One summer afternoon, an English Duchess gave a garden party at her stately mansion near London. Detectives were engaged to safeguard the house and the guests, many of whom wore valuable jewelry.
The detectives were men of good appearance, men who would pass without remark among the guests. Furthermore, they were trained to know by sight all the nobility and gentry likely to be present on such an occasion.
During the course of the afternoon they spotted a guest unknown to them; he was a man with a suspicious manner. Approaching him they asked politely to see his invitation. Since he did not have the official card he was asked if he knew the Duchess. He assured the detectives that he knew her very well.
"In that case the Duchess will surely know you," they replied. "Come this way, and we will see."
The unhappy man was forced to go and soon found himself in the presence of the Duchess. Addressing her, a detective asked: "Does your Grace know this gentleman?" She eyed him narrowly and replied that she was not acquainted with him.
Whereupon rough hands were laid on the pretender and he was unceremoniously ejected. He was found out and turned out.
For what purpose is this story reprinted here? Because the day is surely coming when many an unconverted choir singer, many an unsaved Sunday school teacher, many an unregenerate partaker of the Lord's Supper, will be likewise found out and turned out.
Do you know the Lord? Yes, replies many a mere professor. Then the Lord will know you, for "He knoweth them that trust in Him." Nah. 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7). All profession will thus be put to the test in that solemn day.
Oh, be warned! Soon the Master will rise up and shut the door. To those outside who will clamor for admittance, how despairing will be the Lord's answer: "I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity." verse 23.
"Oh, sinner, ere it be too late.
Flee thou to mercy's open gate!"
Come to the Lord now! Come in your true colors. Without a card of invitation in your hand He will receive you. 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).
"I came not to call the righteous, but
'Tis eternal life to know Him,
Think, O think how much we owe Him!