IT was in the year 1844 a young officer was quartered with his regiment in one of the West India Islands. Yellow fever had overtaken them, and several of their soldiers had died. Fast following on the death of the men came the death of one of his brother-officers, who was also attacked by fever. In five short days he was no more seen — was buried! The subject of this narrative was appointed to command the firing party over the grave of his late comrade. A Presbyterian minister read the burial-service, after which the regiment marched back to their barracks. During the march their commanding-officer fell to the rear, and got into conversation with the minister, who after a little while turned suddenly towards him, saying, “Where do you think your soul would have been, had you died instead of him?”
The officer hesitated, and then answered, “I think I should have been in hell.”
“That is a very solemn answer; God will remember it,” replied the other, adding, “I trust you will remember it too.”
Five years passed away, and this same officer found himself with his regiment in another quarter of the globe, having passed through many vicissitudes, many dangers, in seasons of smallpox, ship-fever, and cholera, which had sobered his mind, and often recalled his own words, “I think I should have been in hell.”
About this time he fell in with an old brother-officer of his father’s, who seeing him in mourning, received him into his quarters one evening, and said to him, “In the next room there is going to be a Bible-reading for young officers; if you like to come in, you are welcome; if not, here are your candles, and plenty of books, you can amuse yourself here until we have finished.”
However he preferred going in, and sat down amongst them. All was very new to him, and he understood little of what passed, but had to own, “These men have something, a happiness I have not.”
This made a great impression on him.
One evening as he sat thinking over his life, he asked himself, “What is my life? It is eat, drink, die, and be lost!”
Beloved reader, what is your life? and what will your end be? It is worth reflecting upon surely. So soon our journey here will be over, Whither bound? Well! thank God, this officer did think it worth pondering over, and so asked himself, “What is my life?” The conclusion arrived at was, “It is eat, drink, die, and be lost!”
Now on that evening he was thoroughly in earnest. But he was without a guide, he was sailing on life’s sea without chart. He did not possess a single copy of God’s book, — God’s Word, — the only words that can give light.
On the next morning, following this memorable evening of downright earnest thought, he went and bought a reference Bible, and began to read the Gospel of Matthew, with the references, accompanied by prayer that God would open his eyes. He read with deep interest, being in real earnest about his soul, trying all the time to mend his ways, so as to please God, and in this way to get to heaven. His soul was deeply exercised, at the same time discouraged about himself. His failures disheartened him, — so soon the “new leaf” turned over was blotted by sin.
He was about three weeks reading Matthew. When he had finished that Gospel, he turned to the Epistle to the Galatians. On coming to the third chapter he stopped at the tenth verse,“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
After reading the verse he exclaimed, “That’s me! I am keeping myself under the curse by trusting to the works I am doing.”
He then prayed, “Lord, what shall I do? I am trying to do my best.” Thus he continued on his knees.
On arising he took his Bible and read on to the thirteenth verse: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
Again he exclaimed, “That’s me! I am redeemed from the curse of the law, Christ being made a curse — HE TOOK MY PLACE.” The scales fell from his eyes. God had answered his prayer, and opened his eyes. Opened his eyes on what? on whom? — on Christ! on Christ on the cross! His eyes were turned from himself, to the Saviour; from his doings, his works, to the mighty work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. On the cross for him! Faith laid hold of the Saviour, and joyfully he exclaimed, “HE TOOK MY PLACE.”
Can the reader say with him, “He took my place”? If not, why not? Your sins are your only title to the Saviour, for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (read 1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). And the precious blood of Jesus Christ is our only, and all-sufficient, title to the presence of God, — to heaven.
May God bless this true story to your soul, dear reader, so that you may be able to say, “He took my place.”
“He took the guilty culprit’s place,
And suffered in his stead:
For man! (oh, miracle of grace!)
For man the Saviour bled!”
L.