I WAS what the world calls a "moral young man "—that is, I was not addicted to drinking, swearing, gambling, horseracing, and many other vicious and wicked things; but on the contrary, I was an adherent of one of the great churches of the city in which I lived, was strong in favor of temperance and other social reforms, said my prayers, read my Bible (especially if my conscience was uneasy); in fact, as people say, I was trying to do the best I could, and hoping, since God was merciful, that He would overlook my faults and failures, and take me into heaven at last. I had heard of some people who said they were saved, and sure of heaven; but, in my estimation, that was something presumptuous. I thought it was more humble to "hope in the mercy of God."
One evening I was induced by a friend who accompanied me, to attend, a “Gospel Meeting." On entering the hall, we were shown into a seat near the platform, and, facing us, on the wall there hung a bill, which read as follows:— "Friend, thou art travelling to eternity: to an everlasting Heaven! or to an endless Hell! which?" I tried to keep my eyes from the solemn words, but it was all to no purpose. That was the last night of my peace in the devil's service, and as I look back upon it, I cannot but praise God for His grace. My self-satisfaction was at an end. In spite of all my (so called) good works, my conscience told me I was lost, and dying as I was, would be in hell. For two days I was in trouble of soul, for I did not know God's way of peace; but on the night of the second day, while John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) was being quoted, light dawned on my benighted soul. I believed on Jesus as my Savior, for I saw Him to be the One who had died for me (satisfying a holy God for my sins), who was buried, and on the third day raised from the dead, to prove His work to be really finished, and the One who is now at God's right hand, a living Savior for dead sinners. My heart was full, for I had the authority of God's Word for saying I had everlasting life; and it would have been the height of presumption in me to doubt it, since He who cannot lie had said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)); and again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). As one has said, "I no not know I am saved because I feel happy, but because God has said it." How sure and safe a resting place! It was thus my soul was saved; and now I would affectionately ask you, Is your soul safe for Eternity? If not, then, I entreat you, make haste and have the matter settled. You are travelling to eternity; each moment makes the journey shorter. What will the end be? To-day, you are within the reach of mercy; to-morrow you may be forever beyond it. “To-day, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts “(Heb. 3:7-87Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Hebrews 3:7‑8)). Come, oh come now! “Believe on the. Lord Jesus Christ, and 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)). "These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)). T. D. W. M.