Captain Coutts’ Substitute-Color Tract

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Captain John Coutts was a fairly typical sea captain —rough and ready for whatever life might bring — but he was not ready for death. He was sick, at sea, and he knew he had little time left. He was afraid of death and of the eternity beyond it.

The captain sent for his first mate and said, “Williams, I need you to pray for me. You know I’ve been a godless and harsh man, and I know I’m not going to make it this time.”

“I’m not a praying man, Captain. I don’t know how to pray. I would if I could.”

“Well bring a Bible and find something to read to me. I’m not going to last much longer.”

“I don’t have one, Captain. I’m not religious.”

“Then send for Palmer. Maybe he knows how to pray.”

The second mate came, and the captain said, “Palmer, I’m not going to get better, and I’m not going to last until we reach port. I want you to pray for me. Ask God to have mercy on my sinful soul.”

“I would if I could, Captain, but I haven’t prayed since I was a boy.”

“Well then, do you have a Bible you could read to me?”

“No, sir, I don’t own a Bible.”

They searched the ship for a man who could pray or had a Bible. Finally one of the sailors told the captain he had seen a book that looked like a Bible in the hands of the cook’s helper, young Willie Platt.

“Go find the boy and see if he has a Bible,” ordered Captain Coutts.

The sailor hurried off to find Willie and asked him, “Willie, do you have a Bible?”

“Yes, sir, but I only read it on my own time.”

“Don’t worry. Just get the Bible and go to the captain’s cabin. He’s dying and wants a Bible.”

Willie got his Bible and reported to the captain.

The captain said, “Sit down and find something that will help me. I’m not going to live much longer. Find something about God having mercy on a sinner, and read it to me.”

Willie remembered that his mother had him read Isaiah 53 just before he left home for sea. He turned to that wonderful chapter which tells so fully the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying for lost sinners. He began to read it to the captain, verse by verse. When Willie got to the fifth verse — “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” — the captain, who was listening intently, realized that that verse told him what he needed to know to be saved from his sins. “Stop, boy!” he ordered. “That sounds like it! Read it again.” Once more Willie read the joyous words of hope.

“Aye, that’s good — that’s it, I’m sure.”

Hearing the captain’s remark encouraged Willie, and he said, “Captain, when I was reading that verse at home, my mother made me put my name in it. May I read it to you that way?”

“Yes, boy. Put your name in right where your mother told you, and read it to me again.”

When Willie had finished reading, the captain reached toward Willie and said, “Now read it again, boy, and put my name, John, in there.”

Willie slowly read: “He was wounded for John’s transgressions, He was bruised for John’s iniquities: the chastisement of John’s peace was upon Him; and with His stripes John is healed.”

When Willie had finished, the captain dismissed him. He then leaned back on his bed and repeated over and over again those precious words of Isaiah 53:5, putting in his own name each time. And as he repeated them, the truth of those words entered his heart and filled his soul with joy. Finally, the captain had peace!

In the little time he had left before he passed away, Captain John Coutts told everyone on his ship that the Christ of God — the Man who had died on Calvary’s cross — was wounded for his transgressions, bruised for his iniquities, that the chastisement that he rightfully deserved had fallen on Jesus, his blessed Substitute, and with His stripes — the punishment that Jesus bore — he had been healed. His sins were gone forever!

And how about you? Have you thought seriously about your sins and about this salvation that God is offering to you right now? Have you taken your true place as a helpless sinner before Him and trusted in His Son Jesus for healing from your sins? The same peace that Captain Coutts found can be yours too.

“God commendeth [displays] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Christ Is Coming–Color Tract

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“Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). God the Father spoke these words to His beloved Son as He entered heaven with the marks of the world’s hatred on His blessed person.

Nearly 2,000 years have come and gone since then, and time, with lightning speed, rushes us toward that awful moment when the Son will rise up in unopposed power to fulfill the Father’s decree. Christ will come and will make His enemies His footstool! Are your sins washed away in His blood? If so, you are His friend. If not, you are His enemy. When He comes in power and great glory, it will be to send His enemies into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-21). Oh, the panic and terror of those still in their sins at that coming!

The coming of the Man whom the world once crucified, whose love is still treated with disdain and disrespect and whose blood is even treated with self-righteous indifference, will bring all men to their knees. Men who never prayed before will then, in their soul’s deep terror, cry to the rocks and to the mountains, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that [sits] on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17). Hopeless, useless prayer! The Lamb’s arm of judgment then will reach all who would not take salvation from His hand of love. Self-gratification, extravagance and the thoughtless pursuits of wealth and entertainment will end forever. An eternity of hopelessness, remorse, weeping and wailing will be the replacement for these poor victims of the devil.

Then the world’s pleasures and business, which all too often shut out God and leave men no time to think of their soul’s deep need, will be suspended forever. The world’s boasted progress will be halted forever, and man in his foolish occupation of proud indifference to the claims of God will be brought face to face with Him whom God has established as Judge of all.

Christ is coming, and one of two things will happen to you when He comes: You will be either caught up to be forever with Him or left behind for judgment. As you are reading this, right now before this terrible day of judgment, if Christ were to come this moment, would you rise to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)? Are you ready? Have your sins been washed away?

Will You Be one of Them?

Jesus said, “As it was in the days of [Noah], so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.” How was it in the days of Noah? A world of sinners, ignoring God’s warnings and unprepared for His judgment, was in a moment swept away to eternal destruction by the terrible waters of God’s wrath. It will be comparable when Christ comes. Multitudes still in their sins will be unprepared and will be damned for all eternity. Will you be one of them?

The Bible warns us that men and women will be crying out for mercy, but no mercy will be found. Will you be one of them?

The masses who have heard the gospel of God’s love and grace and turned carelessly away will realize then that the day of grace is over, and their lost eternity is set forever. Will you be one of them?

Will You Be Ready?

Why are you waiting to make the decision to accept Christ’s love and mercy that He offers to you right now? He refuses no one who comes to Him, admitting the need to be cleansed from his sins. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” If you will believe that Christ bore the punishment and died on the cross for your sins, He promises an eternity in heaven with Himself. “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

Christ’s offer of salvation is available today; it may not be available tomorrow. Today He lovingly pleads with you to “come unto Me … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). If you will accept His offer right now, when He comes you will be ready!

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son [cleanses] us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

“It is the blood that [makes] an atonement for the soul”
(Leviticus 17:11).

Let Your Bucket Down!–Color Tract

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The great Amazon River pours out so mighty a stream of fresh water into the Atlantic that near its mouth, for miles out of sight of land, a deep layer of fresh water covers the ocean.

Many years ago a sailing ship left Eu­rope for a South American port, and due to storms it took so long that the water on board began to give out. The crew rationed the water, but in spite of every effort, they soon found themselves with their last water tank empty.

A day or two later, when stranded in a hot climate, to their great joy and relief they sighted another ship. When near enough to signal, they ran up their flags announcing: “We’re dying for lack of water.”

To their astonishment, the reply that came back quickly seemed to mock them: “Water all around you; let your bucket down.”

Little did they know that they were just then crossing the mighty Amazon’s cur­rent, and instead of being in saltwater, they were actually sailing in fresh — freshwater all around them though out of sight of land!

Surrounded By God’s Love

You may be crying out, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30), little realizing that the ocean of God’s love is all around you. “Let your bucket down!” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

“Say not in thine heart … Who shall go up for us to heaven … who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it? … The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that 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. … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:6; Deu­teronomy 30:12-14; Romans 10:8-13).

Let your bucket down!

“If thou knewest the gift of God … thou would­est have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water” (John 4:10).

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14).

“He that cometh to Me shall never hun­ger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat … without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).

“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. … And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:1,17).

The Prodigal Son: A Story Jesus Told–Color Tract

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This famous story is often told with certain variations, but the original is exquisite. It stands alone in beauty and depth of meaning. For your convenience I’ll quote it here:

“He said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 14:11-24).

This is called a parable — a story given to illustrate an important point. If the parable has matchless beauty, the fact it represents is even more beautiful!

Wreck and Recovery

The boy wandered far from his father and home into a ruined life. He was in a terrible condition in the far country! He didn’t realize, when he got his own way, where that would take him. This part of the parable represents the lost condition of mankind. Some have not gone as far as others into the far country, but all of us were away from God and were trying to please ourselves — “we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

After a time the derelict son realized his pitiable plight and resolved to return to his father and to confess his sins — which he did without delay. This is all the father was waiting for, proved by the father’s watching for signs of the returning prodigal and by running to meet him while he was yet “a great way off.” The love of his heart poured out as he embraced his wayward son and covered him with kisses. All this shows us the love of God for sinners; He is eagerly waiting for any to return and say, “I have sinned against heaven and before thee.”

Then notice how the father in the parable did not bring his once-lost son into the house in rags and filth; he made him ready to be in his home before bringing him in. It was not left to the returning prodigal to make himself presentable — the father had him clothed with the best robe, shoes put on his feet, and a ring on his hand. That’s how God’s love works. He will receive each truly repentant sinner who comes to Him, and then God makes that person fully suitable for His own presence. God clothes him with the best robe — Christ — so that the repentant sinner is seen in all Christ’s beauty. God can’t receive a sinner into His presence without his sins being removed. But when someone confesses to God that he has sinned against God, God has salvation, pardon, peace and joy for him through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross.

What About You?

Do you see yourself in this exquisite story? You’re there! You’re either the person who still has your back toward God, or you have returned as a repentant sinner and submitted yourself to His cleansing and righteousness. If you have not returned, remember, God is waiting. Return!

It Won’t Sink–Color Tract

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I was captain of a smuggling boat. At dawn, we discovered a coast guard boat in the distance. The coast guard was still a long way off, and we soon saw her turning toward us. We couldn’t possibly get away.
We all knew what would happen if we were caught. Not only would the boat and cargo be confiscated, but we would all be sent to prison. There was dead silence while we stared at each other in dismay. The coast guard was coming up fast behind us. Suddenly I thought of a way out. Hastily we rigged a screen at the stern to hide our deck. Then I set the men in a line to hand up the cargo and pitch it overboard.

Panic!
We worked fast; nothing was heard but the splash of the cargo dropping into the sea. The hold was emptying fast. We’d soon be finished. I saw the ship’s boy was exhausted, so I sent him to see if the coast guard was very far off. In a minute he came rushing back gasping, “It won’t sink!”
I ran to the stern of the ship. The sun was just rising behind us, and there, in that long line of light, were the packages of cargo bobbing up and down in our wake. The first package in the line had just reached the oncoming coast guard boat. Helplessly, we stood and stared. The proof of our guilt was spread out for all to see. In our ears rang “It won’t sink.”
In prison, from time to time, I would resolve to correct my ways. But resolving is one thing; doing is another. As soon as we were free, I went back to smuggling.

More Cargo Overboard
A few years later, I went out in a boat at night. It was New Year’s Eve, and in spite of myself, I began to review my life. I saw myself, as a child, saying my prayers. I heard my mother tell me of One who came down from heaven to bring life to the world. The more I thought, the more horrified I was. God had created me, and I had lived and was still living as though there was neither God nor eternity.
I got on my knees and prayed that God would help me. I would be another man. I wouldn’t touch a drop of liquor. I made many more resolutions about what I would do and what I wouldn’t, and I began to feel very good about myself. On further reflection I saw that there were a lot more things I ought to clean up. I must throw overboard everything that didn’t belong. My life was to be completely changed. My resolutions were getting more serious, my heart grew lighter, and I was happy in the thought that I had become a new man.
Having made this decision, it seemed as if everything was in perfect order. I was ready to go back to land, when suddenly the moon broke through the clouds and shone across the water to my boat. The memory of that morning when, chased by the coast guard, I had cast the cargo into the sea, came over me with overwhelming power. I heard the cry, “It won’t sink!”
How blind I was! I had tried to lighten the ship by casting the cargo overboard, and there it was all floating behind me like an accusing line stretching up to the throne of God. All that I had done, said or thought was there before God, and “it wouldn’t sink!” Fool that I was, I thought I could drown all my wickedness, without a thought of the holiness of God. If I had been able from that moment on to do only what was good, it would not have changed the evil done in the past. What good was it to be forming good resolutions for the future, when the past couldn’t be hidden? Tears filled my eyes. I was hopelessly lost.

Salvation
Then I remembered something. Hadn’t I been told about Jesus, the Saviour of sinners? Hadn’t He died on the cross for me? And if I turned to Him now, wouldn’t His precious blood wash away my many sins? Wasn’t there grace and mercy even for me?
All at once everything was clear. Yes, the Lord Jesus had died for me. He had borne the punishment of all my sins. If I accepted that, they would all be cast into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17) came to my mind. I was filled with joy! Entirely relieved of my burden, I turned my boat toward shore — a new man. I had gone out a lost sinner, but I was coming back redeemed by the Lord.
Be assured of this: “God requireth that which is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsak­eth them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

 

 

How Can I Be Saved?–Color Tract

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The Bible will tell you. Take the illustration Jesus Christ used with Nicodemus; you couldn’t have a better one. Jesus took him to the answer:

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

Now, there’s the answer. How can I be saved? By looking to Christ; just by looking. You might say the whole plan of salvation is in two words—giving and receiving. God gives; I receive.

A Dying Soldier

I remember, after a terrible battle, I was in the army helping the soldiers. I had just laid down, past midnight, to get a little rest, when a man came and told me that a wounded soldier wanted to see me. I went to the dying man.

“I need you to help me to die,” he said.

“I would help you to die if I could,” I said. “I would take you on my shoulders and carry you into the kingdom of God if I could, but I can’t. I can tell you about One that can.”

So I told him about Christ who was willing to save him and how Christ left heaven and came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. I just quoted promise after promise, but all was dark, and it almost seemed as if the shades of eternal death surrounded him. I could not leave him, and at last I thought of the third chapter of John,
and I said to him:

“Look here, I’m going to read to you a conversation that Christ had with a man that went to Him when he was in your state of mind.” I just read that conversation to the dying man, and he lay there with his eyes riveted on me, and every word seemed to be entering his heart, which was open to receive the truth. When I came to the verse where it says, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life,” the dying man cried, “Stop, sir. Is that there?”

“Yes, it’s all here.”

Complete Peace

Then he said, “Won’t you please read it to me again?” I read it the second time. The dying man brought his hands together, and he said, “Bless God for that. Won’t you please read it to me again?”

I read through the whole chapter, but long before the end of it he had closed his eyes. He seemed to lose all interest in the rest of the chapter, and when I got through it his arms were folded on his chest; he had a sweet smile on his face, and remorse and despair had vanished. His lips were quivering, and I leaned over him and heard him faintly whisper, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” He opened his eyes and fixed his calm look on me, and he said, “Oh, that’s enough; that’s all I want!” He rested his dying head on the truth of these two verses, and in a few hours, he was in the presence of his Saviour.

May God help every lost one to “behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

If I Die Tonight, Where Will I Spend Eternity?–Color Tract

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If … I … die … tonight! Can it be possible that at some moment I must die? That this living, breathing, throbbing body of mine must at some hour cease to be alive? That time will still roll on, others be born to work and play, the sun and stars still shine, but I shall not be here? And if I die tonight, where will I spend eternity?

A divine, unchanging voice replies: “These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46).

Everlasting punishment for me? Can it be possible that I’ve been intensely busy with the cares, debts, money-making and fun surrounding me and have left God out? Oh, how blind I’ve been! I’ve given my youth, my talents, my thoughts and my ambitions for things that are only passing, and I’ve neglected the most important thing of all — my soul’s salvation!

But if I’d taken the time to find God, to love and serve Him — what then? “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

And I’ve neither heard nor believed! Oh, wretched being that I am! If I were to die tonight, I would spend my eternity in hell. God’s voice confirms my fears. “Be not afraid of them that kill the body. … Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea … fear Him” (Luke 12:4‑5). It makes me think of two different deaths.

Two Contrasting Deaths

After a life spent pleasing himself, Sir Francis Newport, the noted English atheist, lay dying. He exclaimed, “That there is a God, I know, because I continually feel the effect of His wrath. That there is a hell, I am equally certain. Oh that I were to lie a thousand years upon the fire that never is quenched to purchase the favor of God and be reunited to Him! But it is a fruitless wish — millions of years will bring me no nearer to the end of my torments than one poor hour! Oh, eternity, eternity! WHO CAN DISCOVER THE ABYSS OF ETERNITY? OH, THE INSUFFERABLE PANGS OF HELL!” and he died.

By contrast, after a life of service to God, Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist, lay dying. Slowly he said, “Earth recedes; heaven opens before me. It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.” And he died.

I wish that I had lived for God! Wasted years — I wish I could relive them now. Is there no escape for me? Must I be lost forever? Am I too late to find my God? God’s Son answers, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

Come to Jesus

Come to Jesus. He is waiting, His loving arms outstretched, His heart overflowing in love and pity — waiting, knocking, patiently standing at the door of your heart. Open to Him before He leaves forever. Will you do so, right where you are? Will you pause in your hurry, for just one brief moment, and quietly surrender right where you are standing? God grant you will — for you may pass into eternity tonight!

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

“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).

I Can’t Get Away From God–Color Tract

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Tom was a young man who had a job as a chauffeur. He earned a good salary, and his boss was kind to him. But there was one thing in his life that troubled and annoyed him. He had a caring, praying mother who lived in a nearby town, and she visited him frequently. But when she came, she would speak to him about Christ and his need of salvation.
“Mother,” he finally said, “I can’t stand this any longer. If you don’t drop that subject for good, I’ll give up my job and move far away where you can’t easily visit me.”
“Tom,” said his concerned mother, “as long as I can talk, I will not stop telling you about your need of the Saviour, and I’ll always be praying for you.”
Escape
Tom carried through on his threat to move away. He wrote to a friend who lived in a northern town many miles away and asked him to find him a job in that part of the country. He knew his mother could not follow him there, and though he was sorry to give up such a good job, he told himself, “It’s worth it to have some peace and quiet.”
His friend did find him another job as a chauffeur, and Tom told his mother that it was going to be a relief to get away from her constant preaching at him. But even though Tom was moving far enough away that his mother could not visit him, he would never get beyond the reach of her prayers.
Pursued
The first day Tom started his new job, he was to drive Mr. Wells, his new employer, out of town. But instead of getting into the back seat as was customary, Mr. Wells sat in the front seat alongside his new chauffeur.
He wants to see how I drive, thought Tom. They had just started the trip when Mr. Wells turned and began to talk to him. “Tell me, are you saved?” Mr. Wells asked. If a voice had come directly from heaven, it could scarcely have surprised Tom more. He was deeply shaken!
God has followed me all the way up north here! he cried to himself. I got away from my preaching mother, but I can’t get away from God! Tom wanted to hide somewhere … far away. He couldn’t answer Mr. Wells, and he could hardly drive for his trembling.
His Christian employer went on to tell him of Christ, and again Tom heard the same gospel message that his dear mother had told him many times. But this time it seemed to have new meaning — God had indeed followed him and was speaking to him, and the message began to sink in. But it did not seem to be a message of good news to Tom; it was a message of terror and condemnation. He knew it was Christ, the Son of God, whom he had despised and rejected. He understood for the first time that he was a guilty sinner. Before they reached the end of the trip, the terrible guilt and fear that gripped him made Tom physically sick — too sick to carry on his chauffeuring job, and so sick he had to go to bed.
Forgiveness
For some days he could not even get out of bed. But Mr. Wells came to see him, to read the Word of God and to pray. Soon the love and grace of the Saviour he had rejected began to penetrate his heart, replacing the terror and condemnation that had overwhelmed him.
Tom saw there was mercy for a person who had ridiculed and despised God’s very own Son and His loving offer of forgiveness. He saw that the blood of Christ is the answer before God even for a rebellious sinner like him, and he now believed in his heart the truth of those wonderful words, “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). He saw that the Lord Jesus had borne the punishment for his sins at Calvary and that, even though he had hardened his heart against God and against his own mother, he was now forgiven — without sin or stain in the sight of a loving God who gave up His only Son so that sinners could be saved.
The first letter Tom wrote to his mother was to tell her the wonderful news: “God has followed me all the way up north here and has saved my soul! Your prayers have
been answered.”
“By grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

A Last Warning!–Color Tract

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Sunday afternoon I was distributing tracts when I met two young miners coming slowly toward me. I held out a booklet to each. Each took it and thanked me. One, a strong, healthy, handsome young man, read the title aloud: Just in Time.
A deep feeling of solem­nity filled me, and looking straight into his frank, open face, I said, “Yes, my friend, and God grant you may be just in time for heaven.”
Going home I prayed, “Lord, save him.”
That Tuesday night, I had gone to bed when a loud knocking at the door made me call out, “Who’s there?”
“Sir, are you the gentleman who gave a young man a booklet on Sunday afternoon called Just in Time?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Please, come at once,” he said.
I dressed quickly and hurried out into the sum­mer night. On our way he told me that his mate had gone down the shaft that afternoon as usual, and having jumped out of the bucket before it reached the bottom, he was caught and horribly crushed. He was lying there, his friend said, in terrible agony, unable to speak, and just gasping for breath, while his life was ebbing away.

The Last Message
By the time the young man had finished his story, we reached the house. The strong man whom I had seen only two days before in the full vigor of youth now lay abso­lutely helpless. He stared straight at me as I en­tered and tried to speak.
I read to him: “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). I told him of the love of God in desiring his salvation and of the power of the blood of Christ to save him. I told him he was lost and ruined by nature, but that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost — that Jesus had been seeking him and wanted him — that having done the work by which sin could be put away out of God’s sight, He could now give the knowledge of the forgiveness of all his sins through His precious blood.
I read to him the story of the father and the prodigal (Luke 15) and also the brief prayers of the Pharisee and the publican in chapter 18, repeating this verse: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Final Moments
His face changed; hope lighted it up. He signaled for a drink; his wife held the glass of water to his lips. He drank a lit­tle and then, to the amazement of all, spoke in a clear voice, with his eyes looking up as though he saw the One to whom he was speaking: “Just in time! God be merciful to me a sinner, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen!”
He had barely uttered the last word when his head fell back on the pillow; a little shivering sigh escaped him, and he was gone.
“He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

Possibly Your Last Warning
I will never forget that scene. It was a warning word from the brink of eternity, and God used it for blessing. May it be a warning and a blessing to you, if you are still unsaved.
“There is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3).
“The Lord is … not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9).
“Behold, now is the accepted time” (2 Corinthians 6:2). “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).