AT a sale where some valuable cattle were being disposed of, the auctioneer selling used a sand-glass, which he held in his hand. Having secured an offer for the animal, he started the glass running, doing all he could in the meantime to obtain a higher bid; and if he succeeded, the glass was turned again, and so on until it ran out, and the animal in the ring became the property of the last bidder.
Now I want to use this little incident in an appeal to any whose eye may read these lines. Have you ever considered for a moment that the sand in the hour-glass of your life is rapidly running out? And when the last grain is through, to whom will you belong? With whom will you spend the long eternity upon which you will then enter? It may be the world is spreading its illusive pleasures before you, bidding for your affections, and that your heart is inclined towards it; but listen to a warning from God’s own Word. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof” (1 John 2:15-1715Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17)). What can the world give you when you are passing out of it? Neither “life” nor pleasure then!
Then there is another― “the god of this world” he is called. His competition for souls is very keen, though he is often found to be bidding on the sly, and often employs agents as diverse as an angel of light and a roaring lion. He blinds the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ should shine unto them (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)). Professing to be a friend, he is really an adversary. Lying and murder characterize him (Jahn 8:44). Oh! beware of him, and turn away. He will be a hard master for time and a miserable companion for eternity.
But then there yet Another who would have you for Himself―Jesus, the blessed Son of God. At the sale I mentioned there were purchasers who had come, from the other side of the Atlantic to secure that which they were after, and which they really valued. And Jesus came from heaven that He might have you with Himself in eternal bliss, On Calvary He paid the redemption price in His own precious blood. There He offered one sacrifice for sins, and is set clown at the right hand of God. He seeks you here that you might be with Him there. Oh! will you not turn to Him? Do not let the hour-glass of mercy’s day run out and find you still away from Him.
The auctioneer cried, at such and such a price, and “the glass runs―quick! Going! Gone!”
And shall we be less in earnest in appealing to you? Nay, we would repeat, “Make haste, for the glass runs!” “Going” may now be said of you, and “Gone” will soon be said with equal certainty. Gone! but where? Will it be to be with Christ, or WHERE?
T. W. P.