,transcriber's ,notes ,italic text enclosed with underscores4 ,bold text enclosed with equal signs4 ,small-caps replaced by ,,all ,,caps4 ,more notes appear at the end of the file4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,how ,,to ,,bring ,,men ,,to ,,christ ,,by ,r4 ,a4 ,,torrey ,superintendent ,chicago ,bible ,institute ,,chicago3 ,,the ,,bible ,,institute ,,colportage ,,association #bej ,,la ,,salle ,,ave4 ,eastern ,depot3 ,east ,northfield1 ,mass4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,just ,,published4 ,by the same ,author4 ,vest ,pocket ,companion for ,christian ,workers4 ,the best texts for personal work4 ,classified for practical use1 printed in full1 and arranged for ready reference4 ,from ,mr4 ,torrey's preface3 8,there is medicine in the ,bible for every sin-sick soul1 but every soul does not need the same medicine4 ,this book attempts to arrange the remedies according to the maladies40 #abj pages1 bound in ,russia leather in vest pocket size1 price #be cents4 ,fleming ,h4 ,revell ,company1 ,publishers1 ,,new ,,york4 ,,chicago4 ,,toronto4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress in the year #ahic ,,by ,,fleming ,h4 ,,revell ,,company ,in the office of the ,librarian of ,congress at ,washington ,d4 ,c4 ,by the same ,author4 ,ten ,reasons ,why ,i ,believe the ,bible is the ,word 4#ae of ,god4 #afmo41 paper 8,masterful40,indiana ,baptist4 8,of sterling excellence40,christian at ,work4 8,thoughtful1 helpful and timely40,golden ,rule4 8,it gives in clear and comprehensive style a cogent argument for the complete inspiration and absolute authority of the ,bible4 ,because of its terseness and freedom from technical expressions it will form a useful compendium of information for ,christian workers40,messiah's ,herald4 ,fleming ,h4 ,revell ,company1 ,publishers4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,preface ,this book is written because it seems to be needed4 ,the author has been repeatedly requested by ,ministers1 ,y4 ,m4 ,c4 ,a4 ,secretaries1 ,christian ,workers1 and his own students to put into a permanent and convenient shape the substance of what he has said at ,conventions1 ,summer ,schools and in the class-room on personal work4 ,the time has come to yield to these requests4 ,never before in the history of the ,church were there so many who desire to win others to ,christ4 ,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 souls4 ,but while they desire to do this work1 many do not know how4 ,this little book aims to tell them4 ,there are several well-known and valuable manuals of texts to be used with inquirers1 but this book is intended not only to point out passages to be used but to show how to use them1 illustrating this use by cases from actual experience4 ,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 ,saviour4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,contents4 ,,preface4 ,,chapter4 ,,page4 ,i4 ,,the ,,general ,,conditions ,,of ,,success ,,in ,,bringing ,,men ,,to ,,christ #g ,,ii4 ,,how ,,to ,,begin #ad ,,iii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,indifferent ,,or ,,careless #bj ,,iv4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,are ,,anxious ,,to ,,be ,,saved ,,but ,,do ,,not #bi ,,know ,,how ,v4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,are ,,anxious ,,to ,,be ,,saved ,,and ,,know #cf ,,how1 ,,but ,,who ,,have ,,difficulties ,,vi4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,entertain ,,false ,,hopes #ej ,,vii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,lack ,,assurance1 ,,and ,,back-,,sliders #eg ,,viii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,professed ,,skeptics ,,and ,,infidels #fe ,,ix4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,complaining #gg ,x4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,wish ,,to ,,put ,,off ,,decision ,,until ,,some #hc ,,other ,,time ,,xi4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,willful ,,and ,,the ,,deluded #hg ,,xii4 ,,some ,,hints ,,and ,,suggestions #id ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit #ajd ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,how ,,to ,,bring ,,men ,,to ,,christ ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,general ,,conditions ,,of ,,success ,,in ,,bringing ,,men ,,to ,,christ ,there are certain general conditions1 the fulfilment of which is absolutely essential to real success in bringing men to ,christ4 ,these conditions1 fortunately1 are few and simple and such as any one can meet4 #a4 ,the one who would have real success in bringing others to ,christ must himself be ,a ,,thoroughly ,,converted ,,person4 ,jesus said to ,peter1 8,when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren40 ,he was in no position to help his brethren until he himself1 after his cowardly denial1 had turned again to his ,lord with his whole heart4 ,if we would bring others to ,christ we must turn away from all sin1 and worldliness and selfishness with our whole heart1 yielding to ,jesus the absolute lordship over our thoughts1 purposes and actions4 ,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 lives1 our power will be crippled and men lost that we might have saved4 ,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 that1 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 him4 #b4 ,the one who would have real success in bringing others to ,christ must have a ,,love ,,for ,,souls1 i4 e4 a longing for the salvation of the lost4 ,if we have no love for souls1 our efforts will be mechanical and powerless4 ,we may know how to approach men and what to say to them1 but there will be no power in what we say and it will not touch the heart4 ,but if like ,paul we have 8great heaviness and unceasing pain in our hearts0 for the unsaved1 there will be an earnestness in our tone and manner that will impress the most careless4 ,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 street1 in the store1 in the home1 on the cars and everywhere that would otherwise have entirely escaped our notice4 ,but how is one to get a love for souls8 ,this question is easily answered4 ,first of all1 a love for souls like every other grace of ,christian character1 is the work of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,if then we are conscious that we do not have that love for souls that we should have1 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 need1 and expect ,him to do it 7#a ,jno4 v4 #ad1 #ae2 ,phil4 iv4 #ai74 ,in the second place ,jesus ,christ had an intense love for souls 7,matt4 xxiii4 #cg2 ,luke xix4 #aj71 and intimate and constant companionship with ,him will impart to our lives this grace which was so prominent in ,his4 ,in the third place feelings are the outcome of thoughts4 ,if we desire any given feeling in our lives we should dwell upon the thoughts which are adapted to produce that feeling4 ,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 him1 a feeling of intense desire for that man's salvation is almost certain to follow4 ,in the fourth place1 reflection upon our own ruined and unhappy condition without ,christ and the great sacrifice that ,christ made to save us1 is sure to fill our hearts with a desire to bring others to the ,saviour we have found4 #c4 ,the one who would have real success in bringing men to ,christ must have a ,,working ,,knowledge ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,the ,word of ,god is the sword of the ,spirit 7,eph4 vi4 #ag74 ,it is the instrument ,god uses to convict of sin1 to reveal ,christ and to regenerate men4 ,if we would work together with ,god1 the ,bible is the instrument upon which we must rely and which we must use in bringing men to ,christ4 ,we must know how to use the ,bible so as 7#a7 to show men their need of a ,saviour1 7#b7 to show them ,jesus as the ,saviour they need1 7#c7 to show them how to make this ,saviour their own ,saviour1 7#d7 to meet the difficulties that stand in the way of their accepting ,christ4 ,a large part of the following pages will be devoted to imparting this knowledge4 #d4 ,the one who would have real success in bringing men to ,christ must ,,pray ,,much4 ,solid work in soul winning must be accompanied by prayer at every step4 7#a74 ,we must pray ,god to lead us to the right persons to approach4 ,god does not intend that we speak to every one we meet4 ,if we try to do it1 we will waste much valuable time in speaking to those whom we cannot help1 that we might have used in speaking to those to whom we could have done much good4 ,god alone knows the one to whom ,he intends us to speak1 and we must ask ,him to point him out to us1 and1 expect ,him to do it4 7,acts viii4 #bi74 7#b74 ,we must pray ,god to show us just what to say to those to whom ,he leads us4 ,after all our study of the passages to be used in dealing with the various classes of men1 we shall need ,god's guidance in each specific case4 ,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 needed4 7#c74 ,we must pray ,god to give power to that which ,he has given us to say4 ,we need not only a message from ,god but power from ,god to send the message home4 ,most workers have to learn this lesson by humiliating experiences4 ,they sit down beside an unsaved man and reason and plead and bring forth texts from the word of ,god1 but the man does not accept ,christ4 ,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 strength1 and ,god hears and in a short time this 8very difficult case0 has settled the matter and is rejoicing in ,christ4 7#d74 ,we must pray ,god to carry on the work after our work has come to an end4 ,after having done that which seems to have been our whole duty in any given instance1 whatever may have been the apparent issue of our work1 whether successful or unsuccessful1 we should definitely commit the case to ,god in prayer4 ,if there is anything the average worker in this hurrying age needs to have impressed upon him1 it is the necessity of more prayer4 ,by praying more we will not work any less and we will accomplish vastly more4 #e4 ,the one who would have real success in bringing men to ,christ must be 8,,baptized ,,with ,,the ,,holy ,,ghost40 8,ye shall receive power after that the ,holy ,ghost1 is come upon you10 said ,jesus to his disciples after having given them the great commission to go out and bring men to ,himself4 ,the supreme condition of soul winning power is the same to-day3 8after that the ,holy ,ghost is come upon you40 ,a later chapter will be given to a study of what 8the ,baptism of the ,holy ,ghost0 is and how any ,christian can obtain it4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,how ,,to ,,begin ,when ,god has led us to think that ,he wishes us to make an effort to lead some given individual to ,christ1 the first question that confronts us is1 8,how shall ,i begin80 ,if the person has gone into an inquiry room1 or remained to an after-meeting1 or even if they are merely present at prayer-meeting1 ,sunday-school or other ordinary service of the church1 it is comparatively easy4 ,you can then ask him if he is a ,christian1 or if he would not like to be a ,christian1 or why he is not a ,christian or some other direct and simple question that will lead inevitably to a conversation along this line4 ,but if the person is one in whom you have become interested outside the religious meeting and who is perhaps an entire stranger1 it does not at first sight appear so simple1 and yet it is not so very difficult4 ,the person can be engaged in conversation on some general topic or on something suggested by passing events1 and soon brought around to the great subject4 ,christ's conversation with the woman of ,samaria in the #dth chapter of ,john is a very instructive illustration of this4 ,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 question4 ,if this is done courteously and earnestly it will frequently set even careless people to thinking and result in their conversion4 ,it is astonishing how often one who undertakes this work in humble dependence upon ,god and under ,his direction1 finds the way prepared and how seldom he receives any rebuff4 ,one day the writer met a man on one of the most crowded streets of ,chicago4 ,as ,i passed him the impulse came to speak to him about the ,saviour4 ,stopping a moment and asking ,god to show me if the impulse was from ,him1 ,i turned around and followed the man4 ,i overtook him in the middle of the street1 laid my hand upon his shoulder and said3 8,my friend1 are you a ,christian80 ,he started and said3 8,that's a strange question to ask a man40 ,i said1 8,i know it1 and ,i do not ask that question of every stranger1 but ,god put it into my heart to ask it of you40 ,he then told me that his cousin was a minister and had been urging this very matter upon him1 that he himself was a graduate of ,amherst college1 but had been ruined by drink4 ,after further conversation we separated but later the man accepted ,christ as his ,saviour4 ,it is often best to win a person's confidence and affection before broaching the subject4 ,it is well to select some one and then lay your plans to win him to ,christ4 ,cultivate his acquaintance1 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 question4 ,an old and thorough going infidel in ,chicago was in this way won to ,christ by a young woman1 who found him sick and alone4 ,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 ,christ4 ,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 subject4 ,one day ,i was riding on a train and praying that ,god would use me to lead some one to ,his ,son4 ,a young lady1 daughter of a minister1 with whom ,i had had some conversation on this subject came in with a friend and took the seat immediately in front of me4 ,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 it4 ,as she read1 ,i prayed4 ,when she had finished1 ,i leaned over and asked her what she thought about it4 ,she was deeply moved and ,i asked her if she would not accept ,christ right there4 ,her difficulties were soon met and answered and she accepted ,christ4 ,as she left the train she thanked me very heartily for what ,i had done for her4 ,you will often meet some one whose face tells the story of unhappiness or discontent3 in such a case it is easy to ask the person if he is happy and when he answers 8no0 you can say1 8,i can tell you of one who will make you happy if you will only take ,him40 ,skill in beginning a conversation will come with practice4 ,one may be rather awkward about it at first but as we go on we will acquire facility4 ,when the subject is once opened the first thing to find out is where the person with whom you are dealing stands2 then you will know how to wisely treat his case4 ,in the chapters immediately following this all the classes of men one is likely to meet will be given1 and the first point to be ascertained is to which class any given individual belongs4 ,but how can we find out to which class any person belongs8 ,first4 ,by asking him questions4 ,such questions as 8,are you a ,christian80 8,are you saved80 8,do you know that your sins are forgiven80 8,have you eternal life80 8,are you confessing ,christ openly before the world80 8,are you a friend of ,jesus80 8,have you been born again80 ,one may answer these questions untruthfully1 either through ignorance or a desire to mislead you4 ,nevertheless1 their answers and the manner of them will show you a great deal about their real state4 ,second4 ,by watching his face4 ,a man's face will often reveal that which his words try to conceal4 ,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 say4 ,third4 ,by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the ,holy ,spirit if we only look to ,him to do it will often flash into our minds a view of the man's position1 and just the scripture he needs4 ,when we have learned where the person with whom we are dealing stands1 the next thing to do is to lead him as directly as we can to accept ,jesus ,christ1 as his personal ,savior and ,master4 ,we must always bear in mind that the primary purpose of our work1 is not to get persons to join the church or to give up their bad habits or to do anything else than this1 to accept ,jesus ,christ1 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 forgiveness1--and as their ,master to whom they surrender absolutely the guidance of their thoughts1 feelings1 purposes and actions4 ,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 life4 ,acts x4 #dc2 xiii4 #ci2 ,jno4 iii4 #cf2 v4 #bd1 will answer for this purpose4 ,the next step will be to show him how to make a success of the ,christian life upon which he has entered4 ,how to do this will be told later4 ,each person is to be led to accept ,christ through a use of the word of ,god4 ,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 them4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,indifferent ,,or ,,careless ,one of the classes of men most frequently met with1 is ,the ,indifferent1 or ,careless4 ,there are several ways of dealing with them4 ,one is to show them their need of a ,saviour4 ,a good verse to use for this purpose is ,romans iii4 #bc4 ,get the person with whom you are dealing to read the verse1 8,for all have sinned and come short of the glory of ,god40 ,then say to him3 8,who have sinned80 8,all40 8,who does that include80 and keep up the questioning until he says1 8,it includes me40 ,then ask him what it is that he has done1 and keep at it until he comes out plainly and says3 8,i have sinned and come short of the glory of ,god40 ,this is likely to make him feel his need of a ,saviour4 ,another good verse to use is ,isaiah liii4 #f4 ,after the verse has been read1 ask him who it is that has gone astray and by a series of questions bring him to the point where he will say1 8,i have gone astray40 ,then ask him what kind of a sheep one is that has 8gone astray0 and hold him to it until he says 8a lost sheep40 8,what are you then80 8,lost40 ,then ask him what the ,lord has done with his sin1 and hold him to that point until he sees the truth of the verse1 that ,god has laid his sin on ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 he is in a position for you to put to him the direct question3 8,will you accept this ,saviour upon whom the ,lord has laid your sin80 ,still another verse to use is ,psalms cxxx4 #c4 ,when the verse has been read1 ask him1 8,if the ,lord marked iniquities could you stand80 ,in dealing with this class of men ,i use ,matthew xxii4 #cg1 #ch more frequently than any other passage of ,scripture4 ,before having the person read the verse1 it is well to ask him1 8,do you know that you have committed the greatest sin that a man can commit80 ,in all probability he will answer1 8,no1 ,i have not40 ,then ask him what he thinks the greatest sin a man can commit4 ,when he has answered1 say to him1 ,now let us see what ,god considers the greatest sin4 ,read the verses and ask him1 8,what is the first and greatest of the commandments80 ,then ask him1 8,what then is the greatest sin80 ,he will soon answer that the violation of the first and greatest of the commandments must be the greatest sin4 ,ask him if he has kept that commandment and when he confesses1 as sooner or later he must1 that he has not1 ask him of what he is guilty in the sight of ,god1 and hold him to that point until he admits that he is guilty of committing the greatest sin that a man can commit4 ,an illustration from life may help to make the use of this verse clear4 ,i was dealing with a very bright young man who evidently had no deep sense of sin nor of his need of a ,saviour4 ,in fact when ,i asked if he was a ,christian he said promptly that he always had been2 but there was something in his manner that showed that he had no clear understanding of what it meant to be a ,christian4 ,i then asked if he had been born again and he did not even understand what ,i was talking about4 ,i next asked if he knew he had committed the greatest sin that a man could possibly commit and he at once answered1 8,no1 ,i never did in my life40 ,i asked what he considered the greatest sin1 and he replied 8murder40 ,i took my ,bible and opened it to ,matthew xxii4 #cg1 #ch1 and asked him to read the verses1 which he did4 ,i then asked him1 8,if this is the first and greatest commandment1 what must be the greatest sin80 ,he answered1 8,i suppose the breaking of that commandment40 ,i then asked if he had always kept that commandment1 if he had always loved ,god with all his heart1 with all his soul1 and with all his mind4 ,if he had always put ,god first in everything4 ,he replied that he had not4 ,i then asked him1 8,of what then are you guilty80 ,the ,spirit of ,god carried the text home and with the greatest earnestness he replied1 8,i have committed the greatest sin that a man can commit1 but ,i never saw it before in my life40 ,another verse that can be used with effect is ,john viii4 #cd4 ,after the man has read the verse1 8,whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin10 ask him 8what is one who commits sin80 ,then ask him if he commits sin4 ,then put to him the direct question1 8,what are you then10 and hold him to it until he says 8the servant of sin40 ,then ask him if he does not desire to be delivered from that awful bondage4 ,hold him to this point until he sees his need of ,jesus ,christ as a ,deliverer from the slavery of sin4 ,the ,holy ,spirit has used ,isaiah lvii4 #ba to the salvation of many men who have been indifferent to the claims of the ,gospel4 ,after the verse1 8,there is no peace saith my ,god to the wicked10 has been read slowly1 thoughtfully1 and earnestly1 ask him who it is that says this4 ,then ask him if it is true2 then ask him if it is true in his case4 8,have you peace80 ,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 him1 8,you need the ,saviour40 ,he wanted to know why ,i thought so4 ,i replied1 8,because you have no peace40 ,he said1 8,yes ,i have40 8,no you have not40 ,he then asked me how ,i knew that4 ,i told him ,god said so and quoted the above passage4 ,he tried to laugh it off and say the verse was not true in his case4 ,then he became angry and went out of the tent in a rage1 but the next night ,i saw him kneeling with one of our workers in prayer and when he arose from his knees1 the worker came over and said he wished to speak with me4 ,as ,i approached him he held out his hand and said1 8,i wanted to beg your pardon for what ,i said last night2 what you said was true1 ,i didn't have peace40 ,i asked him if he had now accepted the ,saviour4 ,he said he had4 ,galatians iii4 #aj is a verse which we very frequently use in our work in dealing with the ,indifferent4 ,after the one with whom you are dealing has read the verse1 8,for as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse2 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 them0 ask him the question1 8,what is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them80 ,when he answers1 8,cursed10 ask him if he has continued in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them and when he replies1 8,no1 ,i have not10 put to him the direct question1 8,what are you then80 and hold him to that point until he says1 8,i am under the curse40 ,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 rests4 ,romans vi4 #bc can often be used with good effect4 8,for the wages of sin is death40 ,ask 8what are the wages of sin80 ,then1 8who earns those wages80 ,then1 8,are you a sinner80 8,what wages then have you earned80 8,do you wish to take your wages80 ,john iii4 #cf is a verse which can be used in a similar way4 ,ask the question1 8,upon whom is it that the wrath of ,god abides80 ,then1 8,do you believe on the ,son80 8,what then abides upon you80 ,then put the decisive question1 8,are you willing to go away with the wrath of ,god abiding upon you80 #b ,thes4 i4 #gi1 and ,john viii4 #bd2 ,rev4 xx4 #ae2 xxi4 #h2 xiv4 #ajaa1 set forth in a most impressive way the awful consequences of sin4 ,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 import4 ,there is another way to arouse a man from his indifference1 and that is by showing what ,jesus has done for him4 ,i have found ,isaiah liii4 #ef more effectual for this purpose than any other passage in the ,bible4 ,an incident from life will illustrate its use4 ,a lady had asked prayers for her daughter1 a young woman about twenty years of age4 ,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 once4 ,she stamped her foot in anger and said1 8,my mother should have known better than to do that2 she knows it will only make me worse40 ,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 read1 8,but he was wounded for our transgressions1 he was bruised for our iniquities2 the chastisement of our peace was upon him2 and with his stripes we are healed4 ,all we like sheep have gone astray2 we have turned every one to his own way2 and the ,lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all40 ,i made no comment upon the verses whatever1 but the ,spirit of ,god carried them home and tears began to roll down the cheeks of the young woman4 ,she did not come out as a ,christian that night but did shortly afterward4 ,it is well in using these verses1 whenever it is possible1 to get the inquirer to change the pronoun from the plural to the singular4 8,he was wounded for my transgressions2 he was bruised for my iniquities1 etc40 ,john iii4 #af can be used in a similar way4 ,i was talking one night to one who was apparently most indifferent and hardened4 ,she told me the story of her sin1 with seemingly very little sense of shame1 and when ,i urged her to accept ,christ1 she simply refused4 ,i put a ,bible in her hands and asked her to read this verse4 ,she began to read1 8,god so loved the world that ,he gave ,his only begotten ,son10 and before she had finished reading the verse she had broken into tears1 softened by the thought of ,god's wondrous love to her4 ,first ,peter ii4 #bd is a verse of similar character4 ,ask the inquirer whose sins they were that ,jesus bore in his own body on the tree1 and hold him to it until he says1 8,my sins40 #a ,peter i4 #ahai2 ,luke xxii4 #dd2 ,matt4 xxvii4 #df1 are useful as bringing out in detail what ,christ has suffered for us4 ,there is still another way to arouse indifferent persons1 and that is by showing them that the one damning sin is that of which they themselves are guilty--the sin of rejecting ,jesus ,christ4 ,heb4 x4 #bhbi is very effective for this purpose4 ,john xvi4 #i2 iii4 #ah1 #ai1 #bj1 and ,acts ii4 #cf can also be used4 ,oftentimes you will meet one who is not willing to sit down and let you deal with him in this deliberate way4 ,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 earnestness1 such for example as ,heb4 x4 #bhbi2 ,romans vi4 #bc2 ,john iii4 #cf2 ,isaiah lvii4 #ba1 and leave it for the ,spirit of ,god to carry the truth home to his heart4 ,a passing shot of this kind has often resulted in the salvation of a soul4 ,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 ,gospel4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,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 how4 ,it is not difficult to lead this class of persons to ,christ4 ,perhaps no other passage in the ,bible is more used for this purpose than ,isaiah liii4 #f4 ,it makes the way of salvation very plain4 ,read the first part of the verse to the inquirer1 8,all we like sheep have gone astray1 we have turned every one to his own way40 ,then ask1 8,is that true of you10 and when he has thought it over and said 8yes10 then say to him1 8,now let us see what ,god has done with your sins10 and read the remainder of the verse1 8,and the ,lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all40 8,what then is it necessary for you to do to be saved80 ,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 provided4 ,some years ago ,i noticed in a meeting a white-haired man who did not stand up with the ,christians4 ,at the close of the service ,i walked down to him and said1 8,are you not a ,christian80 ,he said he was not4 ,i was sure he was interested1 so ,i put to him the direct question1 8,would you become a ,christian to-night if ,i would show you the way80 and he replied that he would4 ,we sat down together and ,i opened my ,bible to ,isaiah liii4 #f and read the first part of the verse1 8,all we like sheep have gone astray1 we have turned every one to his own way40 ,i then said to him1 8,is that true of you80 and he answered 8yes40 8,now10 ,i said1 8let us read the rest of the verse1 #8,and the ,lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all4'0 8,what has the ,lord done10 ,i said1 8with your sins80 ,he thought a moment and said 8he has laid them on ,christ40 8,what then0 ,i said 8is all that you have to do to be saved80 and he replied quite promptly1 8,accept him40 8,well10 ,i said1 8will you accept him to-night80 ,he said1 8,i will40 8,let us then kneel down and tell ,god so40 ,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 ,christ1 and asking ,god for ,christ's sake to forgive his sins4 ,when he had finished ,i asked him if he thought ,god had heard his prayer and that his sins were forgiven1 and he said 8yes40 ,i then asked him if he would begin to lead a ,christian life at once1 set up the family altar and openly confess ,christ before the world1 and he replied that he would4 ,some months after ,i met his pastor and made inquiries about him and found that he had gone to his home in a distant village1 set up the family altar and united with the church together with his son1 the only remaining member of the family out of ,christ4 ,apparently all that this man was waiting for was for some one to make the way of salvation plain to him4 ,i sometimes put it this way in using this verse3 8,there are two things which a man needs to know and one thing he needs to do in order to be saved4 ,what he needs to know is1 first1 that he is a lost sinner and this verse tells him that2 second1 that ,christ is an all-sufficient ,saviour and this verse tells him that4 ,what he needs to do is simply to accept this all-sufficient ,saviour whom ,god has provided40 ,john i4 #ab brings out this thought very clearly1 8,as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of ,god1 even to them that believe on his name40 ,after the verse has been read you can ask the one with whom you are dealing1 8,to whom is it that ,god gives the power to become the sons of ,god80 8,as many as receive him40 ,what must you then do to become a son of ,god8 8,receive him40 ,well1 will you receive him as your ,saviour and as your master now8 ,isaiah lv4 #g2 ,acts xvi4 #ca2 ,john iii4 #af and iii4 #cf are all useful in making the way of salvation plain4 ,john iii4 #ad compared with ,numbers xxi4 #h and the following verses1 can often be used with good effect4 ,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 sins4 ,romans i4 #af is another excellent verse to use4 ,it makes the way of salvation very clear4 ,you can ask the inquirer whom it is1 according to his verse1 that the ,gospel saves1 and he will see that it is 8every one that believeth40 ,then ask him1 8,what then is all that is necessary for one to do in order to be saved10 and he will see that it is simply to believe4 ,then ask him 8believe what10 and the answer is 8the ,gospel40 ,the next question that naturally arises is1 what is the ,gospel8 ,this is answered by #a ,cor4 xv42 #ad4 ,these verses show what the ,gospel is1 8that ,christ died for our sins according to the ,scriptures2 that he was buried and that he rose the third day according to the scriptures0 and this is what he must believe in order to be saved4 ,he must believe from his heart that ,christ died for his sins and that he rose again4 ,then ask the inquirer1 8do you believe that ,christ died for your sins8 do you believe that he rose again80 ,if he says that he does1 ask him if he will make this a heart faith and get down and ask ,god for ,christ's sake1 to forgive his sins and believe he does it because he says so1 and then trust in the living ,saviour to save him day by day from the power of sin4 ,romans x4 #i-aj also makes the way of salvation clear to many minds where other verses fail4 ,romans x4 #ac makes it1 if possible1 more simple still4 ,this shows that all that a man has to do to be saved is to 8call upon the name of the ,lord40 ,you can ask the inquirer 8,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 will80 ,the way of salvation can be made plain by the use of ,exodus xii4 #g1 #ac1 #bc4 ,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 safe1 and when ,god sees the blood he passes over us4 ,the only thing for us to do is to get behind the blood4 ,then show the inquirer that the way to be behind the blood is by simple faith in ,jesus ,christ4 ,luke xviii4 #aj-ad is exceedingly useful in showing what a man may have and yet be lost 7the ,pharisee7 and what a man may lack and yet be saved 7the ,publican7 and that all that a man has to do to be saved is simply to do as the ,publican did1 that is take the sinner's place and cry to ,god for mercy and then he will go down to his house justified4 ,this passage can be used in the following manner to make the meaning more clear4 ,ask the inquirer1 8,which one of these two 7the ,pharisee or the ,publican7 went down to his house justified80 ,then ask him1 8,what did the ,publican do that the ,pharisee did not do1 that brought him the forgiveness of his sins while the ,pharisee went out of the ,temple unforgiven80 ,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 8justified0 or forgiven4 ,then you can ask him1 8,what is all that it is necessary for you to do to find forgiveness80 ,then ask him1 8,will you do it now and here80 and when he has done so ask him if he believes ,god's word and if he is going down to his house justified4 ,what saving faith is1 is beautifully illustrated by ,luke vii4 #dh-ej4 ,the fiftieth verse tells us that this woman had saving faith4 ,now ask the inquirer1 8,what was the faith she had10 and show him that her faith was simply such faith that ,jesus could and would forgive her sins1 that she came to him to do it4 ,this is saving faith4 ,galatians iii4 #aj-ac also makes the way of salvation very simple4 ,the tenth verse shows the sinner's position before accepting ,christ--8under the curse40 ,the thirteenth verse shows what ,christ has done--has been made a curse for us4 ,what the sinner had to do is1 evidently1 simply to accept ,christ4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,are ,,anxious ,,to ,,be ,,saved ,,and ,,know ,,how1 ,,but ,,who ,,have ,,difficulties ,a very large number of persons whom we try to lead to ,christ1 we will find are really anxious to be saved and know how1 but are confronted with difficulties which they deem insurmountable4 #a4 ,one of the difficulties is1 8,i am too great a sinner40 #a ,tim4 i4 #ae meets this fully4 ,one ,sunday morning a man who had led a wild and wandering life and who had recently lost #ce1jjj and been separated from his wife1 said to me in response to my question1 why he was not ,christian1 8,i am too great a sinner to be saved40 ,i turned at once to #a ,tim4 i4 #ae4 8,this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners1 of whom ,i am chief40 ,he quickly replied1 8well1 ,i am the chief of sinners40 8,well10 ,i said1 8that verse means you then40 ,he replied1 8,it is a precious promise40 ,i said1 8,will you accept it now80 and he said1 8,i will40 ,then ,i said1 8,let us kneel down and tell ,god so10 and we knelt down and he confessed to ,god his sins1 and asked ,god for ,christ's sake to forgive him his sins4 ,i asked him if he had really accepted ,christ and he said he had4 ,i asked him if he really believed that he was saved and he said he did4 ,he took an early opportunity of confessing ,christ4 ,he left the city in a short time but ,i was able to follow him4 ,he became a most active ,christian1 working at his business day times but engaged in some form of ,christian work every night in the week4 ,he was reunited to his wife and adopted a little child out of an orphan asylum and had a happy ,christian home4 ,luke xix4 #aj is also a very useful passage to use in dealing with this class of men2 especially useful when a man says1 8,i am lost40 ,you can say1 8,i have a passage intended expressly for you4 ,if you really mean what you say1 you are just the man ,jesus is seeking4 #8,for the ,son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost4'0 ,romans v4 #fh is a very effective passage4 ,i stopped a man one night as he was hurrying out of a meeting4 ,laying my hand on his shoulder ,i said 8,did you not hold your hand up to-night for prayers80 ,he said 8yes40 ,i said1 8,why then are you hurrying away8 ,do you know ,god loves you80 ,he replied1 8,you do not know who you are talking to40 8,i do not care who ,i am talking to but ,i know ,god loves you40 ,he said3 8,i am the meanest thief in ,minneapolis40 ,i said 8,if you are the meanest thief in ,minneapolis1 then ,i know ,god loves you10 and ,i opened my ,bible to ,romans v4 #h4 8,but ,god commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners ,christ died for us40 8,now10 ,i said1 8,if you are the meanest thief in ,minneapolis1 you are a sinner1 and this verse tells that ,god loves sinners40 ,the man broke down and going into another room with me told me his story4 ,he was just out of confinement for crime2 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 ,minneapolis2 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 ,mission4 ,after telling me his story we kneeled in prayer4 ,through tears he cried to ,god for mercy1 having been led by ,god's precious promise to believe that ,god loved a sinner even as vile as he4 ,matt4 ix4 #ab1 #ac2 ,romans x4 #ac 7,emphasize 8whosoever072 ,john iii4 #af 7,emphasize the 8whosoever072 ,isaiah i4 #ah2 #a ,john iv4 #ad2 ,john ii4 #ab2 ,isaiah xliv4 #bb2 ,isaiah xliii4 #be are also useful passages in dealing with this class of men4 ,isaiah i4 #ah and ,ps4 li4 #ad are especially useful in dealing with men who have committed murder4 ,never tell any one that his sins are not great4 ,it is well sometimes to say to these men1 8,yes1 your sins are great1 greater than you think1 but they have all been settled0 and show them ,isaiah liii4 #f2 #a ,peter ii4 #bd4 ,a woman once came to me in great agitation4 ,after many ineffectual attempts she was at last able to unburden her heart4 ,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 crazy4 ,when she told the story to another ,christian and myself1 we turned to ,isaiah liii4 #f4 ,after reading the verse very carefully to her1 ,i asked her what the ,lord had done with her sin4 ,after a few moments' deep and anxious thought she said1 8,he has laid it on ,christ10 ,i took a book in my hand4 8,now10 ,i said 8let my right hand represent you1 and my left hand ,christ1 and this book your sin40 ,i laid the book upon my right hand and ,i said3 8,where is your sin now80 ,she said 8,on me40 8,now10 ,i said1 8what has ,god done with it80 ,she said 8,laid it on ,christ10 and ,i laid the book over on the other hand4 8,where is your sin now80 ,i asked4 ,it was long before she could summon courage to answer1 and then with a desperate effort she said1 8,on ,christ40 ,i said1 8then is it on you any longer80 ,slowly the light came into her face and she burst out with a cry1 8,no1 it is on ,him1 it is on ,christ40 ,john i4 #bi2 ,acts x4 #dc2 ,heb4 vii4 #be1 are also helpful texts in dealing with this class of men4 #b4 ,another difficulty we frequently meet with1 is 8,i can't hold out10 or 8,i am afraid of failure40 #a ,peter i4 #e is useful in showing that we are not to keep ourselves but are 8kept by the power of ,god40 ,john x4 #bh1 #bi shows that the safety of the one who accepts ,christ does not depend upon his 8holding out0 but upon the keeping power of the ,father and the ,son4 #b ,tim4 i4 #ab 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 it4 ,isaiah xli4 #aj1 #ac are also helpful4 ,jude #bd shows that whether we can keep from falling or not1 ,christ is able to keep us from falling4 #b ,chron4 xxxii4 #g1 #h2 ,romans xiv4 #d2 #b ,thes4 iii4 #c1 are also good texts to use4 #a ,cor4 x4 #ac is especially useful when one is afraid that some great temptation will overtake him and he will fall4 #c4 ,another difficulty very similar to the preceding one1 is 8,i am too weak40 ,with such a person1 use #b ,cor4 xii4 #i1 #aj4 ,ask him 8where is it that ,christ's strength is made perfect80 ,when he answers 8in weakness10 tell him 8then the weaker you are in your own strength the better40 ,philippians iv4 #ac shows that however weak we may be1 we can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth us4 #a ,cor4 x4 #ac will show that ,god knows all about our weakness and will not permit us to be tempted above our strength4 #d4 8,i cannot give up my evil ways or bad habits40 ,gal4 vi4 #g1 #h1 will show them that they must give them up or perish4 ,philippians iv4 #ac will show them that they can give them up in ,christ's strength4 ,it is an excellent plan to point the one who fears that he cannot give up his bad habits1 to ,christ1 as a risen ,saviour1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #c1 #d4 ,a man once came to me and said3 8,i come to you to know if there is any way ,i can get power to overcome my evil habits40 ,he told me his story2 he had been converted in childhood but had come to ,chicago1 fallen in with evil companions and gone down1 and now could not break away from his sins4 ,i said to him3 8,you know only half the gospel1 the gospel of a crucified ,saviour4 ,through trusting in the crucified ,saviour you found pardon4 ,but ,jesus ,christ is also a risen ,saviour1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #d1 #8,all power is given unto ,him1' ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah4 ,he has power to give you victory over your evil habits4 ,do you believe that80 ,he said1 8yes40 8,you trusted10 ,i continued1 8in the crucified ,christ and found pardon1 did you not80 8,yes10 he replied4 8,now10 ,i said1 8will you trust the risen ,christ to save you from the power of your sins80 8,yes1 ,i will40 8,let us kneel down then1 and tell him so40 ,we knelt and talked it all over with the ,saviour4 ,when he arose his very countenance was changed4 8,i am so glad ,i came10 he said4 ,some time after ,i received a letter from him telling me how he found constant victory through trusting in the risen ,christ4 #e4 8,i will be persecuted if ,i become a ,christian40 ,never tell any one that he will not be persecuted1 but show him from such passages as #b ,tim4 ii4 #ab2 #b ,tim4 iii4 #ab2 ,matt4 v4 #aj1 #aa1 #ab2 ,mark viii4 #ce2 ,acts xiv4 #bb1 that persecution is the only path to ,glory4 ,show them from ,romans viii4 #ah that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the ,glory which shall be revealed in us4 ,show them from ,acts v4 #da2 #a ,peter ii4 #bj1 #ba1 that it is a privilege to be persecuted for ,christ's sake4 ,heb4 xii4 #b1 #c is useful in showing them where to look for victory in persecution4 #f4 8,it will hurt my business10 or 8,i can't be a ,christian in my present business40 ,point such an one to ,mark viii4 #cf4 ,this will show him that it is better to lose his business than to lose his soul4 ,after this thought has been sufficiently impressed upon his mind1 show him ,matt4 vi4 #cb1 #cc which contains ,god's promise that if we put ,god and ,his kingdom first1 that ,he will provide for all our real temporal needs4 ,matt4 xvi4 #bdbg2 ,luke xii4 #afba2 xvi4 #bdbf are also very effective passages to use with this class4 #g4 8,too much to give up40 ,mark viii4 #cf will show them that they had better give up everything than to lose their soul4 ,philippians iii4 #g1 #h2 ,ps4 xvi4 #aa will show them that what they give up is nothing compared with what they get4 ,ps4 lxxxiv4 #aa2 ,romans viii4 #cb will show them that ,god will not ask them to give up any good thing2 in other words1 that the only things ,god asks them to give up are the things that are hurting them4 ,a young woman once refused to come to the ,saviour saying1 8,there is too much to give up40 8,do you think ,god loves you80 ,i answered4 8,certainly40 8,how much do you think he loves you80 ,she thought a moment and answered1 8,enough to give his son to die for me40 8,do you think1 if ,god loved you enough to give his son to die for you1 he will ask you to give up anything it is for your good to keep80 8,no40 8,do you wish to keep anything that it is not for your good to keep80 8,no40 8,then you had better come to ,christ at once40 ,and she did4 #a ,john ii4 #ag2 ,luke xii4 #afba will show them how worthless are the things which they are trying to keep4 #h4 8,the ,christian life is too hard40 ,say to the inquirer1 8,let me show you from ,god's word that you are mistaken about the ,christian life being hard40 ,then turn him to ,matt4 xi4 #cj2 ,prov4 iii4 #ag2 ,ps4 xvi4 #aa2 #a ,john v4 #c1 and show him that a ,christian life is not hard but exceedingly pleasant4 ,then turn him to ,prov4 xiii4 #ae1 and show him that it is the sinner's life that is hard4 #i4 8,i am afraid of my ungodly companions20 or 8,i will lose my friends if ,i take ,christ40 ,prov4 xxix4 #be will show them the consequence of yielding to the fear of man and the security of the one who trusts in the ,lord4 ,prov4 xiii4 #bj will show them the result of holding on to their companions1 and ,ps4 i4 #a will show the blessedness of giving up evil companions4 #a ,john i4 #c shows how much better companionship one gets than he loses by coming to ,christ4 #aj4 8,my heart is too hard40 ,ezek4 xxxvi4 #bf1 #bg1 will show them that though their hearts are hard as stone1 that will make no difference because ,god will give them a new heart4 #aa4 8,i have no feeling40 ,ask the inquirer what kind of feeling he thinks he must have before he comes to ,christ4 ,if it is the peace of which ,christians speak1 show him from ,gal4 v4 #bb2 ,eph4 i4 #ac2 ,acts v4 #cb2 #a ,peter i4 #h2 ,matt4 x4 #cb1 that this feeling is the result of accepting ,christ and confessing ,him1 and that he cannot expect it until he accepts and confesses ,christ4 ,if the feeling which he thinks he must have is the feeling that he is a sinner1 then show him by ,is4 lv4 #g that it is not the feeling that we are sinners that ,god demands1 but a turning away from sin4 ,or1 from ,acts xvi4 #ca2 ,john i4 #ab2 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 ,saviour4 ,is4 lv4 #a2 ,rev4 xxii4 #ag1 will show the inquirer that all the feeling he needs is a desire for salvation4 ,it is often times well1 however1 with this class of inquirers to show them the passages for 8,the ,indifferent0 until they do feel that they are sinners4 #ab4 8,i am seeking ,christ1 but cannot find ,him40 ,jer4 xxix4 #ac1 shows that when we seek him with the whole heart we shall find him4 ,speaking with a woman one evening in an after-meeting she said to me1 8,i have been seeking ,christ two years and cannot find ,him40 ,i replied1 8,i can tell you when you will find him40 ,she looked at me in surprise and ,i turned to ,jer4 xxix4 #ac1 and read 8,and ye shall seek me1 and find me1 when ye shall search for me with all your heart40 8,there10 ,i said1 8that shows you when you will find ,christ4 ,you will find him when you search for him with all your heart4 ,have you done that80 ,after a little thought she answered 8,no40 8,well1 then10 ,i said1 8let us kneel right down here now40 ,she did this and in a few moments she was rejoicing in ,christ4 ,you can point one who has this difficulty to ,luke xv4 #aaj2 xix4 #aj4 ,these passages show that ,jesus is seeking the sinner and you can say1 8if you are really seeking ,christ it will not take a seeking ,saviour and a seeking sinner very long to find each other40 #ac4 8,i cannot believe40 ,in most cases where one says this the real difficulty which lies back of their inability to believe is unwillingness to forsake sin4 ,john v4 #dd1 is a good passage to use with such a one1 or ,is4 lv4 #g4 ,in the use of the latter passage1 hold the man's attention to the fact that all ,god asks of him is that he turn away from sin and turn to ,him4 #ad4 8,god won't receive me10 or 8,i have sinned away the day of grace10 or 8,i am afraid ,i have committed the unpardonable sin40 ,the people who honestly say this1 are as a rule about the most difficult class to deal with of any that you will meet4 ,john vi4 #cg1 is the great text to use with them for it shows that ,jesus will receive any one who will come to him4 ,hold him continually to that point1 8,him that cometh to me ,i will in no wise cast out0 and if they keep saying 8,he won't receive me0 repeat the text1 looking to the ,spirit of ,god to carry the truth home4 ,many an utterly despondent soul has found light and peace through this verse in ,god's word4 ,rev4 xxii4 #ag1 is also useful as it shows that any one who will can have the water of life freely4 ,is4 lv4 #a1 shows that any one who desires salvation can have it4 ,is4 i4 #ah1 shows that no matter how great a man's sins may be still here is pardon4 ,acts x4 #dc1 and ,john iii4 #af1 that 8whosoever0 will believe upon ,christ will find pardon and eternal life4 ,romans x4 #ac1 shows that any one1 no matter who or what he is1 who will 8call upon the name of the ,lord shall be saved40 ,it is well sometimes to turn to ,heb4 vi4 #df1 and ,matt4 xii4 #cacb1 and show the inquirer just what the unpardonable sin is and what its results are4 ,matt4 xii4 #ca1 #cb1 shows that it is blasphemy against the ,holy ,ghost and put it squarely to him1 8have you ever blasphemed against the ,holy ,ghost80 ,heb4 vi4 #df1 shows that the difficulty is not in ,god's unwillingness to forgive1 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 grace4 ,a little instruction along this line is often times all that is needed4 #ae4 8,it is too late40 ,when an inquirer says this1 it is often times well to use #b ,cor4 vi4 #b1 and tell him that ,god says1 it is just the time4 ,luke xxiii4 #cidc1 is useful as showing that even at the last hour ,jesus will hearken to the sinner's cry4 #b ,peter iii4 #i1 will show that ,his will is that none should perish1 but that ,he is delaying the judgment that ,he may save as many as will come4 ,deut4 iv4 #cj1 #ca1 is an especially helpful passage as it says 8,even in the latter days0 if thou turn to the ,lord he will be merciful4 ,is4 i4 #ah1 and ,rev4 xxii4 #ag1 can alone be used here4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,entertain ,,false ,,hopes #a4 ,among those who entertain false hopes1 perhaps the largest class are those who expect to be saved by their righteous lives4 ,these persons are easily known by such sayings as these1 8,i am doing the best ,i can40 8,i do more good than evil40 8,i am not a great sinner40 8,i have never done anything very bad40 ,gal4 iii4 #aj1 is an excellent passage to use1 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 8continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them40 ,james ii4 #aj is also useful4 ,gal4 ii4 #af1 and ,romans iii4 #ai1 #bj are very effective by showing that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in ,god's sight4 ,matt4 v4 #bj--;,all these passages show the kind of righteousness ,god demands and that no man's righteousness comes up to ,god's standard1 and that if a man wishes to be saved he must find some other means of salvation than by his own deeds4 ,it is sometimes well in using these passages to say to the inquirer3 8,you do not understand the kind of righteousness that ,god demands or you would not talk as you do4 ,now let us turn to ,his word and see what kind of righteousness it is that ,god demands40 ,there is another way of dealing with this class1 by the use of such passages as ,luke xvi4 #ae2 ,rom4 ii4 #af2 #a ,sam4 xvi4 #g4 ,these passages show that ,god looks at the heart4 ,hold the inquirer right to that point4 ,every man when brought face to face with that1 must tremble because he knows that whatever his outward life may be1 his heart will not stand the scrutiny of ,god's eye4 ,no matter how selfrighteous a man is1 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 point4 ,every man's conscience is on our side4 ,matt4 xxii4 #cg1 #ch can be used when a man says 8,i am doing the best ,i can1 or doing more good than evil40 ,say to him1 8,you are greatly mistaken about that2 so far from doing more good than evil1 do you know that you have broken the first and greatest of ,god's laws80 ,then show him the passage4 ,heb4 xi4 #f1 ,john vi4 #bi1 show that the one thing that ,god demands is faith and that without that it is impossible to please ,god1 and ,john xvi4 #i1 shows that unbelief in ,christ is the greatest sin4 ,john iii4 #cf1 shows that the question of eternal life depends solely upon a man's accepting or rejecting ,jesus ,christ1 and ,heb4 x4 #bh1 #bi1 that the sin which brings the heaviest punishment is that of treading under foot the ,son of ,god4 ,before using this latter passage1 it would be well to say1 8,you think you are very good1 but do you know that you are committing the most awful sin in ,god's sight which a man can commit80 ,if he replies1 8,no10 then say 8,well let me show you from ,god's word that you are20 then turn to this passage and read it with great solemnity and earnestness4 #b4 ,another class of those who entertain false hopes1 are those who think 8,god is too good to damn anyone40 ,when any one says this1 you can reply1 8,we know nothing of ,god's goodness but what we learn from the ,bible1 and we must go to that book to find out the character of ,god's goodness4 ,let us turn to ,romans ii4 #b1 #d1 #e40 ,having read the verses1 you can say something like this1 8,now1 my friend1 you see that the purpose of ,god's goodness is to lead you to repentance1 not to encourage you in sin and when we trample upon his goodness1 then we are treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god40 ,john viii4 #ba1 #bd and iii4 #cf1 will show the man that however good ,god may be that he will reject all who reject ,his ,son4 ,still another way to deal with these men is by showing them from ,john v4 #dj2 #b ,peter iii4 #iaa or ,ezek4 xxxiii4 #aa1 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 offered4 ,you can say 8,god is not willing that any should perish and he offers life freely to you1 but there is one difficulty in the way4 ,let us turn to ,john v4 #dj1 and see what the difficulty is40 ,then read the passage3 8,ye will not come to me that ye might have life10 and say1 8,my friend here is the difficulty1 you won't come2 life is freely offered to you but if you will not accept it1 you must perish40 #b ,peter ii4 #df1 #i2 ,luke xiii4 #c1 show how the 8good0 ,god deals with persons who persist in sin4 ,sometimes this last passage can be effectively used in this way3 8,you say ,god is too good to damn any one4 ,now let us see what ,god ,himself says in his word40 ,then turn to the passage and read1 8,except ye repent1 ye shall all likewise perish40 ,repeat the passage over and over again until it has been driven home4 #c4 ,a third class of those who entertain false hopes1 are those who say 8,i am trying to be a ,christian40 ,john i4 #ab1 will show them that it is not 8trying0 to be a ,christian or 8trying0 to live a better life or 8trying0 to do anything that ,god asks of us1 but simply to receive ,jesus ,christ1 who did it all1 and you can ask the inquirer1 8will you now stop your trying and simply receive ,jesus as ,saviour80 ,acts xvi4 #ca1 shows that ,god does not ask us to try what we can do but trust ,jesus and what ,he has done and will do4 ,romans iii4 #bcbe1 shows that we are not to be justified by trying to do1 8but freely by ,his grace1 through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus0 on the simple condition of faith4 #d4 ,still another class of those who entertain false hopes are those who say1 8,i feel ,i am going to ,heaven10 or 8,i feel ,i am saved40 ,show them from ,john iii4 #cf that it is not a question of what they feel but what ,god says1 and what ,god says distinctly in his word is that1 8,he that believeth not on the ,son1 shall not see life1 but the wrath of ,god abideth on him40 ,one afternoon ,i was talking with a lady who a few weeks before had lost her only child4 ,at the time of the child's death she had been deeply interested1 but her serious impressions had largely left her4 ,i put to her the question1 8,do you not wish to go where your little one has gone80 ,she replied at once 8,i expect to40 8,what makes you think you will80 ,i said4 ,she replied1 8,i feel so1 ,i feel that ,i will go to heaven when ,i die40 ,i then asked her1 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 died4 8,no10 she said1 8there is not40 ,then she turned and questioned me1 saying1 8,do you expect to go to heaven when you die80 8,yes10 ,i replied1 8,i know ,i shall40 8,how do you know it80 she said4 8,have you any word from ,god for it80 8,yes10 ,i answered and turned her to ,john iii4 #cf4 ,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 ,god4 ,luke xviii4 #iad1 can also be used in the following way2 you can say 8there was a man in the ,bible who felt he was all right1 but was all wrong4 ,let me read you about him40 ,then read about the ,pharisee who was so sure that he was all right1 but who was all the time an unforgiven sinner2 and make the inquirer see how untrustworthy our feelings are and what the ground of assurance is1 viz3 ,god's word4 ,prov4 xiv4 #ab can also be used as showing that 8there is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death40 #e4 ,the last class of those who entertain false hopes1 are those who say they are saved though they are leading sinful lives4 ,in the case of many forms of sin1 a good passage to use is #a ,cor4 vi4 #iaj4 #a ,john ii4 #bi will also in many cases sweep away this false hope4 #a ,john v4 #de 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 ,god4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,lack ,,assurance ,,and ,,with ,,back-,,sliders ,i4 ,,those ,,who ,,lack ,,assurance4 ,those who lack assurance may be divided into two classes4 #a4 ,those who lack assurance because of ignorance4 #a ,john v4 #ac1 will show all such that we may know that we have eternal life4 ,often times when you ask people if they know they are saved1 or if they know their sins are forgiven1 or if they know they have eternal life1 they will reply1 8,why no one knows that40 ,you can say to them1 8,yes the ,bible says that all who believe may know it10 and then show them #a ,john v4 #ac4 ,john i4 #ab shows that ,christ gives to as many as receive ,him1 power to become the ,sons of ,god4 ,a good way to use this verse is to ask the inquirer questions regarding it4 8,what does every one who receives ,him receive power to become80 ,the inquirer if he is attentively looking at the verse will answer1 8,a son of ,god40 ,then ask the next question1 8,have you received ,him80 ,if he replies 8,yes10 then ask him1 8,what are you then80 ,it will probably be necessary to go over it several times but at last the inquirer will see it and say 8,i am a son of ,god40 ,john iii4 #cf can be used in a similar way4 ,ask the inquirer 8who do these verses say has everlasting life80 8,he that believeth on the ,son40 8,do you believe on the ,son80 8,what have you then80 ,in a little while he will see it and say 8,everlasting life40 ,then have him say over and over again 8,i have everlasting life10 and have him kneel down and thank ,god for giving him everlasting life4 ,one night ,i found a young man upon his knees at the close of the service in great distress4 ,i showed him from the ,bible how ,jesus ,christ had borne his sins and asked him if he would accept ,christ as his ,saviour2 he said he would2 but he seemed to get no light and went out of the meeting in deep distress4 ,the next night he was there again1 professing to have accepted ,christ but with no assurance that his sins were forgiven4 ,i tried to show him from ,god's word what ,god said of those who accepted the ,saviour1 but the light did not come4 ,finally he rose to leave the meeting4 ,i had just shown him from ,john iii4 #cf that ,god said that 8,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life40 ,as he turned to leave me1 he said1 8,will you pray for me80 ,i said 8,yes40 ,he walked a little way down the aisle and ,i called to him and said1 8,do you believe ,i will pray for you80 ,he turned with a look of astonishment and replied1 8,yes1 of course40 8,why do you think ,i will pray for you80 ,i then asked4 8,because you said so10 he replied4 ,i said 8,isn't ,god's word as good as mine80 ,he saw it at once1 that while he had been willing to believe my word1 he had not been willing to believe ,god's word1 and he received assurance on the spot and knew that he had everlasting life4 ,john v4 #bd and #a ,john v4 #ab can be used in a similar way4 ,acts xiii4 #ci is very useful in dealing with this class of persons4 ,ask the inquirer3 8,what does this verse say that all who believe are80 8,justified40 ,then ask him1 8,do you believe80 8,what are you then80 ,it will probably take two or three times going over it before he sees it and when he answers 8,i am justified10 tell him to thank ,god for justifying him and confess ,christ1 and see to it that he does so4 ,many inquirers of this class stumble over the fact that they have not the witness of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,show them from #a ,john v4 #aj that the witness of the word to their acceptance is sufficient1 and that1 if they believe not this witness of ,god in ,his word1 they make ,him a liar4 ,show them further from ,eph4 i4 #ac1 that it is after we believe the testimony of the word that we are 8sealed with the ,holy ,spirit of promise40 ,the natural order in assurance is this3 ,first1 assurance of our justification1 resting on the 8,word of ,god40 ,second1 public confession of ,christ1 8with the mouth10 ,romans x4 #aj4 ,third1 the witness of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,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 mouth4 ,from ,matt4 x4 #cb1 #cc1 we learn that when we confess ,christ before men1 then ,he confesses us before the ,father4 ,we cannot reasonably expect the witness of the ,spirit from the ,father until we are confessed before the ,father4 ,so confession of ,christ logically precedes the witness of the ,spirit4 ,it is very important in using these texts to make clear what saving faith is2 because many may say that they believe when they do not1 in the sense of these texts1 and so get a false assurance and entertain false hopes and never find deliverance4 ,there is a great deal of careless dealing with those who lack assurance4 ,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 ,christ4 ,john i4 #ab1 and #b ,tim4 i4 #ab1 make very clear what believing is--receiving ,jesus or committing to ,jesus4 ,romans x4 #aj1 will serve a similar purpose by showing that it 8is with the heart man believeth unto righteousness40 #b4 ,those who lack assurance because of sin4 ,the trouble with those who lack assurance is1 often1 that there is some sin or questionable practice which they ought to confess and give up4 ,john viii4 #ab2 ,is4 lv4 #g2 ,prov4 xxviii4 #ac2 ,ps4 xxxii4 #ae1 are useful passages in dealing with this class of men1 for they show that it is when sin is confessed and forsaken and we follow ,christ1 that we receive pardon1 light and assurance4 ,often times it is well when one lacks assurance to put the question squarely to him3 8,do you know of any sin on to which you are holding or anything in your life which your conscience troubles you about80 ,,ii4 ,,back-,,sliders4 ,there are two classes of back-sliders and they should be dealt with in different ways4 #a4 ,careless back-sliders2 those who have no great desire to come back to the ,saviour4 ,with such persons use ,jer4 ii4 #e1 drive the question right home1 8,what iniquity have you found in the ,lord80 ,show them the base ingratitude and folly of forsaking such a ,saviour and ,friend4 ,very likely they have wandered away because of unkind treatment by professed ,christians1 but hold them right to the point of how the ,lord treated them and how they are now treating ,him4 ,use also ,jer4 ii4 #ac1 and show them what they have forsaken and for what4 ,have them read the verse and ask them1 8is not that verse true8 ,when you forsook the ,lord did you not forsake the #8fountain of living waters' and turn to #8broken cisterns that can hold no water8'0 ,illustrate the text by showing how foolish it would be to turn from a fountain of pure living water to broken cisterns or muddy pools4 ,god has greatly honored this verse in bringing back-sliders back to himself4 ,use ,jer4 ii4 #ai4 ,when they have read it ask them whether they have not found it 8an evil thing and bitter0 having forsaken the ,lord their ,god4 ,prov4 xiv4 #ad2 #a ,kings xi4 #i1 and ,luke xv4 #acag1 can often times be used with effect with an impenitent back-slider1 showing him the result of his wandering4 ,i have a friend who always uses ,amos4 iv4 #aa1 #ab1 and often times with good results4 #b4 ,back-sliders who are sick of their wanderings and sin and desire to come back to the ,lord4 ,these are perhaps as easy a class to deal with as we ever find4 ,jer4 iii4 #ab1 #ac1 and #bb1 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 him4 ,hos4 xiv4 #ad1 is full of tender invitation to penitent back-sliders and also shows the way back to ,god4 ,is4 xliii4 #bb1 #bd1 #be1 and ,is4 xliv4 #bjbb2 ,jer4 xxix4 #aaac2 ,deut4 iv4 #bhca2 #b ,chron4 vii4 #ad2 #a ,john i4 #i2 ii4 #ab1 set forth ,god's unfailing love for the back-slider and ,his willingness to receive him back4 ,mark xvi4 #g2 #b ,chron4 xv4 #d2 xxxiii4 #ai1 #ab1 #ac1 give illustrations of great back-sliders who returned to the ,lord and how lovingly ,he received them1 #a ,john i4 #i2 ,jer4 iii4 #abac2 #b ,chron4 xv4 #ab1 #ae2 vii4 #ad1 show just what steps the back-slider must take to come back to the ,lord and be restored to his favor1 viz3 humble himself1 confess his sins and turn from his sin4 ,luke xv4 #aabd1 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 receive4 ,when a back-slider has returned he should always be given instructions as to how to live so as not to back-slide again4 ,the instruction to be given will be found in ,chapter xii4 sec4 #ae4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,professed ,,skeptics ,,and ,,infidels ,there are various classes of ,sceptics and the same methods of dealing will not answer for all4 #a4 ,skeptics who are mere triflers4 ,with such use #a ,cor4 i4 #ah4 ,if a man says the ,bible is foolishness to him1 you can say 8,yes1 that is just what the ,bible itself says40 ,he will probably be surprised at this reply and then you can show him #a ,cor4 i4 #ah2 8the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness40 ,then you can say to him1 8,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 perishing40 #a ,cor4 ii4 #ad1 can be used in a similar way4 ,a worker was one night dealing with a man who said to him when he was trying to persuade him to come to ,christ1 8all that you are saying is foolishness to me40 ,the worker quickly replied1 8,yes1 that is just what the ,bible says40 ,the man looked at him in astonishment and said3 8,what80 8,you said all that ,i have been saying to you was foolishness to you1 and that is just what the ,bible says40 ,the man was more astonished then than ever and the worker turned him to #a ,cor4 ii4 #ad1 8,but the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god2 for they are foolishness unto him2 neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned40 ,the man said 8,i never saw that before2 ,i never thought of it in that light before40 #b ,cor4 iv4 #c1 #d1 is very useful in showing the trifler that he is lost and that his skepticism arises from the fact that the 8god of this world hath blinded his mind40 #b ,thes4 ii4 #ajab1 is useful in showing the origin of skepticism1 8because they received not the love of the truth0 and the consequences of skepticism--delusion and damnation4 ,john viii4 #ba1 #bd1 is also very searching in dealing with this class of skeptics1 showing the terrible consequences of unbelief4 ,john v4 #dd2 iii4 #ah1 #ai1 #bj expose the origin of scepticism4 ,ps4 xiv4 #a1 is useful in some cases though one needs to be guarded in its use1 using it only when it can be done with earnestness and tenderness4 #b ,thes4 i4 #g1 #h can also be used with good results4 #b4 ,serious minded skeptics4 ,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 skepticism4 ,john vii4 #ag is a very helpful passage in dealing with such4 ,it shows the way out of skepticism to faith4 ,get the skeptic to act along the line of that verse4 ,put to him the question1 8,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 it1 to ask ,god to show you whether you need a ,saviour and whether ,jesus is a ,divine ,saviour1 the ,son of ,god2 and will you promise that1 if ,god will show you that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god1 to accept ,him as your ,saviour and confess ,him before the world80 ,have him make his promise definite1 by putting it down in black and white4 ,if you get him to do this1 his skepticism will soon take wings4 ,one evening at the close of a service ,i asked a gentleman why he was not a ,christian4 ,he replied3 8,i will tell you4 ,i do not talk much about it2 for ,i am not proud of it as some are1 but ,i am a skeptic4 ,i have lain awake nights thinking about this matter40 8,do you believe there is a ,god80 8,yes1 ,i never gave up my faith that there was a ,god40 8,well1 if there is a ,god you ought to obey him4 ,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 ,falls80 8,i try to do as near right as ,i know how40 8,that is not what ,i asked2 will you take your stand on the will of ,god to follow it wherever it carries you80 8,i have never put it that way40 8,will you put it that way to-night80 8,i will40 8,do you believe ,god answers prayer80 8,i don't know2 ,i am afraid not40 8,you don't know that he does not80 8,no40 8,well1 here is a possible clue to the truth1 will you follow it1 will you ask ,god to show you whether ,jesus is ,his ,son2 and what your duty concerning him is80 8,i will40 ,not long after that the man came into a meeting with a new look in his face4 ,he arose and said3 8,i was all in a mist4 ,i believed nothing40 ,then he told us what he had done4 ,he had done just as he promised4 8,and now10 he continued1 8my doubts are all gone4 ,i don't know where they have gone but they are gone40 ,if the skeptic will not act in this way you can 8stop his mouth0 by showing him that he is not an honest skeptic and that the trouble with him is not his skepticism but his sin4 ,if the man does not believe there is a ,god1 you can begin one step further back4 ,ask him if he believes there is an absolute difference between right and wrong 7if he does not he is a mere trifler74 ,if he says he does1 ask him if he will take his stand upon the right and follow it wherever it carries him4 ,he may try to put you off by saying 8,what is right80 or that he is doing the right as nearly as he knows how4 ,get him to promise that he will take his stand upon the right1 whatever he may find it to be and follow it whatever the consequence may be4 ,then show him that if he is honest in this promise1 he will try to find out what the right is4 ,next say to him1 8,you do not know whether ,god answers prayer or not4 ,i know ,he does1 and you will admit that here is a possible clue to knowledge4 ,if you are honest in your desire to know the truth1 you will follow this possible clue4 ,you can get down and at least pray1 #8,o my ,god1 if there be a ,god1 teach me thy will and ,i will do it4 ,show me whether ,jesus is thy son or not4 ,if you show that he is1 ,i will accept ,him as my ,saviour and confess ,him before the world4'0 ,then tell the man to begin reading the ,gospel of ,john1 reading slowly and thoughtfully1 only a few verses at a time1 asking ,god for light each time before reading and promising ,god that he will follow the light as fast as ,he makes it clear4 ,if the man will follow this rational course1 it will result in every case in the skeptic coming out into the clear light of faith in the ,bible1 as the word of ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ as the ,son of ,god4 ,if the man is not an honest skeptic1 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 heart4 ,if the man says that he does not know whether there is an absolute difference between right and wrong1 then you can set it down at once that he is bad and turn upon him kindly and earnestly and say to him1 8,my friend1 there is something wrong in your life2 no man that is living right doubts that there is a difference between right and wrong4 ,now you probably know what is wrong and the trouble is not with your skepticism1 but with your sin40 ,one afternoon after ,i had given out an invitation for any skeptic or any one else who wished to talk with me1 to remain after the meeting1 a young man with whom ,i had dealt some months before stayed4 ,i asked him what his trouble was4 ,he replied1 8,the same trouble that ,i told you in the spring1 ,i cannot believe that there is a ,god40 ,i asked him if he had done as ,i had advised him to do in our former conversation2 if he had taken his stand upon the right to follow it wherever it carried him4 ,he replied that he did not know that there was any difference between right and wrong4 8,i do not know that there is such a thing as right40 ,i looked him right in the eyes and said1 8,is there some sin your life80 ,he said 8,yes40 ,i said 8what is it80 ,he replied1 8,the same that ,i told you last spring40 ,i said1 8,you promised to give it up1 have you given it up80 ,he said 8,no1 ,i have not40 8,well10 ,i said1 8there is the difficulty1 not with your skepticism4 ,give up that sin and your skepticism will take care of itself40 ,in some confusion he replied1 8,i guess that is the trouble40 #c4 ,those who doubt the existence of ,god4 ,the passages under #a and #b can also be used with this class and generally it is wise to use them before those given under this head4 ,there are however1 three passages that are often times effective with this specific class of skeptics4 ,ps4 xiv4 #a2 before using this passage you can say to the man1 8,let me read you from ,god's own word what he says about those who deny his existence40 ,often times it is well to leave the passage to do its own work4 ,sometimes1 however1 it is wise to dwell a little upon it4 ,call the man's attention to the fact that it is 8in his heart0 that the fool says 8there is no ,god40 ,he does not believe there is a ,god because he does not wish to4 ,you can add that the folly of saying in one's heart that there is no ,god is seen in two points2 first1 there is a ,god and it is folly to say there is not one1 and second1 the doctrine that there is not a ,god always brings misery and wretchedness4 ,put it right to the man1 and ask him if he ever knew a happy atheist4 ,ps4 xix4 #a1 #b2 ,romans i4 #aibb1 are also effective passages4 #d4 ,those who doubt that the ,bible is the word of ,god4 ,romans iii4 #c1 #d1 is useful in showing that questioning the fact does not alter the fact4 ,matt4 xxiv4 #ce1 is often used by the ,spirit to carry to the heart of the skeptic the certainty and immutability of ,god's word4 ,mark vii4 #ac2 ,matt4 v4 #ah2 ,john x4 #ce2 ,luke xxiv4 #bg1 #dd1 are useful as giving ,christ's testimony that the ,old ,testament is the ,word of ,god4 ,they are especially helpful in dealing with those who say that they accept the authority of ,christ but not that of the ,old ,testament1 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 also4 ,along the same line ,john xiv4 #bf1 and xvi4 #ab1 #ac1 are useful as containing ,christ's indorsement of the ,new ,testament4 #a ,thes4 ii4 #ac1 can be used with good effect to meet the statement which is often made1 that ,paul nowhere claims that his teaching is the word of ,god4 #b ,peter i4 #ba1 ,john viii4 #dg2 ,luke xvi4 #cj1 #ca1 can also be used in dealing with this class4 #b ,john v4 #aj1 is very effective in showing the guilt of those who believe not the record that ,god has given4 ,before using this last passage you can say1 8,you doubt1 do you1 that the ,bible is the ,word of ,god8 ,now let us see what ,god says about those that believe not ,his testimony20 then turn them to the passage and have them read it4 #e4 ,those who doubt a future existence4 #a ,cor4 xv4 #cecf2 ,jno4 v4 #bhbi2 ,dan4 xii4 #b4 #f4 ,those who doubt the doctrine of future punishment1 or the conscious1 endless suffering of the lost4 ,rev4 xxi4 #h1 defines what 8death0 means when used in the scriptures ,rev4 xvii4 #h1 compared with ,rev4 xix4 #bj1 shows what perdition or destruction means in the scriptures4 ,rev4 xix4 #bj1 compared with ,rev4 xx4 #aj shows that 8the lake of fire0 is not a place where those consigned to it cease to exist1 for we find in the latter passage the beast and false prophet are still there at the end of a thousand years and that they1 so far from being annihilated or losing conscious existence are tormented night and day forever and ever4 ,rev4 xiii4 #gh show that those who are subjected to the terrible retribution here described are those whose names are not written in the ,book of ,life4 ,matt4 x4 #bh shows that there is destruction for the soul apart from the destruction of the body4 ,luke xii4 #e1 shows that after one is killed and is of course dead1 there is a punishment in 8hell40 ,mark iii4 #bhbi 7,r4 ,v47 shows that there is such a thing as eternal sin4 ,luke xvi4 #bcbf1 shows that the condition of the wicked dead is one of conscious torment4 ,mark xiv4 #ba1 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 born4 #b ,peter ii4 #d2 ,jude #f1 show that hell is not a place where the inhabitants cease to exist1 but where they are reserved alive1 for the purpose of ,god4 ,heb4 x4 #bhbi1 show that while the punishment of transgression of the ,mosaic law was death1 that sorer punishment awaits those who have 8trodden under foot the ,son of ,god40 ,matt4 xxv4 #da gives further light upon the subject4 ,it shows that the wicked go to the same place with the ,beast and ,false ,prophet and the ,devil mentioned in ,rev4 xix4 #bj1 and xx4 #aj1 and share the same endless1 conscious torment4 #g4 ,those who doubt the divinity of ,christ4 a4 ,in ,acts x4 #cf2 #a ,cor4 ii4 #h1 compare ,ps4 xxiv4 #haj2 ,heb4 i4 #h2 ,john xx4 #bh2 ,rom4 ix4 #e2 ,rev4 i4 #ag1 compare ,is4 xliv4 #f1 we find several divine titles applied to ,christ1 the same titles being applied to ,christ in the ,new ,testament that are applied to ,jehovah in the old4 b4 ,in ,heb4 i4 #aj1 #c1 we find divine offices attributed to ,christ4 c4 ,in ,john v4 #bbbc1 compare ,rev4 v4 #ac2 ,heb4 i4 #f2 ,phil4 ii4 #aj1 we find it taught that ,jesus ,christ should be worshiped as ,god4 d4 ,in ,john v4 #bbbc we find ,jesus claiming the same honor as his ,father1 and either ,he was ,divine or the most blasphemous impostor that ever lived4 ,drive it home that the one who denies ,christ's ,divinity puts ,him in the place of a blasphemous imposter4 ,mark xiv4 #fa1 #fb1 can be used in a similar way4 e4 #a ,jno4 ii4 #bb1 #bc1 compared with #a ,jno4 v4 #a1 #e1 shows that the one who denies the ,divinity of ,christ1 no matter who he may be1 is a liar and an antichrist4 #a ,jno4 v4 #ajab1 shows that he who does not believe that ,jesus is divine makes ,god a liar1 8,because he believeth not the record that ,god gave of ,his ,son40 ,heb4 x4 #bhbi1 shows the folly1 guilt and punishment of rejecting ,christ as the ,son of ,god4 ,john viii4 #bd1 shows beyond a question that no one who does not believe in the ,divinity of ,jesus ,christ will be saved4 ,jno4 xx4 #ca1 shows that we have life through believing that ,jesus is the ,christ1 the son of ,god4 7,note4 ,it is best as a rule before taking up specific difficulties to deal with the inquirer with the passage under the head of 8,skeptics who are triflers10 or those under 8,serious minded skeptics407 ,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 ,saviour4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,complaining #a4 ,,those ,,who ,,complain ,,of ,,god4 ,many that you wish to lead to ,christ will say something to the effect that ,god is unjust and cruel1 ,job4 xl4 #b1 and ,romans ix4 #bj1 are very pointed passages to use with inquirers of this class and need no comment4 ,it might be well to preface the reading of the passages with some remark like this2 8,do you know of how enormous a sin you are guilty in accusing ,god of being unjust and cruel8 ,let me read what ,god says about it in ,his ,word40 ,then read the passages4 ,romans xi4 #cc will serve to show the complaining that the reason ,god's ways seem unjust and cruel is because they are so deep and unsearchable2 and that the trouble is not with ,god's ways but the limitation of their understanding4 ,heb4 xii4 #e1 #g1 #aj1 #aa are especially useful in cases where the inquirer complains because of his own misfortunes or sorrows4 ,is4 lv4 #hi will often times prove helpful4 ,not infrequently you will meet with one who will say that 8,god is unjust to create men and then damn them40 ,turn such an one to ,ezek4 xxxiii4 #aa4 ,this passage meets this complaint by showing that ,god has no pleasure in the death of the wicked1 but desires their welfare and that the wicked bring damnation upon themselves by their stubborn refusal to repent4 #a ,tim4 ii4 #cd1 shows that ,god1 so far from creating man to damn him1 desires that all men be saved4 #b ,peter iii4 #i1 teaches that ,god is not willing that any should perish and is delaying ,his purposes in order that all may come to repentance4 ,john v4 #dj1 and ,matt4 xxiii4 #cg1 show that the whole cause of man's damnation is his own willful and persistent refusal to come to ,christ4 ,john iii4 #cf1 and iii4 #af1 are also helpful in many cases4 #b4 ,,those ,,who ,,complain ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,men will often times say1 8,the ,bible is contradictory and absurd20 or 8the ,bible seems foolish to me40 ,two classes of passages can be used in dealing with such inquirers4 a4 #a ,cor4 i4 #ah2 ii4 #ad2 #b ,cor4 iv4 #cd2 ,dan4 xii4 #aj2 ,rom4 xi4 #cc1 #cd and in extreme cases #b ,thes4 ii4 #aj1 #aa1 #ab4 b4 ,jno4 vii4 #ag2 ,ps4 xxv4 #ad2 ,matt4 xi4 #be1 7see remarks under ,serious ,minded ,skeptics and ,skeptics who are ,triflers47 ,sometimes the best thing to do with a man who says the ,bible is full of contradictions1 is to hand him your ,bible and ask him to show you one4 ,in most cases he will not attempt to do it2 as people who complain about the ,bible1 as a rule know nothing about its contents4 ,one day a man was brought to me to deal with and when ,i asked him why he was not a ,christian he replied1 8,the ,bible is full of contradictions40 ,i at once asked him to show me one4 8,oh60 he said1 8it's full of them40 ,i said1 8,if it is full of them you ought to be able to show me one40 ,he said1 8,well1 there is one in ,psalms40 ,i said1 8,show it to me40 ,he commenced looking in the back of the ,new ,testament for the book of ,psalms4 ,i said1 8,you are not looking in the right part of the ,bible for ,psalms4 ,let me find it for you40 ,i found him the book of ,psalms and handed it to him4 ,after fumbling around he said1 8,i could find it1 if ,i had my own ,bible here40 8,well10 ,i said1 8,will you bring your ,bible to-night80 ,he promised he would and agreed to meet me at a certain place in the church4 ,the appointed hour came1 but he did not4 ,some months afterwards in another series of meetings in the same church one of the workers stopped me and said1 8,here's a man ,i wish you would deal with2 he is a skeptic40 ,i looked at him and recognized him as the same man4 8,oh60 ,i said1 8you are the man that lied to me here20 and with much confusion he admitted that he was1 but he was still playing his old game of saying that the ,bible was full of contradictions4 ,in nine cases out of ten1 men who say this1 know nothing about the ,bible1 and when you ask them to show you a contradiction in the ,bible they are filled with confusion4 #c4 ,,those ,,who ,,complain ,,of ,,god',s ,,way ,,of ,,salvation4 ,a great many men will say1 8,i do not see why ,god could not save men in some other way than by the death of ,his son40 ,is4 lv4 #h1 #i1 ,romans xi4 #cc are useful in dealing with such4 ,i have used ,romans ix4 #bj with effect with men of this sort4 ,a young student said to me one night1 when ,i asked why he was not a ,christian1 that he did not see why it was necessary for ,christ to die for him2 why ,god did not save him in some other way4 ,i opened my ,bible and read to him ,romans ix4 #bj1 and put the question right to him1 8,who art thou that repliest against ,god80 and then said to him1 8,do you realize what you are doing1 that you are condemning ,god80 ,the young man very much confused said 8,i did not mean to do that40 8,well10 ,i said2 8that is what you are doing40 8,if that is so10 he replied1 8,i will take it back40 ,a good way to do with such men is to show them by the use of passages given under the chapter 8,dealing with the ,indifferent0 that they are lost sinners4 ,when any one is led to see this1 ,god's way of salvation will approve itself as just the thing4 #d4 ,,those ,,who ,,complain ,,of ,,christians4 ,very frequently when we try to persuade men to accept ,christ as their ,saviour1 they reply2 8,there are too many hypocrites in church40 ,romans xiv4 #d and #ab1 especially the latter verse1 are exceedingly effective in dealing with such4 ,romans ii4 #a1 and ,matt4 vii4 #ae1 are also excellent4 ,jno4 xxi4 #ba1 #bb 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 affairs4 ,sometimes the inquirer will complain of the way ,christian people have treated him4 ,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 him4 ,for this purpose use ,jer4 ii4 #e2 ,is4 liii4 #e2 ,romans v4 #fh4 ,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 well4 ,one night turning to an aged man ,i asked him if he was a ,christian4 ,he replied that he was not1 that he was a back-slider4 ,i asked him why he back-slid4 ,he replied that ,christian people had treated him badly4 ,i opened my ,bible and read ,jer4 ii4 #e1 to him1 8,thus saith the ,lord1 what iniquity have your fathers found in me1 that they are gone far from me1 and have walked after vanity and are become vain80 ,i said1 8,did you find any iniquity in ,god8 ,did ,god not use you well80 ,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 him1 and not man's treatment1 and his treatment of ,god4 ,matt4 xviii4 #bcce2 ,eph4 iv4 #cjcb2 ,matt4 vi4 #adae1 are also useful as showing the absolute necessity of our forgiving men4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who ,,wish ,,to ,,put ,,off ,a ,,decision ,,until ,,some ,,other ,,time #a4 ,there are several classes of those who wish to put off a decision4 ,one of the largest is composed of those who say 8,i want to wait10 or 8,not to-night10 or 8,i will think about it10 or 8,i will come to-morrow night10 or some such thing4 ,use ,is4 lv4 #f4 ,the inquirer having read the passage1 ask him when it is that he is to seek the ,lord1 and when he answers 8,while he may be found10 ask him when that is and then drive it home4 ,ask him if he is sure that he can find ,him to-morrow if he does not seek ,him to-day4 ,or you can use ,prov4 xxix4 #a4 ,it is well after he has read this verse to ask the one with whom you are dealing what becomes of the one who 8being often reproved hardeneth his neck0 and when he answers 8,he shall be destroyed10 ask him how he shall be destroyed1 and when he answers 8,suddenly10 ask him if he is willing to run the risk4 ,or you can use ,matt4 xxv4 #ajab4 ,ask him who it was that went into the marriage8 and when he answers 8,they that were ready0 ask him if he is ready4 ,then ask him what happened after those who were ready went in4 ,then ask him where 8those who were not ready0 were4 ,then put it to him1 8,are you willing to be on the out-side80 ,or you can use ,luke xii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,ask the inquirer for how long a time this man thought he had made provision4 ,then ask him3 8,if ,god should call you to-night would you be ready80 ,matt4 xxiv4 #dd1 is especially effective in dealing with those who say 8,i am not ready40 #a ,kings xviii4 #ba1 can be used with good effect4 ,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 circumstances1 no matter what came up1 of accepting ,christ4 ,when he answers1 8,no1 ,i might die within a year10 ask him if he would be willing to wait a month4 ,then bring it down to a week and finally to a day1 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 opportunity1 under any circumstances of accepting ,christ8 ,almost any thoughtful person will say1 8,no40 ,then tell him that if that is the case he had better accept ,christ at once4 ,dr4 ,chalmers was the first one to use this method and it has been followed by many others with great success4 ,prov4 xxvii4 #a2 ,james iv4 #ac1 #ad2 ,job4 xxxvi4 #ah2 ,luke xiii4 #bdbh2 xii4 #ai1 #bj2 ,john viii4 #ba2 xii4 #ce2 vii4 #cccd1 can also be used with this class4 #b4 ,those who say 8,i must get fixed in business first1 then ,i will become a ,christian10 or 8,i must do something else first40 ,matt4 vi4 #cc1 is the great passage to use in such cases2 for it shows that we must seek the kingdom of ,god first4 #c4 ,those who say 8,i am waiting ,god's time40 ,if one says this1 ask him if he will accept ,christ in ,god's time if you will show him when ,god's time is4 ,then turn to #b ,cor4 vi4 #b1 or ,heb4 iii4 #ae4 #d4 ,those who say 8,i am too young10 or 8,i want to wait until ,i am older40 ,ecc4 xii4 #a1 is an all-sufficient answer to such4 ,matt4 xix4 #ad1 and xviii4 #c1 are also good passages to use as they show that youth is the best time to come to ,christ and that all must become children1 even if they are old1 before they can enter into the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,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 8,the ,indifferent10 until such a deep impression is made of their need of ,christ that they will not be willing to postpone accepting ,christ4 ,in dealing with those under 8#a0 above1 it is best to use only one passage and drive that home by constant repetition4 ,one night ,i was dealing with a man who was quite interested but who kept saying 8,i cannot decide to-night40 ,i quoted ,prov4 xxix4 #a4 ,to every answer he made ,i would come back to this passage4 ,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 decision4 ,he tried to get away from the passage but ,i held him to this one point4 ,the passage lingered with him and it was emphasized by the providence of ,god2 for that very night he was assaulted and quite seriously injured1 and he came the next night with his head bandaged and accepted ,christ4 ,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 mind4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,dealing ,,with ,,the ,,willful ,,and ,,the ,,deluded #a4 ,,the ,,willful ,there are several varieties of the ,willful4 ,there are those for example who say 8,i do not wish you to talk to me40 ,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 it4 ,romans vi4 #bc2 ,heb4 x4 #bh1 #bi2 ,heb4 xii4 #be2 ,mark xvi4 #af2 ,prov4 xxix4 #a1 and ,prov4 i4 #bdcc1 are passages which are good for this purpose4 ,then there are those who say 8,i cannot forgive40 ,matt4 vi4 #ae and xviii4 #bcce1 are good to use as showing that they must forgive or be lost4 ,phil4 iv4 #ac1 and ,ezek4 xxxvi4 #bf1 will show them how they can forgive4 ,there are a great many people who are kept from ,christ by an unforgiving spirit4 ,some times this difficulty can be removed by getting the person to kneel in prayer and ask ,god to take away their unforgiving spirit4 ,i once reasoned a long time with an inquirer who was under deep conviction1 but was held back from accepting ,christ by a hatred in her heart toward some one who had wronged her4 ,she kept insisting that she could not forgive4 ,finally ,i said1 8let us get down and tell ,god about this matter40 ,to this she consented and scarcely had we knelt when she burst into a flood of tears1 and the difficulty was removed and she accepted ,christ immediately4 ,there are those again who say 8,i love the world too much40 ,mark viii4 #cf1 is the great text to use with this class4 ,luke xiv4 #cc1 will show the absolute necessity that the world be given up4 ,luke xii4 #afbj2 #a ,jno4 ii4 #ae1 #af1 #ag1 will show the folly of holding on to the world and ,ps4 lxxxiv4 #aa1 ,romans viii4 #cb1 will show that the ,lord will hold back no good thing from them4 ,there are those who say 8,i cannot acknowledge a wrong that ,i have done40 ,prov4 xxviii4 #ac1 will show the wretchedness and woe that is sure to follow unless the wrong is acknowledged4 ,others will say 8,i do not want to make a public confession40 ,romans x4 #aj2 ,matt4 x4 #cb1 #cc1 will show that ,god will accept nothing else4 ,mark viii4 #ch2 ,jno4 xii4 #db1 #dc1 and ,prov4 xxix4 #be1 will show the peril of not making it4 ,there are those who say 8,i want to have my own way40 ,is4 lv4 #hi1 will show how much better ,god's way is1 and ,prov4 xiv4 #ab1 shows the consequences of having our own way4 ,finally there are those who say 8,i neither accept ,christ nor reject ,him40 ,matt4 xii4 #cj1 will show that they must do one or the other4 ,this verse has been used to the conviction of a great many4 #b4 ,,the ,,deluded a4 ,under this head come the ,roman ,catholics4 ,a good way to deal with a ,roman ,catholic is to show him the necessity of the new birth and what the new birth is4 ,jno4 iii4 #c1 #e1 #g1 shows the necessity of the new birth4 ,what the new birth is1 is shown in ,ezek4 xxxvi4 #bebg2 #b ,cor4 v4 #ag2 #b ,peter i4 #d4 ,many ,roman ,catholics understand the new birth to mean baptism1 but it can be easily shown them that the language used does not fit baptism4 ,further than this1 in #a ,cor4 iv4 #ae1 ,paul says to the ,corinthian ,christians he had begotten them again through the gospel4 ,if the new birth meant baptism he must have baptized them1 but in #a ,cor4 i4 #ad1 he declares he had not baptized them4 ,acts viii4 #ac1 #ba1 #bc1 shows that a man may be baptized1 and yet his heart not be 8right in the sight of ,god0 so he has 8neither part nor lot in this matter40 ,it is well to take a step further and show the inquirer what the evidences of the new birth are4 #a ,jno4 ii4 #bi2 iii4 #i1 #adag2 v4 #a1 #d1 give the ,biblical evidences of the new birth4 ,the next question that will arise is 8,how to be born again40 ,this question is answered in ,jno4 i4 #ab2 #a ,peter i4 #bc2 ,jas4 i4 #ah4 ,acts iii4 #ai1 is a good text to use with ,roman ,catholics as it shows the necessity of repentance and conversion4 ,what repentance is1 will be shown by ,is4 lv4 #g2 ,jonah iii4 #aj4 ,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 life4 ,roman ,catholics almost always lack assurance4 ,they do not know that they are forgiven1 but hope to be forgiven some day4 ,if you can show them that we may know that we are forgiven and that we have eternal life1 it will awaken in a great many of them a desire for this assurance4 #a ,john v4 #ac1 shows that it is the believer's privilege to know4 ,acts xiii4 #ch1 #ci2 x4 #dc1 ,john iii4 #cf1 are very useful in leading them into this assurance4 ,still another way of dealing with them 7but it is not best to use it until you have already made some progress with them7 is to show them the advantage of ,bible study4 ,good texts for this purpose are ,john v4 #ci2 #a ,peter ii4 #a1 #b2 #b ,tim4 iii4 #acag2 ,jas i4 #ba1 #bb2 ,ps4 i4 #a1 #b2 ,josh4 i4 #h2 ,mark vii4 #g1 #h1 #ac2 ,matt4 xxii4 #bi4 ,these texts1 excepting the one in #a ,peter ii4 #a1 #b1 are all practically the same in the 8,douay0 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 ,bible4 ,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 ,christ4 ,for this purpose use ,matt4 xxii4 #cg1 #ch2 ,gal4 iii4 #aj1 #ac2 ,is4 liii4 #f4 ,many people think that there is no use of talking with ,roman ,catholics1 that they cannot be brought to ,christ4 ,this is a great mistake4 ,many of them are longing for something they do not find in the ,roman ,catholic church1 and1 if you can show them from the word of ,god how to find it1 they come along very easily and they make very earnest ,christians4 ,do not attack the ,roman ,catholic church4 ,give them the truth1 and the errors in time will take care of themselves4 ,often times our attacks only expose our ignorance4 ,there is one point at which we always have the advantage in dealing with a ,roman ,catholic2 that is that there is peace and power in ,christianity as we know it that there is not in ,christianity as they know it1 and they appreciate the difference4 b4 ,jews4 ,the best way to deal with a ,jew is to show him that his own ,bible points to ,christ4 ,the most helpful passages to use are ,is4 liii42 ,dan4 ix4 #bf2 ,zech4 xii4 #aj4 ,there are also useful passages in the ,new ,testament2 the whole book of ,hebrews1 especially the ninth and tenth chapters and the seventh chapter1 #beth to #bhth verses1 and the whole ,gospel of ,matthew4 ,a great many ,jews to-day are inquiring into the claims of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 and are open to approach upon this subject4 ,the great difficulty in the way of the ,jew coming out as a ,christian is the terrific persecution which he must endure if he does4 ,this difficulty can be met by the passages already given under the head of 8,those ,who are ,afraid of ,persecution40 7,note4 ,there are a number of good tracts for ,jews which can be had from the ,mildmay ,mission to the ,jews1 #gi ,mildmay ,road1 ,london47 c4 ,spiritualists4 ,lev4 xix4 #ca2 xx4 #f2 ,deut4 xviii4 #ajab2 #b ,kings xxi4 #a1 #b1 #f2 #a ,chron4 x4 #ac2 ,is4 viii4 #ai1 #bj2 #a ,john iv4 #ac2 #b ,thes4 ii4 #iab1 are passages to be used with this class4 ,in dealing with all classes of deluded people it is well to begin by using ,jno4 vii4 #ag1 and bring them to a place where they heartily desire to know the truth4 ,there is no hope of bringing a man out of his delusion1 unless he desires to know the truth4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,some ,,hints ,,and ,,suggestions ,there are a few general suggestions to be made that will prove helpful to the worker4 #a4 ,as a rule choose persons to deal with of your own sex and about your own age4 ,there are exceptions to this rule4 ,one should be always looking to the ,holy ,spirit for his guidance as to whom to approach1 and ,he may lead us to one of the opposite sex1 but unless there is clear guidance in the matter1 it is quite commonly agreed among those who have had large experience in ,christian work that men do1 on the whole1 most satisfactory work with men1 and women with women4 ,especially is this true of the young4 ,many unfortunate complications oftentimes arise when young men try to lead young women to ,christ or vice versa4 ,of course1 an elderly motherly woman may do excellent work with a young man or boy1 and an elderly1 fatherly man may do good work with a young woman or girl4 ,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 subject4 #b4 ,whenever it is possible1 get the person with whom you are dealing alone4 ,no one likes to open his heart freely to another on this most personal and sacred of all subjects when there are others present4 ,many will from pride defend themselves in a false position when several are present1 who would fully admit their error or sin or need1 if they were alone with you4 ,as a rule it is far better for a single worker to deal with a single unconverted person1 than for several workers to deal with a single inquirer or for a single worker to deal with several inquirers at once4 ,if you have several to deal with take them one by one4 ,workers often find that when they have made no headway while talking to several at once1 by taking individuals off by themselves they soon succeed in leading them one by one to ,christ4 #c4 ,let your reliance be wholly in the ,spirit of ,god and the ,word of ,god4 #d4 ,do not content yourself with merely reading passages from the ,bible--much less in merely quoting them1 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 ear4 #e4 ,it is ofttimes well to use but a single passage of scripture1 drive that home and clinch it so that the one with whom you have been dealing cannot forget it1 but will hear it ringing in his memory long after you have ceased talking4 ,dr4 ,ichabod ,spencer once in dealing with a young man who had many difficulties kept continually quoting the passage 8now is the accepted time1 behold now is the day of salvation40 ,the young man tried to get ,dr4 ,spencer on to something else1 but over and over again he rang out the words4 ,the next day the young man returned rejoicing in ,christ and thanking the doctor that he had 8hammered0 him with that text4 ,the words kept ringing in his ears during the night and he could not rest until he had settled the matter by accepting ,christ4 ,it is a good thing when a person can point to some definite verse in the word of ,god and say 8,i know on the authority of that verse that my sins are forgiven and ,i am a child of ,god40 ,there are times1 however when a powerful effect is produced by a piling up of passages along some line until the mind is convinced and the heart conquered4 #f4 ,always hold the person with whom you are dealing to the main point of accepting ,christ4 ,if he wishes to discuss the claims of various denominations1 or the question of baptism1 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 needs2 tell him that those questions are proper to take up in their right place and time1 but the time to settle them is after he has settled the first and fundamental question of accepting or rejecting ,christ4 ,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 person4 #g4 ,be courteous4 ,many well-meaning but indiscreet ,christians by their rudeness and impertinence repel those whom they would win to ,christ4 ,it is quite possible to be at once perfectly frank and perfectly courteous4 ,you can point out to men their awful sin and need without insulting them4 ,your words may be very searching1 while your manner is very gentle and winning4 ,indeed1 the more gentle and winning our manner is1 the deeper our words will go1 for they will not stir up the opposition of those with whom we deal4 ,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 penetrate4 #h4 ,be dead in earnest4 ,only the earnest man can make the unsaved man feel the truth of ,god's word4 ,it is well to let the passages that we would use with others first sink into our own souls4 ,i know of a very successful worker who for a long time used the one passage1 8prepare to meet thy ,god10 with every one with whom she dealt1 but that passage had taken such complete possession of her heart and mind that she used it with tremendous effect4 ,a few passages that have mastered us are better than many passages that we have mastered from some text book4 ,the reader of this book is advised to ponder1 upon his knees1 such of the passages suggested in it as he decides to use until he himself feels their power4 ,we read of ,paul that he 8ceased not to warn every one night and day1 with tears40 7,acts xx4 #ca47 ,genuine earnestness will go farther than any skill learned in a training class or from the study of such a book as this4 #i4 ,never lose your temper when trying to lead a soul to ,christ4 ,some persons are purposely exasperating1 but even such may be won1 by patience1 forbearance and gentleness4 ,they certainly cannot be won if you lose your temper4 ,nothing delights them more1 or gives them more comfort in their sins4 ,the more extremely irritating they are in their words and actions the more impressed they will be if you return insults with kindness4 ,often times the one who has been most insufferable will come back in penitence4 ,one of the most insulting men ,i ever met afterwards became one of the most patient1 persistent and effective of workers4 #aj4 ,never have a heated argument with one whom you would lead to ,christ4 ,this always comes from the flesh and not from the spirit4 7,gal4 v4 #bj1 #bb1 #bc47 ,it arises from pride and unwillingness to let the other person get the best of you in argument4 ,refuse to argue4 ,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 error4 ,if the error is not essential refuse to discuss it and hold the person to the main question4 #aa4 ,never interrupt any one else who is dealing with a soul4 ,you may think he is not doing it in the wisest way1 but if you can do it any better1 bide your time and you will have the opportunity4 ,many an unskilled worker has had some one at the very point of decision when some meddler has broken in and upset the whole work4 ,on the other hand1 do not let others1 if you can help it1 interrupt you4 ,just a little word plainly but courteously spoken will usually prevent it4 #ab4 ,don't be in a hurry4 ,one of the great faults of ,christian work to-day is haste4 ,we are too anxious for immediate results and so do superficial work4 ,it is very noticeable how many of those with whom ,christ dealt came out slowly4 ,nicodemus1 ,joseph1 ,peter and even ,paul--though the final step in his case seems very sudden--are cases in point4 ,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 ,christ4 7,acts xxii4 #af47 ,one man with whom slow but thorough work has been done1 and who at last has been brought out clearly for ,christ1 is better than a dozen with whom hasty work has been done1 who think they have accepted ,christ when in reality they have not4 ,it is often a wise policy to plant a truth in a man's heart and leave it to work4 ,the seed on rocky ground springs up quickly but withers as quickly4 #ac4 ,whenever it is possible and wise1 get the person with whom you are dealing on his knees before ,god4 ,it is wonderful how many difficulties disappear in prayer1 and how readily stubborn people yield when they are brought into the very presence of ,god himself4 ,i remember talking with a young woman1 in an inquiry room1 for perhaps two hours and making no apparent headway2 but1 when at last we knelt in prayer1 in less than five minutes she was rejoicing in her ,saviour4 #ad4 ,whenever you seem to fail in any given case go home and pray over it and study it to see why you failed4 ,if you have been at a loss as to what scripture to use1 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 it4 ,then go back if you can and try again4 ,in any case you will be better prepared next time4 ,the greatest success in this work comes through many apparent defeats4 ,it will be well to frequently study these hints and suggestions to see if your failures come through neglect of them4 #ae4 ,before parting from the one who has accepted ,christ1 be sure to give him definite instructions as to how to succeed in the ,christian life4 ,the following are points that should be always insisted upon4 7a47 ,confess ,christ with the mouth before men every opportunity you get4 ,rom4 x4 #i1 #aj2 ,matt4 x4 #cb1 #cc4 7b47 ,be baptized and partake regularly of the ,lord's supper4 ,acts ii4 #ch1 #db2 ,luke xxii4 #ai2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bdbf4 7c47 ,study the ,word of ,god daily4 #a ,pet4 ii4 #b2 ,acts xx4 #cb2 #b ,tim4 iii4 #acag2 ,acts xvii4 #aa4 7d47 ,pray daily1 often and in every time of temptation4 ,luke xi4 #iac2 xxii4 #dj2 #a ,thes4 v4 #ag4 7e47 ,put away out of your life every sin1 even the smallest1 and everything you have doubts about1 and obey every word of ,christ #a ,jno4 i4 #f1 #g2 ,rom4 xiv4 #bc2 ,jno4 xiv4 #bc4 7f47 ,seek the society of ,christians4 ,eph4 iv4 #abaf2 ,acts ii4 #db1 #dg2 ,heb4 x4 #bd1 #be4 7g47 ,go to work for ,christ4 ,matt4 xxv4 #adbi4 7h47 ,when you fall into sin don't be discouraged1 but confess it at once1 believe it is forgiven because ,god says so and get up and go on4 #a ,jno4 i4 #i2 ,phil4 iii4 #acad4 ,it would be well to give these instructions in some permanent form to the one whom you have led to ,christ4 ,you can write them out or get a little tract called the 8,christian ,life ,card0 published by ,jno4 ,c4 ,collins1 ,bureau of ,supplies1 ,new ,haven1 ,conn4 ,this contains them and some other matter4 #af4 ,when you have led any one to ,christ1 follow him up and help him in the development of his ,christian life4 ,many are led to ,christ and then neglected and get on very poorly4 ,this is a great mistake4 ,the work of following up those who are converted is as important as the work of leading them to ,christ1 and as a rule no one can do it so well as the person whom ,god used in their conversion4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit ,there is one condition of success in bringing men to ,christ that is of such cardinal importance1 and so little understood1 that it demands a separate chapter4 ,i refer to the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,in ,acts i4 #e2 ,luke xxiv4 #di 7comp4 ,acts i4 #h71 and ,acts ii4 #d1 we have three expressions2 8baptized with the ,holy ,spirit10 8endured with power from on high0 and 8filled with the ,holy ,spirit40 ,by a careful comparison of these and related passages we will find that these various expressions refer to one and the same experience4 ,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 ,christ4 #a4 ,,what ,,is ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit8 #a4 ,it is a definite and distinct operation of the ,holy ,spirit of which one may know whether it has been wrought in him or not4 ,this is evident from the fact that ,jesus bade ,his disciples tarry in ,jerusalem until they had received this enduement1 7,luke xxiv4 #di1 comp4 ,acts i4 #h71 and if it was not a definite and distinct operation of which they might know whether they had received it or not1 of course1 they would not know when this command of ,christ had been complied with and when they were ready to begin their witnessing4 #b4 ,it is an operation of ,the ,holy ,spirit separate from ,his regenerating work4 ,this appears from ,acts i4 #e1 where the disciples are told 8ye shall be baptized with the ,holy ,spirit not many days hence40 ,but from ,jno4 xv4 #c2 xiii4 #aj we learn that the disciples were already regenerated4 ,it appears also from ,acts viii4 #ae1 #af where we are told of certain who had already believed and were baptized with water1 but upon whom the ,holy ,spirit had not yet fallen4 ,the same thing is shown by ,acts xix4 #af1 where we are told of certain who were disciples1 but who had not received the ,holy ,spirit since they believed4 ,one may then be regenerated by the ,holy ,spirit without being baptized with the ,holy ,spirit4 ,such an one is saved but he is not yet fitted for service4 ,every believer has the ,holy ,spirit1 ,rom4 viii4 #i1 but not every believer has the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 7,acts viii4 #abaf2 xix4 #ab74 ,we shall see very soon that every believer may have the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 #c4 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit is always connected with testimony or service1 7see #a ,cor4 xii4 #dac2 ,acts i4 #eh2 ,luke xxiv4 #di2 ,acts ii4 #d2 iv4 #h1 #ca2 vii4 #ee2 ix4 #ag1 #bj2 x4 #dedf2 xix4 #f47 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit has no direct reference to cleansing from sin4 ,this is an important point to bear in mind for many reasons4 ,there is a line of teaching on this subject that leads men to expect that if they receive the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 the old carnal nature will be eradicated4 ,there is not a line of scripture to support this position4 ,as said above1 and as any one can learn for himself if he will examine all the passages in which the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit is mentioned1 it is always connected with testimony and service4 ,it is indeed accompanied with a great moral and spiritual uplifting and pre-supposes1 as we shall see1 an entire surrender of the will to ,christ1 but its primary and immediate purpose is fitting for service4 ,we will get a more definite idea of what the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit is1 if we consider its manifestations and results as stated in the ,bible4 7a47 ,let us look first at the passage that goes most into detail on this subject1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #dac4 ,we see at once that the manifestations or results of the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit are not precisely the same in all persons4 ,for example1 the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit will not make every one who receives it a successful evangelist or teacher4 ,some quite different gift may be imparted4 ,this fact is often overlooked and much disappointment and doubt are the result4 ,the manifestations or results vary with the lines of service to which ,god has called different individuals4 ,one receives the gift of an evangelist1 another of a teacher1 another of government1 another of a helper1 another of a mother1 7#a ,cor4 xii4 #bhca2 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa47 7b47 #a ,cor4 xii4 #g1 #aa4 ,there will be some gift in every case4 ,not the same gift but some gift1 of an evangelist1 or a pastor1 or of a teacher or some other4 7c47 #a ,cor4 xii4 #aa4 ,the ,holy ,spirit is ,himself the one who decides what the gift or gifts shall be which he will impart to each individual4 ,it is not for us to select some place of service and then ask the ,holy ,spirit to qualify us for that service1 nor for us to select some gift1 and then ask the ,spirit to impart to us that gift4 ,it is for us to put ourselves entirely at the disposal of the ,holy ,spirit to send us where 8,he will10 into what line of service 8,he will0 7,acts xiii4 #b17 and to impart what gift 8,he will40 ,he is absolutely sovereign and our rightful position is that of absolute and unconditional surrender to ,him4 ,this is where many fail of a blessing and meet with disappointment4 ,i know a most sincere and self-sacrificing man who gave up a lucrative business and took up the work of an evangelist4 ,he had heard of the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit2 and had been led to suppose that1 if he received it1 it would qualify him for the work of an evangelist4 ,the man came more than four thousand miles to this country1 but the work did not open to him4 ,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 evangelist1 as good as that work was1 and then expect the ,holy ,spirit to qualify him for this self-chosen work4 ,he gave himself up to be sent into whatever work the ,spirit might will4 ,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 coveted4 7d47 ,acts i4 #e1 #h4 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit always imparts power for service1 the services to which ,god calls us4 ,in a certain city was an uneducated boy who was led to ,christ4 ,in his very lowly occupation he began witnessing for ,jesus4 ,he went on from step to step in ,christ's work4 ,my attention was called to him by a gentleman who was interested in him1 and who said he would like to have me meet him4 ,the gentleman brought him to ,chicago1 and ,i invited him one night to speak in one of our tents4 ,it was in an exceedingly hard neighborhood4 ,into the same tent an organized mob once came to break up the meeting4 ,it was a difficult audience to hold4 ,the young man began in what appeared to me to be a very commonplace way1 and ,i was afraid ,i had made a mistake in asking him to speak1 but ,i prayed and watched the audience4 ,there was nothing remarkable in his address as he went on--excepting the bad grammar4 ,but ,i noticed that all the people were listening4 ,they continued to listen to the end4 ,when ,i asked if there was any one who wished to accept ,christ1 people rose in different parts of the tent to signify that they did4 ,thinking it all over1 ,i told the facts to a man who had known the speaker before4 8,it is just so wherever he goes0 was the reply4 ,what was the explanation8 ,this uneducated boy had received the ,baptism of the ,holy ,ghost and had received power4 ,one night at the close of an address on the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 a minister came to me on the platform and said3 8,i need this power1 won't you pray for me80 8,let us kneel right down here now10 ,i replied1 and we did4 ,a few weeks after ,i met a gentleman who had been standing by4 8,do you remember10 he said 8the minister with whom you prayed at ,new ,britain4 ,he went back to his church2 his church is packed ,sunday evenings1 a large part of the audience are young men and he is having conversions right along40 ,he had received the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit and 8power40 7e47 ,acts iv4 #bica4 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit always imparts boldness in testimony and service4 ,peter is a notable example of this4 ,contrast ,peter in ,acts iv4 #hab with ,peter in ,mark xiv4 #ffgb4 ,perhaps some one who reads this book has a great desire to speak to others and win them to ,christ1 but an insuperable timidity stands in the way4 ,if you will only get the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 all that will be overcome4 ,we are now in a position to define the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 is the ,spirit of ,god falling upon the believer1 taking possession of his faculties1 imparting to him gifts not naturally his own1 but which qualify him for the service to which ,god has called him4 #b4 ,,the ,,necessity ,,of ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit ,,as ,a ,,preparation ,,for ,,christian ,,work4 7#a47 ,in ,luke xxiv4 #di4 ,jesus bade the apostles to tarry in ,jerusalem until they were 8endued with power from on high40 ,these men had been appointed to be witnesses of the life1 death and resurrection of ,christ4 7,luke xxiv4 #dedh4 ,acts2 i4 #bb2 x4 #cida47 ,they had received what would seem to be a splendid and sufficient training for this work4 ,for more than three years they had been to school to the best of teachers1 ,jesus ,himself4 ,they had been eye witnesses of his miracles1 death1 burial1 resurrection and ascension4 ,but there was still one thing needed4 ,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 met4 ,that need was the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,if the apostles with their unparalleled fitting for service1 were not permitted to enter that service until all their other training had been supplemented by the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 what daring presumption it is for any of us with our inferior training to dare to do it4 ,but this is not all1 even ,jesus ,himself did not enter upon his ministry until specially anointed with the ,holy ,spirit and with power4 7,acts x4 #ch1 comp4 ,luke iii4 #bb and iv4 #a1 #ad74 ,this baptism is an absolutely essential preparation for ,christian work4 ,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 ,spirit4 7#b47 ,it is the privilege of every believer to be baptized with the ,holy ,spirit4 ,this appears from ,acts ii4 #ci1 ,r4 ,v4 8,to you is the promise and to your children and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call unto him40 ,the context1 the use of the word 8promise0 in this and the preceding chapter 7ch4 i4 #d2 ii4 #af1 #cc47 and the use of the expression 8gift of the ,holy ,spirit0 throughout the book1 all prove conclusively that 8the promise0 of this verse means the promise of the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit2 and the verse tells us that this promise is for all in all ages of the church's history whom ,god shall call unto him1 i4 e4 for every believer4 ,if we have not this baptism it is our own fault4 ,it is for us and we are responsible before ,god for all the work we might have done1 and all the souls we might have won if we were so baptized1 and we are guilty to the extent that the work is not done and the souls not won4 #c4 ,,how ,,can ,,we ,,obtain ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit8 ,we now come to the practical question3 how can we obtain this ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit which is such an absolute necessity in our work for ,christ8 ,fortunately the answer to this question is very plainly stated in the ,bible4 7#a7 8,repent ye and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ unto the remission of your sins2 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,spirit0 7,acts ii4 #ch ,r4 ,v47 ,the first step toward obtaining this ,baptism is repentance4 ,repentance means 8a change of mind10 a change of mind about sin1 about ,god1 and in this case especially 7as the context shows7 a change of mind about ,christ4 ,a real change of mind such as leads to action--to our turning away from all sin1 our turning to ,god1 our turning away from rejecting ,jesus ,christ to accepting ,him4 ,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 ,christ4 ,the ,baptism with the ,holy ,spirit in at least one instance 7,acts x4 #dddh7 preceded the baptism with water but this was manifestly an exceptional case and ,god says 8repent ye and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ unto the remission of your sins2 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,spirit10 7,acts ii4 #ch1 ,r4 ,v47 7#b7 8,the ,holy ,spirit whom ,god hath given to them that obey him40 7,acts v4 #cb74 ,the condition of the gift of the ,holy ,ghost here stated is that we 8obey ,him40 ,obedience means more than the mere performance of some of the things that ,god bids us do4 ,it means the entire surrender of our wills1 ourselves and all we have1 to ,him4 ,it means that we come to ,him and say from the heart1 8here ,i am1 ,i am thine1 thou hast bought me with a price1 ,i acknowledge thine ownership4 ,take me1 do with me what thou wilt1 send me where thou wilt1 use me as ,thou wilt40 ,this entire yielding of ourselves to ,god is the condition of our receiving the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 and it is at this point that many fail of this blessing4 ,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 me4 ,it was an hour before ,i could get to her1 but ,i found her still in great mental suffering in the intensity of her desire for the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,others had talked to her but it had seemed to do no good4 ,i sat down behind her and said1 8,is your will wholly surrendered80 ,she did not know4 8,you wish to be a ,christian worker do you not80 8,yes40 8,are you willing to go back to ,baltimore and be a servant girl if it is ,god's will80 8,no60 8,you will never receive this blessing until your own will is wholly laid down40 8,i can't lay it down40 8,would you like to have ,god lay it down for you80 8,yes40 8,well1 let us ask ,him to do it40 ,we did1 he heard the prayer1 the will was laid down1 the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit was received and she went from the church rejoicing4 ,obedience means also the doing in all matters great and small1 the will of ,god as revealed in ,his ,word or by ,his ,spirit4 ,any refusal to do what ,god bids us do1 any conscious doing of what he bids us not do1 even in very little matters1 is sufficient to shut us out of this blessing4 ,if there is anything no matter how little1 that comes up before us to trouble us as we pray over this matter1 we should set it right with ,god at once4 ,mr4 ,finney tells of one who1 in great agony prayed for days for the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit but received no answer4 ,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 her4 ,immediately she received the long desired blessing4 ,it seemed a very little thing but it was a matter of controversy with ,god and hindered the blessing4 7#c47 8,how much more shall your ,heavenly ,father give the ,holy ,spirit to them that ask ,him40 7,luke xi4 #ac47 7a47 ,there must be definite prayer for this ,baptism4 ,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 ,spirit4 ,this argument overlooks the distinction between having the ,holy ,spirit and having this specific operation of the ,holy ,spirit4 7see #a4 #b47 ,it also contradicts the plain teaching of ,god's word that ,he gives 8the ,holy ,spirit to them that ask ,him40 ,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 prayer4 7,acts i4 #ad2 ii4 #ad2 iv4 #ca2 viii4 #ae1ag47 7b47 ,prayer implies desire4 ,there is no real prayer for the ,baptism of the ,spirit unless there is a deep desire for it4 ,as long as a man thinks he can get along somehow without this blessing1 he is not likely to get it2 but when a man reaches the place where he feels he must have this no matter what it costs1 he is far on the way toward receiving it4 ,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 transformed4 7c47 ,the prayer to be effectual must be in faith 7,mark xi4 #bd74 ,james says in regard to the prayer for wisdom1 8,let him ask in faith1 nothing wavering4 ,for he that wavereth is like a wave of sea driven with the wind and tossed4 ,for let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the ,lord40 7,jas4 i4 #f1 #g47 ,the same principle1 of course1 holds in regard to the prayer for the ,holy ,spirit4 ,it is at this very point that many miss the blessing4 ,how to approach ,god in faith is clearly taught by #a ,jno4 v4 #ad1 #ae4 8,this is the confidence that we have in ,him1 that1 if we ask anything according to his will ,he heareth us1 and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask1 we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him40 ,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 word4 ,therefore we know that 8,he heareth us2 and if we know that ,he hear us we know that we have the petition0 which we have asked of him4 ,as soon then as ,i am sure ,i have met the conditions stated above of the gift of the ,holy ,spirit1 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 power4 8,but10 some one will say1 8shall we expect no manifestations80 ,yes1 but where8 ,in service4 ,when ,i know on the authority of ,god's word that my prayer is heard1 ,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 service4 ,it is a mistake to wait or look for1 as so many do1 the manifestation in electric shocks or peculiar emotional experiences4 ,they may and often do accompany the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,but the ,bible clearly teaches us 7i ,cor4 xii4 #daa7 that the place to look for manifestations1 is in service and the most important1 reliable and scriptural manifestations are found in our work4 8,must we not wait10 it may be asked1 8until we know that we have received the baptism of the ,holy ,spirit80 ,most assuredly1 but how are we to know8 ,the same way in which we know we are saved1 by the testimony of ,god's word4 ,when ,i know ,i have met the conditions and have asked this gift which is 8according to his will0 ,i know by ,god's word 7#a ,jno4 v4 #ad1 #ae47 that my prayer is heard1 and that ,i have the petition ,i desired of him4 ,i have a right to arise with no other evidence than the all-sufficient evidence of ,god's word1 and enter into the service to which ,god calls me4 8,did not the early disciples wait ten days80 it may again be asked4 ,yes1 and the reason why is clearly given in ,acts ii4 #a4--8,when the day of ,pentecost was fully come40 ,in the ,o4 ,t4 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 7the church7 and so the ,holy ,spirit could not be given until that day4 7,lev4 xxiii4 #iag47 ,but after the ,spirit was once given we find no protracted period of waiting on the part of those who sought this blessing4 7,acts iv4 #ca2 viii4 #ae1 #ag2 ix4 #ag1 #bj2 xix4 #f47 ,men are obliged to wait to-day1 but it is only because they have not met the conditions1 or do not believe and claim the blessing simply on the ,word of ,god4 ,the moment we meet the conditions and claim the blessing it is ours4 7,mark xi4 #bd ,r4,v47 ,any child of ,god may lay down this book1 meet the conditions1 ask the blessing1 claim it and have it4 ,in a ,students' ,summer ,school at ,lake ,geneva after a talk by ,f4 ,b4 ,meyer on the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit1 a student remained to talk with me4 ,he said he had heard of this before and had been seeking it for months but could not get it4 ,i found his will was not surrendered1 but that was soon settled4 ,then ,i said1 8,let us kneel down and ask ,god for the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit40 ,he did so4 ,was that petition 8according to his will80 ,i asked4 8,yes40 8,was the prayer heard80 ,after some hesitation1 8,it must have been40 8,have you what you asked of ,him80 8,i don't feel it40 ,i read #a ,jno4 v4 #ae from the ,bible that lay open before us3 8,if we know that he hears us1 whatsoever we ask1 we know that we have the petition we desired of him40 8,was the prayer heard80 8,yes40 8,have you what you asked80 8,i must have2 for ,god says so40 ,we arose and soon separated4 ,going back to the school in a few days ,i met the young man again4 ,his face was now all aglow and he knew he had received what at first he took upon the bare word of ,god4 #d4 ,,the ,,repetition ,,of ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit4 ,one thing more needs to be said before we leave this subject4 ,the ,baptism of the ,holy ,spirit is an experience that needs frequent repeating4 ,this appears from a comparison of ,acts ii4 #d--where ,peter with others was filled with the ,holy ,spirit--with ,acts iv4 #h4--where ,peter was filled again1--and with ,acts iv4 #ca where ,peter with others was filled yet again4 ,a new filling is needed and should be sought for each new emergency of ,christian service4 ,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 ,god4 ,they need and must have a new ,baptism before ,god can use them4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,rev4 ,frederick ,b4 ,meyer1 ,b4 ,a4 8,few books of recent years are better adapted to instruct and help ,christians than those of this author4 ,he is a man #8mighty in the ,scriptures4'0,d4 ,l4 ,,moody4 ,old ,testament ,heroes1 #abmo1 cloth1 each #a4jj ,joshua and the ,land of ,promise4 ,moses1 the ,servant of ,god4 ,joseph3 ,beloved--,hated--,exalted4 ,israel3 ,a ,prince with ,god4 ,abraham2 or1 ,the ,obedience of ,faith4 ,elijah and the ,secret of ,his ,power4 8,such studies as these may serve as models to those who are grappling with the problem of a ,sunday-night preaching service4 ,these sermons are of exceptional excellence40,the ,golden ,rule4 ,the ,christian ,lite ,series4 #ahmo1 cloth1 each #ej;c42 white cloth1 each4 4#fj ,key ,words of the ,inner ,life4 ,the ,future ,tenses of the ,blessed ,life4 ,the ,present ,tenses of the ,blessed ,life4 ,the ,shepherd ,psalm4 ,christian ,living4 8,the ,christian ,life series of books by ,f4 ,b4 ,meyer are well adapted to inspire the purpose of holy living40,the ,central ,presbyterian4 ,the ,expository ,series4 #abmo1 cloth1 each4 #a4jj ,the ,way ,into the ,holiest4 ,an ,exposition of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews4 ,the ,life and ,light of ,men4 ,expositions in ,john's ,gospel4 ,tried by ,fire4 ,expositions of ,first ,epistle of ,peter4 8,these expositions have the character of all ,mr4 ,meyer's writings4 ,they combine devout insight into the rich resources of the ,word of ,god with skill in adapting it to the scriptural needs of his readers40,the ,s4 ,s4 ,times4 ,envelope ,series of ,booklets4 ,packets ,nos4 #a and #b1 each containing #ab ,tracts1 assorted4 net1 4#bj ,choice ,extracts from the ,writings of ,rev4 ,f4 ,b4 ,meyer4 ,compiled by ,rev4 ,b4 ,fay ,mills4 #bdmo1 paper1 each #e;c42 per dozen4 net1 4#ce ,larger edition1 #afmo1 paper4 4#ae ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,rev4 ,james ,stalker1 ,d4 ,d4 8,dr4 ,stalker is strong in every essential4 ,no inferior work can be charged against him4 ,volume after volume have placed his claims as an author on a high plane40 ,,the ,,presbyterian ,,review4 ,the ,life of ,jesus ,christ4 #abmo1 cloth4 4#fj 8,every one needs a brief1 comprehensive1 but attractive ,life of ,christ1 that may be almost committed to memory1 so that whatever is read thereafter may find its fitting place in our ,lord's history4 ,for this purpose ,i know of none equal to #8,stalker's ,life of ,christ4' ,it is powerfully and charmingly written40,f4 ,n4 ,peloubet4 8,a remarkably lucid1 accurate1 and suggestive analysis of the ,christ ,life4 ,we value it as a rare manual for the study of the ,divine man4 ,dr4 ,stalker possesses the gift of literary etching4 ,he takes his pencil and1 with a few lines1 he puts a lifelike and realistic picture upon his canvas40,the ,christian ,weekly4 ,the ,life of ,st4 ,paul4 #abmo1 cloth4 4#fj 8,bristling with information4 ,as an outline of ,paul's life it cannot be surpassed40,the ,christian ,inquirer 7,n4 ,y47 ,men and ,morals4 ,addresses4 #abmo1 cloth1 gilt top4 4#ge ,,contents3,conscience2 ,christ and the ,wants of ,humanity2 ,the ,religion of ,to-,day2 ,the ,evidences of ,religion2 ,public ,spirit2 ,temptation2 ,the ,four ,men2 ,youth and ,age4 8,pleasant as well as profitable reading1 and is just the thing to put in the hands of a young man4444 ,admirable models of sermonizing40,the ,christian ,intelligencer4 ,the ,four ,men4 ,an ,address delivered to the ,students at ,yale ,university4 #afmo4 ,popular ,vellum ,series4 4#bj ,cheaper edition1 #aj;c42 per dozen4 net1 #a4jj #a4 ,the ,man the ,world ,sees4 #b4 ,the ,man ,seen by the ,person ,who ,knows ,him ,best4 #c4 ,the ,man ,seen by ,himself4 #d4 ,the ,man ,whom ,god ,sees4 8,a better address to young persons there could hardly be1 and it could hardly have been more effective in personal delivery than it is in print40,the ,independent4 ,temptation4 ,a ,talk to ,young ,men4 #afmo4 ,popular ,vellum ,series4 4#bj ,cheaper edition1 #aj;c42 per dozen4 net1 #a4jj 8,an earnest plea for closer relations with ,christ to make one strong to resist evil40,the ,baptist4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,charles ,h4 ,spurgeon4 ,the best of the literary remains of ,england's great preacher4 ,my ,sermon ,notes4 ,a ,selection from ,outlines of ,discourses delivered at the ,metropolitan ,tabernacle4 #d vols4 #abmo1 cloth1 each #a4jj2 the set1 boxed4 #d4jj ,vol4 #a4 ,genesis to ,proverbs4 ,vol4 #b4 ,ecclesiastes to ,malachi4 ,vol4 #c4 ,matthew to ,acts4 ,vol4 #d4 ,romans to ,revelation4 ,feathers for ,arrows2 or1 ,illustrations for ,preachers and ,teachers4 #abmo1 cloth4 #a4jj 8,the work covers a wide range of subjects4 ,the metaphors are always striking and frequently brilliant1 while the truths that they illustrate are such as have always formed the staple of ,mr4 ,spurgeon's discourses4 ,a choicer collection of illustrations we do not know40,the ,freeman4 ,spurgeon's ,gems4 ,being ,brilliant ,passages from ,his ,discourses4 #abmo1 cloth4 #a4jj ,a series of earnest thoughts and graphic pictures1 all of them revealing the true greatness of the preacher's conceptions1 his individuality and strength4 ,gems of great brilliancy1 which will make a permanent impression upon the mind of the reader4 ,the ,golden ,alphabet4 ,being a ,devotional ,commentary on ,,cxix4 ,psalm4 #abmo1 cloth4 #a4jj ,gleanings ,among the ,sheaves4 #ahmo1 cloth1 gilt top4 4#fj ,all of ,grace4 ,for those seeking salvation4 #afmo1 cloth4 4#ej ,according to ,promise2 or1 ,the ,lord's ,method of ,dealing with ,his ,chosen ,people4 #afmo1 cloth4 4#ej ,twelve ,christmas ,sermons4 #hvo1 cloth4 4#ej ,twelve ,new ,year ,sermons4 #hvo1 cloth4 4#ej ,twelve ,sermons on the ,resurrection4 #hvo1 cloth4 4#ej ,twelve ,striking ,sermons4 #hvo1 cloth4 4#ej ,twelve ,soul ,winning ,sermons4 #hvo1 cloth4 4#ej ,charles ,h4 ,spurgeon4 ,second ,edition4 ,by ,rev4 ,j4 ,j4 ,ellis1 a graduate of the ,pastor's ,college4 #abmo1 cloth4 #a4jj ,charles ,h4 ,spurgeon4 ,his ,life and ,ministry4 ,by ,jesse ,page4 ,illustrated4 #abmo1 cloth4 4#ge ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,rev4 ,a4 ,j4 ,gordon1 ,d4,d4 8#8,in ,christ1' #8,the ,two ,fold ,life1' and #8,the ,ministry of the ,spirit1' are worthy to lie on the table by any dying couch1 side by side with ,thomas ,a4 ,kempis' #8,imitation of ,christ1' and ,jeremy ,taylor's #8,holy ,living and ,dying4' ,these are fit to be placed among the religious classics approved after long experience1 by ,christians of every name4 ,i believe they will live as such and in this belief ,i am not singular40,,rev4 ,,joseph ,,cook4 ,the ,ministry of the ,spirit4 ,introduction by ,rev4 ,f4 ,b4 ,meyer1 ,b4,a4 #abmo1 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4jj 8,dr4 ,gordon's last book1 #8,the ,ministry of the ,spirit1' was published on the day of his death4 ,it fitly completes the noble series of books which came from his pen4 ,it gives his mature convictions upon a matter which had engrossed his thought for many years4 ,in depth of spiritual insight we doubt if it is surpassed by any work on this topic40,the ,watchman4 ,risen with ,christ2 or1 the ,resurrection of ,christ and of the ,believer4 #afmo1 decorated antique paper covers4 4#be ,the ,holy ,spirit in ,missions4 #abmo1 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4be 8,fervid and intense in its style1 emphasizing the duty of preaching the gospel as a witness among all nations40,the ,missionary ,herald4 ,grace and ,glory4 ,sermons for the ,life that ,now is and ,that which is to ,come4 #abmo1 paper1 net1 #ej;c42 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4ej ,ecce ,venit2 or1 ,behold ,he ,cometh4 #abmo1 paper1 net1 #ej;c42 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4be ,in ,christ2 or1 the ,believer's ,union with his ,lord4 #abmo1 paper1 net1 #ce;c42 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4jj ,,pocket ,,edition1 uniform with 8,a ,gift of ,love40 #ahmo1 cloth4 #a4jj 8,to realize what is meant by being in ,christ is the believer's highest happiness in this life3 a book which helps to this way will find a wide sale40,the ,n4 ,y4 ,evangelist4 ,the ,ministry of ,healing2 or1 ,miracles of ,cures in all ages4 ,with ,history of the ,doctrine from the ,earliest ,times4 #abmo1 paper1 net1 #ej;c42 cloth1 gilt top4 #a4be ,the ,two ,fold ,life2 or1 ,christ's ,work for ,us1 and ,christ's ,work in ,us4 #abmo1 paper1 net1 #ej;c42 cloth1 gilt top4 ,the ,first ,thing ,in the ,world2 or1 ,the ,primacy of ,faith4 #afmo1 ,popular ,vellum ,series1 #bj;c42 ,cheaper ,edition1 net1 #aj;c42 per doz4 net1 #a4jj ,transcriber's ,notes ,printed ,corrected ,page comprhensive comprehensive #b gives in clear and comprehensive iuformatiou information #b information for ,christian workers ,backsliders ,back-sliders #e ,,assurance1 ,,and ,,back-,,sliders very every #i every other grace of sorely1 need sorely need1 #i sorely need1 and expect ,him #a4 ,i #i 7#a ,jno4 v4 #ad1 #ae2 ,christ1 ,christ #aj bringing men to ,christ need need1 #aj need1 7#c7 to show them ,saviour ,saviour1 #aj ,saviour1 7#d7 to meet the 8,all04 8,all40 #bj sinned80 8,all40 8,who gone 8gone #ba 8gone astray0 and hold sin4 sin8 #bb the greatest sin8 ,galations ,galatians #bd ,galatians iii4 #aj is a verse wages4 wages8 #be to take your wages8 then than #bf for this purpose than ,god4 ,god8 #cb the sons of ,god8 ,chirst ,christ #cb at ,christ lifted up #a4 i4 #cb ,romans i4 #af is another excellent ,gospel4 ,gospel8 #cc what is the ,gospel8 will4 will8 #cc he says he will8 ,galations ,galatians #ce ,galatians iii4 #ajac also of1 of #ce makes the way of salvation ,god0 ,god #cf confessed to ,god his sins lost10 lost4'0 #cg that which was lost4'0 moments moments' #ci a few moments' deep ,now ,now1 #ci 8,now10 ,i said sin4 sin40 #dj your sin40 ,i laid longer er longer #dj on you any longer ,chr4 ,chron4 #da falling4 #b ,chron4 xxxii4 #g1 #h 8yes04 8yes40 #db ,he said1 8yes40 not4 not8 #db did you not8 came came1 #db so glad ,i came1 kingdom1 kingdom #dc put ,god and ,his kingdom righr right #df let us kneel right down umerciful merciful #di he will be merciful ,,witn ,,with #ej ,,dealing ,,with ,,those ,,who 8,no01 8,no10 #eb replies1 8,no10 then repentence repentance #ec repentance1 not to encourage 8,yes01 8,yes10 #ee 8,yes10 ,i replied ,how 8,how #ee 8,how do you know assurance1 is assurance is1 #ef ground of assurance is1 ,backsliders ,back-sliders #eg ,,assurance ,,and ,,with ,,back-,,sliders ,him8 ,him80 #eh 8,have you received ,him80 8,justified04 8,justified40 #ei 8,justified40 ,then ask him mouth04 mouth10 #fj 8with the mouth10 backslider back-slider #fd back-slider who wishes to #af #ae #fd in ,chapter xii4 sec4 #ae4 him4 him1 #fi ,next say to him1 world40 world4'0 #fi ,him before the world4'0 thoughfully thoughtfully #fi slowly and thoughtfully your1 your #gj but with your sin 8hell04 8hell40 #gd punishment in 8hell40 #f #g4 #ge #g4 ,those who doubt skeptics ,skeptics #gf ,skeptics who are triflers god ,god #gg ,,complain ,,of ,,god4 well4 well8 #hb not use you well8 to-night4 to-night1 #hc or 8,not to-night10 in40 in4 #hd went in4 ,then ask ,christian4 ,christian1 #he become a ,christian1 or or #he am too young10 or all sufficient all-sufficient #he all-sufficient answer to repetiton repetition #hf home by constant repetition sayng saying #hf but who kept saying #a4 #hg ,there are several repentence repentance #ij the necessity of repentance as as as #if through the eye as ,spirit01 ,spirit10 #ajd with the ,holy ,spirit10 ,spirit1 ,spirit4 #ajd ,holy ,spirit40 ,by i4 e4 i4 e4 #aab i4 e4 for every believer 7#c7 #c4 #aac #c4 ,,how ,,can ,,we ,spirit4 ,spirit8 #aac ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit8 ,spirit ,spirit0 #aac of the ,holy ,spirit0 him04 him40 #aad that obey him40 said said1 #aae behind her and said1 down1 down4 #aae can't lay it down4 you4 you8 #aae down for you8 #bd4 #bd47 #aag faith 7,mark xi4 #bd74 wisdom4 wisdom1 #aag prayer for wisdom1 ,spirit4 ,spirit8 #aai of the ,holy ,spirit8 asked1 asked4 #aai again be asked4 thiug thing #aba ,one thing more needs ,tho ,the #abc ,the ,life and ,light jesse ,jesse #abe ,by ,jesse ,page4 #bmo #abmo #abe ,illustrated4 #abmo1 cloth4 ,a' ,kempis4 ,a4 ,kempis' #abf with ,thomas ,a4 ,kempis' believer s believer's #abf is the believer's highest happiness #abf sale40,the ,n4 ,y4 ,evangelist4 ,on ,page #he1 8,i must do something else first40 has been italicized for consistency4 ,on ,page #aaf1 started a new paragraph at 87a47 ,there must be04 ,punctuation for chapter headings has been regularized4 ,missing periods have been added to the chapter number4 ,periods have been removed from chapter titles and centered section headings4 ,the font style for headings of a given level have been made consistent4 ,biblical references have been regularized to the form3 num name chapter4 verse1 where num is an optional arabic numeral1 chapter is a lower-case roman numeral1 and verse is an arabic numeral4 ,for example1 #b ,cor4 ix4 #h and #a ,jno4 iii4 #bcbd4 ,missing periods after ,biblical book abbreviations have been silently added4 ,additionally1 some superfluous periods and commas following ,biblical references have been removed4 ,some missing punctuation has been silently added4 ,some hyphenation inconsistencies have been retained4