The Uplifting Of CHRIST Crucified.

The divine magnet that draws with 

irresistible force, hearts of steel!

(Archibald Brown, "My Banner!" December 5th, 1869)

"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, 
will draw all men to MYSELF!" John 12:32

Whenever and wherever CHRIST is lifted up, 

then HIS power to attract is made plain. 

The elect of GOD, drawn by a power they 

have no ability or will to resist, take their 

places beneath the cross. 

The uplifting of CHRIST crucified, is GOD'S 

chosen means to draw to HIMSELF HIS elect, 

yet hidden people. The cross is the divine 

magnet that draws with irresistible 
force, hearts of steel. So mighty is its 
magnetic power, that it attracts those 
on whom all other means have failed.

We had often been compelled to take 

our stand before Mount Sinai. But though 

its lightnings flashed into our very eyes, 

and its thunders crashed right over head, 

our heart remained as hard as rock--

yes, pride seemed more rampant 

in that dread storm than ever--

we felt we might be broken--

but we resolved we would never bend.

There have been moments when Hell 

argued with us, and all its sentences 

were written in glowing flame! 

There were moments when eternal 

damnation forced itself upon our 

thoughts, and made us dread 

the death that never dies. 

But though our knees shook 

with fright, our flinty hearts 

remained unmelted.

Sinai and Hell both failed. 

So also did Heaven, for though 

we read of its glories, and heard tell 

of its joys, and sometimes had a languid 

desire at last to find our way there--

we still remained unattracted, and 

reveled in the vain world.

But when a bleeding SAVIOR 
hanging on a tree met our sight, 
then not only were our eyes riveted--

but an unseen hand touched 

every heart-string. We looked--

and looked--

and looked again--

and felt that as we looked, 

we were being drawn with silken 

cords nearer, yet nearer still, until 

we found ourselves as penitents 

at HIS blessed feet!

Beautifully has John Newton described 

this sweet experience as his own:

"In evil long I took delight,
 Unawed by shame or fear;
Until a new object struck my sight,
 And stopped my wild career!
I saw ONE hanging on a tree,
 In agonies and blood.
HE fixed HIS languid eyes on me,
 As near HIS cross I stood.
Sure never til my dying breath,
 Can I forget that look!
It seemed to charge me with HIS death,
 Though not a word HE spoke.
A second look HE gave, which said,
 I freely all forgive;
This blood is for your ransom paid,
 I die, that you may live!"