Christian. I thanked God and him most sincerely for the beautiful story, and all the more because I am convinced that this is where many are up against the will of God today in not recognizing believing children as the lambs of the flock.
The text he gave me was one that had been much in his mind for a considerable time: “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:17).
Photo of William R. Andrew
CHAPTER 14
THE THREE THEMES
OF A HERO
Tribute by Mr. William R. Andrew,
Glasgow
In private life in Chicago
Mr. Harper was bright and joyful,
and though at times
he was ill and suffered great pain,
which was aggravated by over-work,
he gloried in his weakness,
because thereby the power of Christ
was manifested in him.
IT IS HARD TO REALIZE that the friend and brother who was so much to us has been removed from this scene of labor, and that we shall never again here join heart and hand with him in proclaiming the love of Jesus to this poor sin-stricken world.
The preaching of our brother was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. His themes were the Cross of Christ, God’s marvelous grace to man, and the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. His messages on grace held his audiences spellbound by the hour. As the Spirit of God carried the truth home to the hearts of his hearers, he called upon them to yield, repeating over and over again the words of a favorite chorus:
“Nay, but I yield, I yield,
I can hold out no more.
I sink, by dying love constrained,
and own Thee conqueror.”
The message of Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me,” was another upon which our dear brother laid great emphasis. Often he would have the audience repeat the words of that text carefully and prayerfully, and, as they did so, many entered into a new conception of its meaning, and a new experience of its truth by accepting “God’s reckoning alone.”
THE SONG ON JOHN HARPER’S LIPS
The following words of a hymn were many times upon his own lips:
“Buried with Christ and raised with Him too,
What is there left for me to do?
Simply to cease from struggle and strife,
Simply to walk in newness of life.”
HIS STRENGTH CAME OUT OF WEAKNESS
In private life in Chicago, Mr. Harper was bright and joyful, and though at times he was ill and suffered great pain, which was aggravated by over-work, he gloried in his weakness, because thereby the power of Christ was manifested in him.
A SYMPATHETIC LISTENER
In any spare time he had, Harper was at the disposal of those who came, as many did each day, some to confess sin and to be helped, guided, and prayed with. He was a loving, sympathetic listener to many tales of sorrow and wrongdoing, and nothing was a trouble to him, and nothing a sacrifice if by any means he might save some.
His preparation for all this service was in his prayer life. What was witnessed and shared of that was a never-to-be-forgotten privilege. Often after a hard day’s work, he would reach his room tired out and much in need of rest and sleep, but something else claimed him. Instead of retiring, he threw himself on his knees at the bedside, and by the hour, he poured out his soul in agonizing prayer to God that salvation and blessing might come to those in Chicago, and London, and Scotland, who were refusing the message of the Spirit. Friends were mentioned by name—those with whom he had been associated in gospel work during the years of his ministry, and many as well about whose salvation he was concerned.
A VOICE WITH “TONES” OF LOVE
There was a touch of softness and love and intimacy in the very tones of his voice as, in prayer, he used the beloved name, “Lord Jesus.” It was evident that even then our brother had gone far into the presence of his Lord. Then ceasing prayer
The text he gave me was one that had been much in his mind for a considerable time: “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:17).
Photo of William R. Andrew
CHAPTER 14
THE THREE THEMES
OF A HERO
Tribute by Mr. William R. Andrew,
Glasgow
In private life in Chicago
Mr. Harper was bright and joyful,
and though at times
he was ill and suffered great pain,
which was aggravated by over-work,
he gloried in his weakness,
because thereby the power of Christ
was manifested in him.
IT IS HARD TO REALIZE that the friend and brother who was so much to us has been removed from this scene of labor, and that we shall never again here join heart and hand with him in proclaiming the love of Jesus to this poor sin-stricken world.
The preaching of our brother was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. His themes were the Cross of Christ, God’s marvelous grace to man, and the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. His messages on grace held his audiences spellbound by the hour. As the Spirit of God carried the truth home to the hearts of his hearers, he called upon them to yield, repeating over and over again the words of a favorite chorus:
“Nay, but I yield, I yield,
I can hold out no more.
I sink, by dying love constrained,
and own Thee conqueror.”
The message of Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me,” was another upon which our dear brother laid great emphasis. Often he would have the audience repeat the words of that text carefully and prayerfully, and, as they did so, many entered into a new conception of its meaning, and a new experience of its truth by accepting “God’s reckoning alone.”
THE SONG ON JOHN HARPER’S LIPS
The following words of a hymn were many times upon his own lips:
“Buried with Christ and raised with Him too,
What is there left for me to do?
Simply to cease from struggle and strife,
Simply to walk in newness of life.”
HIS STRENGTH CAME OUT OF WEAKNESS
In private life in Chicago, Mr. Harper was bright and joyful, and though at times he was ill and suffered great pain, which was aggravated by over-work, he gloried in his weakness, because thereby the power of Christ was manifested in him.
A SYMPATHETIC LISTENER
In any spare time he had, Harper was at the disposal of those who came, as many did each day, some to confess sin and to be helped, guided, and prayed with. He was a loving, sympathetic listener to many tales of sorrow and wrongdoing, and nothing was a trouble to him, and nothing a sacrifice if by any means he might save some.
His preparation for all this service was in his prayer life. What was witnessed and shared of that was a never-to-be-forgotten privilege. Often after a hard day’s work, he would reach his room tired out and much in need of rest and sleep, but something else claimed him. Instead of retiring, he threw himself on his knees at the bedside, and by the hour, he poured out his soul in agonizing prayer to God that salvation and blessing might come to those in Chicago, and London, and Scotland, who were refusing the message of the Spirit. Friends were mentioned by name—those with whom he had been associated in gospel work during the years of his ministry, and many as well about whose salvation he was concerned.
A VOICE WITH “TONES” OF LOVE
There was a touch of softness and love and intimacy in the very tones of his voice as, in prayer, he used the beloved name, “Lord Jesus.” It was evident that even then our brother had gone far into the presence of his Lord. Then ceasing prayer
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