IN a State lunatic asylum of America for years a wretched man has walked the same passage, and continually the same words come from his lips. If you address him, his eyes glare upon you as though they would start from their very sockets, and he shrieks in your ears, “Oh! if only I had―if only I had―Oh! if only I had—”
Formerly he was a railroad watchman in charge of a drawbridge. He had been telegraphed to one day by the superintendent of the line to keep the bridge closed, as a special train might be expected between certain hours, the exact time unknown.
The watchman fully intended to obey orders, and rigidly refused many temptations offered by captains of vessels to induce him to let them pass.
At length, however, a friend of his, the captain of a small craft, entreated him to open the bridge. His case was urgent, he would not be delayed, time was everything to him.
With considerable reluctance the watchman was prevailed upon to consent. He opened the bridge, and the vessel made ready to pass up the river, when a shrill whistle pierced his ears, and thrilled him with horror. The train swung round the curve and was then making straight for the river. Oh! what would the watchman have given if only he had heeded the orders received from headquarters. But it was now too late.
The poor man threw up his hands and stood petrified to the spot, and in the anguish of his soul cried, “Oh! if only I had―if only I had.” Reason tottered from her throne, and he was from that hour a raving maniac; whilst the whole train with its precious freight of passengers was precipitated down to its awful destruction, and hundreds of persons perished. One warning, but that warning unheeded! One order, but that order disobeyed! There was no lack of good intentions and good resolutions. But he thought there was time enough, and he risked it and lost all!
How many men equally mad as regards their eternal interests have just so risked salvation. They were not wanting in promises and vows. They intended to be Christians some day, but that day never came, and death overtook them. And now they lift up their eyes being in torment, reserved in that awful asylum unto the blackness of darkness forever. It is all too late now, they are where hope is never known. But we still hear their deep and earnest wail, which ascends from the caverns of the damned: “Oh! if only I had―if only I had accepted pardon and trusted Christ as my Saviour at that time when I listened to His gospel, and when the Spirit was striving with me―oh! if only I had―if only I had.”
A message comes to you, young man, from the very throne of God “Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not thy heart.” It will be too late by-and-by.
“Ho, all ye heavy-laden, come!
Here’s pardon, comfort, rest, and home;
Ye wanderers from the Father’s face,
Return, accept his proffered grata.
Ye tempted, there’s a refuge nigh―
‘Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.’
But if you still this call refuse,
And dare such wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn;
‘Too late! too late! will be the cry,
‘Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.’”
The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 24: “Watch therefore. Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
May you accept now the free, full, and eternal salvation of God through the blood of Jesus!
ANON.