“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” —John 12:4848He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48). “How shall we escape if we neglect so GREAT Salvation.” Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3). “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” —Heb. 11:2727By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27).
THESE are solemn words for an unsaved soul.
Are you still unsaved, dear reader? If so, ponder them deeply, and learn their depth in the following sad, but too true, narrative.
It was a glorious morning, and all looked bright and fair, bathed in God’s own sunlight, with nothing to betoken any rising storm of anguish and sorrow, as a young Christian wended her way, with light heart, to the house of business where she was engaged, in the town of D—.
Passing through to her accustomed place, she gave a word of friendly morning greeting to one who was soon to leave them (after many years’ service) to exchange business for a happy home of her own; and although she knew not she was “miserable, poor, and blind,” bright pictures danced before her, and hopes were high, a little, perchance, saddened by the thought that at mid-day her friend and affianced husband was to bid her goodbye for a short time only, when they would meet once more be made one, and separate no more. They parted as friends do part in this troublesome scene, without one thought or warning of the crushing sorrow looming in the distance; and so her friend left for L—.
A few hours rolled by, and poor—, who had thought all so bright, and the future cloudless, was seized with violent pains. On it came, stealthily and like a relentless foe, to its cowed and shrinking victim, till in agony she rushed to the young Christian before mentioned, who was in a room alone. Brandy and restoratives were applied, which lulled the agonizing pain; but the poor face, all scared and frightened, and deathly pale, flushed with a crimson hue, as turning her large dark eyes to the young Christian, she said: “Oh, I thought I was going to die.”
What kept the lips silent which ought to have replied, we know not; but earnestly and lovingly we would entreat the dear saved ones—those who KNOW, and have PROVED the love of God—BE READY with an answer at anytime at any season. Oh, let not Satan, fear, or a false timidity keep you silent, and bring a remorse which will end but with life. Not that we can of ourselves save a soul—nay, nay; but we have not delivered our own souls if we are not faithful; and ever and anon the question repeats itself when too late to be answered. But poor— grew worse, and in a few hours of mortal agony breathed her last, to meet, we fear, an unknown God. This is sorrow—sorrow our hearts mourn over—sorrow we would fain bury, but that, in telling it to others, some dear unsaved one may read in it the uncertainty of life, and its fairest prospects, and brightest hopes, while those who love the Lord may read a word of warning, and be spared the anguish of one who was not faithful.
M. H. S.