ON the 24th of December, in the year that has just closed, two brothers, by name, George and Robert R., left their home at six o'clock in the morning, to go as usual to their work on the line. It was dark and cold, but they walked briskly along and soon arrived at the railway, which they were obliged to cross in order to reach the engine-house.
They were in the act of doing so, when George, the elder of the young men, became aware of the approach of three or four trucks, which were coming along the line at a good speed, having just been shunted by an engine at a little distance off. Calling to his brother, “Look out, Robert," he leapt hastily aside, just in time to escape being run over, but what was his horror and consternation on turning back to see his brother lying crushed on the line, the trucks having passed over the lower part of his body.
Help was soon procured, and Robert was gently and tenderly taken to an inn close by, but before the night had drawn in, he had breathed his last. An inquest was held over the body two days later, when it was proved that the engine-driver had blown the danger whistle, which, however, had been unheard by the young men, and this had been the melancholy result.
Now Robert did not hear the warning whistle, or he would most surely have sought to avoid this terrible accident; but, dear friend, although you may never before have thought seriously of your soul's danger, you are at least responsible to do so after having read this paper. If you have never come to Christ, it is a deeply solemn thought, that should you be called to meet God in your present state, you can never say that you have not heard of the peril you are in. God tells you of it most plainly. He says in His word that there is a place “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:4444Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:44)); and, my unsaved reader, this is the place to which you are hurrying. Will you not stop and think now, while salvation is still offered you.
How sweet it is that we are yet able to tell of God's love-a love which has filled our own hearts to overflowing with happiness and praise. But we are not content with simply having it ourselves; we want that love to be yours; we long for you to come as lost sinners to Christ, and rejoice in it too.
There is a verse of Holy Scripture which says, “To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb. 4:99There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)).
God still lingers over you in love and tenderness, but He does not give you tomorrow to call your own. But, perhaps, some one may read these words who truly longs to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be one of His; to such He says, " He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
Remember this, though, if you still refuse to listen to His voice, which now speaks to you in love and grace, there is a time coming when you must hear it. Do you ask when that will be? Ah! it is most plain. We are told in John 5:2828Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (John 5:28), that " The hour is coming in the which all they that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth"; and if you stand before the Lord Jesus Christ then, He will say to you those fearfully solemn words, which we find in the first chapter of Proverbs, " Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.... I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh." Ah, terrible doom which awaits most surely the Christ rejecters, which must inevitably fall on the heads of those who spurn with a high hand God's offer of salvation. Yes if you refuse now to listen to the “danger-whistle" which sounds in your ears, a time will come when God's ear shall be forever closed to the bitter cry which will be wrung from your lips, at finding yourself at length in that place where hope can never enter. We pray you, therefore, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20))
E. C. R.