I WAS pacing up and down the platform, waiting for my train to return home, after having preached the Gospel in the town of—, when the clear voice of the porter awakened me from my reverie—"Purely, Croydon, Norwood, London Bridge train!”
In a few moments the long line of carriages had drawn up, and the passengers had pressed in, and seated themselves for their journey. I took my place in a third-class compartment in which there was only one other passenger, and he, a gentlemanly-looking man, was half hidden behind his Sunday paper.
Almost as soon as we had started I leaned forward and said to him, "Can you tell me, sir, if Christ is really coming back again?”
He dropped his paper, and, staring at me in evident astonishment, said, "I don't understand you at all. What do you mean?”
I replied, "I have heard that CHRIST JESUS, who was once here on earth, is alive and is SITTING UPON THE THRONE OF HEAVEN, and that HE IS COMING BACK to take up His great power and reign in the world. Can you tell me if it is true?”
My companion looked at me for a minute or two like a man scared, and then very slowly he answered: “Well, yes, I believe Christ is coming back again, but it is difficult to realize.”
“Yes," said I, "it is difficult to realize, but if it is true, how will it affect our lives; for it seems to me that things cannot go on as they are if He comes?”
“But," said my fellow-passenger, "I don't think Christ will come yet, for I fancy I have heard that there are to be wars and rumors of wars and great happenings in the world, and the faith of men will disappear.”
“Ah, no!" said I, "I hear that He is to come mysteriously first, and those who know and love Him will be taken away, whereas those who have neglected Him will know nothing about it until it is too late." Tell me, "said I," are you ready to meet Him?”
Alas! his answer was very indefinite, and having reached his station he bade me good night and passed out.
I remained alone to think over the subject which impressed me so much. “THIS SAME JESUS... SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO." (Acts 1:11)
" THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT." (1 Thess. 4:16.)
Reader, ARE YOU READY TO MEET HIM? If not, I beseech you go down upon your knees now as this paper is in your hand, and own Him as your Lord, and trust Him as your Savior.
He will receive you, and He will bless you, and you will then join the writer in an earnest cry to Him—"Come, Lord Jesus."
R. B.