Armed With The Bible

ANOTHER EARNEST WARNING

Often we meet people who, in an indifferent manner, speak of death and being buried. We hear them say, "Dead is dead," or, "It makes no difference what kind of a burial you have."

At one time one such man took great delight in joking about death to make others around him laugh. Often he would make the following remark, "I do not care if I go head first into the grave." Many people of all ages heard his remark with horror.

Years later, about twenty-five years ago, this man died. At this time it was the custom to let the coffin down into the grave with ropes. While the casket-bearers were slowly letting down the coffin, one of them accidently let the rope slip through his hands. This caused the coffin to tumble head first into the grave with a loud crash. The bystanders trembled, and remembering this man's mocking life, witnessed that this was the finger of God.

"God will not allow Himself to be mocked." It is not an indifferent matter how we live. It is also not an indifferent matter as to how we die and are buried. It is a great blessing if we may have a respectable and decent burial.

To have a sanctified grave, we must be born again and be reconciled to God, through the merits of His dear Son.

—JD

Well over a hundred years ago, there was a man who lived in the state of North Carolina. Mr. Jones was a truly converted man and loved God and His Word. This man had to make a journey on horseback to the West. At that time, many robbers terrorized the people in the western United States, but Mr. Jones felt that God would protect him. When his friends urged him to take some guns with him, he refused.

"The Bible is the only weapon I'll take with me," replied Mr. Jones.

His friends shook their heads sadly as he mounted his horse, for they thought they would never see him again.

One evening, Mr. Jones stopped at an inn in Missouri. As he ate his supper, he was joined by another man who was also traveling. When the man learned that Mr. Jones was on his way farther west, he immediately asked, "Do you carry a gun?"

"No," answered Mr. Jones, "but I am armed." He pulled his Bible from his shirt pocket. "This is my weapon."

The man, who carried several pistols and knives, laughed loudly. "You're a fool, Jones! If that's really the only weapon you carry, you will never make it home. Ever heard of Jim Stevens?"

"No, I haven't. Who is he?" asked Mr. Jones.

"He's the leader of the worst band of robbers in the West. He lives not far from here. He cares no more for Bibles than for rattlesnakes, sir. I hope you don't meet him, for he won't treat you kindly."

The men talked together a few minutes more and then went to bed.

The following day Mr. Jones mounted his horse and continued his journey. As evening came he began looking for a place to spend the night. Presently he saw a house in the distance and quickly made his way toward it. He knocked at the door, and a rough-looking man harshly asked him what he wanted. Mr. Jones explained that he needed food and a place to spend the night.

The man consulted with several other men and at last they called to him to join them. By now, Mr. Jones was sure he was in the robber's home, but, not at all afraid, he took the seat they offered him, and asked for something to eat.

As he ate, they talked about Mr. Jones' journey. The conversation was interrupted when someone entered the room. It was Jim Stevens. Seeing a stranger among the men, Jim approached Mr. Jones, and asked him, "Aren't you afraid to travel in this part of the country, alone and unarmed?"

"No sir," answered Mr. Jones calmly, reaching for his Bible. "This is my weapon. I always read a chapter and pray before I go to bed. I know you are robbers, but I'm going to read and pray here tonight, and I will be glad to have you join me."

He cares no more for Bibles than for rattlesnakes, sir. I hope you don't meet him, for he won't treat you kindly.

A shout of laughter greeted this speech, but Mr. Jones paid no attention to the men. He began to read aloud. Gradually the men became quiet, and when he knelt to pray, every knee was bowed. It was a strange sight to see that band of robbers and murderers kneeling and listening to the brave man's prayer. When he had finished, they showed him a bed, where he lay down and slept soundly.

The next morning, Mr. Jones rose early. Before breakfast he read from his Bible and prayed. When he was ready to leave, he offered the men some money for his food and lodging, but they refused to accept it, telling him they had enjoyed having him stay for the night.

That evening, when Mr. Jones arrived in the next settlement, he heard the sad news that the man he had met at the inn had been killed. He had mocked Mr. Jones' trust in God, but his knives and pistols were of no use to him. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Just as the Lord had shut the mouths of the lions and kept Daniel safe, so the Lord preserved Mr. Jones from the robbers. — DK

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