OUR TRAIN stopped at the station of E—where, as usual all was bustle and noise with people passing to and fro. We troubled ourselves little about what was going on around us. We heard indeed some loud shoutings but took no notice of them as we were busy talking. Thus a few minutes went past. At last one of us said, “Why are we stopping here so long? The train should have left long ago.” Another opened the window and looked out. The next moment he turned around to us with the words, “This is a pleasant surprise! The train is gone. The two last carriages have been left behind.”
We all sprang up, called a railroad official who was near, and asked him what it meant. “You have been left behind”, he answered dryly.
“But why has no one come to tell us to change coaches?” we replied, showing that we were annoyed.
“I passed both coaches and called out frequently as loud as I could,” he replied. “It is your own fault if you remained sitting.”
What could we say? We had heard him calling but had not heeded. Happily another train arrived an hour later, so we were still able to reach our destination the same evening.
Our little self-guilty mishap reminded me of another more serious matter.
How many will be left behind when once the Lord comes to take His redeemed people to the Father’s house! How many, who had heard the warning call so often, but had not heeded! Occupied with the things of this world, their business, their family, their friend-circles—that they had neither time nor desire to occupy themselves with such solemn matters.
The warning call, the pleading to turn in time and come to Christ, met their ear; but they did not heed, they had far too many things to do and think about.
But O! for those who are left behind at the coming of the Lord; there will be no late train, so to speak, to take them to heaven. It is then forever too late! No hope, no more entrance, only a fearful looking for of judgment. All who have accepted the friendly invitation of the Lord Jesus, and during this period of grace have found a refuge in Him, will be with Him in the glory—in the Father’s house—where no suffering can ever reach them. No enemy can there afflict them. For them the coming of the Lord is the most joyful, the most glorious reward of their faith — the
blessed fulfillment of their hopes.
What can full joy and blessing be,
But being where Thou art.
ML 11/10/1912