Jimmy Thornton was troubled. For many years he had attended a school, the teacher of which was an earnest Christian man, who had always sought to win the boys and girls under his care for the Lord Jesus Christ. Many a time had Jimmy heard the message of the gospel, but although the thought of the pleading Saviour had often almost moved him to tears, he left school at the age of fourteen, still without Christ as his Saviour.
He had left school in order to get work, and soon began to feel quite a man. In order to finish his studies, he attended night school, and here again he had a Christian teacher. It was the custom of this teacher, at the close of each week, to have a gospel talk with the boys, pleading with them to accept Christ as their Saviour early in their lives, before sin and Satan had got a grip upon them. One evening he illustrated his talk by writing these words on the blackboard:—
WHICH?
The Saviour Satan
Pardon for sin Judgment for sin
Life eternal Everlasting death
Glory Punishment
"CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY"
Solemnly he pressed home the message — Life or Death: Christ or Satan? Long after the other boys had left the room, Jimmy sat in his chair, his eyes fixed on the blackboard. The teacher stood to one side, silently praying, for he knew that a battle was raging in Jimmy's breast.
At last Jimmy heaved a great sigh, and rose to his feet. The teacher laid his hand on the lad's shoulder.
"WHICH?" he asked.
"Jesus Christ," was Jimmy's prompt reply, and the teacher bowed his head and thanked God.
"Witt you trust Him tonight?" said the teacher.
"Yes, I will," said Jimmy, •
"Thank God," murmured the teacher, as he took a brush and rubbed from the board all the words except "The Saviour — Pardon for sin — Life eternal Glory."
He was about to turn away when Jimmy picked up the chalk and wrote under the words left upon the board:
"Saved by the grace of God. Jimmy Thornton."
Reader, which is your choice? Make it now — Life or Death: Christ or Satan!
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Josh. 24: 15.
Messages of God’s Love 6/12/1949