DURING the invasion of Russia by the Emperor Napoleon I., a detachment of French soldiers entered a town which the Russians had abandoned, after setting fire to it. Finding one building which had escaped the general destruction, the new corners proceeded to vary the hardships and privations of campaign life by having a dance.
While thus merrily employed, the word passed round that fire had been discovered in the basement of the building, but apparently little heed was given by the revelers. Soon the warning was repeated, with the additional intelligence, that there was powder stored below. For a moment the dancers paused; but a dashing officer cried, “One dance more, and defiance to the flames!” whereupon the giddy whirl was resumed. Soon a terrific explosion ensued, and all instantly perished. Thus for a brief gratification, or from the fear of being looked upon as cowardly in retiring promptly from a place of danger, those merry-makers staked their lives upon an issue which, had they made themselves fully acquainted with the facts, they would have known was in nowise doubtful, but certain, speedy death.
Now, dear reader, doubtless thou art not slow to condemn such conduct as insane folly, such folly as thou wouldst not for one moment contemplate imitating. Life is too precious to be thus rashly gambled away; death is too awful to be thus played with. What then about the second death, the lake of fire? Wouldst thou risk eternity in hell? Art thou a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, thou hast everlasting life; shalt not come into judgment, but art passed out of death into life. Thou canst say―
“He bore on the tree the sentence for me,
And now both the Surety and sinner are free.”
Thou art in Christ Jesus, and there is no condemnation for thee. “He bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” If this be thy happy lot, thou canst rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and under constraint of His redeeming, dying love seek to live to His glory.
But if it be not so with thee, remember there is but one other class, and thou art in it. “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” The terrible wrath of a holy, sin-hating, all-powerful, all-knowing God rests upon thee, and His changeless, unsullied righteousness pledges thy everlasting punishment.
He has not only sent thee full, emphatic, repeated warning of impending judgment, but He, out of the depths of His own great heart of love, has given His only begotten Son, to endure not only awful agony at the hands of man, but the deep unfathomable anguish of bearing the judgment of sins in order that thou mightest escape the hell that yawns for thee, and share eternal life and glory with His risen glorified Son. He has planted the cross of His Son right before thee, to bar thy way to perdition. In view then of such unalterable righteousness, and amazing divine love, what is thy attitude? Art thou clinging to the fleeting gratifications, the vain ambitions, the uncertain riches, the empty honors of a scene like this, with thy life hanging upon a thread, not knowing what a day or an hour may bring forth, not caring that in a moment thou mayest pass over the brink into that dread abode of endless woe, where no star of hope shall ever rise?
Is it thy thought that there is time enough yet? I beseech thee learn a lesson from the terrible end of the French dancing-party, lest thou shouldst suddenly lift up thine eyes where gospel offers and entreaties, are known only as torturing memories of opportunities once lightly esteemed and madly neglected.
A. G.