"YOUR RACE IS RUN; PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD.”
This notice was printed on a board and was displayed at the races. Probably the earnest man who carried it never knew any result from his humble service. He was contented to await the coming day when it and every effort for Christ's glory will receive His reward.
The simple but striking message reached the conscience of a young prodigal. He was sowing his wild oats. Giddy and careless, he pursued the path of pleasure and sin. Eternity was of small account indeed to him.
In the midst of such a scene with its noise and excitement, could one hope that conviction of sin would be forced home to a man's conscience? Yet so it was. By the Spirit of God, the plain, solemn words of warning did their mighty work. The young man, condemned in heart, left the multitude to go its way. He would go no farther on the road to eternal doom.
Earnestly he sought to make himself fit for God. But all his efforts at reformation did not meet the demands of his conscience. How could he prepare to meet God? This was the question uppermost in his mind. After all his endeavors and failures, his feelings could be well expressed by the words of the hymn, as he cast himself on Christ for salvation:
"No preparation can I make,
My best resolves I only break,
Then save me for Thine own Name's sake,
And take me as I am.
"Helpless I am, and full of guilt,
And yet for me Thy blood was spilled;
And Thou canst make me what Thou wilt,
And take me as I am.
"Behold me, Savior, at Thy feet,
Deal with me as Thou seest meet;
Thy work begin, Thy work complete,
But take me as I am.”
Thus he found joy and peace in believing. He cast himself on Christ and believed God's Word. He knew that his many sins were blotted out, washed clean in the precious blood, and that he was clothed in all the beauty of Christ before God.