Ding! Dong! Bell!
Ding! Dong! Bell! goes the bell in the old tower. I suppose some of you who live in towns and villages have heard it from your earliest days, morning, noon, and night. Sometimes it tells of danger, some times of death, and other times of joy. Strange old bell! It has lots of different messages to carry to the people from one year’s end to the other, and nobody loves the old bell a bit the less because it tells its story loud and clear. I think we could gather up a few lessons this afternoon from some of its calls. I was thinking as I heard it toll, that God has His bells too, and that the one is very like the other.
The Fire Bell
Nobody likes to hear it. It has a strange alarming sound, especially when it tolls in the calm still hours of night. I remember being awakened once by the sound of the fire bell, and getting out of bed I found that a large house nearby was in flames and others in danger. It was kind of the old bell ringer to wake us up to our danger, or we might have perished. God has a fire bell too, dear boys and girls. It is sounding loud and clear today, “Escape for thy life”— “Flee from the wrath to come.” The fire of God’s judgment is coming. Have you taken warning and fled to Christ, or are you still sleeping while the fire of His wrath comes nearer and nearer every hour?
The Death Bell
A slow, mournful peal, telling of someone who passed away into eternity, reminding us of the words, “It is appointed unto men once to die.” Again, “Be ye also ready.” Every time the death bell sounds, it reminds you that your days on earth are few, and that soon you may die and enter eternity. Where will you spend eternity?
The Marriage Bell
These are joyful sounds, telling of union and happiness. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Heaven rejoices when a sinner believes and is united to Christ. Have you given such joy in heaven, boys? Have you been united to the risen Christ, girls?
The School Bell
It calls you to take your place in the classroom as learners, and to do what your teacher bids you. This is the bell for boys and girls who are saved. They are called to be disciples. Jesus says, “Learn of Me.” “Search the Scriptures.” Do not neglect this call, dear lambs of Jesus’ flock, but seek to be diligent scholars in the school of Jesus Christ. “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” 2 Timothy 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
The Judgment Bell
Two or three times a year, in days gone by, the old bells tolled to let people know that the judge had taken his seat, and prisoners in their cells were brought forth to be sentenced. How that sound would ring through the old prison and make the prisoner tremble. He knew that the hour had come when he must appear before the judge and answer for his deed. There is a day coming when sinners will hear the call of God to judgment. Where will you be then, dear children? Saved ones will be out of the judgment and safe with the Judge; unsaved ones will stand before the Judge in that day, to be condemned and sent into everlasting punishment.
Do not linger, do not trifle, dear boys and girls, but come to Jesus, and He will save you now.
ML 08/08/1965