"'Tis All."

From: Good News for Young and Old: Volume 10 (1868)

(For the Young.)

IT has occurred to me that a brief reminiscence of dear I― ‘s history might be useful to some of the beloved readers of Good News. I first knew her as a schoolgirl, though she was by no means fond of school duties, but liked what is termed fun and youthful pleasures; she thus became a favorite with the more juvenile around her, who only aided her in her career of thoughtlessness. The votaries of this world might and would have deemed it innocent gratification; and, blended as it was with morality, a most amiable disposition, and kind manners, the cry of “no harm” would have found in her case many a warm and flattering echo. Dear I—as yet knew not that “all have sinned,” and that in the sight of God even she herself was a sinner. But in that loving and much-loved girl some hidden thing was lurking, and at last it was betrayed by an unmistakable cough: consumption had set in; yet like many other warnings, the cough and various symptoms were unheeded, and amusement was the thing sought still. Christian friends became most anxious. She was visited, and gently admonished. Death drew near, for the disease rapidly did its mission. With a determination to be faithful at all costs, an aged believer made one call more; and from this time, viz. dung the last week of dear I— ‘s existence here, she was thoroughly aroused to her state as a sinner. The burden of sin became intolerable; but that burden was hers, even in her dying hour.

On entering the room I found her sitting in an easy chair, wrapped in blankets. My first question was on the state of her soul. “That is what I wish to talk about,” she replied; “I want a Christian with me. Do not let another word be spoken to me about anything else.” All left the room but myself, and never shall I forget while memory is preserved the solemnity of that hour. I cannot give you in detail the many inquiries she made; but what she so desired to know was that she was saved. “I do not want to think I am saved, or to hope I am saved; I want to know I am saved. Just to think I am dying, dying now, and not to know that I am saved! Yet it is not this dying I fear.” There was eternity full in view, and it was the second death she feared. When asked if she had not thought on the subject of salvation before, she responded in the most emphatic manner, “I used to think it something; it is not something now!” Here she paused breathlessly, and then in a deep, marked, sepulchral tone, added, “‘Tis All! I know that I must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; but how am I to believe?” Then she longed to warn a dear young cousin, a school-fellow; but the time was over. To her there seemed nothing done, all undone. As her queries were anxiously and rapidly uttered, I could only silently give them to Him who alone knew how to answer her at that critical moment, and simply referred to a verse or two of Scripture I thought applicable.

I can tell you what followed in this world, my dear young friends. Dear I― became exhausted, and gave me permission to ring the bell for help. Friends entered, and she was gently laid upon the bed; her countenance changed, and she departed instantly to receive the answers to all her questions in another world.

Would you like to do the same? If not, just listen to these words, — “Behold, 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).) Will you put off from day to day, or will you come now?