THERE was a little boy, a long distance from where his father and mother lived. I did not hear how he was so far away from their home in Chicago, but he was longing to get to them. Me had no money, and so could not buy a ticket on the train, and as it was very many miles, he could not walk there. Poor boy, what was he to do? He was just like the sinner away from God; but we know what put the sinner so far away from God. I know lots of boys and girls who could tell us. They would say it was sin. Yes, it was sin. And it is a good thing to know it. I hope there will be a big longing in your hearts to get to God and to the beautiful home where the Lord Jesus is, and that it will lead you to find out the way to get there.
Well, this boy was in real earnest as you will see. And as he looked at the train for Chicago, he said, “If I could go with that train, I would soon be there.” Then he stepped in and sat down in one of the seats, and off went the train. Soon the conductor came through and said, “Tickets;” but poor boy he had no ticket, and the conductor spoke angrily to him and told him to get off at the next station. Well, the train stopped, and he got down; but he was so anxious to get to Chicago, that lie stepped on again and took his seat.
The conductor angrily demanded why he did not get out when he told him to. The boy said, “I did, sir, but I got on again.” “Well,” said the conductor. “You get off at the next station and stay off till I tell you to get on again.” The boy felt sad but did as he was told; and just as the train was starting from the station, he was ready to cry, when the conductor put up his hand and shouted, “All aboard.” “All, means me, too,” said the boy to himself and again he stepped into the train.
When the conductor came round again he was surprised to see the boy, and asked what this meant. The boy said, “You said, ‘All aboard’ sir, and that means me, too.” The conductor laughed at him, but said, “I must put you off, for you have no ticket,” but some gentlemen asked, “How much is his fare to Chicago?” The conductor told the amount, and they paid it for him. He did not pay his own fare; but it was paid for him, and the conductor said that was all he wanted and showed kindness to him the rest of the way. He was his friend after that.
Is that not like our blessed Saviour? He paid my fare and I am going to His home prepared on high. Are you going? Well, put you trust in Him. He will not cast you off but has provided everything for whoever will accept His salvation. And, remember, you cannot get there without Him.
Are you in earnest about your soul? What if the Lord comes and takes away His own without you? Then you must be left behind for eternal judgment. The Lord may come at any moment and shut the door. Which side of the door will you be on? Inside with the Lord and His people, or outside with the lost forever?
And it is so simple. Christ died for the ungodly. That is what I am by nature. So He has paid my fare. Blessed are all they that trust in Him.
An infidel said to a little girl, “You do not know the way to heaven.” “No,” she answered, “but the Lord Jesus does, and I can put my hand in His. He will take me there.”
Be in earnest, dear children,
For soon salvation’s day,
To you will pass away;
Then grace no more can say,
Still there is room.
ML 08/07/1904