CHAPTER XXVII. Be a Witness for Jesus

BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS

In city courtrooms there is a certain stand known as the “witness stand,” from which individuals give evidence for or against the accused whose trial is pending. Sometimes the evidence is the means of convicting and sometimes freeing the accused. Before giving the testimony, however, they are required on oath to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

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.

WHAT OTHERS SAY.

A boy should witness for Christ, for as master minds declare, His character is spotless. Christ stands the ideal among men. The Roman centurion called Him: “The Son of God” (Matt. 27:54); Judas, “The innocent blood,” (Matt. 27:4); Pilate, “The Man without fault” (Luke 23:4); Josephus, “The wise man” and Celsus, “The miracle-working magician.” Diderot the atheist speaking of the history calls it “The unsurpassed story.” Napoleon declared Christ to be “The Emperor of Love;” John Stuart Mill “The guide of humanity;” Renan “The greatest among the sons of men;” Robert Owen “The irreproachable;” Theodore Parker “The youth with God in his heart;” to which millions add, He “is all and in all,” (Col. 10:32) “and over all, God blessed for ever.”

THE PROMISE.

A boy should witness for Christ because Christ has promised to witness for him before His Father. “Whosoever therefore,” said He, “shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32). Dr. Theodore Cuyler says the word “confession” is a very deep and far-reaching one. It refers to the heart, then to the lips, and then to the daily life. Whoever would be saved must embrace Christ in the heart; this signifies conversion. Next we must acknowledge Him with the life; this is what is usually styled “a profession of faith.” Above all, those who make this open confession are expected to honor Christ by obedience to His commandments; this is vital Christianity. To all who honestly make confession Christ has promised He will own as “His brethren and chosen” in this world and in the next.

It was a drummer boy by the name of Charlie Couston that led the great Dr. Roosvalley to Christ. After the battle of Gettysburg this boy was so frightfully wounded that it necessitated the amputation of an arm and leg. When chloroform was about to be administered he politely refused it. The doctor asked the reason. “Doctor,” said he, “one Sunday afternoon in the Sabbath-school when I was nine and a half years old, I gave my heart to Christ. I have been trusting Him ever since, and I know I can trust Him now. He is my strength and stimulant. He will support me while you amputate my arm and leg.” The doctor asked if he would take a little brandy. Looking up, the lad answered, “Doctor, when I was about five years old my mother knelt by my side with her arm about my neck, and said, ‘Charlie, I am praying to Jesus that you may never know the taste of strong drink. Your papa died a drunkard, and I promised God, if it was His will that you should grow up, that you should warn young men against the bitter cup.’ I am now seventeen years of age, but I have never tasted anything stronger than tea or coffee; and as I am in all probability about to go into the presence of God, would you send me there with brandy on my stomach?”

The operation began. While cutting through the flesh Charlie never groaned, but when the surgeon took the saw to separate the bone, the lad took the corner of the pillow in his mouth, and prayed: “Oh, Jesus, blessed Jesus, stand by me now.” Five days after this, Charlie sent for Dr. Roosvalley, to whom he said, “Doctor, my time has come. I do not expect to see another sunrise, but thank God I am ready to go; before I die I desire to thank you with all my heart for your kindness to me. Doctor, you are a Jew, you do not believe in Jesus; will you please stand here and see me die, trusting my Saviour to the last moment of my life?”

The doctor remained. Taking his hand Charlie continued: “Doctor, I love you because you are a Jew; the best friend I have found in this world was a Jew.” Dr. Roosvalley asked who was that. Charlie answered: “Jesus Christ, to whom I want to introduce you before I die, and will you promise me that what I am about to say, you will never forget?” The surgeon promised. “Five days ago,” said the dying boy, “while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your soul.” The boy soon died, and the words had their effect, for the surgeon soon became a Christian.

About eighteen months later, Dr. Roosvalley attended a prayer meeting in Brooklyn. Among those who gave their testimony was an elderly lady who said, “Dear friends, this may be the last time I shall have the privilege of testifying for Christ. My family physician told me yesterday that my right lung is nearly gone, and my left one is very much affected; I have but a short time to be with you, but what is left of me belongs to Jesus. Oh! it is a great joy to know that I shall meet my boy with Jesus in heaven. My son was not only a soldier for his country, but a soldier for Christ. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, and fell into the hands of a Jewish doctor who amputated his arm and leg, but he died five days after the operation. The Chaplain wrote me a letter and sent me my boy’s Bible.” In the letter he informed me that my Charlie said to the Jewish doctor: “Doctor, before I die, I wish to tell you that five days ago, while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your soul.” No sooner had these words fallen from her lips, than the doctor left his seat, crossed the room and taking her hand said, “God bless you, my sister, your boy’s prayer was heard and answered. I am the Jewish doctor for whom your Charlie prayed. His Saviour is now my Saviour.”

Oh, my boy, there is no need of your living or dying without doing what Charlie Coulston did. Someone is waiting for your advice and invitation to come to Christ. While a lad was showing Mr. Charles Spurgeon to a church where he was to preach he was asked, “Do you love your Master?” The boy stopped and said, “Mr. Spurgeon, for years I have shown ministers to the church, and not one has ever asked me that question.” The result was a new life for Christ.

If my boy, you would influence others to love and live for Christ you must do as the gifted young preacher Tyng exhorted his friends to do. He had met with an accident that cut short his glorious career. When about to die there gathered around him the young men who had rallied at his trumpet call, and lifting his wounded arm, he said, “Young men, I am about to die. Stand up for Jesus.” The sentence rang out on the air and did not cease ringing. It was printed in large capital letters, placarded in church vestries in many denominations, and became the rallying cry of thousands. My boy, stand up for Jesus;

—“the strife will not be long, This day the noise of battle, The next the victor’s song; To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be; He with the King of Glory Shall reign eternally.”