MANY instances are related of the manner in which God arouses the sinner to a sense of his danger, and necessity of turning from his evil ways. Perhaps among the most remarkable of these is one which happened to a youth who afterwards became a famous poet, and a steadfast Christian (Cowper). When a young man he had occasion to pass through a churchyard on his way home. It was evening, and darkness was quickly creeping on. He perceived at a distance a grave-digger at work by the glimmer of a lamp. Attracted by the light he hastened to the spot, and stood on the verge of the grave gazing at the workman. As the latter shoveled up the earth, a skull was thrown forth and struck the youth. He himself says, “It was an alarm to my conscience;” so that he was then forced to think of death. He began to pray to God to have mercy upon him.
Few indeed are awakened in this manner, but in some way or other a knock comes to each of our hearts, and a warning voice speaks to our conscience, “Prepare to meet thy God!” “The preparation of the heart is from the Lord.” Come to Jesus just as you are, and He will fit you for a useful life on earth and endless joys in heaven. “The sting of death is sin.” If sin is pardoned and put away, death will lose its terrors and the grave its victory.
ML 02/11/1917