Elsie's Journey on Inland Waters
Page 17
CHAPTER XVII.
The sun was setting as the _Dolphin_ discharged her complement ofpassengers, and they walked up the valley to their temporary abodes.They had had their evening meal upon the yacht, and the little oneswere ready and glad to be taken at once to their beds, the older tosit in restful quiet upon the porches, enjoying the evening breeze, acheerful chat over all they had seen and learned in their delightfullittle excursion around the island, and in laying plans for others ofthe same kind, and for walks and drives here and there, till everyinteresting spot in the neighborhood should have received from them dueattention. Also in making arrangements for attending the public serviceof the sanctuary on the approaching Lord's day; the captain havingalready planned for the _Dolphin's_ crew to do the same, taking turnsso that the vessel would not be left at any time entirely unguarded.
When all these questions had been discussed and settled, though itwas still early, they held their accustomed evening family service,and retired to rest, that they might hope to awake in good seasonrefreshed and ready to engage with enjoyment in the sacred duties ofthe holy day.
It dawned a lovely autumn day, a cool refreshing breeze coming in fromthe bay, making the walk through the lovely valley to the open churchesa pleasure as well as duty.
The services over, they returned home, and after partaking of a simpledinner, gathered upon the largest of the porches, and each one oldenough to read, with Bible in hand, they spent an hour in the study ofits sacred pages.
The subject engaging their attention was the way of salvation; Mr.Keith, who was the leader, called for texts showing the one true way,and they were given by one and another as they found them in God's word.
"'If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shaltbelieve in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thoushalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness;and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation,'" repeated thecaptain, adding the comment, "Let us notice that the belief which isunto salvation is evidenced by holy living; belief that is not untorighteousness is not a true and living faith. The devils believe andtremble, but theirs is not a saving faith, for they do not love andtrust in Jesus. It is the faith which worketh by love that saves."
"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore; "it is not enough to have no doubt ofthe truth of the Gospel--the good news of salvation through JesusChrist--but we must give ourselves to him, love him and rejoice in hislove to us."
"And oh, what a blessing that all may have that faith who will come toJesus for it," remarked Mr. Embury; "every one, old and young. 'Lookunto me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth.'"
"Yes," added Mr. Keith, "there are many good and desirable things towhich some of us can never attain, but salvation by faith is within thereach of all who will come to Jesus for it. He says,'Him that cometh tome, I will in no wise cast out.'"
It was Mrs. Dinsmore's turn and she repeated: "'Without faith it isimpossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe thathe is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.'"
"'Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,'" repeatedMrs. Keith.
Then Mrs. Embury: "'Now the just shall live by faith: but if any mandraw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not ofthem that draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to thesaving of the soul.'"
"And those who believe in Jesus are not to hide their faith, as that ofwhich they are ashamed," said Grandma Elsie; "we are to confess withthe mouth, letting it be known that we believe in Christ and take himfor our Saviour. His own word is, 'Whosoever shall confess me beforemen, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.'"
It was Evelyn's turn. "In Habakkuk ii. 4," she said, "I read, 'The justshall live by faith.' Again in Romans i. 17, 'The just shall live byfaith.' Galatians iii. 11: 'But that no man is justified by the law inthe sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.'And here,"--again turning over the leaves of her Bible,--"Hebrews x.38, 'Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, mysoul shall have no pleasure in him.'"
She paused, and Lucilla repeated the next verse, "'But we are not ofthem who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to thesaving of the soul.'"
Now it was Rosie's turn. "I will read a few verses from the thirdchapter of Romans," she said, and proceeded to do so. "'Even therighteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, andupon all them that believe; for there is no difference: for all havesinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely byhis grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.'"
She ceased and Grace, who had turned to the same passage, went on withthe reading, "'Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, throughfaith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remissionof sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: To declare, Isay, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and thejustifier of him which believeth in Jesus.'" She ceased, and Walterwent on:
"'Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay;but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justifiedby faith without the deeds of the law.'"
"'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God throughour Lord Jesus Christ,'" repeated Annis, in low, feeling tones.
Then her husband took it up: "'What shall we say then? That theGentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained torighteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel,which followed after righteousness, hath not attained to the law ofrighteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but asit were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold I lay in Sion a stumbling stone androck of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.'"
Walter then spoke again and his was the closing text. "'Watch ye, standfast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.'"
"Let us not forget," said Mr. Keith, "that we are to confess Christ,owning ourselves as his disciples, under his authority, and ready tosubmit to it in all things. Let us not forget that his own word is,'If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take uphis cross and follow me.' His cross, let us remember; not one of ourown devising, or one laid upon us by some earthly power without theMaster's word. He alone is Lord of the conscience and the Bible is hisword, revealing to us his will. Also his own command to each one of usis, 'Search the Scriptures; for in them ye have eternal life: and theyare they which testify of me.' We must never be afraid or ashamed tolet it be known at any time, or in any company or place, that we aredisciples of Christ, to whom the love of our hearts and the obedienceof our lives are due."
A moment of silence followed the closing of Mr. Keith's remarks; asilence presently broken by Mrs. Travilla's sweet voice beginning thehymn:
"Jesus! and shall it ever be A mortal man ashamed of Thee?"
The others joined in, filling the air with sweet melody.
Prayers and other hymns followed till the hour set apart for theservice had more than passed away.