Between a Last Opportunity and a Lost Eternity.

THE brakes on the railway freight-wagons in the United States are worked in a different way from those in Great Britain. When the brakesman wishes to put the brake on he mounts to the top of the wagon; and as the wagons are usually very large and high, there is a measure of danger in connection with the working of them. This is specially the case when the train passes beneath a bridge, as, usually, there is not room enough between the bridge and the wagon for a man to stand upright. Unless he bows down he comes into collision with the masonry of the bridge, and certain destruction is the result.
This accounts for a simple but wisely planned arrangement which is common in the States. About fifty or sixty yards on both sides of the bridges near the Chicago railway station the writer noticed long wires stretched right across the various railway tracks. Hanging from these wires were thin strips of rope, about a yard in length, and having the appearance of a deep fringe. He found, upon inquiry, that this arrangement is for giving warning to the brakesman, should he happen to be on the top of the wagon in the dark, unable to see the danger immediately ahead of him. Standing there he suddenly finds his face lashed with these strips of rope. Then, of course, his wisdom is to bow himself immediately. For should he fail to take heed to the timely warning a violent death would certainly be his doom.
But who would be so foolish as to disregard such a warning? Men generally count life to be so “sweet” that they find no difficulty in condemning the one who, through recklessness and foolhardiness, shortens his brief history here below. Yet what is being robbed of a few years of earthly toil and pleasure compared with the loss of an eternity of heavenly rest, and of “pleasures for evermore”?
Dear reader, if unsaved, God has, no doubt, often warned you. Though hitherto His warnings have been in vain, He would warn you once more. “Warn them from Me,” was His word to the prophet of old (Ezek. 33:77So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. (Ezekiel 33:7)). “Flee from the wrath to come,” is still His gracious command. Unless you bow to Jesus as your Lord, and submit to His authority, an eternal hell is before you― “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,” with remorse unbearable. “He that is not subject to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him” (John 3:36,36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) New Trans.). I know it is not pleasant to be faced with these solemn truths, but you will find it still less pleasant to be faced with that against which they warn your careless soul. It is not pleasant for the American brakeman to have his face lashed with those strips of rope, but does he stand quarreling with the unceremonious lashing of this silent monitor? No. He bows his head at once, and escapes the threatened destruction.
What a sad thing it would be to see a man standing upright between the lashes and the bridge! But how much more sad to see a sinner refusing to bow when God’s voice commands him to do so! “See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven” (Heb. 12:2525See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)).
Reader, there is a space, long or short, in the history of every lost soul, between his last warning and opening his eyes beyond the reach of mercy. What a position to occupy! ―between A LAST OPPORTUNITY and A LOST ETERNITY Can you say, as you lay down this book, that you do not now occupy that position? Oh, let me entreat you at once to bow and be blest, rather than linger and be lost. “God... now commandeth all men everywhere to repent”―He willeth not the death of a sinner. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
“If ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” If ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; and then between eternity and your last opportunity you will find “A GREAT GULF FIXED.”