Jack and I were comrades-in-arms and enjoyed the same "pleasures of sin." However, the time came when the Lord Jesus came into my heart, and the world and its allurements no longer appealed to me.
After my conversion I sought to lead my friend Jack to the Savior, but while he often attended the gospel meetings with me, he refused to accept Christ.
One evening some of us were standing outside the meeting-room and inviting passersby to come in and hear the good news. Before long Jack came by. In response to my plea, he said he could not stop, as he had an appointment to keep. I pressed him to come in, feeling as I did that the matter was urgent; but Jack insisted that he must meet his friend. Discouraged, I gave him two tracts, which he promised me to read, and he went on his way.
Shortly afterward, I saw that my old pal looked very poorly. At my urging he promised he would go to the hospital for a check-up. Not thinking it serious, I let the matter slip from my mind. What was my astonishment a few days later, when the hospital orderly told me that if I wanted to see Jack alive I must come at once!
In great distress I hurried to my poor comrade. His labored breathing, bloodless lips, eyes staring at nothing, are before me even now, and fill my own eyes with tears. Going quietly to him, I said: "Jack, how is it with your soul?"
"Bad," he whispered.
"Will you not believe in the Savior now, Jack?" "Maybe I could; but it's such hard work when you're dying," was his reply.
"Oh, Jack," I said, "after all you have heard about Jesus, for it to be bad now! Can't you believe, NOW?"
No answer came. I turned the pages of my Bible, seeking a message of salvation, but how little I knew! I could find none. I knelt to pray for him, but the words died on my lips. All I could say was, "Oh God! O God!" Filled with sorrow and confusion because of my inability to bring Christ before a dying comrade, I left his bedside for a little while. On my return Jack was still alive, but deaf to all earthly sounds. Shortly afterward the spirit of my old friend and comrade was in the presence of Him who judges righteously, for He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. May you who read this incident
"Accept now God's offer of mercy,
To Jesus, oh hasten today."
"I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).