In like manner this world is one large courtroom, and there are many witnesses testifying daily for or against right, truth and Christ. Every political party is championed by witnesses who talk and vote for it. Satan has his witnesses and they are easily distinguished. The world has its witnesses. They run after the follies and amusements of this life, all of which leave an aching void. And why should not Christ, who is pure, kind, loving and helpful have witnesses? “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 43:10). To be a true Christian is to be a witness for Jesus.
A BRAVE WITNESS.
When Frederick the Great of Prussia was ridiculing Christ and Christianity before a company of jolly nobles and officers of the army, there was one brave general who remained gloomily silent. It was Joachim von Zietan, one of the ablest and bravest officers present. Rising and shaking his gray head solemnly, he said to the King: “Your Majesty knows well in war I have never feared any danger, and everywhere I have boldly risked my life for you and for my country. But there is One above us who is greater than all men. He is my Saviour and Redeemer, who has died for Your Majesty, and has dearly bought us all with His own blood. That Holy One I can never allow to be mocked or insulted, for on Him I repose my faith, my comfort and my hope in life and death. In the power of this faith your brave army has courageously fought and conquered. If Your Majesty undermines this faith, you undermine at the same time the welfare of your State. I salute Your Majesty.” Frederick looked at the man in admiration, and in the presence of the illustrious company, apologized for what he had said. So no boy ever stands for Jesus, but that he awakens in the heart of those who make light of spiritual matters a sense of honor and respect for him and his testimony.
HOW TO WITNESS FOR JESUS.
It is not every one who says the most that does the most good. Actions speak louder than words. Nearness to Christ means Christ shining in the life. Seneca said regarding the quality of life: “It is the bounty of nature that we live, but of philosophy that we live well.” Paul said, “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Gal. 2:20). “You may depend upon it,” says Lavatar, “that he is a good man whose intimate friends are good,” and no friend is so good or dear as Jesus. Every boy should witness for Christ because wicked men oppose the work He wrought. From the trial of Christ to the present, there have been those who have ridiculed His blessed atonement. They have uttered blasphemous epithets and have advanced many arguments to demolish the church He organized. Every manner of persecution has been hurled against His people. Yet in spite of fire, sword, rack and thumbscrew the adherents of Jesus number more than ever before. Atheists and infidels have warred against the Christian religion, but we are living witnesses against them and their theories, “Their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” (Deut. 32:31).
BEECHER AND INGERSOLL.
Colonel Ingersoll was one day in the society of Henry Ward Beecher and four or five gentlemen, all of whom were prominent in the world of literature. Several different topics were discussed with decided brilliancy, but no allusion was made to religion. The distinguished infidel was too polite to introduce the subject, but one of the party finally desiring to see a tilt between Mr. Ingersoll and Mr. Beecher made a playful remark about Colonel Ingersoll’s idiosyncrasy, as he termed it. The Colonel at once defended his views with his usual apt rhetoric and eloquence. He was met by several gentlemen in very effective repartee. Contrary to the expectations of all Mr. Beecher remained an abstracted listener. The gentleman who introduced the topic with hope that Mr. Beecher would answer Colonel Ingersoll, at last remarked, “Mr. Beecher, have you nothing to say on this question?”
The old man slowly lifted himself from his attitude and replied, “Nothing, in fact. If you will excuse me for changing the conversation, I will say that while you gentlemen were talking, my mind was bent on a most deplorable spectacle which I witnessed to-day.” “What was it?” at once inquired Colonel Ingersoll, who, notwithstanding his peculiar views of the hereafter, was noted for his kindness of heart. “Why,” said Mr. Beecher, “as I was walking I saw a poor blind man with crutches, slowly and carefully picking his way through a morass of mud in the endeavor to cross the street. He had just reached the middle of the filth when a big, burly ruffian rushed up to him, jerked the crutches from under the unfortunate man and left him sprawling and helpless in the pool of liquid dirt, which almost engulfed him.” “What a brute he was!” said the Colonel. “What a brute he was!” they all echoed. “Yes,” said the old man, rising from his chair and brushing back his long, white hair, while his eyes glittered with his old-time fire, as he bent them on Ingersoll, “yes, Colonel Ingersoll, and you are the man. The human soul is lame, but Christianity gives it crutches to enable it to pass the highway of life. It is your teaching that knocks these crutches from under it and leaves it a helpless and rudderless wreck in the slough of despond. If robbing the human soul of its only support on earth be your profession, ply it to your heart’s content. It requires an architect to erect a building; an incendiary may reduce it to ashes.”
The old man sat down and silence brooded over the scene. Colonel Ingersoll found that he had a master in his own power of illustration and said nothing. The company took their hats and departed. Unbelief may scoff but it cannot controvert the fact, Jesus saves to the uttermost all who come unto Him.