Canon Wilberforce tells a pathetic story illustrating the force of the little word "now." A miner, hearing the gospel preached, determined that, if the promised blessing of immediate salvation were indeed true, he would not leave the presence of the minister who was declaring it until assured of its possession himself. He waited after the meeting to speak with the minister, and in his simple way said, "Didn't you say I could have the blessing now?”
"Yes, my friend.”
"Then pray with me, for I'm not going away without it.”
And they did pray, until the wrestling miner heard silent words of comfort and cheer.
"I've got it now!" cried the miner, his face reflecting the joy within: "I've got it now!”
The next day a frightful accident occurred at the mines. The same minister was called to the scene, and among the men, dead and dying, was the quivering, almost breathless body of the man who, only the night before, big and brawny, came to him to know if salvation could really be had now, for the asking.
There was but a fleeting moment of recognition between the two ere the miner's soul took flight; but in that moment he had time to say in reply to the minister's sympathy,
"O I don't mind, for I've got it—I've got it—it's mine!”
Then the name of this poor man went into the sad list of the "killed." There was no note made of the royal inheritance to which he had but a few hours before come into possession, and all by his believing grip of the word "now.”
'THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE."
"BLESSED ARE ALL THEY THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM."