I remember hearing a story of a little boy who lived in a large city, one of a family of several children. This little chap was a bright, merry, little fellow, as lively and vigorous as the average healthy, well cared for child.
One of his most prominent short comings however, was a decided disposition to put off doing things that should be done at once, till some future time, and often when his mother would call him to do something, or to go somewhere, the answer would be “in a minute”, or “just wait a minute”, and so on, and generally the “minute” would stretch into “tens” of minutes, or the call would be completely forgotten,—till a sharp reminder would bring to his memory, the forgotten or neglected command or request. Another short coming was his disposition to be untidy, and often upon returning from school, his books would be thrown down here or there, his cap and mittens tossed anywhere but in their proper place, while he ran off to play or otherwise amuse himself. Many an admonition had been given him by his mother, and many were the rolves and promises to “do better next time’’, but somehow or other improvement was very slow in coming, and was never very lasting.
In those days a sleigh ride was a very great treat for the children, for the automobile had not yet been invented, and the very rare occasions that snow fell in suffient quantity, or lasted long enough to make good sleighing possible, were so infrequent, that when they did occur, it was necessary to take immediate advantage, of them if, they were to be enjoyed.
Our little friend had an uncle who was very fond of his nephews and nieces, and this uncle had promised the children, that upon the first Saturday that there was enough snow to permit of it, he would take them all for a sleigh ride out to the country to a place he knew a delicious meal could be had before returning to town. When promising this treat to the children, their uncle remarked that when the time came, he wanted them all to be ready to go at the appointed time, as he would not wait very long, if they were not ready; this was said with a meaning look at the little boy, for his uncle was well aware of Neddy’s short comings in this respect.
For several Saturdays the children had been eagerly watching for a snowfall and had several times been disappointed, till at last one Friday afternoon the snow began to fall heavily, and the next morning plenty of snow had fallen to ensure the long looked for sleigh ride.
Their uncle sent word that he would be at their house at a certain hour to get them, and again urged them to be ready when he came.
It had so happened that our young friend had already been out enjoying the freshly fallen snow as children will, and upon returning home, in his usual thoughtless manner, had tossed his cap in one place, his mittens in another, and his coat somewhere else, while he rushed off to continue some half-forgotten task or geme; in which he was soon deeply intestered. Not long afterward mother’s warning voice was heard,
“Neddy! it is nearly time for uncle Bob to be here, you had better get ready!”
“All right mother,’’ came the answer, “in just a minute”, and the boy went on with his playing. Again came mother’s warning,
“Neddy! the others are all ready, it’s time for you to get ready too.”
“O, mother, just a minute,” answered Neddy continuing his occupation, till suddenly the jingle of sleigh bells outside caused him to realize that his uncle had arrived and he was not ready. Then there followed a mad rush to find his things, one mitten was found in one place, and his scarf in another, a hunt for his coat revealed it after a while, anywhere but in its proper place, and search as he would, helped by his mother, no trace of his cap or other mitten could be found. One or two calls from uncle Bob brought the answers,
“O, just a minute, Uncle Bob! I can’t find my cap!
After some time the uncle finally declared he could wait no longer, and all the other children being ready and waiting, he drove off.
Just then Neddy discovered the missing cap and mitten, where they had fallen behind the sofa, after they had been carelessly thrown there when he had come in from play, and with an exclamation of relief, he dashed out the front door, just in time to see the sleigh loaded with its merry party, turn the corner some distance away, and it was a very disappointed tearful little boy that slowly re-entered the house, when he realized he had missed the long looked for treat, and we may be sure the lesson was instrumental in teaching him to be ready next time, as well as to be more tidy.
What a lesson there is in this little story, to be learned by all, young or old, not only concerning the things of time, but also those of eternity!
The Spirit of God is continually warning unsaved men, women, and children, that time is short,—even at best;—and at any moment the call may come to them to leave this world. Without doubt, dear friend, you are liable to have that call given you, just as much as any of the many millions who have already been summoned out of this world; and this being the case,—and your own common sense tells you it is the case—what preparation have you made for that impending event? The Word of God says,
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27), and this has reference to you as much as to any other individual on earth! Are you so engrossed with the passing things of trine, like our young friend was with his amusements, that when the Spirit of God warns you in some direct personal manner, of your danger; your answer is.
“Some other time?”
Remember, friend, God is not mocked, and he may call at anytime.
The wealthy man in Luke 12:16-2116And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16‑21), was too busy gathering and storing that which God had given him, to have any thought of the giver of these things; but he had an awful awakening,—and so may you if you continue on your way, heedless to the call of love that bids you to be ready. If not, He may have to say to you,
“I have called, and ye have refused ye have set at naught all My counsel, ... I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh, ... they shall call upon Me but I will not answer ... ., they shall not find Me.” Prov. 1:24-2824Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: (Proverbs 1:24‑28).
We earnestly counsel you to turn NOW to that One who is calling to you so lovingly, and make sure of your future for all eternity, by accepting that gift which God so graciously is offering you, “The gift of God, ... .eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 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).
ML 11/30/1941