I was spending the afternoon of the Lord's day distributing tracts in a mining town. The men were out of doors enjoying the pure air and sunlight after working all week in the dark unwholesome atmosphere of the mine.
Crossing the last field that separated me from my own garden gate I met two young miners strolling toward me. I stopped as we were about to pass each other. Selecting two little books from the few that remained in my hand, I held out one to each. Each took the booklet and thanked me. One, a fine, strong, healthy, and handsome young man of about twenty-five, stood still and read out the title of his: "Just in Time.”
A deep feeling of solemnity crept over my soul. Looking up into his frank, open countenance, I said, "Yes, my friend, may God grant that you may be just in time for heaven." Going home I prayed, "Lord, save him.”
Tuesday night I had retired to my room. A loud knocking at the door made me throw open my window, and call, "Who is there?”
"Sir, are you the gentleman who gave a young man a booklet on Sunday afternoon called 'Just in Time'?" "Yes, I am.”
"He's badly hurt," he said; "please come at once.”
Hastily I dressed and went out into the summer night, guided by my companion. On our way he told me that his friend had gone down the shaft that afternoon as usual; but he had jumped out of the bucket ere it reached the bottom and had been caught and crushed. His breast bones were broken in. Now he was lying there at home, his friend said, in terrible agony. He was unable to speak and could only gasp for breath while his life seemed to be fast ebbing away.
By the time the young man had finished his story we reached the cottage. There lay his friend, the once strong young man whom I had seen only two days before in the full vigor of health, but now absolutely helpless.
He looked fixedly at me as I entered, and tried to speak. It was useless.
"Shall I read with you and pray?" I asked.
He made a low hissing sound, the nearest approach to "Yes" he could make.
I told him of the love of God in desiring his salvation; of the efficacy of the blood of Christ to save him. I told him he was lost and ruined by nature, but that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost; that Jesus had been seeking him, wanted him! Having done the work by which sin could be put away out of God's sight, Jesus could now give him the full benefit of forgiveness of all his sins through His precious blood shed on Calvary.
I read to him the story of the father and the prodigal in Luke 15, and the brief prayers of the Pharisee and the publican in chapter 18. As I repeated this verse, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out," his face changed. Hope lighted it up and despair fled. He motioned for a drink of water and his wife held the glass to his lips. He drank a little; and then to the amazement of us all, he who had been unable to utter a sound other than the low hissing said in a clear voice and with eyes lifted up as though he saw the One to whom he was speaking: "Just in time! God be merciful to me a sinner, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen!”
He had scarcely uttered the last word when his head fell back on the pillow. A little shivering sigh escaped him, and we were in the presence of the dead.
Never shall I forget the scene. To many a one present it was a warning word from the brink of eternity. God used it for the blessing of their souls.