Inheriting a fortune of £4o,000, H— (like another prodigal) had spent it all “in riotous living,” until at last he found his home in a common lodging-house, while he obtained his livelihood by playing a banjo on the beach.
Known in days of affluence to a large circle of acquaintances, he frequently met one and another who recognized him, and in mistaken pity gave him considerable sums of money. A bout of drunkenness always followed this ill-judged generosity. His great pleasure seemed to be to upset, if possible, any open-air service held on the beach, except those held by one man a missionary who frequently visited the lodging-house he slept in, and who had gained his respect.
One Christmastide he had been unusually “lucky,” and, in consequence, giving greater rein to his lusts than ever, was day after day in a state of intoxication and dissoluteness. The last night of the year came, and with it a visit from the missionary, who as was his wont held a service in the lodging house for the men, and implored them to “repent and believe the gospel.” To his surprise H was present.
After delivering his message the missionary left to attend a watchnight service, and at its close passed the lodging-house on his way home. The keeper was outside, and beckoned to him.
“What is wrong?” he inquired.
“H— is dying. We have sent for the police ambulance to take him to the hospital, and I am waiting for it.”
Late as it was, the missionary entered the house and stood by the side of the dying man who had so often opposed God’s message of mercy.
“Well, H—, I am sorry to see you thus, but I am not surprised after the way you have gone on lately. I am not throwing stones at you, but I must be faithful.”
“Yes, Mr. —; I believe you want to do me good.”
“I do, but what is more to the point, God wishes to do you good, H—!”
“God! No, Mr.—, not after all I have done against Him, and after such a life as mine. I could not be so mean as to turn to Him anew.”
“It is true! He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” said the missionary. And tenderly and lovingly, to no unwilling ears now, he told how “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That “ God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16, 1716For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16‑17)); and “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:1010Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)); and “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
He spoke of God’s love in giving His Son, of the Son’s love in coming, and of His finished work on Calvary, when He offered Himself without spot to God; of His death, His blood-shedding, and His resurrection in proof that all was finished and justice satisfied.
The ambulance arrived; the dying man was lifted into it, and the missionary went home.
Early New Year’s morning found him at the hospital.
“He is quite unconscious,” said the nurse.
“I am not so sure,” replied the missionary, and he began to speak to the dying prodigal of the love of the One against Whom he had so sorely sinned, but Who still waited to be gracious. His voice was recognized at once, his message eagerly listened to, and just as the sands of life were running out, the missionary had reason to hope poor H accepted the mercy he had so long deliberately slighted and refused, and now had fled for refuge to the Saviour He had scorned and rejected. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” but oh, how nearly he was lost forever!
“I am escaped by the skin of my teeth,” he might have said. But, my friend, what of yourself? Have you hearkened to God’s message of salvation, or have you, like H —, made light of it? You may not have the “last chance” he had. Don’t put it off. God wants to do YOU good: His gospel, His salvation, is sent to you; do not refuse it. His patience, His grace is unfathomable, but not inexhaustible. Hush! “Because I have called, and ye refused, I stretched out my hand and no man regarded... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh” (Prov. 1:24, 2624Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; (Proverbs 1:24)
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:26)). “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish!” (Acts 13:4141Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:41)).
T.