ALEXANDER B — was dying of consumption, only nineteen years of age, but alas! unsaved. I did not then know his name, but was led to send him a well-known gospel booklet, entitled “The Two Alexanders.” This led, some three or four weeks later, to a visit. One glance convinced me that his earthly days were numbered, and that the sands of his life were nearly run out.
After some remarks about his health, etc., confidence was gained, and I soon began to speak of eternal things. How important they are in view of death. I showed him how the Lord Jesus at the cross had accomplished the mighty work of redemption, and how all that was needed for the sinner’s salvation was there effected.
I visited him again and again, always putting before him Christ as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
One night his father, came for me, as he thought his son was dying. I was quickly at his bedside, and was greatly cheered by hearing him confess that he was trusting in the Lord as his Saviour.
Once in reading to him the well-known story of the Good Shepherd in Luke 15, I said, “Alec, whose joy do you think would be the greater? The Shepherd’s in finding the sheep, or the sheep’s at being found?”
He replied, “Oh! the Shepherd’s.”
Happy it is that the Lord’s joy is deeper in blessing than the sinner’s is in being blest. What a welcome He gives. No wonder He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Another time, by way of testing him, I said, “Now, Alec, suppose you had your choice: either to get better and go about amongst us again, or to be taken home to be with the Lord, which would you choose?”
He paused for a few moments, and then said, “I would rather be taken home, for there’s naught here.”
He asked me if I had sent him the book, “The Two Alexanders,” adding, “I was just thinking I shall make Alexander the Third.” Happy for him that he trusted the Lord, whatever his name was.
The end came—I was sent for, and sitting down by his bedside I took his hand in mine. He was then almost unconscious, and I don’t think he recognized me. In ten minutes he was gone, a trophy of redeeming grace. His desire was granted. He had reached HOME:—
“Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in.”
Friend, you will come to a moment in your history when you will realize “There’s naught here.” Will you not turn to the Lord in repentance and faith, and trust Him as your own Saviour, and be blessed as dear Alec B— was? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
J. W. D.