THE subject of the following sketch had been a soldier. I made his acquaintance after he had left the army, and remained on very intimate terms with him until his death, which happened many years after.
My old friend was not converted till the middle period of life, but at once began to serve the Lord, and continued an active worker until the home-call, which came very suddenly. It was his delight to stand in the open air and proclaim the glad tidings of God's salvation in the town where he had served as a soldier.
On one occasion a young soldier came and opposed him, not knowing, probably, that he had formerly served in the army. Presently an officer, who had been listening, drew near to my old friend, and said to him, "Shall I put that man in the guard room?”
The reply was,—"Yes, when God puts you in the guard room.”
My old friend had learned the sweet story of the grace of God, and knew how to forgive rather than to punish.
Eventually he settled down to a blessed form of serving Christ, which he diligently continued almost up to the time of his death. He had large quantities of gospel literature sent to him in the form of tracts and booklets. These he carefully selected and stitched together, generally writing across them a few remarks of his own, or a few texts of scripture. With these he would fill his bag, and proceed to the Docks, and distribute to emigrants and others. Then, as opportunities occurred, he would speak to one and another. These portions of truth were carried far and wider and, I doubt not, were used by God in blessing to many persons.
I think I never knew anyone who loved his Bible better than my old friend, and this he marked in such a way that it was quite an object of interest to look at. So familiar was he with his Bible, that in meeting one he would frequently ask how such and such a portion was with you, naming chapter and text.
At length the end of his pilgrimage drew near. He had been to a meeting early in the week, and took a chill which detained him at home. He was hoping that in a few days he would be able to get out again; and so he employed his time, as he was able, in arranging his tracts and booklets for distribution. Little did he think that his work was done. As he grew worse a doctor was sent for who, on examining him, found that he was beyond recovery, and, as a faithful man, told him so. My old friend received the news calmly, and said, "I am in the hands of the living God, doctor, and I have no fear.”
My dear reader, have you such peace in your soul that you can look forward to the end calmly, or does it alarm you? If the latter is the case, let me urge you not to rest until you know for a certainty that you believe in Christ Jesus. No rational man doubts for a moment the importance of attending to the soul's interests, but in large numbers of cases, it is thought that there is time enough to attend to this later on. Felix thought this as Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come; but he was unwilling to yield, and said, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee." The probability is that the convenient season never came, for we read that on resigning office, "Felix, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound." In the affairs of life it is felt to be of importance to attend to urgent matters without delay; trivial things we can afford to allow to stand over for a while. Hence the importance of attending to the Lord's call to your soul. The present time is the convenient season. "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”