"Don't bother me about conversion! I know all about it; but the truth is, I like the world, and I'm not going to turn religious yet. Take your way, and I'll take mine. Go to your meetings, sing your hymns, and pray; but don't trouble me anymore. I'll be all right some day." With these words Willie left the room where his sister had been pleading with him to accept the Savior.
He was an only son, a kind, affectionate boy, but not saved. His sister Annie was three years older, and had been converted to God for two years. Now she longed to see her brother on the Lord's side. She prayed and sought every opportunity to bring the gospel and his need of it before him. Once and again he had been awakened, but the fear of his companions' sneers had kept him from accepting the way of salvation. He was far from happy; indeed, at times he seemed thoroughly miserable, for whatever his lips might utter in the way of excuse or defense, he was fully aware that the path he was treading had its end in hell. He knew that his mother and sister had the best of it for time as well as eternity.
All that afternoon Willie had been preparing to go out with some friends to enjoy an evening's "entertainment." Just as he was putting on his coat to go, Annie had ventured to say: "How I long to know you are saved, Willie! I wish I could see you going out to spend the evening in the service of the Lord. I wonder when that will be?”
The reply he had made we have just quoted, and then Willie hurried off to join his companions. Annie heaved a sigh as she saw him go, and her oft-repeated heart-breathing went up to the throne that God, with whom all things are possible, would lay His hand on Willie and bring him to Himself.
The evening passed quickly, and Willie returned about ten o'clock. He spoke very little; but from what he did say, Annie gathered that the evening's entertainment had been disappointing. It had not come up to his expectations. Perhaps there was another reason, too: his conscience was ill at ease, and that often spoils a worldling's joy. He went to his room shortly after he came home, and Annie said nothing to him about conversion. But she sang to herself the familiar lines:
"I tried the broken cisterns, Lord,
But ah! the waters failed;
E'en as I stooped to drink they fled,
And mocked me as I wailed.”
Willie knew the meaning of the verse full well, and for whom it was intended. His conscience was awakened by the familiar words as he closed his door to be alone with God.
What passed there between the youth aroused to his lost condition and the seeking Shepherd, I cannot tell; but in about half an hour Annie heard a sound coming from Willie's room as of someone speaking aloud. Fearing he might be ill, she gently tapped at the door. Willie opened it, and before Annie had time to speak, he threw his arms around her and bursting into tears, he said: "We'll sing the chorus of your hymn together now, Annie." He led off with the words:
"Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me;
There's love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus found in Thee.”
Annie joined, scarcely knowing what she sang. Her heart rejoiced that her prayers for her brother were answered. Together, mother, son, and daughter knelt and gave God their thanks, that now this dear one had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior—was redeemed by His precious blood shed on Calvary's cross.
Reader, have you been converted? If not, why not? The world has nothing new to give. Its pleasures do not satisfy, and death will end them all. Then comes eternity—an eternity without God, without Christ, in hell. Can you, with open eyes, choose such a portion, or will you today choose Christ?