THE following short paper has been sent by a collier: he says, “The subject of our narrative was a miner. And notwithstanding the many deliverances he had witnessed when in danger, yet he was a rejecter of that blessed One, who came to “seek and to save the lost.” The writer had many times spoken to him about his soul’s salvation: to which he was always indifferent, at the same time thinking the eleventh hour to be time enough.
“In November 1881, he left his home for his usual work; while going along a narrow road in the pit leading to his work place, he was overtaken by a water car that had broken loose some distance above. He was knocked down and killed in a moment, as it were, close to a refuge hole, but outside of it. What a fulfillment of God’s word, ‘He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy?’ Had he accepted Christ as his Refuge, then the sudden change would have been sudden glory. This paper may be read by some who are saying ‘Time enough yet, I am not exposed to those dangers referred to: and I am in health and strength’ just think for one moment. Should the Lord call His own to meet Him, while you are reading these lines, and find you a rejecter, what would your health and strength avail you?”
Yes, the poor miner was near to a safety hole, cut in the side of the narrow path. Away from that safety, there was no escape from destruction of the body. Just outside the ark, when God shut Noah in, was sure destruction, and no escape. Have you not heard the gospel? Are you near the place of refuge, but not in Christ, still outside? How dreadful to be exposed to everlasting destruction. There is no other place of refuge. And how soon the roll and thunder of judgment will be heard on this doomed earth.
Are you in the place of safety—in Christ? There all is eternal peace. There are two words, one of which you must hear from Christ, “Come unto Me,” or “Depart from Me.”
If not “come,” then it will be “depart.” Do you say, When may I come to Christ? When may I enter the place of safety? Now, now, He says, come unto Me, and I will give you rest. There is not a moment to be lost. It was too late for the miner to step into the refuge, though close at hand. Forever too late. May the Holy Spirit, as you read these simple lines, bring you to take eternal refuge in Christ.
ML 01/18/1925