It was a lovely morning. The July sun sparkled on the dancing waters of a highland lake, as a merry party rowed across it to a quiet spot, where they were soon enjoying themselves in the water. But how quickly such scenes may change! An incautious leap into deep water, a smothered cry for help, and a young girl was struggling face to face with death. It is needless to dwell on those three or four minutes of intensified agony, that appeared so long, until through the mercy of God, friendly hands were able to lift into a boat the unconscious form which a few mites ago was bright with young life.
Presently they could rejoice to see breathing restored; she was resting quietly, and then she began to realize how that she had been on the very threshold of eternity. Solemn were the thoughts that pressed on all amid our thanksgiving, while a special gravity was in the young heart of her, so recently snatched from death. As she thought of it she exclaimed, “Oh, the agony of mind I felt when I saw no escape from drowning, and I did not know where I was going. Oh! I shall never forget it — never may I forget it!”
Will you not, dear friend, let this incident speak to your heart? The moment may be much nearer than you think when you shall be ushered into the presence of God. Who can tell the dreadful agony of facing that moment with no assurance of acceptance, but, on the contrary, with a fearful looking for of the judgment that follows death. For “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).
ML 10/01/1961