A PREACHER of the gospel sat one day in his room, resting a little after a long journey. He had scarcely settled down, however, before there came a knock at the door, and upon his “Come in,” Mr. G―, a well-known acquaintance, but a determined infidel, entered. There soon arose between them a lively conversation upon the things of God. Eternity formed the principal subject of their discourse. Suddenly Mr. G― said, ―
“You know, my dear A―, that I have often heard you preach, and that I have examined everything that is to be said upon the subject. Now all I can say is, that you are a Christian; and I am an atheist, and neither believe in a God, or a heaven, or a hell.”
“Very well,” rejoined A―, “and I have heard you, and examined all that you have to say. Now allow me to ask you a question, Will you do something for me?”
“Certainly, my friend, if it lies in my power.”
“Then promise me, that on three successive nights, when you are in bed and the light extinguished, you will say― ‘Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where? God I will not accept; in heaven I do not believe; hell I deny; where am I going?’”
Mr. G― promised, and left. The first night he undoubtedly put out the light, placed himself in the middle of his bedroom, and repeated loudly the words― “Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where? God I will not accept; in heaven I do not believe; hell I deny; where am I going?”
The next night Mr. G― felt―he didn’t himself know why―that he must leave the light burning whilst he repeated the words. The third night it was no better. An extraordinary feeling came over him. Strange thoughts rushed into his mind. A choking sensation seemed to seize his throat. Taking courage at last, however, he began in a low voice― “Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where?... in heaven I do not believe”― He faltered suddenly; he found it impossible to say, “God I will not accept.” He felt the presence of a holy, righteous God, who in His wondrous grace and love had caused a light to spring up in his darkened soul. After a long pause he stuttered out, “Where am I going?” His conscience gave him the answer, “You are going into hell.” It resounded in his innermost soul. Restless and troubled he got into bed. Sleepless, he tossed to and fro, and longed earnestly for the day, hoping then to find more rest. The day came, but it did not bring it; on the contrary, his anxiety increased every hour. Gladly would he have hastened to his friend, to pour out his trouble and need, only his pride held him back.
The following night his soul-anxiety reached its highest point; he could no longer remain in bed, but wandered restlessly to and fro in his room. As soon as the day broke, he went off to his friend’s house. He told him in a few words that his wish had come to pass, and that he was almost in despair; then asked anxiously―
“What shall I do, then? or rather, what can you do for me?”
“Nothing,” rejoined A―quietly, without raising his eyes off the floor, “nothing.”
“What have I to do then?”
“Nothing,” was the answer, “nothing at all.”
“What! nothing? although I am in the greatest anxiety, and bordering on despair.”
“No, nothing,” said, A―, in a gentle but firm tone, as he stood inflexible before his friend. In his heart he thanked God; but outwardly he remained motionless as a statue. He wanted him to perceive and understand his utter helplessness, and therefore would not anticipate the work that God had unmistakably begun in his soul. He knew that God was the best teacher.
Astonished, Mr. G― gazed at him for a moment, and then broke out, ―
“Can you, in the presence of my terrible anxiety, stand quietly before me, and say that you can do nothing for me? You a Christian, ―and I an immortal soul on the road to hell! Can you remain so quiet with the thought that you are the one that has plunged me into this state of misery and despair? Can you say nothing else than ‘I can do nothing for you’?”
“Yes,” answered A―, in the same quiet tone as before, “I can do nothing for you; I am only a poor, helpless, weak creature like yourself. You can do nothing, and I can do nothing―absolutely nothing. “But”―he continued, whilst he lifted his eyes, and pointed his finger upwards― “I can tell you of One that can do something, and this One is God. He can do everything, ―yea, He has done everything! He has sent His only-begotten Son into this world to die for such miserable, sinful creatures as you and me. He has judged Him on the cross in our stead, and now the joyful news is announced to every sinner, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
At this moment the light of God shone with living power in the poor, dark heart of the God-despiser. He remembered suddenly all that he had heard before, but had not received. Quick as the lightning flash his thoughts were turned to Him who had done the whole work. He apprehended for the first time in his life the blessed Person of the One who gave to that work its eternal and infinite worth. He believed, and became a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)). God had said, “Let there be light!” and there was light.
The God-despiser was changed into a sincere believer. And just as Paul, as soon as “it pleased God... to reveal his Son in him,” immediately went and announced Jesus, as the Son of God, in the synagogue of Damascus, so also Mr. G―, within a few days of his conversion, began to seek to bring before others the joyful news of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and to lead them to the blessed Lord. Soon was he able to say with the apostle, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;... for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:5, 65For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:5‑6)).
My reader, where will you spend eternity?
FR. GN.