"Oh, I'm so glad you've come! I'm in a queer state, that I am.”
"Why, my dear man, what's the matter?”
"Well, sir, the doctor has just been here, and he gives me no encouragement whatever. He examined me thoroughly again this morning; and although he did not say right out that I shall die, I am sure he thought so by the look of his face. The fact is, sir, I know I may die at any moment, and my soul is not prepared to meet God.
"I've talked about death many a time when I was well, and saw nothing very dreadful in it; but, oh dear! It's a dreadful thing to me now. It's awful to have it staring me straight in the face. I know my time is short, for the water from this dropsy is not far from my heart.
"Oh, how I wish I knew the Lord as my Savior, as you do! It's not long since I sat on that chair as well and as free from pain as you are now while I was well, I lived year after year, caring nothing about eternity; but now—whatever must I do about my soul?" And saying this, the poor man sank back on his pillow in an agony of mind.
"My friend, death is an awful thing to face without Christ. But here is good news for all who put their trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary: He has taken the sting from death; He is victor over the grave. The message of Christ's 'good news' when received into the heart brings glad tidings unto the meek; binds up the broken-hearted, proclaims liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. (Isa. 61:11The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Isaiah 61:1).)
"Now you know that you are a guilty, lost sinner; but Jesus 'came to seek and to save that which was lost.' He now says to you: 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). Cast yourself upon Him, hear His Word, receive Him, and YOU SHALL BE SAVED! For He Himself says with all authority: '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 5:2424Verily, 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).
God's Word applied by the Holy Spirit did its own blessed work. A few days later when I visited him I noticed a welcome change.
"Well, my friend, you look happier today than before. Have you found peace?”
"Yes, thank God, I have!”
"And have you had all fear taken away from your mind?”
"Yes. He is my Savior now. I've given myself clean up to Him, to do with me as He will. If He pleases to spare me, I'll be a different man from what I've ever been before. If He pleases to take me, I'm not afraid to go, for I've given myself clean up, and I believe He has accepted me.”
Time and circumstances have since tested sorely the man's profession. But through all his trials he continues to find peace and joy in the One on whom he has cast himself for time and for eternity.