THE last load of corn had left the field, on its 1 way to the stackyard, and two men, who had the charge of it, were resting themselves by the gate ere they proceeded to add their load to the stack.
“Well, your field is cleared at last,” said I. “Yes, we are just taking home the rakings.”
“Have you got all in now?” I asked.
“Yes, all but this load.”
“Ah! then the harvest is over?”
“Yes; for us.”
“ ‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended,’” I added, without completing that well-known passage, in order to see how these men would fill up what I had left unsaid. I have noticed that sometimes the remaining words are given sadly and solemnly; but I have also noticed that, now and then, they are quoted correctly, except one of them, and that one word makes all the difference as to the state of the speaker. Omitting that word he declares himself saved; but by retaining it he admits that he is lost.
Now, reader, how, may I ask, would you complete the sentence? “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and—”? Now pause, and consider. Let your words be true; speak them as in the hearing, not of man, but of God. Remember that in them your state, as saved or lost, is declared. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are—” What? Ah the golden harvest of heavenly blessing is past, and the balm of summer, of abundant opportunity, is ended, and we, alas! alas! are “not saved” had the rebellious people to own in Jeremiah 8:2020The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jeremiah 8:20).
“Not saved.” Two fearful words when thus thrown together.
“Not saved.” A negative statement, which, in the language of the New Testament, means “lost.”
“Not saved.” And that, too, spite of the balm of summer and the golden harvest.
“Not saved.” When grace has been flowing, and mercy calling, and conscience accusing.
“Not saved.” When opportunities innumerable were yours, but, alas! despised.
“Not saved.” And another year nearly gone, and yourself (soul) so much nearer hell!
“Not saved” are the words now written by your own pen upon your present condition.
How terrible, but how true, ye who believe not, and you know it. You quote this passage today, and you declare that you are “not saved.” Take heed, oh! take heed, lest tomorrow you have to quote it differently, lest you have to say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are”— damned. You are “not saved” today; you may be “damned” tomorrow. That fatal step is very short; once taken, it is irretrievable. As you enter eternity, so you will spend it. “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still.” No water to cool the tongue, no blood to cleanse the soul. The state is fixed. “Son, remember.” Remember all thy good things—harvest, summer, favor, mercy, many a call, many an invitation, many a golden opportunity—all gone now, and, alas! forever.
Dear reader, shall things be so with you? Another step is short—oh! take it—from being unsaved to being saved; yes, one short but blessed step—out of self into Christ. He makes you welcome; He died to save. Believe in Him, and live; and then say, in truth, with all His own, that if the harvest be past, and summer ended, yet, thank God, “we are saved.”
J. W. S.