“Do You Read Your Bible?”
THE college boys dispersed as usual one Thursday afternoon at three o’clock, to their homes, their visits, or recreations; the boarders to return at the accustomed hour for tea. One of the latter was a youth of about seventeen, in the fifth form, who, on this occasion, spent the little interval of leisure in calling at various places, in one or two instances expressing his intention of coming again before long; and a special holiday was in prospect for the morrow. When he returned at tea time, he was too unwell to take his place at the table; and such serious symptoms were soon developed, that medical aid was sought, but sought in vain; for about half-past seven that evening he expired; and a subsequent examination proved that his sudden death had been caused by his having taken strychnia. How this came to pass was a mystery. There was, however, near the college, a shop in two compartments, combining thus the goods of a grocer and a chemist, but inadequately attended, and poisons were left within reach of the careless or inquisitive. This shop was a favorite resort of the boys for sweets or sherbet, and various were the conjectures as to how the poison could have reached poor W. M.’s lips. A very small taste would, of course, prove fatal; and no efforts availed to spare that young life so suddenly snatched from amongst his fellows.
A friend who had been conversing with W. M. not many days before, and who had asked him whether he read his Bible, greatly shocked to think that that had been her last opportunity of speaking with him, now asked to see that Bible, and carefully was it searched to find if there were any indication of what he had read or marked in that blessed Book. Yes, there was one page on which the candle grease had dropped, and where it had been evidently laid open; and there the eye caught these solemn words: ― “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
We will not dwell on the agony of the bereaved parents, both of whom have now followed their son out of this earthly scene; nor on the funeral, attended by so many of his school companions; while we earnestly hope that to some of them God may have graciously used the occurrence as a message of warning, leading to everlasting salvation. But rather I would press on my young friends this one question, ― “Do you read your Bible?” that book from God which contains words not only of warning, but of eternal life―of all you need to make you happy, both here and forever. Perhaps you are placed where you cannot hear the public preaching of the gospel; perhaps you are at school, away from your parents or Christian friends, who have spoken to you of Jesus and of the need of your undying souls. It may be that your studies are very engrossing, and that you are anxiously preparing for an examination, or hoping for a prize or a scholarship. I would be far from discouraging you from diligence as to any duty for this life, but would remind you of what the Lord Himself so solemnly uttered when on earth: “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:2626For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)); and to His disciples He says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)).
Let me then earnestly advise you, however pressing your work may be, never to pass a day―never, indeed, to enter on the work of a day―without listening to the voice of God in His own holy and blessed Word. Will you look through the Gospel of John, and see how often the Lord Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you”? Is He not worth listening to? Is He not seeking your blessing when He thus speaks to you? Do you not want to hear His “verily, verily” in a world where there is so much to deceive and disappoint―where Satan, the god of this world, seeks to lead captive the young, promising them all that is fair in this life, and deluding them with hopes of many years to come; whereas, you know well that in every graveyard there are numbers of tombstones which record the early death of those who were as likely as yourselves to have a long life on the earth. Do you not want to hear the truth from One who is your true friend? How often you ask, when you hear something wonderful, “Is it true?” Well, if you want something both wonderful and true, I commend to you the third chapter of the Gospel of John, and may you, receiving in simple faith the testimony of Jesus, be enabled to set to your seal that God is true (John 3:3333He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. (John 3:33)). C. G.