THE cry of “Fire!” in the still hours of the night is a fearful sound, that sends a thrill through the heart of every one who hears it. Many, who are aroused by it, rush out into the street, to be assured that their own lives and property are safe, and, if so, that they may, if possible, cave those of their neighbors. Often as this cry is heard in our great cities, it is never heard with indifference.
In the beginning of August 1855, a fire broke out in London in the house of a publican, which was not subdued till two lives had been sacrificed. Ere the inmates could be awakened, the flames had taken possession of the staircase, and made escape by its means impossible; and before any effectual help could arrive, the house was one mass of fire. The conductors of the escapes hearing that two persons, Mrs. T―and her little daughter, were in the house, ascended their machines, but were compelled to make a precipitate retreat. Before this, however, the poor woman had had a chance of life, which she had thrown away.
A Christian man that night happened to be sitting reading till a late hour, when, on hearing the awful cry, 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 female 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 underneath, and entreated her, in the most urgent manner, to cast herself down upon us, promising we would break her fall, and prevent her touching the ground. But it was all to no purpose. She could not summon confidence enough to trust herself in our arras; but, suddenly rushing back into the apartment, became a prey to the flames, which were fast spreading around her.
“After the engines had arrived and the fire was got under, the body was found burned and charred in a dreadful manner.
“ ‘What a pity,’ said a man in the crowd, as the body was conveyed away in a shell, ‘that the woman did not take our advice and throw herself out! She would now have been alive.’
“ ‘Yet,’ I observed, ‘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. Where shall we be in that day?
In fact, the world is even now in the condition of that public-house on the night of the fire. Mankind are asleep; they are like those who go to their beds thinking of no danger, and hoping to rise again in the morning to the tares and enjoyments of the world. Destruction is around them, and they know it not. The very smoke and fire that will soon consume them cause them to sleep more heavily. Death is in the world; the sentence has passed on all; there is no way of escape by our own efforts, ― no staircase leading to heaven, which we can reach by any labors of our own; every avenue is closed.
Reader, are you asleep? Are you dreaming in security of the joys of future years, of the success of your speculations, of the honors of the world, or even of a heaven to be obtained by your own virtues, prayers, and righteousness? If so, awake! hear the cry of “Fire!” Your house is in flames: there is no escape; the stairs are burned; the fireman cannot reach you: you are without hope as to yourself and your resources.
But on firm ground stands One who says to you, “There is hope in Me. Leave the burning house; trust in Me; throw yourself into My arms; I will answer for your safety; I will assuredly save you.”
This friend is Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. Will you accept His invitation? It is a universal invitation. He invites all who will, to come.
But all do not come. And why is this? It is because they have not faith. The poor publican’s wife had no faith in the offers of the men on the pavement; she could not trust herself to them. Thus it is with many a poor sinner who fears impending judgment.
How many pass through life careless, happy, thoughtless! These are like the poor woman. While she slept, perhaps dreaming of her customers; of how much beer she had sold yesterday; of how much she would sell tomorrow; of the bill she owed the brewer; and of the bad debts that were chalked up on the back of her door against poor laborers and artisans, who had begged credit for a pot of porter for which they could not pay, the fire was closing around her, and she knew it not. Such things keep the sinner’s mind engaged, and indispose him to awake to the report of the “fire that never shall be quenched.” He is asleep; he does not wish to be awakened. He enjoys life; he does not like to think of eternity. He will not believe he is in any danger; he does not choose to leave his comfortable repose. Thus many perish, and are never awakened till they find themselves in the flames of hell.
But there are others who receive a further warning. They awake to the sense of their danger; perhaps they hear an awakening sermon, or they find themselves near to death they are conscious that hell is opening to receive them. They no longer delude themselves into the belief of security; they no longer can say, “Peace! peace!” But they see destruction coming: they say, “Save us from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? “Like poor Mrs. T —, they look around and see nothing but flames; they look to the staircase and the window, and see no hope, no ladder, no stairs.
A Christian friend comes to them, saying, “Jesus is waiting to bless you. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” “I cannot, I cannot,” they cry. “How can I believe He will save one who is so vile? Oh, I shall go to hell! Oh that I could repent! that I could believe!” And with these vain cries on their lips, and terror in their hearts, thousands upon thousands perish. And why? Simply because they have not faith in God’s word, ― in Jesus’ power and willingness. They cannot feel assured that He will save them; they will not cast themselves on His love.
Reader, is this your case? 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 present repentance, your cries, your fears, will do you no good, unless you have faith to cast yourself wholly and unreservedly on His mercy; unless you believe also that He is willing to receive all who come unto Him, and that He will place them in safety. All He asks of the poor sinner who is awake to his danger, and desires to escape from it, is to cast himself on Him, to throw himself into the arras of His love. So far from rejecting you, or expecting anything more from you before He receives you, it will be the delight of His heart to welcome you. All heaven will ring with acclamations of joy at the news of your escape. The Good Shepherd will take you in His arras, and carry you safe to heaven.
P. H. G.