THE STRAIGHT WAY TO HEAVEN

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

It is stated, that as an eloquent preacher delivered a discourse, in which he set forth the intense and eternal torments of the finally impenitent, one of the modern doubters was present; and having a desire to show his knowledge, followed the preacher to the house, where he took tea after the exercises of the day were closed, and introduced himself by saying

"Well, sir, I have been to hear you preach, and have come here to request you to prove your doctrine."

"I do not find anything in my Bible to prove that the sinner is eternally damned and I do not believe any such thing."

"What do you believe ]" "Why I believe that mankind will be judged according to the deeds done in the body: and those that deserve punishment will be sent to hell, and remain there until the debt is paid," etc.

I have but a word to say to you; and first, for what did Christ die? And lastly, there is a straight road to heaven; but if you are determined to go round by way of hell to get there, I cannot help it," said the preacher,

 "The man took his leave, but his mind was ill at ease."There is a straight road to heaven" still rang in his ears.

He went home, read his Bible attentively, and was soon convinced of, and acknowledged his error, and after a suitable time united with the followers of Christ.

 AN EPIPHANY IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER:

LUTHER ON PILATE'S STAIRCASE.

For some time after the light of truth began to dawn on the mind of Luther, he submitted to all the vain practices which the Romish Church enjoins, in order to purchase the remission of sins. One day, during his visit to Rome, wishing to obtain an indulgence promised by the pope to any one who should ascend, on his knees, what is called Pilate's Staircase, the poor Saxon monk was slowly climbing those steps, which they told him had been miraculously transported from Jerusalem to Rome. But while he was going through with the meritorious work, he thought he heard a voice, like thunder, speaking from the depth of his heart, " The just shall live by faith!" He stared up in terror on the steps up which he had been crawling. He was hor- rified at himself; and, struck with shame for the degradation to which superstition had debased him. He fled from the scene of his folly. This was the decisive epoch in the inward life of Luther.

NOTE: It is to be prayerfully desired that no reader of this devotion will be lured away from the grace of God by the traditions of men by climbing the stair steps the futility of salvation by works.

(J. Ogles)

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

October 6.

"Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay

in Sion a chief Corner-stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth

on Him shall not be confounded." 1 Pet. 2:6.

The Scriptures must be fulfilled. What the Lord, our God,

prophesied long centuries before through His prophet Isaiah

(chap. 28) concerning the foundation and precious corner-stone of

His New Testament Zion has been fulfilled to the letter in the

crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. Though a stumbling-block

and offense to the wise and self-righteous of all times, Jesus has

upheld His Church through all the storms of the centuries. Where

is the proud Temple of Jerusalem? Where the might Forum of

Rome ? Where are the colonnades of the Greek philosophers ? They

have all vanished like dry autumn leaves before the northern gale.

But the house built on the elect and precious Corner-stone, Christ,

the holy Christian Church, still stands, a miracle of God, and will

stand secure to the end of time ; for the gates of hell shall not pre-

vail against her. Whoever believes in Christ as his crucified and risen

Savior has this immovable foundation under him and will never

be confounded, will never be overthrown in his faith, will never

suffer ruin. So many build the house of their happiness on their

wealth, their wisdom, their health; but it is delusive quicksand

on which they build. When the storms of adversity or death beat

upon their house, it crashes into ruins. Many a man has bitterly

regretted on his death-bed that he lived without Christ, but no one

ever regretted having placed his hope in his Savior. The world

and its alluring pleasures have deceived many; Jesus deceives no

one that puts his trust in Him. 0 let us daily cast ourselves with

all our sins and cares on Jesus, the elect and precious Corner-stone

and Foundation of the sinners' salvation, and we shall never be

confounded.

Behold the sure Foundation-stone

Which God in Zion lays,

To build our heavenly hopes upon,

And His eternal praise.

Chosen of God, to sinners dear,

Let saints adore the name ;

They trust their whole salvation here,

Nor shall they suffer shame.

What though the gates of hell withstood,

Yet must this building rise:

'Tis Thine own work, Almighty God,

And wondrous in our eves.