IN the winter of 1900 I was one of the passengers on board the steamer Papanui, from London to Wellington, New Zealand. We had a full complement of first, second and third class passengers. The weather for the first two or three days after leaving Plymouth was rather stormy. After crossing the Bay of Biscay the wind moderated, and most of the passengers were able to move about on their “sea legs."
I was anxious that a Gospel service should be held on the Sunday evening, so that all who cared might have the opportunity of hearing God's way of salvation. Permission being obtained, hymn-books were provided, and a goodly number of passengers, engineers, stewards, and seamen congregated on deck. After several familiar hymns were sung, a portion of Scripture read, and prayer asked for God's blessing, the “old, old story of Jesus and His love " was told out. The unsaved were shown their guilt and danger, and were entreated and besought to accept of salvation by believing on Him who suffered and died to save them from endless woe.
Among the audience was a lady from Hobart, Tasmania, who sat in front of me and seemed interested in the truth proclaimed. After the meeting she sat and chatted with a fellow-passenger till ten o'clock, and then retired for the night. At twelve o'clock she became suddenly ill. The doctor was summoned, but he was unable to afford relief. At four o'clock she passed into eternity. At eight o'clock on Monday morning, the captain, accompanied by several of the officers and a portion of the crew, assembled on deck. The body was wrapped in canvas and rested on a board by the side of the ship. The burial service was read, and at a given signal the body was committed to the deep.
Little did I think, as I spoke from the deck of the Papanui on that Sunday evening, that one among the audience would hear the Gospel for the last time, and that ere the sun rose she would be in the world of spirits. I was thankful that she heard the proclamation of a full, free, and present salvation.
How true it is that “in the midst of life we are in death"! Had the unsaved reader been so suddenly called away, where 'would you be spending eternity? You have been often told of the Christ neglecter's and rejecter's doom, and warned of coming wrath and judgment, yet you say you intend becoming a Christian sometime. You talk as if you had a lease of life. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Prow. 27:1). Ere to-morrow's sun rises you may be in eternity. Why, then, risk the loss of your soul?
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Eccl. 8:1111Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)). Because God does not execute the sentence of condemnation which is now resting upon you, you presume on His mercy and long suffering, and determine to take your own way. Remember that “He that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)). You may think you believe and may say you believe on Christ, but if unsaved you never really believed on Him. You are already condemned, because you don't believe on Christ, who poured out His precious blood to save you from everlasting misery. O sleeper, awake! The messenger of death is on your track, and without a moment's warning the brittle thread of life may be snapped, and your doom will be fixed, and your fate eternally sealed.
Is it not a wonder that any are unsaved, when God has shown so clearly and fully in His Word how salvation is to be obtained? If you wish to be saved, ponder carefully the following Scriptures: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life " (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). "ALL THAT BELIEVE are justified from all things" (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)). “WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 13: 43). "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned" (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)). The first-born in the blood- sprinkled house in Egypt was preserved from the destroying angel because Jehovah had said, "When I see the blood I will pass over you " (Exod. 12:1313And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)). Through faith in the precious blood of Christ the reader can now obtain a free, full, and present salvation. “Now is the accepted time." There is no time to lose. The day of grace is drawing to a close. "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Soon the Master of the house will rise up and shut to the door. “Now the door is open, enter while you may." Why not enter this moment by believing on Him who loved you and gave Himself for you? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." A. M