“What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mk 8:37). Rowland Hill (1744-1833) had preached to large crowds before. Once, it is recorded, he preached to 20,000 at Calton Hill in Edinburgh. On this occasion, the scene is Moorfields Common and he is preaching when the carriage of Lady Ann Erskine approaches. Every eye is drawn away to the new arrival. But the preacher seizes on the situation. “Let us conduct an auction,” he declares. “The article offered is the soul of Lady Ann Erskine, and there are three bidders! The world offers riches, honors and pleasures; the devil offers all the kingdoms of this earth and the glory of them; the Lord Jesus Christ offers grace here and glory hereafter. Who shall have the soul of Lady Ann Erskine?” The words, we are told, make a deep impression on the lady’s heart, and by them she was brought under deep conviction of her sin before the Lord, and later, into the liberty of the gospel of God’s redeeming grace.
Today’s Reading: Psalms 83-85 Memorize: Luke 15:20