There is abundant evidence in the Bible that God often conveyed His mind to people by means of dreams. Many today have found that God can act on the mind in a dream; and doubtless many have been aroused to see their need of a Savior thereby.
In the Book of Job, we read: "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man." Chapter 33:14-17.
The following true story tells how God once spoke to a young man in a dream. Since its publication some years ago it has spoken in awful solemnity to thousands. May this same dream speak to every unsaved reader today!
It was in the city of Glasgow. A number of wealthy but godless young men had banded together and formed an exclusive club. Ostensibly it was for the purpose of meeting together to play cards. But the club soon became so distinguished for such unbridled wickedness, that it became popularly known as "The Hell Club."
One of the club's special events each year was the annual festival. On this occasion it was expected that each member would endeavor to "outdo all his former doings" in drunkenness, blasphemy and licentiousness.
The "super-star" at these events was a brilliant young fellow named Archibald Boyle. Long before he was twenty-five he was one of the most accomplished blackguards on the club's roster.
What to him were "hell," "heaven," or "eternity"? Mere words wherewith to edge his blasphemous wit or spice his curses!
To him, no glory was equal to hearing himself styled "the very life of the club."
But one night a horrible dream arrested him in his wicked career. It was the night following the club's annual banquet. As he slept he dreamed that he was riding home on his famous black horse to his country house outside the city.
Suddenly he was confronted by a mysterious person who seized the bridle reins, and in a heart-chilling voice, commanded: "You must go with me."
"And who are you?" exclaimed Boyle, struggling to regain control of the reins.
"That you will see by-and-by," replied the intruder.
Boyle dug his spurs into the panting sides of his horse, which reared, and darted forward at a speed that nearly left its rider behind. Fleeter than the wind he flew— the mysterious half-seen guide still before him.
Again Boyle furiously spurred the gallant horse. The frightened animal reared and plunged. He was thrown from the saddle, and expected at the same moment to be dashed to the earth.
But no— he continued to fall with ever increasing velocity— down, down, down.
At length the falling sensation ceased and to his horror he saw his mysterious attendant was still at his side.
"Where are you taking me?" he demanded. "To hell," replied the same iron voice.
Onward they hurried until they reached an arched entrance of stupendous magnificence.
Within was a scene too awful to describe. Multitudes gnashing their teeth in the hopelessness of despair.
Boyle suddenly perceived that he was surrounded by those whom he had known on earth, but had been dead for some time.
Observing that his unearthly conductor had vanished, he ventured to address one of his former friends.
"Delighted to see you," he said to her, "for old time's sake do stop for a moment and rest." But with a shriek that seemed to cleave his very soul, she exclaimed:
"THERE IS NO REST IN HELL!"
He rushed away; but as he fled, he saw those whom he knew must have been dead for thousands of years, still absorbed in recollections of their sinful pleasures on earth and toiling through their eternity of woe.
Boyle tried to shut his eyes, but he found he could not. He was compelled to gaze with still increasing intensity of horror at the ever-changing, yet ever steady torrent of eternal torment.
And this was hell!... the scoffer's jest— the by-word of the profligate!
All at once he perceived that his spectral conductor was once more by his side.
"Take me", cried Boyle, "take me from this place. By the living God, whose name I have so often outraged, I demand of you, take me out of here!"
"Can you still name His Name?" said the fiend. "Go then. But in a year and a day, we meet to part no more."
Boyle awoke from his dream, feeling as if the words of the fiend were traced in fire upon his brain.
He resolved utterly and forever to forsake the Hell Club. Above all, he determined that nothing on earth should tempt him to join in the next annual festival.
But the Hell Club members flocked around him, curious to learn the cause of his dejection, and why he refused to take further part in their accustomed orgies. They became alarmed with the idea of losing "the life of the club," and bound themselves by an oath never to desist until they discovered what was the matter with him.
One evening, one of the members on entering Boyle's room detected him in the act of hastily hiding a Bible.
Alas, had Boyle possessed sufficient true moral courage and dignity NOT to have hidden the Bible, how different might have been his future! But, like many a hopeful youth, he was ashamed to avow his convictions, and to take his stand for God. His ruin was the result.
The efforts of his fellow club members to regain his active support were all too successful. Eventually he told them his dream. They ridiculed it and his feeling of repentance.
He who "hid the Bible" had neither nerve nor strength to stand the ribald jests of his companions.
His virtuous resolutions were broken. His prayers were voluntarily called back by sin from the throne of heaven. All was lost; but not without a terrific struggle between his conscience and the spirit of evil. It made him before the year elapsed, a haggard, gray-haired man.
From the annual meeting he shrank with horror. Well aware of his resolutions, his tempters determined that he should have no choice. And despite his iron resolve, Boyle found himself once more seated at the very table where he had sworn to himself a thousand times that nothing on earth should make him sit.
His ears tingled, his eyes swam, at the president's opening remarks: "Gentlemen, this is leap year; therefore it is just a year and a day since our last annual meeting."
Boyle's first impulse was to rise and fly; but then, the sneers! How many have sold their souls to the dread of a sneer, and dared the wrath of almighty God!
He was more than ever plied with wine. His laugh sounded fiendish even to the evil ears that heard it.
The night was gloomy when Boyle, with feverish nerves and reeling brain, mounted his horse for home.
The following morning, the well-known black horse with saddle and bridle, was found quietly grazing on the roadside. A few yards away lay the lifeless body of his master.
Reader, this dream of Archibald Boyle is a well authenticated fact. God, who has all power to communicate with the human mind, spoke to this young man. And through the same dream God now speaks to you.
The gospel bells give warning,
As they sound from day to day,
Of the fate that doth await them
Who forever will delay.
"Escape thou for thy life!
Tarry not in all the plain;
Nor behind thee look, O, never,
Lest thou be consumed in pain."