I was once at a gospel service where a hymn was sung which I have forgotten, except for the refrain of “Be in time, be in time!” Those words rang in my ears all day and, strangely, there was a little incident that reinforced the memory to me.
I was traveling by train that day, and happily I had plenty of time to buy my ticket and watch the train whiz into the station. I took my seat, and soon I felt the train moving. At that very instant the porter cried, “Hurry up!” Hot and panting, a young girl rushed along the platform and was pushed into the train by him, at the same time receiving warning to “be in time” another day.
Before she could get seated, another woman who had been studying the books on the stall for at least ten minutes turned around and saw the train beginning to move. She ran forward with a cry, “Is that the Manchester train?”
“Stand back!” shouted the guard.
“Stop the train! Stop the train! I must get to Manchester!”
“Too late, ma’am,” said the porter grabbing her arm.
The train was now picking up speed, and I could no longer see the woman and the porter. I turned from the window in time to hear the remark of an old woman in the seat ahead: “Well, now, wasn’t she silly-with the porters calling out, ‘Manchester and points north! All aboard for Manchester,’ in her ears!”
Perhaps she was silly, but I felt sorry for that woman. She evidently meant to “be in time” for that train-but-she lost it! How sad!
Don’t forget this little incident. Let your ears be open to the gospel cry going on around you, and answer it.
Do not even be like the girl who just caught it, but be in time yourself, and then help others to catch the train too. Remember you are at the door of eternity and have more important things to do than to fritter away your time.