A CHRISTIAN man one night was sitting reading till a late hour, when, on hearing the awful cry of fire, he rushed into the street, and in a few moments stood before the burning house. The scene he thus described to me: “The flames were pouring terrifically from every outlet. No fire-escapes had yet arrived; but observing a woman at one of the windows, screaming for assistance, we procured a ladder. While a man was ascending, it broke; he fell to the ground much injured, and thus this attempt to save her failed. There was now no hope for the poor creature, except in throwing herself out of the window. We therefore collected below the window, and entreated her, in the most urgent manner, to cast herself down to us, promising we would break her fall, arid prevent her from being hurt. But it was all to no purpose. She did not have confidence enough to trust herself in our arms; but suddenly rushing back into the rooms, became a prey to the flames which were fast spreading around her.
“ ‘What a pity,’ said a man in the crowd, `that the woman did not take our advice, and throw herself out! She would now have been alive.’
“ ‘Yet,’ I answered, ‘just such is the case with those who lose their souls. They have not confidence sufficient in the Lord Jesus Christ to lead them to throw themselves upon Him for salvation, and so they perish everlastingly in their sins.’ “
The cry of “Fire” will one day be heard on a more extended scale. This earth and all its works shall be burned up. God has said it. It is true. “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10).)
Where shall you he in that day? Are you awake? Do you know that you are in the city of destruction? Are you anxious to flee from the wrath to come? Do you desire to escape the flames prepared for the devil and his angels?
Then COME TO JESUS.
Your repentance, your cries, your fears, will do you no good, unless you cast yourself wholly and unreservedly upon His mercy; unless you believe He is willing to receive all who come to Him, and that He will place them in safety.
All He asks of you is to awake to your danger, and desire to escape from it. Cast yourself on Him, throw yourself into His arms of love. It will be the delight of His heart to welcome you. All heaven will ring with joy at the news of your escape. The good Shepherd will take you in His arms, and carry you safe to heaven.
Messages of God’s Love 7/11/1915