THE FAMILY ALTAR

June 22.

"And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the

prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from

the dead". Luke 16:31.

A pious pastor one day had preached on future punishment.

The next morning a young man called on him and said: "There

is a small dispute between you and me, pastor, and I thought

I would call and settle it right away." "What is it?" asked the

pastor. "Why," said the young man, "you say that the wicked

will go into everlasting punishment; and I do not think that

they will." "Oh, if that is all," said the minister, "there is no

dispute between you and me. If you turn to Matthew 25, 46, you

will find that the dispute is between you and the Lord Jesus

Christ; and I advise you to go immediately and settle it with

Him." Matthew 25, 46 the Lord Jesus declares : "These [the

wicked] shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the right-

eous into life eternal." Whoever will not believe that there is

a hell, let him settle it with the Lord 'Jesus. But what is it that

brings so many, alas, so many, into everlasting punishment? The

rich man in hell now sees what a terrible mistake he had made

in refusing to repent while in this life. But he is still blind to

the fact that the Word of God alone works saving repentance, and

that it was his neglect of God's Word that brought him into ever-

lasting punishment. In vain he asks Abraham to let Lazarus

return from the dead to his five brethren and warn them that

they might repent. Abraham tells him his brethren have Moses

and the prophets, the converting, saving Word of God. If they

despise and reject that, no miracle, no warning voice from the

dead, will save them. God's Word alone has power to work re-

pentance and faith in the sinner and to save him from hell. Every

mortal can know his eternal fate already in this life. How does

he stand toward the Word of God?

Then woe to those who scorned the Lord,

And sought but carnal pleasures,

Who here despised His precious Word,

And loved their earthly treasures!

With shame and trembling they will stand,

And at the Judge's stern command

To Satan be delivered.

0 Jesus, who my debt didst pay,

And for my sin wast smitten,

Within the book of life, 0 may

My name be also written!

1 will not doubt; I trust in Thee,

From Satan Thou hast made me free,

And from all condemnation.