I WAS hurrying out of the hospital, having some miles to walk before tea-time, and had got some way down the corridor, when an attendant with whom I had just shaken hands called me back, saying, “There is a dying man in the ‘Sep’ ward, he can scarcely speak, but I thought you would like to see him.”
“Thank you,” I said, and immediately entered.
I had seen the poor man often, but in a different ward. Many times he had heard me telling out “the old, old story, Of Jesus and His love,” that never wearies with the telling, but he had maintained a reserve throughout, so that I knew not if in his case the word preached was mixed with faith in him as he heard it.
Wishing to know if he realized his soul’s great need, I began asking him, had he prayed to God for mercy? Had he yet cried, “God be merciful to me a sinner”?
In a tone expressive of intense earnestness, the dying man speedily answered, “I have been crying to God for mercy!”
“Has He heard you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Still continue to cry to Him; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Pray to God to save you for Christ’s sake. He will hear and answer your prayer, and save your soul. The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
He was too weak and exhausted to say more than just a word or two in reply; but as I spoke of the gift of God he held up both hands just as a child will do to receive some precious gift. His was the silent attitude of one very eager to receive there and then the priceless boon. Commending him to the Lord I withdrew; he could bear no more.
I never saw him again, but enquired of the attendant who had called me back to see him as to his passing away.
“After you were gone,” he said, “he presently asked me for a Bible, and I brought him one. I said all I could to him. He died on Friday, and I believe he has gone home to heaven.”
I thanked him very cordially for his information, and told him how, when I told him of God’s priceless gift, he had held up both hands in his eager desire to receive it. That he did receive eternal life, even at the eleventh hour, I doubt nit. But while I praise God for His abounding grace towards him, may I ask you, dear reader, why not accept God’s priceless gift Now? While you have health and strength He waits to bestow upon you this gift. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Prayers will not save you, but believing only. BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
“Take it Now, and happy be.”
A. J.