SOME time ago, in the lamp station of one of the mines on the West of Scotland, a few men were sitting at breakfast together, the writer one of them. After the meal was over, a discussion arose over a recently proved will of the colliery owner, who had died very suddenly but a few months before, and left behind a vast amount of wealth.
Much comment was made by the men on the unequal division and distribution of wealth. The occasion and discussion gave the writer to feel that the moment was opportune for bringing home to these men the vanity of all that is found “under the sun”; and the small satisfaction that is to be found from wealth, however great, compared with the incomparable value of the love of Christ.
While the discussion was going on, we were joined by another workman, R. B. by name, who had come from another part of the mine to receive instructions regarding work to be done. Hearing the nature of the conversation, he broke in at once, and openly declared that the present was the only concern for him; and he only wished that he was fortunate enough to obtain some of the wealth, so that he might enjoy himself, and forget God and eternal things.
The writer, who knew him well, and had often spoken to him about his soul’s salvation, asked him, at this moment, how old he was. Straightening himself up, he replied with great emphasis, “I shall be forty years in two days!” Turning round, his eye caught the “Glad Tidings Calendar,” which was hanging on the wall. Going over towards it, he exclaimed, “I wonder what kind of message the Calendar will have for me on my birthday!” At that moment the date of the calendar stood at. 8, 1923; and our friend’s birthday was on the 10th. Curiosity brought us all to our feet, and one young man of the company advanced and raised the two leaves of the block, so that we could see the birthday message for our friend. Imagine our surprise and our friend’s confusion―for we are slow to credit such cases of Divine intervention― when out from the upturned leaves there looked into the eyes of our friend the following words; ―
The effect was remarkably impressive! Everyone seemed riveted to the spot, and for the moment silence reigned. One felt convinced that God had raised the question with him; and as he turned to go away in silence, the writer ventured to ask him what he thought of the message. He did not reply, but one could see that it had been God’s message, and that he keenly felt the shock. Our desire and prayer was that it might be effectual for his blessing.
What would have been the reader’s answer to such a question? Soon, very soon, your destiny will be fixed; but in tender love and compassion God “waits to be gracious.” Judgment is His strange work. He is slow to wrath, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. May His grace enable you to accept His offer of pardon. Ere it be too late, may you calmly consider that young man’s solemn birthday message.
J. H.
PROFITABLE MINISTRY. ― “The knowledge of truth alone will never ensure happy or profitable ministry. If we draw merely from our stores or possessions of knowledge, we shall and ourselves confounded! The freshness of the Spirit in us, and the exercises of our senses under Him at the tune of ministry, are also needful.”―
J. G. B.