“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”
It was just at this point that Murray rose to his feet. It was as though the scales had fallen from his eyes and he understood. He saw for the first time what he had been and what Christ was. And now he knew what it was he had to do. He had come to the Lord’s table, and he was unworthy!
He took one step forward, and the minister looked up, astonished, yet feeling that there must be something important. He had great respect for this young man who had come to their midst so highly recommended.
The minister stepped to meet him, and bent his tall head to listen.
“There is something I must say!” said Murray earnestly, in a low tone. “Now!” he added insistently. The minister laid his hand upon the young man’s shoulder, and was about to suggest that he wait until the close of the service, but he saw that in Murray’s face that made him desist. Perhaps the Spirit gave him a vision of this soul’s need. He straightened up, and said in his usual voice, quite clearly, so that everybody could hear:
“Our brother has a word to tell us. We will hear it just now.”
Murray turned and faced the people who had taken him in so open-heartedly, and let him know that they honored him. There, almost in the centre of the church facing him with admiring interest and not a little pride sat Mr. Elliot Harper, his chief in the bank, with three or four lesser dignitaries connected with the bank not far behind him. There, a little to the right was a group of young people who had the day before hung upon his every word, and given him all the honor and respect that one human being can give to another. There, a few seats to the left sat Mrs. Summers, with her kindly eyes upon him, thinking no doubt he was about to tell some touching incident of the convention, in which he had borne so great a part. And there, beside him, with confidence and interest in his eyes, waited the pastor, sure that they were to hear something which would lift their souls nearer to Christ. And he, what had he got to tell? For one brief instant he wavered, and then the memory of those quoted words came back, “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily—” He must not begin this new life wrong, no not if it shattered every beautiful thing that could ever come to him again. Not if it robbed him of friends and livelihood and freedom. No, this was the great moment of his life, the turning point.
But then came those other words, just heard—“If we confess—He is faithful to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us.” Oh to be cleansed!
So, out of his heart he spoke!