WHILE taking a country 'walk one afternoon, I passed one whom I knew sitting outside his own house, and, after the customary salutation, was about to proceed on my way, but he asked me to wait awhile with him and have a little talk, as we had, often had before.
I did so, and sitting down by his side he, began to speak of some whom he through were led away by superstitious beliefs. Presently, however, I turned the conversation with this question: “But what about your own soul?
Are you saved?”
“Oh," he said," I do not believe anyone can know he is saved till the Day of Judgment.”
I replied, “It is not what you or I think that determines the matter, but what God says in His word," and having a New Testament hi my pocket, I produced it, and read. Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21): For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain;” and 2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1): “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved; we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." I then pointed out that if all had been dark uncertainty with Paul as to the great future he could not have spoken of death proving gain to him, and that if it were not the happy privilege of the believer to know that he is going "to be with Christ which is far better," Paul could not have written, "We know ... we have a building of God.... eternal, in the heavens. But least it should be argued that that assurance was confined to Paul and others of high attainments (although: itis perfectly clear that the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians' was written for Christians in all ages and places, for it begins (ch. 1:2), " With all that in every place ace call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord," I turned to the 1st Epistle of John, which anyone would admit was written to Christians generally. In the 2nd chapter 12 verse, we found; “I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake,” which shows that God’s order is assurance to start with, and quit put out the erroneous idea that a Christion cannot, possess assurance till he has been long on the way. Then turning to 13th verse the 5th chapter we read.
“These things have I written unto you that believe the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”
My friend then said, “You are right—I see it is there,” I replied, “Since it is so, you should, know it for yourself; for, as we were reading, it is only those that believe on the name of the Son of God that have a right to know.”
He said, "I’ll think about it." "But," I answered," you may not have another chance; now is the best time." Still he replied, "I'll think it," and with this walked into the house, Beloved, unsaved reader, little did I then think; that the next time I was to see him he would be unable to enter into any conversation.
Two or three days after, I heard he had beep, carried home the previous night in a dying state. I hurried to him in order to resume our conversation, but to my great disappointment I found him quite insensible, and clearly manifesting he had met an enemy that was proving more than a match for him. After looking to the Lord on his behalf, I went out for a few minutes, hoping consciousness would be restored that I might just whisper into his ear the words of Jesus, which are spirit and life (John 6:6363It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)) but on my return, I found that cold, stern, relentless Death had done his work, and my poor friend was beyond the sphere of the gospel.
The words which head this paper came with force to my mind, and I thought if he passed into eternity as he lived, he will find plenty of time in eternity to merely think about it, with the rich man to whom the words were spoken in Luke "Son, remember.”
Dear unsaved reader, the above I have related to you as a warning. It may be you are dreaming of the many days you have yet ' to spend in the enjoyment of what this world can give. But seeing how soon Death may do his work, in the day or in the night, and taking into account that equally solemn event, the coming of the Lord, which may take place at any moment, and which will with equal certainty seal the doom of all who have heard and believed not the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-107And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10)), I beseech you remember what God says, “Now is the accepted time, 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)). Oki, enter now through faith in Jesus, the narrow way that leads to life, with Him who says, "I am the way," " him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest," and "I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.”
J. B.