SOME years ago a young man whom I well knew was living in London. He mixed much in society, and, alas! drank freely. His father had run through a fortune, sold houses and land, and had also squandered his wife’s allowance.
This excess was frequently brought before this young man by his mother, a most amiable lady, who suffered much from her husband’s and her son’s recklessness. Besides his mother, numerous friends constantly pleaded with the young man, but his usual reply was, “Well, I intend to sow all my wild oats now, and when I am twenty-four years of age, I will turn over a new leaf, give up old associates, and live quite a different life.”
He was apparently of a robust constitution, and appeared as likely to live as anyone. But on the very day he had said he would become different, on this twenty-fourth birthday, he died suddenly.
He had often been reproved, but he hardened his neck, and was cut off suddenly when not prepared.
On the day he died he had not thought of his promises made so repeatedly, neither did he make any effort on that day to seek the Lord if haply he might find Him. No, he had presumed to appoint a time to turn to God, and when the day came he did not consider it, nor turn away from his evil companions and vicious life.
Young men and lads, consider this solemn warning. How frequently your dear friends, who plead with and pray for you get this kind of answer — “We are anxious to see a little life; there is plenty of time to think of the next world; we are healthy and hearty.” Yes, “but boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” VICTOR.