THE solemn words which appear at the head of this paper at once raise the question, “And how did he live?” for he expressed his determination so to die. How did he live? He was a gay young man, who loved the world, its pleasures and its sins. He took his fling and swing of all that his heart desired, wasting his substance in riotous living. At last he began to be in want, but instead of turning, like another, to the father's house and the father's heart, he sought employment in one of our city theaters.
Shortly after, during the prevalence of the smallpox epidemic in Edinburgh, he was seized by that fearful malady and borne away to the hospital to die. For four days he lay in one of the wards of that hospital in the deepest bodily suffering and mental agony, uttering the most terrible oaths, and. ever and anon repeating those solemn words: “As I have lived, so shall I die.”
Several servants of the Lord endeavored to point him to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world—to the One who said, “Him that cometh unto ma I will in no wise cast out;" to the One that saved the chief of sinners. It was all in vain. They met with no other response than, “As I have lived, so shall I die." And so he died, as he lived— without Christ.
Dear reader, you perhaps shrink from the tale of that prodigal, for you have not lived a life like his, but tell me, if you die as you have lived, will it be "with Christ" or without Him. If you are unsaved, it is futile for you to draw a distinction between yourself and the one I have told you of, for the “Scripture hath concluded all under sin." There is no difference, both as regards state and condemnation, for, “He that believeth not is condemned already.”
You may be in affluent circumstances, surrounded with all the ease and comfort that wealth can command. You may be personally beloved by all who know you for your sterling qualities, for the virtue and purity of your life, for the amiability and uprightness of your character, and yet be UNSAVED.
Yes, UNSAVED. Under condemnation; at enmity with God. And if unsaved, I beg of you to consider your position, to contemplate for a moment the awful place you occupy. Liable at any moment to be called to meet that God with whom you are at enmity in your unsaved and unforgiven state. What a future is before you! What an eternity awaits you! without Christ; without hope. Lost, lost, lost! But oh, I cannot think this of you. The gate of mercy open stands. You may be saved. You are in life, in health, in strength, and not on your deathbed. Come now to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is ready, with open arms, to receive you.
The depth and tenderness of His love are only measured by the weight and reality of the sufferings and death He underwent for you. He gave Himself a ransom for you, and now He offers to present you in all the dignity and worth that His person, and all the value that His work supply. Can you refuse? What heart can be steel to Him? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
C. S. R.