Many years ago the late William Gadsby, Baptist preacher in Manchester, England, was going into the country to preach, and as his practice was in his younger days, he was walking. He was soon joined by a "simple faith" believer. Religion soon became the subject of their conversation.
Mr. Gadsby maintained that true faith was not man's work but the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God's people, and that without this there can be no real satisfaction for a quickened soul, one who hungers and thirsts after an assurance of his salvation. His companion, however, maintained that it was the duty of every man to believe.
"There is the word," said he, "and we are to read it and take comfort from it." After walking for some miles the two men came upon a little roadside store, with a swinging sign above its door, "Refreshments may be had here."
"I am very tired," said the stranger. "Let us go in here and have some refreshment."
"Oh, no," said Mr. Gadsby. "You see, there is the sign, the word. Let us read it, take all the comfort and refreshment we need from that, and pass along. For, according to your doctrine, that is sufficient!" — Copied from The Gospel Standard, 1874
We must have a revealed and experienced Christ and salvation in HIM. Just making a mental assent to the promises in the Bible will not suffice. The spiritually dead must be brought to life by God the Holy Ghost, and then brought by the Spirit to an enjoyment of God's great salvation by grace! We have so much of a dead-letter profession in our day. — Wylie Wayne Fulton (and thanks to WWF for the above story)
1 comment:
How wonderful to find a quotation from The Gospel Standard. I subscribed to this magazine for many years and truly enjoyed all the readings provided. And a special favorite is the little book, Gadsby's Hymns! Thank you for quoting him.
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