"How silly to put a thing like that up there! Some of that tent preacher's work, I daresay; and just like him. I wonder if he thinks that will do anyone any good. Come on, Bess; I wouldn't stand and read any such rubbish.”
The speaker was a young woman; and with her was her girl companion. Together they had been taking an evening walk after the work of the day was over, and had strolled beyond the country town where they both lived. As they were leaving the wood path to enter upon the public road, their eyes fell on a small white board fastened to the trunk of a tree nearby. Upon it was plainly printed the words: "AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT," Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). It was concerning this board and the scripture she read there that the young woman spoke so scornfully.
The other girl stood reading the short sentence over and over again. Her companion losing patience, called out again: "Come on, Bess! If you stand there much longer you'll be converted.”
"I wish I were, Nancy," said the girl wistfully as she rejoined her companion.
"What makes you say that, Bess? I'm sure you don't believe in tent meetings and singing at street corners. You enjoy having fun too much to join with that kind of thing.”
"You're right, Nancy. Still, I'm not always happy. I do stay awake many nights thinking about the hereafter, and I can't help it. In spite of having fun all evening my conscience troubles me when I go to bed.
I can't help thinking of the eternal future.”
Nancy was amazed at the turn the conversation had taken, and listened silently as her companion continued. "I once worked in the same room with a girl who was a real Christian. I can never forget her nor some of the things she said to me. She would not go to theaters nor to dances. She said she didn't need them to make her happy; she had Christ.
"You have no idea, Nancy, what a sweet girl she was. She once said those same words to me that are on the tree: 'After this the judgment.' It made me think of her when I read them, and I wish I could be as sure as she was of being ready for eternity.”
The conversation ended at the corner where the girls had to part. With a relieved and hurried "Good night," Nancy went one way and her companion the other.
When Bessie arrived home she found a yellow handbill lying on a table. On one side it invited her to hear the gospel in a tent pitched just outside the village. On the other side was printed a tract which ended with the familiar words: "After this the judgment.”
Again the Spirit of God used this solemn statement to bring home to her conscience her state as a guilty sinner in the sight of God with death and judgment awaiting her. When she went to bed sleep would not come. Like the Chaldean king of old, her thoughts upon her bed were concerning "what should come to pass hereafter." (Dan. 2:2929As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. (Daniel 2:29).)
Bessie knew full well that she had to meet God, and for that she was unprepared. In time with the slow ticking of the clock the dreadful words throbbed through her mind: "After this the judgment.”
How she longed for the next night to come! Then she would go to the tent in spite of Nancy's ridicule. But that was a long time to wait. What if death should come before? Just then a verse of a hymn flitted across her mind. It was this: "Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee: O Lamb of God, I come.”
Bessie repeated it aloud and the Lord hearkened and heard. He knew the contrite heart of this awakened sinner who would cast herself upon Him, trusting in His precious blood alone. In His love and mercy He dispelled her fears and dark forebodings. Peace entered her troubled spirit and Bessie knew that the "great transaction" had been wrought. The following night she went to the meeting in the tent and heard the word proclaimed: "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47). This gave her intelligent assurance of her salvation; and with confidence in God's saving grace she bore witness by her life that she was a "new creature" in Christ.
Reader, does coming judgment trouble you? If unsaved, you may well tremble; for the day of God's wrath will soon descend upon this world. Why? Because it has refused His blessed Son Jesus, and His mighty work on Calvary's cross. Flee to Him before it is too late. Acknowledge Him as "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Rest your soul on Him and you will escape the coming judgment.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).