DURING the summer of the year 1887, I became acquainted with a man whose employment led him constantly into public houses, and, as a result, he became addicted to strong drink; he rarely spoke without swearing, in fact, it had become quite a habit, with him, and although he had a rough exterior, he was really a kind hearted man. “No one’s enemy but his own” — a photograph of tens of thousands. Is it a photograph of thee, reader?
As the summer waned I saw that a gradual change was coming over him; he began to look worn and tired. When October arrived, with its chilly air, I perceived the change was more marked, and I felt sure that death had selected him as one of its victims. Meeting him one day, I inquired after his health. He said he did not think that he should ever get well again. I spoke to him about his soul; he listened patiently, and then said, “Excuse me, I must go home, I feel so bad.”
I called upon him the following Lord’s day, and found him much weaker, read part of the 3rd chapter of Romans, dwelt especially upon verses 19 and 23, telling him that, as all the world had become guilty before God, for “All had sinned,” that he was included in the “all,” and then prayed that God would open the eyes of his mind, and show him his true condition.
Pressure of business prevented me from seeing him again until the following Saturday, when I received a note from a neighbor, stating that the poor fellow was worse, and wished to see me. I found him very ill. He said, “I’m glad you have come; I have been waiting to see you every day. I was afraid I had offended you.”
I assured him that he had not. He appeared truly penitent, owned what a wicked man he had been, and hoped God would have mercy upon him. I read John 3:14-18, and prayed God that as He had shewn him what a great sinner he had been, He would now be pleased to show him what a great Saviour Jesus was.
The following evening I found him much worse. The hectic flush, the hacking cough, the short but difficult breathing, and the profuse perspiration, all told me that his end was near. I inquired as to his soul’s welfare. He replied,
“I’m not afraid to die now; my blessed Lord has died for me, praise His name, and tho’ I’m not suffering pain, I wish He would come and fetch me.”
We joined together in thanking and praising God for His rich grace to him — a poor, guilty, hell deserving sinner — in saving him in the last hours of his life. I left, to see him again no more on earth, as the next day he passed away. Yes, a convicted sinner on the Saturday, saved and rejoicing in the Lord on the Sunday, and absent from the body and present with the Lord, who had died for him, on the Monday. What a blessed change for him!
Reader, are you able to say from the bottom of your heart, as before God, “I’m not afraid to die?” Yes, you may be able to say that, but can you also say, “My blessed Lord has died for me?” If so, all is well; if not, then remember, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Are you prepared to meet that appointment? As sure as you are reading these words, so sure will the time arrive when you will have to leave this world forever, but, where will you spend eternity? It will be either with the Lord in glory, or with Satan the Deceiver and all those he has deceived, in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15). God’s, love is towards you. He “so loved the world,” and that includes you, “that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever,” and that includes you, “believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Believe the Word of God, and next, in the work of Christ. Read. John 5:24; Set your foot on that, there is a solid foundation for your faith to rest upon; rest not on your good works, or on your feelings, but on the Word of God, which abideth forever. W. C.