MY first picture represents a lady whose brilliant and well-stored mind fitted her to shine in society. But she was no mere butterfly; and, while health and strength lasted, she was actively engaged in so-called good works, and diligent in her attention to the observances of religion.
When I knew her health was rapidly declining, and some of the Lord’s people were interested about her soul. One suggested — as her weakness increased — that a Christian friend should come daily and read the Bible to her.
“It would be of no use,” she answered, with some sharpness, “unless it were done at all the canonical hours.”
A ritualistic clergyman was then sent for, and she had what she desired — confession, and the sacrament administered. Previously to this, she had often pressed upon her younger friends the importance of confession, and the comfort of it. “I pity you, poor young things,” she would say, “you are like sheep without a shepherd.”
Let us now see how far this ordinance had power to comfort in her dying hour.
As it approached, a friend called to take leave of her. The visit was a painful one. She spoke bitterly of some of her surroundings, adding the awful words,
“I am going into the dark.”
Alas! she had had the shell without the kernel, and the shadow without the substance; and she had to find —as all must find who come to die without Christ — that there is not one ray of comfort for the soul at that solemn hour apart from Him who, at the cost of His own blood, gained the victory over death, and opened heaven to all who believe (see 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)).
And now for my second picture.
In a very poor home a man lay dying. He had not improved his circumstances by leading a very evil life, into the sad details of which we need not enter. It is enough to say that sin, in some of its grossest forms, had become habitual with him; and it was not until his last illness laid him low that he began to reflect upon the probable consequences of such a life.
About this time a Christian friend began to visit him. He asked her to read Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool.” Seeing that the arrow of conviction had entered his soul, Miss — had, then, the happy privilege of pointing him to that precious Saviour who is ready to receive the vilest sinner. Very simply he soon clung to the peace-giving word, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). He mourned sincerely over the past, and was much occupied with the thought of that blessed One hanging upon the cross and bearing his sins.
“It helps me to bear the pain,” he would say, “to think of all He suffered for me.”
One day on entering the sick-room Miss — saw that the end was near. His unconverted relatives saw it too, and were shrinking away from the bed-side. She approached, and taking his hand asked, “Do you know me?”
“Yes,” he said, opening his eyes for a moment, “Miss —.”
Later on he again looked up at her, and said feebly, but distinctly, “They’re singing beautiful — and I shall be there at nine o’clock.”
No more words were spoken, but when the clock was on the stroke of nine a radiant smile overspread his countenance, and
the happy spirit fled,
to be “forever with the Lord.”
Dear reader, which of these two cases would be yours, were you called to die? If you have hitherto been satisfied with the dead forms of religion, oh! take warning ere it be too late, and see that you have to do with a living Christ. Without Him, into the darkness you must go; but such is His love that He is not willing that one sinner should perish. Hearken to His own gracious words, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:1212Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)).
A. R. V. A.