IT is not long since two young men, of about the same age, found themselves the only occupants of a railway compartment.
Few words passed, before it became evident that (although traveling to the same destination on that railroad) they were bound for different destinations as to the future ETERNITY. The one (a converted youth) was on “the narrow road which leads to life”; the other (an unconverted comedian) was, by his own admission, traveling the broad road to destruction.
Dear reader, in all love to your never-dying soul, I ask you to consider which road are you traveling? There are but two. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for WIDE is the gate and BROAD is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; because STRAIT is the gate and NARROW is the way which leadeth unto LIFE, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13, 1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14)).
Are you, dear reader, amongst the last-named “few,” who have entered the strait gate and narrow way which lead to life? If you are, you can pass this paper on to someone else.
“WHERE WILL YOUR SOUL SPEND ETERNITY?” asked the youth.
“Well,” said the comedian,” I am not like some who laugh at such as you; I believe there is a God. I believe all the Bible, I used to read it when a boy, but now I have my living to earn, and my profession to follow. I have no time to think about God or any such things.”
“Well,” said his companion, “as you say you believe all the Bible, allow me to read you one verse from it― ‘The wicked shall be turned into HELL, and all the nations that forget God’ (Psa. 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17)). Do you believe that?”
“You mean to politely tell me,” said the comedian, “that I am on my way to Hell.”
“God says so,” was the reply.” His word says, ‘All that forget God shall be turned into Hell.’”
Dear reader, I beseech you, consider this verse, if you are one who, up to this present moment, has forgotten God, one who, like this young comedian, says, “I have no time for such things,” take warning ere it be too late. Settle the question of your soul’s eternal destiny. Now you have the opportunity, “Behold, now is the day of salvation.” Listen to God, and “boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)).
This young comedian was making the fatal mistake, which many like him have made, and are making today. Presently he said, “The title of the song I am reading is, ‘It is never too late to mend.’ I know what the Bible says is true, and I never intend to go to Hell. But I am young yet, my profession needs all my time and attention, and as regards the future (speaking of his soul’s salvation), there is ‘plenty of time.’ When I get old will do for that. If I were to be converted, I should have to give up this business.”
The journey came to an end, and the young comedian’s parting words to his companion were, “Plenty of time,” “It is never too late to mend.”
What a fatal mistake! Procrastination is by far the best trap the devil has, and by it he lures to eternal ruin many thousands of souls. Take warning, unsaved reader, lest you too be ensnared by his fatal bait, “Plenty of time.”
The rich farmer in Luke 12, whose ground brought forth so plentifully that he had not room where to bestow all his goods, thought within himself and said, “I will pull down my barns and build greater;” then he said to his soul, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This rich man was, like many others, expecting to live for many years; but he forgot God. He left God out of his calculations. And God said to him, “Fool! this night shall thy soul be inquired of.” Unsaved reader; procrastinator, neglecter, or whatever you be, if your sins are still unforgiven, if the eternal destiny of your soul is still unsettled, take warning, for tonight thy soul may be required of thee!
“The blood of Jesus Christ (God’s Son) 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)). I beseech you, dear reader, do not miss your present and maybe your last opportunity, but accept God’s great salvation full and free.
“Depths of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me;
Can my God His wrath forbear,
And me, so great a sinner! spare?
Can such an offer, full and free,
Be really meant for such as me?
That all my sins on Christ were laid,
That all my debt by Him was paid?
Yes! Jesus says it—He who died―
Believe! and thou art justified.”
A. E. C.