TRAVEL in thought to the bedside of a soldier in a military hospital in Egypt. He has discovered that Satan is a hard task maker, and, though he had served him faithfully and well, all he had in return was a sick body, a sin-burdened conscience, a troubled mind, an unhappy soul.
He writes: “I seemed to feel the very flames of hell around me, and hear the awful cries and groans of those already there. How should I bear the punishment of burning forever and ever in that awful lake of fire? I wondered how long ‘ever and ever’ was? Oh! the terror and agony of soul I passed through, whilst in this state, was more than I am able to tell! I was so certain I was going to hell that I not only told others, but wrote to my mother, and told her I was sure I should go there.”
Skeptical reader, these were not the ravings of delirium, not the imaginings of a diseased mind; they were the outcome of an awakened conscience, looking into the unseen world. The Bible is plain, positive, and emphatic that there is a hell, and its torments are forever and ever. “Fire” is a symbol of that which causes pain and sorrow; “the worm that never dies,” of that which gnaws unceasingly; “blackness of darkness,” of the light of God’s countenance eternally withdrawn; and “unquenchable fire,” of the endless duration of the misery of the lost-a misery increased according to the light and privileges enjoyed in this world, for the cities where our Lord labored, and was rejected, will be visited with penalties more severe than Sodom; but though more terrible, there will be no difference in duration.
Repent therefore, and be converted; this is the only way you can escape the judgment to come. A God of infinite mercy waits to be gracious, but He cannot show mercy at the expense of holiness; therefore Jesus died that mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace might harmoniously dwell together. Now God can show the greatness of His love, and the depths of His mercy to hell-deserving sinners like the young soldier.
God had His eye on G. A. B―; and his letter goes on to tell how He sent help to his sin-sick soul. Mark his words: ―
“I could not find any one into whose ears I could pour my story, until I met Mr. R—in the hospital gardens. He listened to all I had to say, sympathized, and talked with me; and, as drowning men catch at straws, I caught a gleam of hope from his words, and hung on to them. He then said, ‘Shall we pray?’ Down on our knees we knelt, and Mr. R― prayed. I clung to that prayer because I had read in the Bible, ‘The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’”
This was the first link in the chain of blessing. We will leave B—and R—in the hospital garden and speak of the second link of the chain. Some Christian women in England, desirous of spreading the blessing which had reached them, had sent some tracts and books to Mr. Rand followed them with their prayers. He handed two of them to B —, and we hope the result will encourage others to go and do likewise.
B― ‘s letter continues: “Mr. R― gave me two little books. After I had read the books I shouted for joy, ‘Praise God!’ The sun started to shine in my soul. It seemed to me as though the writer of these books knew all about me and had written them for me. I ate every word, and on the last page wrote ‘Praise God!’ for they lifted a great load off my mind. After this I read another book on the troubles of the soul which greatly helped my faith.”
Like many other troubled souls, B—had not really reached the bottom, or definitely cast himself on God, and rested his soul on the work of Christ for salvation, apart from inward experiences. Through not resting on a Saviour outside himself, he was often tempted to doubt, and though his friend R― warned him not to be swayed by his feelings, or judge of his salvation by his fluctuating experiences, he still continued to do so, and as a consequence was often miserable and unhappy, until at length he resolved to cast himself wholly on God’s mercy.
He says: “I knelt down and told God I was an awful sinner, and it was right He should send me to hell, but would He have mercy on me since Jesus had died for sinners like me, though I felt I was worse, than all. I did not think God heard my prayer, because I thought He would only bear good people; but, bless His holy name! He did hear me, and, one day as I was walking in the hospital gardens the whole blessed truth flashed upon me, and something seemed to speak inside me and say, ‘Not for your sake but for Christ’s, your sins are pardoned.’ Then came such a flood of light that I have never doubted since. I seemed like one who had awakened out of a strange and awful dream, and instead of going to hell, I seemed to have turned right round and was on my way to heaven. Instead of crying and mourning, I burst out singing, and clapped my hands for joy, and the very trees seemed to be doing the same, and the birds seemed brighter and happier, and everything seemed suddenly to have changed, all things seemed to have become new, and myself new too, and so it has been ever since. My gloom is all passed, I am rejoicing at last. My Lord, I could see, in His love died for me. Praise Him! I will praise Him for what He has done for me throughout eternity!”
B― had now got his eye off self and fixed on Christ. This proved an abiding source of joy, and he now found the secret of unalloyed happiness. Fix your eye on Jesus, troubled reader, cast yourself on the mercy of God. None ever came that way and were cast out. You will also find that loving Him that begot, you will love those who are begotten of Him. Your wisdom will be to turn your back completely on the world and identify yourself with the Lord’s people. This B―did. He says, “We meet each morning at six for half an hour’s prayer before we go to our different duties. (This is a good start for a day, and it is at a throne of grace we get help for the difficulties of the day and way.) The Lord is with us, enabling us to fight the evil one and overcome him. We have to fight very hard at times to keep him out, and it means much humbling of ourselves, and much praying for one another, but we thank God through our Lord Jesus Christ who giveth us the victory. Through Him we can overcome all things, and He says, ‘Fear not I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ Bless His holy name for that!
“He is blessing me wonderfully; I am enjoying such sweet peace and rest I never thought would be mine. I am seeing things in a different light to what I saw them before. Glory be to Jesus! we are all one in Him. In HIM WE ARE COMPLETE; glory ever he to God!”
Anxious reader, God forgave this young soldier, saved him, blessed him, and filled his heart with joy. He will receive and bless you too. Be encouraged to cast yourself on the mercy of God, He is rich in mercy, glorious in His grace, great in His love. Though your experiences may be similar to G. A. B — ‘s, rest assured, if God has thus opened your eyes to your lost conditions, it is with a view to making known His great salvation. He troubles consciences in order to purge them, breaks hearts to bind them up, wounds to heal, loves thee too well to let thee go carelessly to perdition. Turn, then, to Jesus. He invites the laboring and heavy-laden to come for rest. He alone can give it, but He does give it to all who come.
Christian reader, there is a message in B — ‘s letter for you. He urges those who sent the books to continue this way of reaching souls, and adds, “We always remember you in our prayers, and ask the Lord to bless you and the books and tracts, and abundantly make them a real blessing to those who read them, and lead them on until they have found―as I have found―a never-failing friend in Jesus―blessed Jesus!”
Is not this a voice to you to redeem every opportunity? Why not send the Gospel Messenger you are reading to an unconverted relative, or a copy of Simple Testimony to a Christian friend not fully established? In this way you will become a connecting link between editors, writers, and those for whom they labor.
Who knows what results in blessing shall accrue from such a simple act of service to your Lord. How, in a coming day sower and reapers shall rejoice together; and how glad you then will be, that the bread cast upon the waters has borne fruit unto life eternal.
Start now, go on until Christ comes; your labor will not be in vain in the Lord.
“Oh! where are the reapers that garner in
The sheaves of the good from the fields of sin?
With sickles of truth must the work be done,
And no one may rest till the ‘harvest home.’”
H. N.