SOME time ago a vessel arrived in Plymouth Harbor, having crossed the mighty Atlantic without any serious mishap or adventure by the way. The passengers for London were soon transferred from the ship to the special express train which was waiting to convey them to London.
The signal being given, the train commenced her journey, and the driver, getting up steam, soon put on full speed. All went well till near the town of T —, where by some mistake a luggage train had been allowed to remain on the main line, instead of being shunted on to a siding to allow the express to pass. No signal being out against the latter, an awful collision was the result, and to add to the terrible confusion that reigned the wrecked train caught fire.
The work of rescuing quickly commenced, and one man was heard to exclaim, with almost his last breath, “I thank God, I can die happy.” Others were found in a lifeless condition with a pack of cards by their side, having in the act of gambling been suddenly taken into eternity, one fears, all “without Christ, without God, and having no hope in the world.”
Dear reader, does not this awful catastrophe appeal to you? Should death overtake you as suddenly, could you say, “Thank God, I can die happy.” This dear man was trusting in the blood of Jesus, which cleanses the sinner from all sin, and gives all who trust in it a title to enter heaven—
“The precious blood of Jesus
Has made my title sure.”
The Lord Jesus Christ by His death at Calvary has taken away the sting of death for the believer. By that mighty work He has broken the power of him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb. 2:1414Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)).
Oh! unsaved reader, with the dark shadows of death and eternity resting upon you, I beseech you not to trifle any longer with God and His word. No doubt He has spoken to you many times, and in different ways, but still you are indifferent, like Gallio, who cared for none of these things. Once more He speaks to you through the pages of this little Gospel magazine, and says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
Salvation is God’s free gift to all who will have it. Will you accept or reject it? “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1)).
One of the devil’s most fatal delusions is that there is plenty of time to think about these things; but let me remind you, “delays are dangerous.” At once, I entreat you, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)); and “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)). F. H.