p. 11 | Power of the Gospel by G. G. Lowry

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 2, 1912

Power of the Gospel

By G. G. Lowry

G. G. LOWRY

When we present the gospel to the unbelieving, telling them of the wonderful love of Jesus, and of the many miracles which he performed while here upon earth, we are sometimes confronted with this statement: “Yes, what you say seems very good; but it is hard for us to believe. If we could only have seen that Jesus of whom you speak, and heard from his own lips the precious words of truth; if we could only have seen with our own eyes the mighty miracles which were performed by him, then we might believe.”

Although we do not, in our day, see Jesus in person going from town to town, healing the sick, raising the dead, and doing all these mighty works, as he did two thousand years ago, yet the transformations being made in heathen hearts by the power of his word which we behold are truly wonderful miracles of his divine grace.

Not long ago when cholera, the dread disease of this country, was raging in our villages, claiming its victims by the scores, I was called to the side of a dying man who had recently left heathenism, accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ; and had become a faithful worker in the Lord's vineyard. When we reached his house, although he was taken with cholera only about two hours before, the end was very near. So after giving him some medicine, and helping him all we could, I asked him if there was anything he wished to say. He turned to me and said, “It seems that my time is come. I can feel even now death taking hold on me, and yet, since I am ready for it, I am not afraid to go. I have tried my best to give the gospel as it was given to me. I have lived up to its teachings, so I have nothing to fear. I can not see why I must go just now and leave my work, my wife, and children; but God is doing the best thing for me. He still lives and rules, so I am not afraid to trust him.” Then again just before he died, he called his little boy to his side, and said, “My son, don't be afraid. God will care for you. Keep the gospel as it was given to us. Although I leave you, yet the mission and our missionaries are still here, and God is still alive, so be not afraid.”

This, it seems to me, is a good testimony to the power of the gospel of Christ. It is a testimony which no heathen man in the world can give. There is nothing in heathenism to which a man may anchor his soul in a time like that. Only one who has accepted the gospel of the living God, and has made Jesus Christ his personal Friend and Saviour, can talk in that way.

So as I heard the courageous words of this man, and reflected back over the three years of his Christian experience, and thought of the marvelous changes which the gospel had wrought in his life in this short time, and of the Christian

fortitude and courage with which he met the awful hour of death, I said to myself, “Indeed God is still alive and still works miracles as he did of old.”

My brethren and friends in the home land, are you not willing to help all you can to carry the life-giving gospel to those who sit in darkness in this heathen land? There are thousands and thousands of poor souls in this great land of heathenism who have not even yet heard the name Christ Jesus. Would they not rejoice to know the gospel, if it was given to them? Will you not help them?

Nazareth, South India.

THE SNOW-CAPPED PEAK OF MOUNT TEYDE, CANARY ISLANDS