The Iron Pen #61

God & Country

"Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic text book in all fields. God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct."

Noah Webster (1758-1843) -- "the Schoolmaster of the Nation."

More About Noah Webster

Noah Webster was a statesman, educator, lexicographer and author. In the 1780’s while teaching in New York he published his famous "blue-backed" spellers which gave the English Language their first standardized spelling for words. These early spellers even contained a "Moral Catechism" with rules from the scriptures upon which to base moral conduct. In 1828 he published his American Dictionary of the English Language. It contained the greatest number of Biblical definitions given in any secular volume. In 1833 he translated the Common Version of the Holy Bible. In 1843, just before he died, Noah Webster publicly professed: I know whom I have believed, and that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day. (America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations)

Preach The Word

1. It Is Life – Philippians 2:16
2. It Is Light – Psalm 119:105
3. It Is Power – Romans 1:16
4. It Is Pure – Psalm 119:140
5. It Is Unchanging – Psalm 119:89
6. It Searches – Hebrews 4:12
7. It Judges – John 12:48

(Selected Sermon Outline from 1879)

Who put the SIN in SINCLAIR?

When I was a youngster there were two gasoline signs that always caught my eye -- the flying red horse, which I think was on the Mobile signs, and the green dinosaur on Sinclair signs. Years later, as a young Christian, I read a book by Dr. Walter Wilson that motivated me to be a soul winner. Here is one of the true stories as told by Dr. Wilson.

 One time I was down in southern Kansas on the way to a meeting and I heard that peculiar, unhappy gurgle in the engine that told me I was out of gasoline. I was going about 60 miles an hour and I threw it out of gear and coasted. Then I said, "Holy Spirit, there may be somebody along this route who needs Christ. I will be glad if You will keep me going until I find that fellow." Do you know, I coasted about five miles into a Sinclair station. There was a door in the middle of the little building, and on one side were the letters "S-I-N." On the other side were of the door were the letters "C-L-A-I-R."

 A man came to the car window and said, "Can I fill her up for you?" I said, "Yes; but I want to know something. Who put the SIN in Sinclair, and how is he going to get rid of it?" He looked up and said, "Well, I swear! I never saw that before. But it isn’t the sin in Sinclair that is bothering me, it’s the sin inside of here."

He was just ready for the gospel, so I took out my Bible and led him to Christ through the window. The Lord let me run out of gas, because He knew I would never stop there otherwise, and He knew that fellow was in soul trouble.

Thoughts On Prayer

No care, but all prayer. No anxiety, but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the Lord of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer, and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully, but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace, give Him thanks. Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; "make known your requests." Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him. This shall bring you God’s own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy.

The Sacred Volume

Here is the spring where waters flow,
to quench our heart of sin:
Here is the tree where truth doth grow,
to lead our lives therein:
The tidings of salvation dear,
comes to our ears from hence:
The fortress of our faith is here,
and shield of our defense.

No Tolls!

"The way to Heaven lies not over a toll-bridge, but over a free-bridge; even the unmerited grace of God in Christ Jesus. Grace finds us beggars but leaves us debtors." Augustus Toplady 1740-1778