THE BIG TENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1938, Page 12

THE BIG TENT

ANOTHER ILLUSTRATED ADDRESS

Last night, in the Big Tent, the tilth meeting of the Gospel Mission was held. Mr J. K. Robinson delivered an interesting and instructive address on “The Hand of Deliverance,” using a large chart by way of illustration. The chart was a drawing of a man’s hand, and was used to convey a concise idea of the various divisions of the Bible. The thumb was called “Coming Up to Christ,’ ’and represented the Old Tesatment, which prepared the Jews for the coming of the Messiah. The index linger was called “Coming of Christ,” and indicated the first four books of the New Testament, which are biographies of Jesus Christ. The second finger bore the label “Coming into Christ,’ 'and referred to t b o beck of Acts, which reveals how the Gospel was first preached 1 and how men and women first began to accept the terms of salvation. The third linger indicated “Continuing in Christ,” and pointed out the Epistles, from Roman to Jude, as the guide and inspiration of those who had commenced the Christian life. The little finger was called “Crowned with Chirst,” and referred to the book of Revelation which tells of the triumph .of those who trust in Christ. On the palm of the hand were the words, “These live lingers are around a pierced palm,” and th© speaker explained that the central message of the Bible was Christ —His coming into the world, dying for the human race, and rising from the dead. He is the Deliverer, and His hand is reaching down to save all who will grasp it. “The Bible.” said the speaker, “is the world's one deathless and universal book. Every year it is the world’s best seller, and wherever it is read ail'd obeyed, light and blessing came for man. Yet there would be no meaning in the Bible if the fact of the atoning death of Christ were taken out of its records. Its- avowed purpose is to reveal to man a way out of his sin and bondage back to God and life and happiness. It tells of the Saviour and His power to save. It is this theme which unifies the Bible, and makes it one book, and saves it from being merely a collection of ancient manuscripts. Through the Bible 'the pierced hands of the Saviour are held out to us to-day, and the Saviour speaks His words to us which He ■'spoke to Thomas, “Behold my hands •; . . and be not faithless but believing.” Those hand's reach out to save fallen men and women to-day, but unless we by faith take hold we shall not be saved- Christ can save us-only •when we let Him, so the message goes 1 fopth, “Give Christ a chance to help you I ”