IT was a sultry afternoon―I had taken my seat in an already crowded carriage on the south line from Adelaide, S.A. The bell had rung, and the usual examination of tickets was completed, when a tall, well-dressed, good-looking man passed down the platform, but recognizing some person or persons in our carriage, he turned back and came in. He had scarcely taken his seat when someone attracted his attention outside. Putting his head out at the window, he addressed the individual thus―,
“Hallo, Bill, where have you been all this blessed time? What are you doing now? We’re just about to start, so come and shake hands with the devil.”
The person whom he addressed answered his queries in as few words as possible, and shook hands with him while the train was in motion.
My first thoughts were, surely the man must have been drinking, but this thought was soon banished as we proceeded on our journey. He was a powerful talker, and it was not to be wondered at that few in the compartment cared to involve themselves in a lengthy conversation.
I took out my Bible and commenced to read, but it seemed impossible to do so, for almost constantly kept ringing in my ears those terrible words―
“SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL.”
Closing the book, I besought the Lord to give me A WORD for this poor blinded fellow-creature.
Several times I tried to speak, but I could not get out the words, and was again and again cast upon the Lord, until I thought Hosea 4:1717Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. (Hosea 4:17) would have to be obeyed― “Let him alone.” At last an opportunity presented itself. We had just passed through a tunnel, where we got a rather unusual quantity of smoke, which aided to make those who want to be very comfortable “under the sun” a little more uncomfortable.
He looked me full in the face, and with a sarcastic smile, which I understood, said, “It’s not very enjoyable being here, is it?”
I met his gaze in the full assurance that God had now given me an opportunity of speaking, and replied, “It’s much more comfortable than I anticipated when leaving Adelaide station.”
Catching my meaning in an instant, he continued, “Oh, I suppose you are one of those religious folks who think no one else is right except those who go to chapel, read the Bible, &c.!”
Every book in the compartment was closed, and every eye turned upon us.
“Then you are mistaken,” I said, “for I am not a religious man, and further, I believe religion without Christ is one of the devil’s best inventions for deceiving souls; and as for chapel-goers and Bible-readers, there will be thousands of such in hell.” He looked at me a little embarrassed, and then went on: “I’m not a hypocrite, I’m just what―what you see me. I belong to the devil, and while I remain in his service I mean to serve him to the best of my ability.”
I could not help liking his out-and-out expressions, and told him so. The most detestable man to have anything to do with is one who assents to all you say, and at the same time has his own opinion, but here I found myself confronted by a man who was all he professed to be.
It would occupy too much space, and perhaps weary my reader, to detail all our conversation, but I feel bound, for the sake of any who may be on the same road, to follow my fellow-passenger a little further. In this strong man’s heart there was at least one tender chord. He had had a Christian mother, who was gone to be with the Lord Jesus. He could accurately quote scriptures which she had taught him when a boy; but, alas, such truth had no charm for him. After a brief outline of his life, in which he gave me to know his name and place of abode, I interrupted him by asking, “Would you not like to see your dear mother again?” to which he replied, at the same time pointing with his finger to the cutting we were passing through, “My heart is as hard as those rocks, and you don’t know what an out-and-out sinner I have been.”
“Thank God if you really believe what you say, for, if you do, I have good news for you,” I said. Like Philip (Acts 8:3535Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Acts 8:35)), I “preached unto him JESUS!” the scriptures most on my heart at the time being 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15); Luke 15:22And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2). He listened with marked attention, and the time passed so quickly, that almost before we were aware of it the train stopped at the station where he was to get out. I pressed him for an answer to the words, “What think ye of Christ?” ―a moment’s pause, and then came the very unsatisfactory reply―
“I really do mean to become a Christian someday, but while I belong to the devil, I will serve him faithfully.”
As he rose to leave I gave him two gospel books―one entitled, “Where will you spend Eternity?” ―and asked him to read them.
Taking from his pocket a handful of papers, he said, “Some of these are orders which I must dispatch tomorrow; I will put these books with them, so that they may not get overlooked, and will read them without fail,” adding, a little to my surprise, “if I get saved through reading them, or otherwise, I shall be sure to let you know.”
Before proceeding with my story, I would like to recall my reader’s attention to the words which stand at the head of this paper, or rather to the last words of my fellow-passenger to his companion on the railway platform.
Let me apply them to you, beloved reader, in order: ―
“HALLO!”
It reminds me of Isaiah 55:1,1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1) “Ho, everyone.” It is an appeal to the ear, or, in other words, simply, I want your attention. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Then follows―
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN.”
Oh, how like Genesis 3:99And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (Genesis 3:9). Poor Adam hid behind the trees of the garden, but God can see behind the trees: He made us, and He knows all about us, so there is not a bit of good in trying to hide anything from Him. Hence, if you are not born again, beloved reader, I would ask you, as you read this paper, in the words before repeated, Where have you been
“ALL THIS BLESSED TIME?”
Never in the history of the world was there a time like the present―not the time of conscience or law, but the day of grace. God’s dear Son has been down in this scene, and though your heart and mind are revealed by the driving of those nails into His precious hands, and raising Him upon a cross of wood between two thieves on the hill Calvary, yet, by the work which He finished there, He has not only accomplished eternal redemption for the believer, but He has taken every barrier out of the way for you, poor sinner.
“‘It is finished,’ all is over;
Yes, the cup of wrath is drained;
‘Tis a victory―
None but Jesus could have gained.”
Glorious time! “The acceptable year of the Lord” (Isa. 61:22To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (Isaiah 61:2)). Let me again put the question to yourself, “Where have you been all this blessed time?” And
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
How often, when people are asked about their eternal security, they reply, I am doing the best I can. If my reader is one of such, I would plead with you to let go your rotten prop, and “escape for thy life.” The work is done, and the best thing you do, while working for salvation, is a slight upon the blood of Christ, and a dishonor to God. Works will follow salvation, but if you are still working for salvation it is a sure proof that you are not satisfied with what Christ has done.
“WE’RE JUST ABOUT TO START.”
And, dear unsaved one, do you know that the children of God are getting ready to leave earth for heaven? We are looking for the day long promised, when Jesus will come into the air with a shout, and take all His own to Himself. We’re just about to start, for His coming draws very nigh; but you, if unsaved, will then be left behind—left for death, judgment, and eternal damnation!
“COME―”
I will not finish this sentence, my heart recoils from it. Alas! alas! for those who continue to shake hands with the devil, until the solemn messenger of death proclaims, “Time shall be no longer.”
Dear reader, don’t believe the devil. He was a liar from the beginning. He will promise fair, but pays badly. Just one word more, not about the devil’s “come,” or man’s “come,” but God’s “Come.” It is found in the last chapter in the Bible, and is the last gospel invitation: “Whosoever will, let him come.”
It means this: everything is complete, the door is wide open; and not only so, but Christ is waiting to receive you.
I would like to draw a curtain over the terrible end of the one whose words now seem to sound in my ear from the dead, but I cannot.
A few weeks after our conversation in the train, his dead body was found near his own hous—-the gun lying beside him, which he had employed to send himself into eternity.
He really intended to become a Christian someday, but we have not the slightest grounds for believing that that day ever came.
Someone has wisely said, “Tomorrow is only found in the calendar of the fool.” Do not delay, beloved one. Do not procrastinate, come now to Jesus, as you are.
“Return, O wanderer, to thy home
Tis madness to delay;
There is no pardon in the tomb,
And brief is Mercy’s day.”
J. J. W.