Recently two small booklets with somewhat similar titles came to our attention. The title of one was, "To Be Sure," the other, "Can We Be Sure?" Of course these titles suggested similar themes, but on examination, how different the booklets proved to be! Both spoke intimately of death; but one took the reader only so far as the grave, while the other assured him of life forevermore.
The booklet titled, "To Be Sure," was written to cause the reader to think positively about his death and funeral. It reasoned that since life was uncertain and death was sure, he should confide in a funeral director now. This prudent move would result in his funeral arrangements being preplanned unemotionally and logically, according to his own personal wishes; and when the inevitable happened, carried out with due dignity and respect, with the least possible strain upon his family. It also showed what steps should be considered to ensure that his grave would always look attractive after the sod had covered the scene. And there it all ended.
The other booklet titled "Can We Be Sure?" asked and answered these three vital questions: Can we be sure that we shall spend eternity with Christ and not in "the second death" in eternal separation from Him? Must this greatest of all questions go unanswered until this present life is over? Must the question of heaven or hell remain a torturing uncertainty until it is too late to make any changes?
In presenting and answering these questions the writer cited the following beautiful incident in the life of Queen Victoria.
She had attended a service in St. Paul's Cathedral and listened to a sermon that interested her greatly. Afterward the Queen asked her chaplain: "Can one be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety?"
"I know of no way that one could be absolutely sure," was his reply.
This, having been published in the Court News, was read by a humble minister of the gospel named John Townsend.
After reading the Queen's question and the answer she received, Townsend sent the following note to the Queen:
"To Her Gracious Majesty,
Our Beloved Queen Victoria,
from one of her most humble subjects: "With trembling hands, but heartfelt love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure, even now, of our eternal life in the Home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following Scriptures: John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); Romans 10:9,109That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9‑10).
"These passages prove there is full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work. "I sign myself, your servant for Jesus' sake, John Townsend" In about two weeks he received by mail the following reply from the Queen: "To John Townsend: "Your letter of recent date received and in reply would state that I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God's grace to meet you in that Home of which He said, 'I go to prepare a place for you.'
(Signed) Victoria Guelph."
The Scripture passages John Townsend commended to the reading of the Queen were these: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).