AM I on the right road for Dundee?” I was asked by a poor haggard-looking man of middle-age, and who had apparently toiled many miles that day, as I was quietly walking along one of the public roads in Fifeshire a few years ago, leading to the ferry of the above-mentioned town.
“Yes; you are on the right road; and you have so many miles to walk yet,” I replied, pointing to a milestone just opposite. “Are you on the right road for heaven?” I then asked.
“I can’t say that I am,” he replied, with his eyes turned to the ground.
He then told me how he had that morning left a Christian man (known to myself), who had several times spoken to him about these things. He said that he had been used to live a life of tramping from one place to another, and occasionally worked for a few days when he got work, but it was only a few days, as he felt so unsettled that he could not remain many days in one place. I felt interested in the poor man, and I was convinced that God had been working in his dark heart, and more especially when he told me that the last person who had given him a few coppers, and spoken kindly to him was the above Christian man, and after walking eighteen miles I was the next one who should have the same story to speak to him of―viz., Christ and His finished work.
A word with you now, dear unsaved reader.
You, too, like this poor tramp, are traveling “the broad way.” But, let me ask you, did you ever consider where it will lead you? Turn to Matthew 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13), and you will there read that the Lord says, “Broad is the way that leadeth”―where, reader? ― “to destruction.”
What an end, to your pleasure-seeking, your vanities, and follies, and sin― “destruction”! Ah! sinners laugh now, and turn up the lip, and put on a dignified air, when spoken to as to their souls’ condition; but the time is fast approaching when God says, “I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh” (Prov. 1:2626I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:26)). “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 15:2525The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. (Proverbs 15:25)).
But, my reader, there is at this moment a Saviour who is waiting―yea, longing―with all the love of His heart, to receive you. His precious blood has been shed; and it is only on the ground of that shed blood that a sinner―religious or irreligious―will ever enter that bright and blessed scene where Christ is the center and joy. It is “not of works, lest we should boast.” but “by his grace he hath saved us.”
Yes; Christ is the door of entrance into heaven― “I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” All are alike welcome―it is “any man.”
I would entreat you, dear reader, to come to Jesus now, for “now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation;” and rest assured that, coming to Him, He “will in nowise cast you out”
“All things are ready,” come; ―
Tomorrow may not be;
O sinner, come, the Saviour waits
This hour to welcome thee.”
J. R. B.