PASSING along the main thoroughfare of a large seaport town, not long ago, I noticed that people were hurrying past me, hot and breathless, towards the end of the street. It was quite dark, and to the stranger it became a matter of surprise why such haste was manifested without any apparent cause or object.
I was making my way to the railway station, but there was plenty of time, and I had no cause to exert myself unnecessarily. But seeing the “eager, anxious throng” pushing onward, I quickly made my way over the footbridge which spans the lock-pit between two docks, and forms part of the main road.
The bell which had been ringing for some minutes then ceased, and all hurry and bustle among the foot passengers as suddenly subsided.
On inquiry I found that in this great town, which is intersected by docks, vessels are at certain intervals passed through the dock-gates, during which times the draw-bridge is lifted and all traffic is suspended—sometimes for half an hour at a stretch. In order to give due notice of this obstruction, the gatekeeper rings a large bell as a note of warning, and those acquainted with the usages of the place are at once aware that unless they make haste they will be delayed.
A gentleman who, like myself, had just passed over the bridge, exclaimed breathlessly, “Thank God for that bell ringing! If I had not got over, I should have been left, for the train on which I am going on a matter of vital importance, leaves in so many minutes, and ‘time and trains wait for no man.’”
Midst the flickering of the lamps on the quay side I could see the rapidly gathering crowd. Some had rushed up “just in time to be too late,” others had been sauntering lazily along, heedless of the warning bell. And how many there might have been among that company to whom a few minutes were just then “of vital importance”!
To my mind a very striking analogy was suggested; and it is one of those lessons which any one of us may profit by, if we keep our eyes open to the circumstances which surround us in our everyday life.
The bell of grace rings out an invitation to the sinner; the voice of the preacher echoes God’s message, “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” The glad tidings of a dying Saviour’s love are told out by those who have been sought and found by the meek and lowly Jesus.
We see men hastening on in the race of life; and though the night is dark, and the object of their pursuit is undiscerned by those around them, yet they press forward towards the mark for the prize of their high calling.
Others, again, linger by the way, disregarding the ringing of the bell, or the affectionate appeal of the preacher. They have “plenty of time.” They want to get over the bridge, and they mean to do so, but there is no cause to hurry.
Presently the bell stops, and the bridge is raised. Those who have passed safely over are at once peaceful and calm in the certain knowledge that their onward course will be unimpeded. On the other side, there are expressions of vexation and disappointment, anxiety and regret.
Reader, the hour is coming—God only knows how soon—when the bell of grace will be hushed forever! The preacher and those who have crossed over will be occupied in singing the song of the redeemed, in the presence of the King of Glory. And the door, which no man can open, will be shut forever!
Are you striving to enter in at the straight gate, while the warning bell is yet ringing? It may be that the last of its shrill notes are now being wafted to your ears, and that presently there may be joy and peace on one side, and blank despair on the other.
The gate is still ajar—nay, wide open; and the message of God’s love is ringing in your ears— “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Millions have crossed the bridge; millions more are pressing along with fast hurrying feet, accepting the Saviour’s loving invitation, “come,” and all are welcome.
The gatekeeper refused no man, whether poor or rich, while the bell was ringing, but both were equally refused when the time of warning had expired.
And so “God is no respecter of persons.” The day of grace is lengthened out, dear children, for you, whoever you are, or in whatever circumstances you may be. And Jesus, the Lamb of God, who died for sin, is stretching forth His hands still, and bidding His servants ring the Gospel bell of invitation— “come.” And all you have to do is to accept the gift of eternal life so freely offered—will you?
“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
ML 04/08/1917