The lecturer was making some amusing remarks as he attempted to prove that there was no God, and his audience applauded heartily. Confident that he had won their attention and their sympathy, he grew bolder and bolder, and at last threw the meeting open for discussion.
Immediately a man stepped forward, and, facing the audience, told how he had once watched from a river's bank a boat borne down the current towards a dangerous rapid. In the boat was a man, struggling to make the shore. All his efforts failing, frantically he threw down the oars and cried to God for mercy. And even as he cried, the boat caught between two rocks. On the very brink of death, the occupant was saved, and with the aid of ropes, he was brought safely to land.
"And that," concluded the speaker, pointing to the infidel lecturer, "was the man who is now before you attempting to prove there is neither God, nor eternity; neither judgment to come, nor the need of salvation."
There was a breathless silence as the lecturer left the platform hurriedly. Nor was the silence broken as the audience slowly dispersed. Out of his own mouth the pretended infidel was proved false!
In the hour of his need he realized he needed someone outside of himself. In his extremity he turned to the living God, the only One who could help him, and God answered his cry.
God was faithful; He answered his cry for mercy. What about his soul, which lives forever? Is it to be left to be swept over the falls into an endless eternity, lost, and lost forever?