SOME years ago, in one of the manufacturing towns of the north of England, a large factory was destroyed by fire, and several lives were lost.
The fire was caused by an explosion of gas whilst the workpeople were engaged in their daily employment. All was apparently going on as usual, when suddenly the whole scene became one of indescribable terror, and the workpeople saw that their lives were in danger, and rushed in frantic excitement to the nearest place of exit. Some were driven back by the fury of the flames and clouds of smoke which filled every corner of the building. Cries for help were heard from various parts, and willing hands were near, and rendered assistance in providing means of escape.
One poor girl was heard shouting for help from one of the windows above, which was about four stories high, and at intervals through the clouds of smoke her face could be seen looking towards the crowd below; her mother was amongst the crowd, and she recognized her child, and shouted, “Jump, Lizzie;” but the girl was afraid to do so from that great height, she preferred to stay there a few moments longer, expecting that some help would come; but the mother became more terrified every moment, and again cried out excitedly, “Jump, Lizzie, or you will be lost.” Lizzie was still afraid, and several strong navvies who were near, seeing that she could not possibly be saved unless she leaped, held out their arms to catch her, but she refused their help. The mother then became more excited than ever, calling upon her child to leap, and expressing her confidence in the men who promised to catch her, when ultimately she cried out, “I will come then,” and no sooner had these words escaped her lips when a terrible crash was heard and she instantly disappeared. The beams of the floor on which she had been standing had become charred with the flames, and crumbled under the heavy weight of the machinery which was upon them, and the girl had fallen, with some of her companions, to the bottom of the building.
She had delayed her salvation only a moment too long. She intended to be saved, and at the very moment she was preparing for the leap, the fatal beams gave way beneath her If they had stood firm another moment, she would have been saved!
What a solemn warning this is! one which should not fail to awaken in the heart of every unconverted person, the fact that it is folly to reject the beseeching’s of God to flee to Him, which is the only place of safety. You may, like the girl, have said, “I will come,” but have not done so yet; you may intend to have the question of your sins settled with God soon, perhaps next month, or next week, yea, even perhaps tomorrow, but God says NOW. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). “Come, for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:1717And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (Luke 14:17)). Not in a moment from now,—no, just now, in the very spot where you are, for you have not a moment’s lease of your life. It may be that the Lord Jesus Christ will come, or grim death may lay his cold hand upon your heart, before you have read this paper, and then you will be brought before Him as a Judge (Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)), and be hurled from His presence into “eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:2121His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)). God is waiting, with open arms, to receive you now. You cannot afford to wait; this moment may be your last, and what an awful thing it will be for you to enter eternity unsaved, with the gospel of God’s grace upon your lips! J. M.
Realization is all good enough, but it is worth nothing as an evidence of salvation. Christ’s work is the ground, and God’s word the assurance of that. “When I see the blood, I will pass over,” was the word in Egypt. Not “When you see the blood and feel its value.” No soul ever fully sees the value of that blood. God does, however, and His estimate of it is applied to the believing soul. Not my feelings, but God’s estimate of Christ’s blood, is the ground of my peace before Him.
W. T. P. W.