An actor is upon the stage. He has been perfectly successful; the audience has been thoroughly delighted, and now, as the climax is reached, the excitement is intense. Impersonating Satan—the destroyer, he seizes one of the other actors as his pray, and is about to hurry away with him, when he pauses, hesitates, stumbles, falls, and is carried from the stage, a corpse.
Reader, would you like to die thus?
A well-known singer stands before a large company. The house is thronged with an entranced multitude. Arrayed in the habiliments, and acting in the character of a judge, he asks for the third time the solemn question, “Are you guilty?” Suddenly he leaves the stage, and in a brief space of time has passed into eternity.
Reader, you are guilty before God. You, too, must cross the threshold from time into eternity; it may be today.
An evangelistic company are in the street. One of the number stands forth, and earnestly exhorts the assembled crowd, telling of the Saviour’s love, and of God’s so-great salvation. He stops, drops to the ground, and expires. The servant’s work is done. Absent from the body, he is present with his Lord. (2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8).)
A servant of Christ is reading Phil. 4 to his congregation. Long and faithfully he has labored for his Master.
“Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice,” he reads. With this as a parting message upon his lips, he sinks before them, and departs to be with Christ, which is far better. (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23).)
Reader, these are no fables, but simple and solemn facts. Surely they have a voice for you, for before another sunset, you may have passed away. Whither?
Flee at once to the arms of boundless mercy, extended wide to welcome all who will come.