WHEN Mr. Pollock was governor of Pennsylvania, there was a man whose death-warrant he had signed. He felt that he could not let him die, being a Christian himself, without going to tell him of a Saviour’s love. He went to the prison where the condemned man was, a few days before the time fixed for the execution. He said to the sheriff, “Show me to his cell, but don’t tell him who I am.”
He walked in and talked with the man. He told him of Christ—how God had sent Him into the world to save sinners. He read to him portions of the Word of God which showed this, then prayed with him, commending him to the God of all grace. After he had gone, the sheriff went to the cell and informed the man that the person who had visited him was the governor. The condemned man turned deathly pale, and lifting both hands, cried out, “O, sheriff, why didn’t you tell me that was the governor? If I had known it, I would have fallen at his feet and cried for mercy! I would have asked him to save me! Why didn’t you tell me?” and he wept and wrung his hands in distress at the thought that the governor had been in his very cell and he didn’t know it.
No doubt his pleading for mercy would have been very strong. He was condemned, and that justly. Mercy, therefore, was his only hope, and, had he known it, there was his opportunity to implore it and obtain his life. But that opportunity was past, and the thought that he had lost it, made him wring his hands in agony.
And yet, dear children, this was but to save a life which would have ended later! Think, then, what those must feel who have lost the present golden opportunities of obtaining eternal life from Him who alone can give it, even He who “receiveth sinners.” Those who have heard of Christ and have refused Him, or coldly neglected to lay hold of the eternal salvation He offers them now, will in that day have bitter tears of remorse, and for all eternity.
O, dear young reader, may you not be among them, for “their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched!” Fall at the feet of Jesus now, just where you are. Confess your sins, and plead His mercy. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).)
ML 02/04/1917