Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
are complete. . . . After the Christian arch has been reared in
massive grandeur, and spread abroad in comprehensive girth,
why should we give ourselves any unnatural toil, in striving to
bring back the scaffolding? It is the labour of Titans, which
cannot profit, but may ultimately crush those who gratuitously
carry
such heavy burdens!
569. Did you ever read of a boy who stood on a muddy road
and promised God he would be a Christian if there and then
God would dry up the puddles? He wanted a miracle to make
him a believer. . . . The man who is not persuaded by the gospel
will never be persuaded by a ghost. Let no one wait, before
accepting Jesus, for something extraordinary to happen. Morrison.
570. "Just what is the value of the infidel argument from
experience? I would point out that the use of the word Violation'—in
Hume's phrase, 'violation of the laws of nature'—is
not the best word to use in defining a miracle. The matter is
made very clear in the following quaint conversation. 'I regard
a miracle,' said uncle, 'to be merely such an interference wi' the
established coorse o' things as infallibly shows us the presence
and action o' a supernatural power. What o'clock is it wi' you,
sir, if you please?' 'It is half-past twelve, exactly, Greenwich
time,' replied Smith. 'Well, sir,' said uncle, pulling a huge old
timepiece from his pocket, 'it's one o'clock wi' me; I generally
keep my watch a bit forrit. But I may hae a special reason noo
for setting my watch by the railway, and so, see ye, I'm turning
the hands o' 't round. Noo, wad ye say that I have violated the
laws of a watch? True, I hae dune what watchdom, wi' a' its
laws, couldna hae dune for itself; but I hae dune violence to
nane o' its laws. My action is only the interference of a superior
intelligence for a suitable end; but I hae violated nae law. Well,
then, instead of the watch, say the universe ; instead of moving
the hands, say God acting worthily of Himself ; and we hae a'
that I contend for in a miracle : that is, the unquestionable
presence of an almighty hand working the divine will. And if
He sees fit to work miracles, what can hinder Him? He has
dune it oftener than once or twice already; and wha daur say
that He'll not get leave to do't again?'"
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