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CHRISTIANITY A GREAT FACT.

mination of the experience and histories of such as have undergone the marvellous transformation of heart and life which we call CONVERSION TO GOD. Cases of the kind are occurring all around us, and with more or less frequency in foreign lands. They are startling facts in the world's history, and may, without much difficulty, be distinguished from the results of the sham Christianity of the mere formalist.

"Christianity," says Rev. Dr. Newman Hall, "itself is, unquestionably, a great fact in the history of the human race. Minds of the highest cultivation have bowed before it, and the mightiest intellects have done it homage. The poor have professed that it has made them wealthier than if all the riches in the universe were in their possession; while the broken-hearted have declared that it has afforded them consolation when all other sources of comfort were dried up. In connection with a cordial reception of it, the most extraordinary transformations of character have taken place; and savage tribes, beneath its potent influence, have with marvellous rapidity lost their ferocity and manifested an advanced civilization. Christianity therefore is a great fact, and as such, unquestionably demands from every thoughtful mind a candid examination of its claims."

Christianity in its purity, fully answers the question, "How can man be just with God?" How can

ITS EQUITABLE PRINCIPLES.

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the breakers of God's perfect laws, upon equitable principles, be treated as if they were not lawbreakers? Can obedience to some of the Divine laws, make up for disobedience to the rest? Certainly not. And yet, upon equitable principles, by the provision and gift to us of A COMPETENT SUBSTITUTE, God can "be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus." "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." "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." 'Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." And, "being justified, by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

"What a blessed and easy salvation is this!" said the eminent physician, Dr. James Hope. "Your righteousness is but filthy rags, and if you have nothing else to depend upon, you are lost for ever.. Take refuge in the Saviour; believe in Him, not only with your head, but cordially with your heart. You will then receive Him fully, and acknowledge Him as your Lord and your God. This constitutes what is called 'Faith in Christ,' which when once. you really possess, you are from that moment justified before God by Christ's righteousness being imputed to you. Your sins are expunged, and you are already-in this world-a child of God,

IO PARDON IN THE HANDS OF CHRIST JESUS.

and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven. We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

But this wondrous plan of God's saving mercy must be believed, and the Saviour whom it reveals, must be received, must be communicated with, and must be relied on, before the soul can enjoy salvation. The Blessed Christ holds a pardon in His hands for the guiltiest and most unworthy, it is a pardon He has purchased by His precious blood, and now He says to these, of whom we speak, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." When He makes such a promise, He loves to be trusted. We all like to be trusted when we make a promise, and so does He.

It is wonderful what a change takes place in the feelings and affections of those who take this adorable Saviour at His word, and go to Him for pardon, salvation, and eternal life; they know not how it is, but at once, through Divine power, they become new creatures in Christ Jesus, and are, in fact, CONVERTED TO GOD!

Often," writes Rev. A. A. Reid, of Dundee,— "often have we seen the smile of peace brightening up the countenance which, but a moment before, was sad and sorrowful on account of sin, at the very time when we were setting forth the trustworthiness of the Saviour, the free offer of salvation to all, and the privileges and duty of an immediate acceptance of Christ."

THE SMILE OF TRUE PEACE.

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But the "smile of true peace" differs essentially from the false peace of the unbeliever. Rev. Adolph Saphir says, "There is a peace of ignorance, of worldliness, of sin, of superstition, of sentimental self-made religiousness; but there is only one kind of true, lasting, and secure peace, even by Jesus Christ,-a peace which has its origin in the Love of the Father, against whom we have rebelled-which is founded on the expiation of Golgotha-which is imparted by the Spirit, and which, therefore, passeth all understanding, and keeps our hearts and minds unto life everlasting.

"It is a peace which is disturbed and clouded by all sin, selfishness, and worldliness,—which is from above, and can, therefore, prosper only when we live in heavenly places.

"It is a peace which is based upon righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ, embraced by faith, and which leads to joy in the Holy Ghost.

"It is a peace which the world, which aught fleshborn cannot give, for it is Spirit-born; and which the world cannot take away, for it is independent of all outward difficulties.

"It is the peace of God, and therefore holy, pure, perfect, eternal. 'God,' saith Peter, 'has preached peace by Jesus Christ.' The Word of God made flesh, that is, CHRIST IS PEACE. Jesus, the manifestation of the Father's inmost heart and thought towards sinful men, is the Father's message

12 THE GOSPEL PRELIMINARY TO SALVATION.

to the world, saying: 'Peace be with you.' Write it in thy heart, O sinner. When Jesus approaches guilty sinners, and says, 'Peace be with you,' He is only saying what He has received of the Father -He is revealing to them the mind of God."

He brings you the full, free, and everlasting pardon, which your souls need so much. But you must look to Him for it-go straight to Him for it -believingly receive it from Him—thank and bless and praise Him for it-and show that you mean what you say, by future lives of love and gratitude.

Every message of His grace, we repeat, must be believed.

But faith in the gospel message is only a preliminary to salvation! The appropriate words in which that message is delivered, even though they are believed, will not save the soul unless they lead to a direct personal dealing with the Saviour Himself. True faith always leads to Him.

A man who is dying from thirst is told that there is an abundant fountain near at hand. He believes the affirmation and rejoices, nevertheless he dies from thirst unless he goes to that fountain and slakes his thirst therefrom.

So, in like manner, words containing in themselves the good news as to how sinners are saved, are insufficient to save the sinner, if they do not lead him to Christ. Curiosity may be gratified