An infidel lecturer concluded his arguments and then he challenged those present to refute them. To the consternation of the audience, an old, bent woman in antiquated attire went up to the platform and addressed the speaker. "Sir, I have a question to ask you.”
"Well, my good woman, what is it?”
"Years ago," she said, "I was left a widow with eight children. I was utterly unprovided for, and had nothing of my own but this Bible. By its direction and looking to God for strength, I have been given wisdom and ability to care for and bring up my family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"Now my work is done and I am nearing life's end; but I am perfectly happy, because I look forward to being soon in the glory with Jesus. That's what my religion has done for me. What has your way of thinking done for you?”
"Well, my good lady," rejoined the lecturer, "I don't want to disturb your comfort; but—”
"Oh! That's not the question," said she; "keep to the point, sir. What has your way of thinking done for you?”
The infidel endeavored to avoid the question again, but was silenced by the uproarious applause and wild acclaim his audience was giving his challenger. The champion had to go away discomfited by an old woman.
Here is another picture. Colonel Ingersoll, the noted infidel, stood by the coffin of his brother. Said he: "Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud; and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry.”
The learned infidel, Voltaire, once declared: "The bulk of mankind are nothing more than a crowd of wretches equally criminal and unfortunate, and this globe contains carcasses rather than men. I tremble as I review this dreadful picture, for I find that it contains a complaint against Providence itself, and I wish I had never been born.”
Is this the best that infidelity can do?
Listen now to the words of a dying Christian. Said the godly Halyburton: "I shall shortly get a very different sight of God from what I have ever had, and I shall be meet to praise Him forever. What a wonder that I enjoy such composure in spite of all my bodily pains, and in view of death itself! What a mercy that, still in possession of my reason, I can declare His goodness to my soul! I bless His Name! I die rejoicing in Him! Blessed be God that ever I was born.”
Now, reader, what is the practical result of your profession? Have you peace with God? Are you ready for death and eternity?