While traveling some time ago, I witnessed a scene from which I sought to draw lessons for eternity, and which I now tell you; in hope that you may do likewise.
It was about one o'clock on a fine summer morning, when, with a lady friend, I entered the western bound express, and found the train full of sleeping passengers occupying from one to four seats each. After rousing one man to make room for my friend, I seated her and went to seek room for myself elsewhere in the car. I found a seat, behind which I noticed a stout old man, reclining, his head leaning against the car side—fast asleep. Wearied with traveling on the previous day, I too, was soon oblivious to all around.
How long I slept I know not, when suddenly I was awakened by a loud conversation going on behind me, while my ears were shocked by the volleys of horrible oaths and curses, which passed between the old man just referred to, and two younger men, who wore the smart dress and carried the impudent face that at once branded them in my mind as "sharpers." The old man was demanding money of them, which they refused to give. He declared they had robbed him,—they of course, denied it. At last the young men slipped out into the smoking-car, while the old man followed to find the conductor and seek his aid.
Of course, by this time, the car was all commotion, and anxious to know how the thing occurred, etc.; and the old man's reappearance was eagerly looked for, that a full explanation might be given by him. In a few minutes he re-entered the car, looking very dejected, as he had been evidently unsuccessful—and was at once surrounded by half-a-dozen inquirers concerning his case.
His story was briefly as follows:— He had been awakened from his sleep by one of the young men and asked to try a game of "Three-Card-Monte," which he at first refused to engage in, but sat and watched them play. Then, after further solicitations on their part that he would "try five dollars on it," he yielded, and of course, lost his money. They expressed surprise at his "ill-luck" and told him to try again. So another five dollars were sacrificed.
"And," interrupted a listener, "you lost ten dollars?”
"Why," replied the old man, "I played on hoping to regain my money, until I lost one hundred!”
"I thought as I watched them, that it looked easy, and made up my mind not to go too far—I never thought of losing;" and he wrung his hands at the thought of his lost dollars. He disregarded warnings against such men, and paid dearly for his folly.
"Poor man!" I think I hear some of my readers say. Yes, poor man, indeed. He played a dangerous game, and he lost heavily by it. But, dear friend, what about yourself? Are you also playing a dangerous game? What, dear friend, about that soul of yours? Is it saved yet? or are you yet in your sins? Perhaps my reader is well acquainted with the card table, the billiard hall, the theater and dram shop. My friend, you are playing a dangerous game. You may not "mean to lose," but continue, and the end will be loss— eternal loss—eternal damnation in the lake of fire.
"The fearful, and unbelieving, the abominable, and murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).
But perhaps my reader is respectable, moral, temperate, or may be religious without being saved— not born again. Dear friend, you are playing a dangerous game. God says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3), and all your fancied goodness and sham religiousness will only take you down to hell the more securely, where you shall wail your folly, it may be in words like those of the poor old man, "I never thought of losing.”
It is not religiousness, it is the blood of Christ, and that alone, which can shelter a guilty soul from the wrath of a sin-hating God.
But, is my reader one who has often resisted the Holy Ghost, as He sought by His strivings to lead you to Jesus? Many excuses are often made use of. The heart desires more pleasure and seeks for it in the world, instead of in Christ; or the desire is for wealth, or popularity and honor with a godless world, forgetting that important question asked by God, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36). It's a dangerous game, dear friend.
You are merry, it may be, as you trifle now, but ere another sun gilds you eastern sky, you may be dead and damned forever, without one other offer of mercy or ray of hope to cheer the dismal future. O the wails that rise from the abode of the lost in hell! Not one meant to lose. Not one meant to be there. But Satan meant it, and he succeeded. They played a dangerous game, which has ended in their eternal ruin.
May God speak to you, dear unsaved friend. There is salvation at this moment for you.