A YOUNG man once asked an aged Christian, how long before death must one be prepared for it.
“A few minutes,” was the old man’s answer.
“So,” thought the youth, “I have plenty of time to enjoy life, and when the end comes, I shall ask God to have mercy on me.”
“But,” continued his old friend, “when do you think you will die?”
“That I don’t know,” replied the youth.
“Then get ready now,” said the old man, “for you know not the hour of your death. What is your life? It is a vapor, that is seen for a short time, and then vanishes. You know not what tomorrow may bring forth.”
To illustrate this truth I will tell you of a case that has happened.
A miner who had heard a gospel address, spoke after the address to the minister of the gospel, who earnestly urged him to go to Jesus, so that he might get salvation through Him. Although the miner felt his need of a Savior, he still wanted to put it off, but when the servant of God reminded him of these words: “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation,” he bowed to God’s Word, received deliverance through faith, and went home thanking God for His unspeakable grace.
The following day he went to his usual work, but was scarcely in the mine, when a part of the roof fell in on him, and buried him under the earth and rubbish. They hurried to get him out, and to all appearance he was brought up lifeless out of the pit. One of the by-standers seeing his lips move, listened and heard him utter these words: “God be praised that He saved me last night for all eternity.” Some hours later he passed away, to be forever with the Lord.
Dear children, do not put off for a single moment coming to the Lord Jesus! Accept His loving invitation; “Come unto Me!” If you do not come to Him now, it will soon be too late, and you will hear Him say to you, “Depart from Me!”
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at naught all My counsel,... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.... Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me. For they did not choose the fear of the Lord.” {vi 16425-16430}Prov. 1:24-29.
“Whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely.” Prov. 1:33.
ML-12/05/1920