A YOUNG lady was lying on a sick bed. She was dying, and, sad to say, she was dying without Christ. Her Christian mother was nearly frantic with grief. Her darling child was being called into eternity unprepared. Mrs. —invited a preacher of the Gospel to visit her with the object of having a conversation with her daughter. He called and found the young lady in a terrible state. She knew that she was dying, and believed that she was lost. Her memory recalled a tire: when the Holy Spirit had revealed to her need of Christ. The way of salvation had been presented to her, but she did not then wish to become a Christian, and said to the Holy Spirit:
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day on Thee I’ll call.”
Turning to her mother, she said, “Mother, give me a glass of water.” Fearing that her request, for some reason or other. would be refused, she exclaimed, “Don’t deny it to me, mother, for I’ll get no water in hell.”
“What a dreadful saying!” says one. True, the “saying” was “dreadful,” but what about the awful reality? The rich man of Luke 16 prayed for a drop of water to cool his burning tongue, but such a small mercy had to be denied him. The “great gulf” was “fixed,” and could not be crossed. The rich man’s doom was fixed, his fate was sealed, the moment that his spirit left the body.
The evangelist spoke to the dying maiden of God’s deep interest in her welfare, and pressed on her acceptance His glorious salvation. “It’s of no use telling me that now,” was the response, “Jesus of Nazareth once passed by and I refused Him.” Multitudes of people like this young lady close their heart’s door to the Lord Jesus as He knocks and asks admission. Some tell Him that they are too busy, and ask Him to “call again.” Others make no response, fearing that His reception would involve the renouncing of questionable habits and cherished sins; while many declare that they are “good enough” already. Such prefer the world’s smiles and pleasures, honors and amusements, to the friendships of Christ. In such, and many other ways, men and women reject the heavenly Visitor. Procrastinator, look at the nail-print on His hands and feet. and spear-mark on His side! These marks speak of His atoning death that He might rescue you from eternal misery and despair. At an infinite cost, the Lord Jesus brings to your very door matchless treasures of mercy and love. He loves you. He always did so. He longs to bless and save you from your impending doom. Why keep Him standing knocking? Why have your heart bolted with the bar of unbelief while your best Friend stands without seeking for admission? Draw back the bolt, and let the Saviour in. Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” Many have hearkened to His loving voice and let Him in. They declare that they are sorry they did not admit Him sooner. Now they know what true happiness is, and understand the meaning of the Scripture, “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:1515Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15)).
If, however, you turn a deaf ear to Christ’s entreaties and warnings, and perish in your sin, you won’t be able to say that you were never warned. When you stand before the Great White Throne, and are banished to eternal perdition—
“Too late! too late!” will be the cry,
‘Jesus of Nazareth has passed by!’”
ML 11/26/1916