During the Spanish-American War, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (who became the 26th president of the United States) commanded a regiment of rough-riders in Cuba. He became much attached to his men, and was greatly concerned when a number of them fell sick.

Hearing that Miss Clara Barton (the woman who devoted herself to the work of nursing the wounded soldiers and was the founder of the American Red Cross in America in 1881) had received a supply of food for the invalids under her care, Colonel Roosevelt requested her to sell a portion of them to him for the sick men of his regiment.

His request was refused. The Colonel was very troubled; he cared for his men and was willing to pay for the supplies out of his own pocket.

"How can I get these things?" he asked. "I must have proper food for my sick men."

"Just ask for them, Colonel."

"Oh!" said Roosevelt, his face breaking into a smile, "that's the way, is it? Then I do ask for them." He got them at once.

How often the Colonel's mistake is repeated in connection with the matter of salvation! People seem to expect to receive it in exchange for something that they can offer. One brings an earnest prayer; a second brings a vow or pledge to turn over a new leaf; a third brings an inwardly-made resolution to live a better and purer life; a fourth thinks that before he can be saved he must produce some evidence of his sincerity in the shape of an improvement in his conduct; a fifth imagines that he can obtain this great blessing by conformity to certain religious observances.

Now the truth is that God's salvation can only be had as a free gift. Pride rebels against such terms. It would rather pay, however small the price. But God is too great to sell His blessing, nor could any man merit it in the smallest degree, however long he might try. But God is prepared to meet the sinner with his hands FULL of richest blessing if only the sinner will come with EMPTY hands to receive it.

"The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:32). It comes to us on the principle of faith in Him, that is, personal confidence in Christ as Saviour.

—S.S.V.