shman said, on one occasion, that "he trembled; but the Rock never
did." We want to get sure footing.

In 2 Timothy i. 12 Paul says: "I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto
Him against that day." That was Paul's persuasion.

During the late war of the rebellion, one of the chaplains, going
through the hospitals, came to a man who was dying. Finding that he
was a Christian, he asked to what persuasion he belonged, and was
told "Paul's persuasion." "Is he a Methodist?" he asked; for the
Methodists all claim Paul. "No." "Is he a Presbyterian?" for the
Presbyterians lay special claim to Paul. "No," was the answer. "Does
he belong to the Episcopal Church?" for all the Episcopalian brethren
contend that they have a claim to the Chief Apostle. "No," he was not
an Episcopalian. "Then, to what persuasion does he belong?" "I am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto
Him against that day." It is a grand persuasion; and it gave the
dying soldier rest in a dying hour.

Let those who fear that they will not hold out turn to the 24th verse
of the Epistle of Jude: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from
falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His
glory with exceeding joy."

Then look at Isaiah xli. 10: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be
not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will
help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My
righteousness."

Then see verse 13: "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Now if God has got hold of my right hand in His, cannot He hold me
and keep me? Has not God the power to keep? The great God who made
heaven and earth can keep a poor sinner like you and like me if we
trust Him. To refrain from feeling confidence in God for fear of
falling--would be like a man who refused a pardon, for fear that he
should get into prison again; or a drowning man who refused to be
rescued, for fear of falling into the water again.

Many men look forth at the Christian life, and fear that they will
not have sufficient strength to hold out to the end. They forget the
promise that "as thy days, thy strength" (Deut. xxxiii. 25). It
reminds me of the pendulum to the clock which grew disheartened at
the thought of having to travel so many thousands of miles; but when
it reflected that the distance was to be