Debt is one of the most disturbing and harassing factors in human experience. It sows nettles in the pillow of poverty, and even the merchant, farmer and banker pursue a weary existence when they are compelled to live under the shadow of overhanging indebtedness. How many hearts would be lightened today if by some magic stroke their books of debit and credit were balanced and for once they could feel and know that they owed no man anything. The weight which financial indebtedness imposes is comparable only with the weight which the debts of sin heap upon us. As we think of the sins of envy, and of malice, and of hatred, falsehood, deceit and cupidity, which our conscience has been justly charging up against us since early years, the load becomes all but intolerable. At this moment the great Debt Payer steps upon the scene. He presents a check in payment of the entire amount. It is payable to our order. He says, “Endorse this and your account with sin is square.” As an evidence of our love and faith we write our names with confidence and boldness across the back of the check and step forth into life with new hope and new determination. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. _Hebrews 10:14._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. CANCELED DEBTS.] [Illustration] “FOLLOW ME.” Every soul has its calvary and that crucial hour in each life will witness the peaceful, forgiving, trustful spirit that was seen in Jesus, or it will witness the hateful, furious appalling dissolution that came to the unrepentant companion of his cross. “Follow me,” he cries from the scene of his crucifixion. “Follow me through the carpenter shop of Nazareth and the sick room of Nain and the street riots of Capernaum and the tears of Gethsemane.” We should expect no share in the fruits of Christ’s death, unless we participate in the work of his life. The cross is a meaningless symbol until we approach it over the pathway of humility, trust, self-denial and obedience. “Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, But not within thyself, thy soul shall be forlorn. The cross on Golgotha thou lookest to in vain, If not within thyself it be set up again.” [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. “FOLLOW ME.”] [Illustration] THE HOPE OF THE RACE.