Spirit is the active Agent by whom the merits of the blood are
applied to our needs.

During the American Civil War certain men committed some
dastardly and unlawful deeds, and were sentenced to be shot. On
the day of the execution they stood in a row confronted by
soldiers with loaded muskets, waiting the command to fire. Just
before the command was given, the commanding officer felt a touch
on his elbow, and, turning, saw a young man by his side, who
said, "Sir, there in that row, waiting to be shot, is a married
man. He has a wife and children. He is their bread-winner. If you
shoot him, he will be sorely missed. _Let me take his place._"

"All right," said the officer; "take his place, if you wish; but
you will be shot."

"I quite understand that," replied the young man; "but no one
will miss me"; and, going to the condemned man, he pushed him
aside, and took his place.

Soon the command to fire was given. The volley rang out, and the
young hero dropped dead with a bullet through his heart, while
the other man went free.

His freedom came to him by blood. Had he, however, neglected the
great salvation, and, despising the blood shed for him, and
refusing the sacrifice of the friend and the righteous claims of
the law, persisted in the same evil ways, he, too, would have
been shot. The blood, though shed for him, would not have availed
to set him free. But he accepted the sacrifice, submitted to the