A deep impression was made upon Mary, by a sermon by a devoted clergyman. She returned home very thoughtful, and made a resolution that she would give up her evil ways and turn to God. But the cares of the world choked the word, that it brought forth no fruit. Soon after this she had a dream at which she was much alarmed. She dreamed that an angel stood by her bed in white apparel, and said in a solemn voice, “Mary, take care that you are not too late! Mary, take care that you are not too late!” and then vanished, when she awoke much distressed.
She went the same day to the clergyman who had been the means of arousing her shortly before, and told him what had occurred. He begged her then and there to ask for the pardon of her sins through the precious blood of Jesus. She promised that she would do so, but did not yield then to Jesus. She returned home, and the following, week she had another vision. Again the same angel stood by her bed and said in a solemn tone, “Mary, take care or you WILL BE too late! Mary, take care or you will be too late!” and then departed.
She awoke in a great fright, and as soon as possible started off to the clergyman, who inquired what had brought her so early to his House. She went weeping into his study and told him that the angel had again appeared in another dream; but this time the words were somewhat altered, for he said, “Mary, take care or you WILL BE too late!” repeating it twice. The man of God earnestly urged her not to disregard such solemn warnings, which evidently had come from. God, but at once to accept Jesus as her Saviour. Mary wept, prayed, and promised that she would not forget it; but that soon she would turn to God; and left.
The clergyman was about to retire to rest after the happy labors of the following Sabbath, when he suddenly heard the tramp of horses galloping up the drive. He went to the door, when a man asked him hurriedly, “Are you Mr. —?” “I am.” he said. “Then come with me at once,” said the man, for Mary― is dying, and wishes to see you.” “Mary―dying!” exclaimed the clergyman in tones of great surprise; “why I never heard that she was ill. I saw her only a, few days ago, and she did not then complain.” “Oh, sir, come at once; she is dying! See, I have brought another horse, that you may come quickly.”
The clergyman hastened and went.
On arriving at the house and entering the room where Mary Was’ lying, she exclaimed, “Oh, sir, I am so glad that you are come! I have had another dream, but this time the angel said: ‘Mary, YOU ARE too late! Mary, YOU ARE too late! What shall I do, sir? I, am too late! I am too late!”
“Oh, Mary,” said the clergyman, “don’t’ say so. Jesus is willing; and able to save you even now, for He saved the dying thief, and can save you.”
“Oh sir,” said Mary, “the dying, thief did not sin against light and knowledge as I have done; he did not willfully reject Christ as I have done; now for me it is too late; it is too late.” All in the room sobbed aloud as the clergyman knelt and wrestled with God in prayer. When he had finished Mary said: “It is of no use your praying for me, sir, for I am too late, I am too late.” She paused a few moments, and then inquired, “What o’clock is it?” They answered, “Twenty minutes to twelve.” “At twelve o’clock,” she said in a low, sepulchral voice, “I shall be in hell and damned.”
An awful feeling pervaded that little company of watchers at the utterance of the terrible words. They prayed again and again, they pointed her to that Saviour who would save to the uttermost of guilt, and the uttermost of life, all who looked to Him, but it was in vain. They watched the clock as its hands drew near to the hour of midnight, and listened breathlessly as it struck one―two―three―four— five—six― seven— eight — nine — ten―eleven―twelve, and as the last stroke sounded in their ears she raised herself in bed, and with a wild shriek cried out, “O God, I am in hell and damned,” and instantly fell back and expired.
Oh, my readers, take care that you are not too late. Take care or you will be too late. Accept Jesus now, reject not His loving invitations, postpone not entering on the race to glory till you are forever too late.