IT was early in the spring. I was asked by a friend to visit a poor old man, who was thought to be dying. For many years he had neither heard nor read the Bible; his life had been chiefly spent in the pleasures of the world. His wife kindly asked me in, and on entering the room such a sight met my eyes as I never shall forget. The object of my visit was propped up in bed by pillows. His white locks told that at least seventy years had passed over him. He was sinking fast. His voice was nearly gone; he could only speak in a low whisper. Through the long night he had continually uttered this one dreadful sentence, “It’s too late; it’s too late! What a fool I have been!” As I sat bide him I spoke gently to him of the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, and solemnly warned the old man of his need of such a Saviour. But he paid me no attention. Then I spoke to him of the tender compassion of Jesus and His willingness to save; whereupon the dying man turned his face and looked at me. Oh! the despair and terror written upon his countenance as, with a feeble voice, he moaned, “It’s too late now: no mercy for me!” Shortly after, he breathed his last.
Dear reader, have you believed? Have you truly bowed to the name of Jesus? Reader, what do you say? I warn you, in my Master’s name, not to delay, but to accept the proffered mercy ere it be too late. The mournful bell that knelled over the remains of the poor old man of whom I tell you, seems still to ring in my ears, “To-day! To-day!” To-morrow you may be in eternity, where no message of mercy is ever heard.
Oh! dear reader, take heed lest you be cut off in your sins. Do not trifle with the grace that still pleads with you: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Reader, will you sell your eternal happiness for a moments gratification? Why be so unreasonable, so cruel to your soul? Count not upon the opportunities of a death-bed. Oh! beware of to-morrow! Souls are generally lost, not because they resolve never to repent, but because they defer it, and defer till it is “too late.” Be warned by the solemn example before you. —(Selected.)
ML 12/10/1899