ARRIVING at N — Station a few days ago, on the chance of soon getting a train for Glasgow, I found a northbound express just ready to start. Jumping into the guard’s van, we were soon flying through the country.
A most intelligent man was my traveling companion, who had served the company for thirty or more years, and as we steamed swiftly along, we conversed on a variety of subjects. At length I felt the time had come for introducing the great and all-important matters of the soul, so I handed our friend a little book entitled. “No time to repent,” feeling that to be somewhat appropriate in view of the dangers to which he must constantly be exposed.
The book was most courteously received, and as he held it in his hand, standing on the floor of the rocking railway van, a bright smile lit up his countenance as he remarked, “In the year 1889 I fled for refuge as a poor, lost, guilty, and hell-deserving sinner to the Lord Jesus Christ, and He took me in.”
It was truly refreshing to get such a clear confession of Christ.
We were nearing Glasgow, and my friend and brother in Christ lowered the window and waved his hand to a watcher on a balcony, remarking as he did so, “I never take charge of the London express but that friend is praying for me, and always watching to see me safe back.” Ah, thought I, how little does the traveling public know what they owe of safety to some praying child of God.
“I never leave my home in the morning or at night as the case may be, but my wife says to me, ‘Well, John, if you don’t come back alive, we’re bound to meet again in glory.”
Reader, is there no good in being a Christian? Of course there is; you are safe for eternity, come what may. The future is all secure, but what about the present? Is the Christian less contented than the man of the world? A look at the happy countenance of my companion as he spoke of his Saviour and Lord, and of the joy and peace that had filled his soul and brightened his home since he and his wife had started together on the heavenward road, was answer enough.
Reader, we are all of us exposed to the danger of sudden death. Why not do as our friend the railway guard, flee for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ as a poor, lost, guilty sinner, and you too will be able to add your testimony —
He took me in.
“Come with thy sins to the Saviour,
Come with thy burden of guilt,
Ready He stands to receive thee,
There thou wilt find a relief.
Haste thee away,
Why wilt thou stay?
Risk not thy soul on a moment’s delay.
Jesus is waiting to save thee,
Mercy is pleading today.”
A. H. B.