ON a Sunday evening, early in the present year, a great number of children assembled at our "Children's Special Services," K— Street. Amongst them I noticed three or four lads about seventeen years of age, who seemed inclined to be noisy. We bore, however, with that small inconvenience, looking to the Lord for wisdom; and after the address we invited those children who were really anxious to know more about Jesus to stay behind, saying that we should be very happy to point them to the One who says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”
A great number responded to our invitation, and stayed behind to be spoken to; amongst them were those three elder lads whom we had noticed. They were now quiet and subdued, and seemed really anxious about their souls.
We prayed to the Lord for them, spoke to them individually, but could not get any satisfactory answers from them; and as the hour was late we went to our homes, praying for those to whom we had spoken that evening.
On the Thursday news came to me of the death of a lad who had been crushed in a printing machine a day or two before, but who had lingered for two days after his terrible injuries. This lad proved to be one of the three who had been at our school the previous Sunday evening, and who had remained to be spoken to.
Later and more cheering news reached me on the Friday; the dear boy had sent a message to me just before he passed away: "Tell Mr. R— and the teachers at K— Street," he said, "that I found Jesus on Sunday night.”
This was all, but the joy it occasioned us may be better imagined than described, for our hearts were overflowing with praise to Him "Who doeth all things well.”
Dear reader, I narrate these few simple facts for your benefit, and for the Lord's glory. Let the sudden call which came to this boy remind you that "in the midst of life we are in death." Should death come as unexpectedly to you as it did to him, where would you spend your eternity? Would it be with Jesus in glory? or would it be with fiends in darkness? If you are not prepared for death, I trust this true story may lead you, through the Lord's grace and mercy, to cast yourself as a sinner upon His loving kindness, and thus bring glory to His name by believing in Him. W. H. R.