titles and centered section headings.</p> - -<p class='c029'>The font style for headings of a given level have been made consistent.</p> - -<p class='c029'>Biblical references have been regularized to the form: [num] name chapter. verse, where [num] is an optional -arabic numeral, chapter is a lower–case roman numeral, and verse is an arabic numeral. -For example, <abbr title='Second Corinthians 9'><abbr title='Second Corinthians'>2 Cor.</abbr> <abbr title='9'>ix.</abbr></abbr> 8 -and <abbr title='First John 3'><abbr title='First John'>1 Jno.</abbr> <abbr title='3'>iii.</abbr></abbr> 23‒24.</p> - -<p class='c029'>Missing periods after Biblical book abbreviations have been silently added. Additionally, some superfluous periods -and commas following Biblical references have been removed.</p> - -<p class='c029'>Some missing punctuation has been silently added.</p> - -<p class='c029'>Some hyphenation inconsistencies have been retained.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's How to bring men to Christ, by R. A. 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