“I CAN’T see your soul going to hell without telling you of it.” These words once spoken in simple faithfulness, were used of God to the awakening and conversion of a man till then dead in trespasses and sins. It was at a small sea-side place just outside the busy city of Bristol.
Major G― was very ill. He had retired from the army, and was living in peace—the devil’s peace, a false peace, which thousands in their blindness are lulled into at this hour.
Well, Major G― was ill, very ill, and the doctor came and privately told his friends that he was marked for death. The news spread through the house that the father, the husband, the master was dying, and could not live longer than three days.
Now there lived in that house a little servant-maid, who feared God, one who had found in Christ a refuge for her poor lost and guilty soul. The news so impressed her that she was led in faith to enter her master’s room. She approached his bedside and said, “Oh, sir, the doctor says as how you cannot live only three days longer, and I can’t see your soul go to hell without telling you of it.” To which he in anger replied, “How dare you come into my room? Do you see that door? Go out at once, and leave my service this day month.”
The dear girl left him, and all that day she went about sorrowful and in tears. But God was at work. The dying Major lay, and, do all he could, he could not shake off that message, “Going to hell” What solemn words, yet there he was going. Are you going there, dear reader?
The evening came round and found the poor dying Major in a very wretched state. He was now awake to his danger, and in distress of soul he sent for the little servant-maid he had dismissed in such haste, and when she came he said, “Tell me, what did you mean by those words you spoke to me this morning? I cannot get rid of them.” The dear girl answered, “I can’t tell you, sir, all they mean, but I know I am saved. I would be only too glad to change places with you and die in three days’ time. But, sir, I know a true servant of the Lord living at Exeter, who led me to Christ, he can tell you all about it. Shall I send for him?” To which the dying Major replied, “Yes.” This dear man was a poor humble bootmaker, living about eighty miles away, who, when he arrived, found the dying man just ready for Christ. He just told him of God’s great love, of Christ’s precious blood, and of a welcome for poor sinners, however guilty, to the blessed Son of God.
The dying man believed the gospel, received the love of God, came to Jesus, rested on Him, and rejoiced in His finished work. He then said, “I have a son a clergyman, I’ve had clergymen sitting, eating at my table, and not one of them ever spoke to me of my soul. If it had not been for that poor servant-girl I should have gone to hell.”
He begged the humble bootmaker to stay with him until he died, and in the interval bore witness to the wonderful grace of God in saving a poor sinner, such as he, when just on the brink of hell.
Reader, this gospel of the grace of God has now been preached for nearly two thousand years. Many, have accepted the blessed message it brings. Have you yet done so? Soon the day of grace will be over, and the Master of the house will arise, and the door will be shut. Which side of that door will you be? If you are unsaved now turn to God without delay. There is no time to be lost. That door may be shut this very hour. We are close, very close, to that moment, and every fleeting hour brings us closer. In love I warn you, yea, God Himself does so, by these words. In Luke 13:2525When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25) the Lord Jesus says many will want to enter when the door is shut and will not be able. They are too late! That tender voice which is now beseeching men to “come,” will then be heard saying―yes, saying in sadness― “Depart from me.”
How will you stand in that great day? Now you may claim and trust the precious blood for sinners shed. If so, you will not then be put to shame. Remember that He who is now desiring to be your Saviour will then be a Judge. Has His mercy long been spurned? How often have you turned your back on Christ? Then against you He will be turned. Heaven and earth will vanish away, but the lake of fire remains for the rejecter of Christ. Heaven is lost, and your lost soul, in eternal chains, will forever repent missing God’s salvation.
Sinner, “Behold the Lamb of God” who suffered in our stead. “Come unto me” is His word to you. “Hear, and your soul shall live.”
I just leave this little tale in your hand, dear unsaved reader, praying that God’s Holy Spirit will bless it to you before it be too late. May He awake you out of sleep to call upon God, and Christ shall give you light. H. G. L