Gem #70 - The Call of Salvation

Once I, like Mazeppa, tied to the wild horse of my lust, tied hand and

foot, incapable of resistance, was galloping on with hell's wolves behind

me, howling for my body and my soul, as their just and lawful prey. There

came a mighty hand which stopped that wild horse, cut my ropes, set me

down, and gave me freedom. Is there power? Yes, there is power; and he

who has felt it, must acknowledge it.

There was a time when I lived in the strong old castle of my sins, and

rested on my works. There came a trumpeter to the door, and begged me to

open it. I with anger chased him from the porch, and said he would never

enter. There came a glorious person, with loving countenance; His hands

were marked with scars, where nails were driven, and His feet had nail

prints too; He lifted up His cross, using it as a hammer; at the first blow

the gate of my prejudice shook; at the second it trembled more, at the

third down it fell, and in He came; and He said, "Get up, and stand on

your feet, for I have loved you with an everlasting love."