At What Price
Algernon James Pollock
Table of Contents
At What Price?
Most of us have by now forgotten the name of James White, who years ago astonished the world by committing suicide. He began life with a school-board education as an apprentice bricklayer. He became a millionaire, moved in very high circles and even entertained Royalty.
Before his tragic end he wrote a letter which is a human document of intense sadness. It is not the conclusion of a disgruntled misanthrope, but of one who deliberately enjoyed to the full his vast opportunities of gratifying every wish and whim. We read:-
"Whilst on the threshold of eternity, I must make an unparalleled, stark revelation of my soul. I have entertained Royalty, called dukes and earls their pet names, have been on the inside of politics, have owned a yacht, a racing stud, a theater and newspapers. I've raised a hundred and fifty millions for various undertakings, promoted prize fights, subsidized boxers, made a quarter of a million in one day, been feted by all, called 'Jimmy White' by the world. I've known what it is to go hungry, known what it is to have all that I desire, and to have thousands waiting to eat out of my hand.
"I have had a special train to Manchester, yet in 1900 I walked from London to Rochdale because I was penniless. I have known men and women, who while they were useful in cash or kind spoke kindly, even affectionately, but changed to aloofness when the bank balance dwindled.
"On the last day of my life my brain unwinds before my eyes episode after episode. The old-time feeling of contentment has been replaced by a roaring hectic existence. Whilst wealth lasts one can give parties and presents, become the sole talk of night clubs, have paragraphs in the gossip columns, but let money leave one, and the only friends left are REMORSE and REGRET.
"My heart swims, my heart throbs. I bend my knees and look to God, for I have seen the guilt and folly of gambling. THE PRICE HAS TO BE PAID."
Did James White know the full meaning of his closing words? The price is a debt of such magnitude that we shall never be able to close the account. It means the eternal judgment of God. So Scripture declares. What this means in all its tremendous import is beyond our powers to grasp. But there it looms before the unrepentant sinner in all its tremendous terror.
But was there no hope for James White? A young open-air preacher described the only way a millionaire could get from God the only blessing that lasts. "He would have to come to God on bended knees, stretching out empty hands, and pleading alone the name of Christ."
We cannot follow the bankrupt millionaire into the vast for-ever. We would like to think that he believed on the Lord as his Savior, and received the blessing that he craved from God at the last. He has gone to his account. Our concern now is with you, who are reading these lines. Is there hope for you and me? Aye, surely, a thousand times over. There comes floating into the memory of the writer the words of the well-known hymn, -
"There was no other good enough
To PAY THE PRICE OF SIN;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven, and let us in."
Thank God again and again, there was One good enough, great enough, understanding fully all that it meant, and yet prepared to pay the price of sin. And that price was His death on the cross at Calvary. For three hours there was darkness over all the land. Eclipses of the sun last but a few minutes at most. This eclipse was miraculous, calling attention to the most wonderful event in all the history of the world.
Hear the cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt. 27:46). He was paying the price of sin.
Hear again the loud triumphant cry of the Savior, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The price of sin was paid by the only One who could.
See, then, the only way of escape from the penalty of your sins, with all its eternal horrors. Accept Him, who paid the price of sin at the cross, as your personal Savior. Do it here and now.
"Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).
A. J. Pollock.
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