THE subject of the following narrative, A. M`C—, was taught the plan of salvation from his earliest years, although it was not until the age of twenty-seven that he was brought to a knowledge of Christ. During his early days he had many narrow escapes of his life, but the gracious providence of God preserved him, and eventually brought him to know the blessed liberty of grace, and to follow in the way.
At the age of twelve A—was engaged with some other boys in helping to blast some stone, and whilst pouring out some gunpowder from a flask, a mischievous companion suddenly put alighted paper to it, causing the whole of it to explode. Several were badly burned and cut, and A—having the flask in his hand was knocked down, and remained insensible for some moments. The flask had struck him on his breast, but with the exception of the shock caused by the blow and the explosion, he was not much hurt; so that, having regained consciousness, and finding that the police were coining to inquire into the matter, he took to his heels.
Deep exercise of soul ensued, and the inquiry was raised in the secret of his own heart, as to where he would have been had he been suddenly called into eternity. He was conscious that he was unfit for the presence of God, but as time went on, the temporary impression passed away until again brought face to face with a probable violent death.
How often this is the case! When death stares men in the face, they cry to God. For the moment folly and vanity are forgotten, and the solemn realities of death, judgment, and eternity fill the mind. But when the danger is past, Satan's lures again attract the soul, and only too often they are dragged deeper and deeper down in the mire of sin.
Taking to a sea-faring life at the age of sixteen, A—started on a long voyage; and when sailing in the western ocean, the vessel was overtaken by a tremendous gale of wind, which was so violent that the whole company on board gave themselves up for lost, as it seemed impossible for her to weather the storm. But suddenly at the greatest extremity, God caused the wind to abate, reminding us of the words of the Psalmist, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men?”
A year later he met with a similar experience on a voyage to the East Indies. The ship was caught in a tremendous hurricane off the Cape of Good Hope, and for three days and three nights it was thought that every moment would be the last in this world for all on board. The fear of death brought A—again face to face with the solemnities of eternity, and he made vows to God that if He would only spare him, he would henceforth serve Him. Calm succeeded the storm, and A—propped himself up with a false peace; but his merciful escape was soon forgotten, and with it his good resolutions, like thousands more similarly circumstanced.
Yes, souls on all hands are deluding themselves with a false peace. Wherever we turn we hear the cry of Peace, peace; but there is no peace. Good resolutions, reformation, professions to serve God are all vanity. God is a God of reality. He knows the heart, and no sham will pass with Him. The soul must be thoroughly broken down in His blessed presence, and be led to believe on His Son and be saved, before any can render acceptable service to Him. Remember reader, these solemn words of the apostle, “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,...and they shall not escape " (1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)).
The vessel having been unloaded at Burmah, and a fresh cargo taken on board, she started upon her return journey. In the middle of the Bay of Bengal they were suddenly overtaken by a terrific cyclone, which carried away every sail then spread to the wind. The chief officer giving an order, A—and another sprang forward to obey, when at that very moment the ship gave a fearful lurch, and reeling on one side, both were buried underneath the waves.
All his past life flashed through his memory in an instant, as he thought his hour was come to face eternity and God. But the ship righting herself, he found to his inexpressible relief and joy, that he was not overboard in the ocean, but, through the mercy of God, fast locked between two pieces of the woodwork of the vessel. But his companion was nowhere to be seen, and he at once shouted “Man overboard," for the moment forgetting the danger he had just passed through.
Orders were immediately given to lower a boat and look for the drowning man. Every heart trembled as they glanced at the boiling, surging waves lashed by the furious gale. But it was only the hesitation of a moment; a life was at stake, and in a brief space, A—and three others following the second officer, were off in a lifeboat upon the surging billows. The sea was running so high that they thought every moment they would be swamped and launched into eternity. But God in His grace preserved them, and after a fruitless search for the poor fellow, his cap being the only trace they could discover, they were again hoisted back upon the ship.
Recovered from the shock, A—had time to reflect on what had occurred, and felt most thankful to God for his escape, unprepared, from a sudden and violent death. He resolved to be better, and began to read the Bible more, and to pray, but being laughed at by some of his careless shipmates, lacked courage, and gave it all up again. He went on for a long time after this in a state of indifference and cold neglect of God and the salvation of his soul.
But still mercy followed him, and being thrown in the company of a Christian, the latter earnestly persuaded him to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)), telling him, that through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ his own sins were forgiven, and warning him that as long as he pursued his course without God, he was rapidly approaching an eternity of woe.
Again and again he pointed him to Christ and His finished work, continuing so faithfully to plead with him, that at last he concluded that he must either be the same as his companion, or break of from his company altogether. This he felt very hard, as a deep friendship had sprung up between them, and so to avoid his constantly pressing the subject upon him, he professed that his sins were forgiven also, but still his soul lacked peace with God.
How often is it the case that sinners desiring to flee from the wrath to come, and alive to the necessity of something different to what they have hitherto been, make a false profession of conversion Satan, ever on the alert, deludes the soul, and leads men to build upon a foundation of shifting sand,—to make a profession of Christ and salvation, whilst all the while their foundation is utterly rotten, the ever-shifting ground of their own feelings, good intentions, endeavors to please God, and attention to religious ordinances. Satan does not care, not he, what you rest upon, so long as it is not Christ.
You may have as much religion as you please, so long as you do not build your house upon the Rock of Ages, and are kept from closing with Christ about your precious never-dying soul, and believing on His name. Beware, dear reader, of his subtle wiles, and trust alone in Christ.
His profession was soon put to the proof. A few Christians proposed to have some preaching in the open air, and one of them suggested that A—should tell the people what the Lord had done for his soul. His conscience was immediately charged with the guilt of his deceit, and when they started he kept out of the way, more miserable than ever.
Thoroughly broken clown, he now found himself in the presence of God, guilty, ruined, lost. He saw the utter vanity of all his vain efforts to cling to anything in self, but found in Christ one who met all the deep need of his soul. The confession of Peter in Matt. 16:1616And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16), “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," and the Lord's reply, were used by the Spirit of God to bring him into peace and liberty of soul. Taught of the Father, he too confessed Him, and knew that he was saved.
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God "(1 John 5:11Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1))." Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God " (1 John 4:1515Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)). Joy filled his soul, his peace flowed as a river. He knew that the finished work of Christ had met every claim of God against him, and could say with Paul, “Who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)), as though there was not another sinner in the whole world. Wondrous grace! a weary heart and a bad conscience exchanged for a conscience purged by the blood of Christ, and a heart happy and free in the enjoyment of the love of God.
And now, clear reader, having read the narrative of God's abounding grace towards A—, let me ask you, Is your soul saved? Are you at peace with God? Does joy fill your heart? Can you say in truth that He “loved me and gave himself for me "? If not, why not? The work is done. Christ did it. God's claims are met. Christ met them.
Salvation is free. His precious blood paid for it.
You may be saved. God says so. Cease from your vain efforts to please Him in the flesh (Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)).
Come out in your true colors. Be honest with yourself, and have to do with God about it all.
“Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.”
There is no time to be lost. God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. Maybe He has already spoken twice to you. Beware. If death claimed you as its prey this moment, how would it be with you? Would you depart to be with Christ, washed from your sins in His precious blood, or would it be the portal for you to ever-lasting woe? It must be one or the other. Consider it, ere it be too late. God offers you Christ. Will you receive Him? You must be born again.
His Word declares it. The days run rapidly by.
Death is claiming its victims on all hands. Sinner, your turn will come. Oh, flee, flee now from the wrath to comer Flee while you may. Flee to Christ. Mark, to Mist. "Come unto me," says the gracious Savior. To Me. “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." “Come unto me, ... and I will give you rest." It cannot be had elsewhere. Come, then, while you may. Be decided. You have already halted too long. Another step, and it may be too late. Sinner, heed the gracious warning. Mercy waits for you; love lingers over you; grace entreats you; Christ died and rose; God beseeches you; will you come?
“Come to the Savior now!
He ready stands to bless,
He bids thee nothing bring,
Only thy guilt confess;
No anger fills His heart,
No frown is on His brow,
His mien is perfect grace,
He bids thee trust Him now.
Come! Come! Come!”
E. H. C.