The Reason of the Hope.

Some weeks ago, the writer’s mail brought him a letter from one who signed herself “Sister Mary E——." It was written upon choice letter paper bearing the engraved name and address of a certain college. In courteous and persuasive language, it requested that this writer would favor that college with his autographed photograph, stating that a number of authors had responded favorably to a like request, and asking also that he would write a letter to the student body. Being in uncertainty as to what I ought to do, I wrote in reply, a non-committal letter, asking several questions calculated to elicit information as to whether, as I surmised, the college in question was under Roman Catholic auspices. The response from my unknown correspondent left no room for doubt as to this; and thereupon I found myself in a quandary. For how could I write to that student body of young women a letter that would bring them the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and yet would pass the scrutiny of the rigid censorship usual in such cases? As I sought an answer from above, the words of I Peter 3: 15 came into my mind.
The rest is told in the letter itself, which follows:
The First Sunday in Lent, 1938.
A Word to the Student Body of —— College, and to each Individual Member thereof.
I have been asked, by one previously unknown to me, to “write a letter to the Student Body of this College.” The request was presented in terms so gracious that I felt it impossible to refuse. Yet the sense of inadequacy oppressed me. What could I say that would be of benefit, or even of interest, to a student body of young women? As I pondered the matter in dire perplexity, there came distinctly to my mind the admonition written by St. Peter to the household of faith, bidding them not to be afraid, but to “sanctify Christ in their hearts and be ready ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of THE HOPE that is in you." This letter of God’s Apostle is addressed to those whom God had “begotten again unto a LIVING HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Therefore, seeing that I have this "living hope"—which is nothing less than a participation in the resurrection-life of Jesus Christ—and have been rejoicing therein for thirty-five years; it was impressed upon me that I should regard the gracious letter referred to above as an invitation to give a reason for the hope that is in me. Every real experience of the power and grace of God, especially one that has changed a man’s heart and has given a new direction to the whole course of his life, is a legitimate matter of interest (and is likely also to be an incentive) to others.
But before giving the reason of the hope that is in me, I would call attention to a fact which has greatly impressed me, namely, that Christians are the only people in the world who have a distinctive “Hope.” In other words, the Christian hope is the only hope there is. The Word of God significantly describes all who are “without Christ” as “having no hope and without God in the world.” Indeed, the very word “hope” has, for them, lost its true meaning; or rather, for them its meaning is reversed. For the true hope, which God has offered to men for them to “lay hold upon,” is “as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” But, as we all know by experience, when a person says, according to the common usage of the word, “I hope so,” he really means—not that he is sure of it, but—that he regards it as very doubtful.
Now, as to my personal “reason” for this hope that is in me, and as to how I came to “lay hold upon it” and “to hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end," I would have you to know that, in the year 1903, when at the height of my career as a lawyer, and of my worldly prosperity, I went forth one night in New York City to seek a diversion at the theater from anxieties of mind and torments of conscience. Details are unimportant, and moreover the limits of the available space forbid their recital. Enough to say that, arriving at the theater, I was about to purchase a seat, when an unseen hand turned me aside and later, I found myself, without volition of my own, in a place where, for the first time, I heard believingly the blessed truth, of the Gospel “that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.” Then, in the light of God’s Word, I saw the enormity of my sins, as measured by His agonies upon the cross;—but I saw also that it was for my sins He suffered there, and that, believing on His Name, they were all forgiven. Then I knew why it is written, “Thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins;” and I understood His own words: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will refresh you,” and I came just as I was.
The blessed consequences I have briefly indicated above, and that bare outline must suffice for the immediate purpose—giving a reason of the hope that is in me. I will only add that, during the intervening years, I have daily had proof of the faithfulness of His precious promise: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Those words, “Come unto Me," issued from the lips of Him Who spake as “never man spake.” It would be impossible to fit them in the lips of another. They have come down the long corridors of time, unchanged to this day, and they speak to the ears and hearts of our generation with all the freshness and all the authority of their original utterance. They constitute a standing invitation to “all," and they demand a response from each. What shall the answer be? But we are so “dull of hearing” and the enemy of souls, "the prince of this world,” has devised such a multitude of devices for distracting attention from the things that are vital. Then again, we are in the dawn of life and there will be plenty of time hereafter for making the great decision. Be not deceived, “Tomorrow” never comes. All the time we ever had or will have, till time shall be no more, is what we call “Today.” Man is ever saying “Tomorrow,” which never comes. “Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."
Therefore, delay not. Close your eyes. Do you see with the eyes of your heart His loving arms stretched out to receive and to save you? Do you hear His own voice saying, “Come unto Me?” Then come, just as you are, from just where you are, and just now. For “Now” is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation.” Wherefore, in what are almost the last words of the Bible, “The Spirit and the Bride say, COME. And let him who heareth say, COME. And let him that is athirst, COME. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
With affectionate greetings and good wishes to you all,
Yours in the "one hope of your calling,” Philip Mauro.
(All quotations in the above are from the Bible.)
Washington, D. C.

I received a prompt and appreciative reply, stating that the letter would probably be published in the college paper, and meanwhile itwould be posted on a bulletin board, under glass, in the ante-room of the college library “where all the students may see and read it.”

Will the readers of this paper unite with those who are asking that God will be pleased to use this testimony in the salvation of many of those precious souls?
"Bible Truth Depot" I. C. Herendeen
SWENGEL, (Union Co.), PA.