"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

Ashamed by D.G. Miles McKee Some years ago, an eminent minister of the Gospel lay on his death bed and a friend asked him, "Are you afraid to die?" " No," he said, turning his dimming eyes on his questioner. "No, I am not afraid, but I am ashamed!" These words impacted me. I identified with them entirely. I love and believe the message of grace but when I look at my past life, I cringe. I am ashamed. I am compelled to say with Bishop Beveredge, 'I cannot but look back upon my whole life but as one continued act of sin! " I melt when I consider God´s patience and forbearance towards me. How does he put up with me? I´m amazed at the hideous vitality of sin and self that yet lurks within me. I am ashamed. I have not preached the way I should have preached. I am ashamed. I have wasted opportunities for the Gospel and am ashamed. I see my lack of love and am ashamed. I see my ingratitude and shortcomings and am ashamed. I realize

“ Every essential truth that we part with is an infinite loss; and we daily see an awful departure from the doctrines of the gospel. Errors gain ground and champions for the truth are but few in number when compared to the other hosts. Remember, God’s decrees shall not always be called horrible, nor an everlasting righteousness be called imputed nonsense. Vindictive justice shall avenge the quarrel of sovereign mercy as soon as old time shall bring in "the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion" (Isaiah 34:8) . Let us contend for God’s truth, and leave our testimonies on record that others, who come after us, may tread in our steps and not leave volumes of free-agency, human merit, and a pack of nonsense behind us. We may be sure they will bring enough of this trash in their hearts when they come into the world, therefore we need not add to their abundance.” – Gospel report by preacher William Huntington (1745 - 1813 A.

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" -Jeremiah 8:22 [KJV] There is balm in Gilead, and there is a physician there. This is, and must ever be, our only hope. If there were no balm in Gilead, what could we do but lie down in despair and die? For our sins are so great, our backslidings so repeated, our minds so dark, our hearts so hard, our affections so cold, our souls so wavering and wandering, that if there were no balm in Gilead, no precious blood, no sweet promises, no sovereign grace, and if there were no physician there, no risen Jesus, no great High Priest over the house of God, what well-grounded hope could we entertain? Not a ray. Our own obedience and consistency! These are a bed too short and a covering too narrow. But when there is some application of the balm in Gilead, it softens, melts, humbles, and at the same time thoroughly heals. Nay, this balm strengthens every nerve and sinew, heals blindness, remedies deafness, cures paral