IN June, 1901, an express train bound for I Carlisle had just entered Rugby Station as the writer was awaiting the arrival of a Coventry train. Very soon a crowd had gathered around one of the compartments, where some porters had been hastily summoned with an ambulance. He was just in time to see them remove the body of a lady supposed to be in a fit. A doctor, however, traveling in the same train was soon on the spot, and, after making a brief examination, pronounced life to be extinct. With a grave look upon his face, he said, "She is dead." One felt the awful solemnity of such a moment, and how blessed to be ready when the summons comes. Cold, stern, relentless death had seized another victim. How constantly we are reminded that sin is in existence, and, consequently, sorrow, suffering, and death!
I shall not readily forget the serious look on the doctor's face, and the grave countenances of those who surrounded him when he solemnly stated that the lady was dead.. The words in the chorus of a hymn came unbidden to me, "Oh, be ready!" She had gone into eternity, whether to be "with Christ" or "in torment" we know not; but this we know from the Holy Scriptures, that the believer on the Lord Jesus Christ has passed from death unto life, so that should his departure into eternity be slow or sudden, all will be well. He "would depart to be with Christ, which is far better." We, who believe, can say," God... bath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 1:3, 4.) How blessed to know this! you say. Yes, indeed, it is; and it may be your portion if you will but repent and believe the Gospel.
In September, 1905, a startling announcement appeared in the local paper, which read as follows: "FOUND DEAD IN A TRAIN AT RUGBY." It appears that on the arrival at five o'clock that morning of a train from Carlisle a well-dressed elderly gentleman was found dead in the corner of a second-class compartment. Inquiries were instituted, and it was found that deceased was well known in bird-fancier circles, and was also author of a book which enjoyed an enormous circulation. It was concluded that "death was due to natural causes.”
What does God say? Listen, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)), but God be praised for the remainder of the verse, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Mark well the words, "Through Jesus Christ our Lord." Not through anything we have done, or can do. All blessing flows freely from God to lost sinners through Jesus our Lord. God loved, God gave, Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus lives a Prince and a Savior. May you turn to God this very hour in true repentance, and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, lest it be true of you, according to the words of the wise man, "Therefore shall his calamity come SUDDENLY; suddenly shall he be broken WITHOUT REMEDY." (Prov. 6:1515Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. (Proverbs 6:15).)
J. M.