TAKING HIM AT HIS WORD by D. Nash

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 29, 1902

TAKING HIM AT HIS WORD.

By D. Nash

[D. Nash, in Zion's Herald.]

The session of a certain church had convened for the reception of members. The venerable elders sat around in a circle, the young pastor in the midst. One candidate after another passed the usual examinations until all had been received and withdrawn. A boy of ten years of age had been sitting thoughtfully near the door. It was supposed that he was waiting for some of those who were in conference with the session, but when they were all gone, and he remained, the pastor approached him and learned that he, too, wished to be admitted to the communion of the church. He was seated, therefore, and the examination began. It progressed satisfactorily until most of the usual ground had been gone over, the boy clearly and calmly narrating the circumstances under which he had been awakened to a sense of his guilt, and to feel the need of Christ as a Saviour.

Then came the question, “What did you do when you felt yourself to be a great sinner?”

The eyes of the examiners brightened as he answered, “I just went to Jesus and told Him how sinful I was, and how sorry I was, and asked Him to forgive me.”

But the next answer brought the shadow again to their faces; for, as the pastor asked, “And do you hope that Jesus heard you, and forgave your sins?” he answered promptly, “I don't only hope so, sir, I know He did.”

There was a confidence in the tone with which the word “know” was uttered that startled the hearers. The oldest of them raised his glasses and peered into the face of the little candidate, and said,—

“You say you know that Jesus forgave you your sins?”

“Yes, sir,” was the prompt and unhesitating answer.

There was an ominous pause in the examination. Such positiveness, it was feared, could be only the offspring of presumption. The boy must be resting on some false foundation.

“You mean, my son, that you hope Jesus has pardoned your sins?”

“I hope He has, and I know it, too,” with a bright smile on his manly face.

“How do you know it, my son?” every one being intent on the little fellow's reply.

“He said He would,” said the boy, with a look of astonishment, as if any one should doubt it.

“He said He would do what?”

“He said that if I would confess my sins, He was faithful and just, and would forgive them; and I did confess them to Him, and I know He forgave them, because He said He would.”

The elder took off his glasses to wipe them, for the moisture from his eyes had made them dull, and he turned to the pastor and said,—

“He's got hold of the right end of it, sir. Flesh and blood have not revealed it to him. I move the examination be closed.”

Thank God for salvation, and the knowledge of it!