OR,
IS SALVATION TO BE OBTAINED BY THE SACRAMENT?
DEAD! You don't say General Orton is dead!" “He is indeed. He died two years ago." Captain Irwin fixed a look of deep and painful interest on the speaker, and remained silent. Memory was swiftly retracing bygone scenes. He recalled the time when, after a long furlough, he returned with his young bride to India. He remembered the friend.), letter which awaited him at Calcutta from Major Orton, pressing him to join his regiment up the country, before the great heat should set in, and, at the same time, courteously offering hospitality. The kindly welcome they had received, the festive companies that were gathered to greet them, and the prolonged stay which they had been persuaded by the kindness of their host to make at his house, all rushed to his remembrance. But there followed recollections of shadows that had marred his friend's life. Differences arose between them, their intercourse ceased, and years passed without their meeting, during which time Major Orton rose to be a general officer in command of a division.
So it was with a sudden pang that Captain Irwin heard that the old general had passed into the eternal world, and eagerly inquired—
“Do give me some particulars of his last days.”
I can tell you all about him," said a friend, who was sitting by." I was with him a good deal during the last few weeks of his life. We were neighbors, but had not been in the habit of meeting frequently, for, as you know, intercourse with him was not altogether pleasant, kind and hospitable though he was. But a short time before his death, his legal adviser happened to call on me, and when I asked after the dying man he told me that he seemed very composed, and had just taken the sacrament. He seemed to regard this as obtaining a passport for heaven, for, added he, I shall not go to see him again; better not disturb him after this.'
“Composed!" thought I, as we parted, "I wish he was anything but that; and, fearing he might be soothing his soul into a false and fatal peace, I resolved to lose no time in seeing him. On reaching the house, I was assured by his friends that all was well; he had taken the sacrament, and was very comfortable.”
I hope you went and tried to rouse his conscience, and dispel his delusion on this subject," interjected Captain Irwin.
“I did. I could not rest without doing so. He received me calmly, and, though breathing with difficulty, said, You will be glad to know I've settled all my affairs, and taken the sacrament. I have nothing now on my mind. I am very comfortable.' But his looks belied his words. There was anxiety in the eye that awaited my response. He repeated, with ill assumed calmness, Yes, I have done justice to everyone. I have arranged for my children. I am quite comfortable.' Deeply moved, I took his thin, transparent hand in mine, and said earnestly, ' And you, dear general, what of yourself? Where are you going? ‘A shadow crossed his face. I saw he was disturbed and disappointed; but he repeated, with an effort, Mr. Ewing has given me the sacrament, and seems quite satisfied.'
“Oh, what a thrill of anguish I felt at that moment. I felt I dared not trifle thus with a soul on the verge of eternity. Dear General,' I said, you know the life you have led. You know what the law of God requires. You know your sins have been more than the hairs of your head.
You will pardon me for speaking plainly; I do so in love.
You know you have not been pure in heart, meek, or a peacemaker, or merciful, or a God-fearing man. How can you feel comfortable? Remember the true and awful words of Scripture. You will soon appear before God, and have to give an account of the deeds done in the body' (Romans 54:12).
“A day or two later I received a telegram, begging me to go to him immediately. He had been groaning aloud, impatient for my arrival, and greeted me, as I entered, with Oh, how long you have been! You have made me miserable. I was so comfortable! Kneel down. Pray. You can. I can't. Get the Bible. Read—read something. Oh, I am so miserable—wretched. You know what a sinner I've been. What a wicked life I've led! I never felt it till now. Oh, what shall I do? '
“Taking the Word of God, and slowly reading some of its simplest statements, I tried to lead the trembling soul to that scene where the LORD laid upon Christ the iniquity of us all' (Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). I tried to show him that, to be safe for eternity, he had but to seek shelter beneath the cross or Calvary, where God judged and punished sin in the person of our Divine Substitute, who, though He knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him' (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). I sought to show him that through Jesus, and for His sake, forgiveness was waiting for him. I read to him passage after passage, lingered with him, prayed with him, but left him at night, for a few hours' rest, dark as ever.
“Early next morning I was summoned again to his bedside. His cry was still ' Read, read.' And I read of the brazen serpent and of the life-giving look of the bitten Israelites, and then, slowly and emphatically, I read our Lard's comment on it in John 3.”
“Ah, you did well," exclaimed Captain Irwin. "That's the story for a death-bed. Each word, at such times, is like a drop of water from the river of life!”
“It was a life-draft, indeed, to our poor friend. Suddenly, as I read, he raised his emaciated hands, clasped them convulsively together, and with a shout exclaimed, O God! I understand it now! Jesus, Savior, I look to Thee! Is that all? Wonderful! Everlasting life—MINE—and for a look! Lord, I believe! Lord, I praise Thee! ‘In an instant the light had shone into his soul. Under the Spirit's teaching he had grasped the truth that he had nothing to do but to look in faith, that Jesus had done it all, that salvation was ' not of works,' and not by sacraments, but by grace through faith' in Christ (Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).
“Oh, the tears of joy and gratitude he shed! Oh, the deep, contrite grief of heart that accompanied his repentance! His tender love to God his Savior made his past life odious to him. His humility and contrition struck everyone who saw him with amazement; the proud lion had become a lamb. He often exclaimed, Oh, how long-suffering God has been with me all my life of sin! What mercy—to save me at last! My mother's prayers are answered! '
"He never once after doubted his own acceptance for Jesus' sake. He not only obeyed the Gospel command, ' Believe,' but he rested in the Gospel promise, Thou shalt be saved' (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)), and so he was full of peace and joy. God's Word was the rock on which he rested. Lord Jesus! I shall never perish, for Thou sayest so,' were his words. Peace, calm, real rest, seemed to reign undisturbed to the end." Any day may be your last day (Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)). Would you be in heaven or in hell for evermore?