It was Saturday night. I was traveling by coach to my next appointment. The train stopped at a small town, and a very intelligent looking man of middle age got in and sat down opposite me. After a bit I said, "Have you far to go, sir?"
"Yes," the new passenger answered; "but that is not the worst: I expect to find the only one I love, other than my two children, dead."
Poor man! It was his desperately sick wife he alluded to. His anxiety was intense, having only that afternoon received a telegram about her illness. He could not possibly reach his destination before early Sunday morning.
After a pause, I asked: "Is she sheltered under the precious blood of Christ?"
"No, sir," was his reply, and I then asked, "Are you?"
"No, sir! I will be honest with you. If I were to die at this moment, I would go straight to HELL."
Horrified at this bald statement, I then spoke of God's great love to sinners and quoted the well-known verse, John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16): "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"You can't tell me anything I do not know about the Bible," was his impatient answer. "But I can't feel it here," smiting his breast.
"Oh, my friend," I said, "you would never feel it there, if you lived a thousand years!"
With surprise he answered, "God grant I never may then."
I then showed him that he must be looking for some miraculous change in himself instead of resting calmly, in simple faith, upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His work, and knowing that, "He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life."
He then told me that for many years the thought had haunted him, that some day he would wake up in HELL.
Never shall I forget his intense anxiety and eager look, when with tears coursing down his cheeks he said: "Oh, I would give all I possess to enjoy that peace you seem to have!"
I answered: "It is 'without money and without price.' Christ, we read, has made peace by the blood of His cross. 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' "
After further conversation, I was convinced that he was a Christian, but that the enemy of souls had tormented him in this way. Finally I asked the question: "Do you hate the Lord Jesus Christ?"
"Hate Him, sir! Hate Him, sir? Do you mean H-A-T-E, hate?"
"That is exactly what I do mean," I said.
"Ah, no," with tears filling his eyes, he replied. "Why, HE is everything to me, and has done everything for me!"
"Well, then, my friend," I continued, "while you are traveling to your destination, through the silent hours of the night, think of HIM, 'who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,' but is now at the right hand of God in the glory. Think how you have grieved His heart with your wretched doubts and fears."
As the train was near my station, I took his hand, while he firmly grasped mine. With real regret I said: "Good-by! Perhaps we may never meet again."
But he answered in faltering voice, and tears filled his eyes, "I SHALL MEET YOU ABOVE."
I reminded him that a little while before he had told me that he would be in hell; and I added, "by the grace of God I shall never be there."
"Oh!" he replied, "I do believe, I do believe, and I shall meet you above."
So we parted; but I do expect to meet my fellow traveler in the Father's house above.