Oswald Smith

In the deep shades of his own wooded estate and down where the sea dashes against the lofty cliffs, Charles Vivian wanders on, hour after hour.

And what are the words that ring through his brain? They are those of the text which had that day formed the preacher's message: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

How strange that words so well known, so familiar, so oft-repeated should suddenly have power to raise a tempest in the soul!

"If the announcement is for all, then it is for me," was the oft-repeated thought.

"How clearly", he said, how convincingly Mr. Langsdale proved the necessity of regeneration for a race so very far gone from God, if they are ever to be made meet for a world of holiness. And if it be essential for all, it follows that it must be essential for me.
"But after all", Vivian asked, "who ever experienced this wonderful transition?"

The Rev. Edward Langsdale was in his study when his servant entered with a note. It was from Vivian, inviting him to dinner on the same day. Mr. Langsdale hastily wrote a few lines of acceptance, and a little later they were at the dinner table. Vivian was speaking.

"Yes, Mr. Langsdale," he was saying, "the subject of your sermon last Sunday has occupied my mind ever since, and I am exceedingly anxious to discuss it." "I shall be most happy," Mr. Langsdale replied, with a gratified air. "What I want to know is this," said Vivian, with abrupt vehemence, "is it a real and practical thing?"

"To what do you allude?"

"To the new birth spoken of in your text, and which you so clearly demonstrated to be essential to salvation."

"Can you doubt it?" Mr. Langsdale said in some surprise. "There are those, indeed, who speak of this as a mere figure; but the passage refutes this theory. The word in the original has the force of `born from above.'

"Again the figure is repeatedly changed, but never weakened. For instance, it is called a passing from `death unto life' (John 5:24) from `darkness to light", (Acts. 26:18).
"It is, then a genuine transformation which the soul of man actually undergoes while in this world?" "Unquestionably," Mr. Langsdale replied.

"And how does it take place?" Vivian asked with intense interest. "There is some diversity of opinion among the schoolmen," he began thoughtfully; but Vivian hastily interrupted him-
"Never mind the schoolmen," he exclaimed impatiently; "books and theories and speculations are all humbug when a man is anxious.' Then meeting a look of grave surprise and embarrassment, he added, in a low tone of deep feeling -- "Excuse me, Mr. Langsdale, but my soul is stirred to its depths. Eternity is at stake, and I am groping in darkness and can see no light. Tell me - I implore you to tell me who has known this wondrous change? Is it a thing really takes place? In a word, have you---?"

The table shook with the agitation of his strong frame, and his quivering lips refused the sentence. But it needed not. He was answered in the ashy paleness that overspread his listener's face.

Inexpressibly shocked, and deeply reproaching himself for his inconsiderate abruptness, Vivian rose from the table, and stood leaning against the open window. Lost in thought, he knew not how the time passed, till he felt a hand laid upon his arm, and heard a voice whisper, "My brother, let us pray."

Vivian turned quickly. His young pastor stood before him, with such an expression in his pale and thoughtful face, that strong man though he was, he felt the tears rush to his eyes. He saw it all in a moment. They were both to seek together for what both equally needed.
Yes, Mr. Langsdale was a clergyman, a Rector in the Church of England, and yet he had never been born again. He preached it; he believed it, but - he had never experienced it.
Have you? You must, you know, if you are ever to be fitted for Heaven. Oh, then, confess that you are a sinner, and receive Jesus Christ, the resurrected, ever living Christ, as your Savior, and you too will be born again, born from above. Will you do it? Do it and do it-NOW.