A CHRISTIAN father was reading to his family, one Lord’s day not long ago, a solemn incident entitled: “Only Once More;” at the close of which he added a few warning words to his still unconverted sons. Probably no one present anticipated that God Himself was going to speak still more earnestly to them. One of them, a youth of 16 years, had until then gone in ways pleasing to his parents, still there had not been “joy in the presence of the angels of God” on his behalf, for Karl had not yet come to the Lord Jesus as a lost sinner.
For some time he had been keeping company with several friends of his own age, some of which indeed had Christian parents, but they loved the world and its joys. When at times the friends would stop for a drink, or billard playing, Karl would turn away. He would rather obey his parents, and go with them to hear the Word of God. This naturally brought contempt and evil names from his friends, which caused him to feel deeply the reproach.
But who would have thought that Karl, on this particular day, after listening to that exceptionally solemn incident, followed by his father’s earnest admonition, would not be able to withstand the tempter’s voice? It was but a short time after this hour, that his parents received word: “Karl is in the saloon playing and drinking!”
O how poor, how powerless is man’s heart, as long as he is not really the Lord’s. The parents were deeply grieved, and spoke earnestly to Karl when he came home. Poor Karl did not realize that he had only one more opportunity to listen to the message of God’s grace in the midst of believers, on the same Lord’s day evening.
The following Tuesday Karl came home complaining of an ear-ache; but this was not considered serious, until the following evening when severe pain in the head and chest set in with high fever. A physician was called, and shortly after an examination told Karl and his parents, “There is no hope!” This was a shock to all, especially to Karl himself, who had now become quite weak from suffering.
A few days later a Christian came to visit the sick boy, and conversed with him about his soul’s salvation, but Karl said very little. These were days of grief and care for his parents.
Although Karl was not indifferent as to his lost condition, yet it seemed as though his weakness and suffering allowed him no time to really come to himself, and, like the prodigal, hasten to God with the confession of his guilt.
To his mother, especially, this condition was unbearable. She cried to God continually, feeling as though she must force her son’s conversion. Gradually, however, she became more subdued, trusting in the promises which the Word of God attaches to the prayers of faith, which correspond with God’s will. Now God’s time had come, and He acted. Karl began to show more uneasiness and concern about his sins, although he said little.
One night, thinking his mother was asleep, he sat up in bed and prayed aloud for the forgiveness of his sins. The mother remained perfectly quiet, while in her heart she rejoiced and prayed with him. The next morning Karl smiled, while half asleep; then his mother came to him and asked:
“Karl, have you not yet believed in the word and work of the Lord Jesus?”
“Yes, mother, I have believed, and know now that the Lord Jesus has forgiven all my sins; now I have peace.”
Karl lived about two weeks longer. He was very weak, and could speak but little, yet remained happy and joyful to the end, which was a peaceful departure to be with Christ.
My dear little readers, when will you turn to the Lord Jesus, the Saviour, to be saved?
Do not try to persuade yourself that you will have time to come to the Lord Jesus while on your sick bed. You may not have a lingering illness. Many, many people, young and old, die very suddenly without a moment’s warning, and have no opportunity to come to Him.
O, come to Him now, while you are well, and have the time to do so; and if sudden death overtakes you, or if the Lord Jesus comes to take away all of His own to be with Himself, it will be well with you.
ML 06/21/1925