THE midnight train was about to leave the station to catch the steamer early the following morning, bound for the Canadian shores. Many loved ones had gathered round and were standing upon the platform to bid farewell to their friends and relations. Among them was a fond mother taking her last leave of her boy. The expression upon her face told its own tale, as with these parting words she left him, “Don’t forget the God above.” The thought passed through my mind, that no doubt she had trained him in the ways of God, and was anxious lest, amid his new companions and surroundings in another land, he might, perchance, forget the One Whom she had trained him to fear.
As the train moved slowly out of the station, and with the words still fresh in my memory, I said:
“You have a Bible there?”
“Yes,” said he, “it was a present from my Sunday-school teacher as a keepsake.”
“Well, I hope you will read it,” I said, “and that this and your mother’s words will lead you to know and confess Him Who died your precious soul to win.”
A few days elapsed and the vessel reached her destination, and we parted.
It may be possible, my reader, as you read these lines, that you need to be reminded of Him Who is above, Who takes account of things as they really are, and to Whom you are an object of interest. You may have been prosperous in life, and even been like the man of whom it is written, “He fared sumptuously every day.” Everything may have gone so well with you that you prefer to have no interruption in your plans by the intrusion of eternal things. You have rocked yourself in the cradle of ease and indifference; all, that you might not entertain God in your thoughts. Be frank and honest with yourself. Is it not so? You must admit it is. But is it not written, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God”?
Is this not the truth? I trust, my friend, you may not open your eyes to the reality of it when it is too late. Lend your ear to the voice of God. Bow your heart to Christ. Confess the name of Him Who stooped in matchless love and grace to come near to you, in order that you might make His acquaintance and live to serve Him Who is worthy of it. Remember His words to Jerusalem, “Now in this thy day.”
Do not let the pleasures of a passing scene rob you of an eternity of bliss. Men fear death.
They try hard to ward it off, but in vain. It is a terrible intrusion upon the most pleasing circumstance as well as the most untoward.
Meet God you must! You cannot evade His scrutiny. These are days of callous indifference, and, with the majority, it is as with Gallio, who “cared for none of those things.” But listen. God has fixed a day when all shall bow the knee, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Oh, that you might own His authority now. But whether you do or not, we can, upon the authority of Scripture, tell you “that God hath made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ.”
There are myriads today who can testify to the worthiness of the exalted Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, that you also may help to swell the ranks of such witnesses. The blessed God waits in patience to welcome you. The everlasting doors have been flung open. The King of glory has gone in, and been received with joyful acclamation. Thrice blessed Saviour! Thou art worthy to be trusted, loved, and adored! Soon eternal praises will begin, and Jesus will be delighting over all the once lost wanderers brought home to God. WILL YOU BE THERE? E. J. E.