THE words of dying men are to be had in remembrance, whether they die in their sins or fall asleep in Jesus. As a rule, they speak the truth, and what they utter is more or less descriptive of their own condition, and what is immediately before their souls. Earth, and man, and his doings and judgment of things are receding, giving place to God and eternity, so what they say is not said in the light of man’s judgment of things, or in the fear of man, but in the light of God’s judgment, and with eternity fully in view.
For instance, a man was dying in the Eastern States. He was an infidel; his apprentice was a consistent young Christian, who sought to live Christ before him. Just before he died he said, “Awful! Awful! Awful!”
With this poor man earth and man had gone from view, and he spoke in the full light of eternity, and of the consequences of his life of unbelief. A life without God must result in an eternity without God―of blackness and darkness, and that must be awful! awful! awful!
While in Canada a little ago, the writer was staying at the town of D―, and while there two Christians called on him, one an old man, the other a young man. The elder was particularly happy in the Lord, and was full of what he had found in Him for as many years; his only anxiety was about others, especially his own children.
After a few hours they left to go on farther, and when they reached their destination they stopped at the house of one who had known the Lord a good many years, together with his beloved wife.
They had only been there about a couple of days when the elder was taken with “La Grippe,” which resulted in pneumonia, and ultimately carried him off. He felt conscious that he was going home. He had long known the peace-speaking power of the precious blood of Christ, so he had no fear. Death to him was but the door of exit from his poor tabernacle of clay, and this sinful world, into the presence of his Lord and Saviour. Instead of being awful! awful! awful! it was blessed! blessed! blessed! Instead of darkness and despair, it was joy unspeakable and full of glory. Instead of the frowns of the Almighty, it was the smiles of a loving Father. Instead of the sword of divine judgment, it was the music and joy of heaven. Instead of demons and the damned, it was unfallen angels and the countless myriads of redeemed. He could step out of time into eternity, with a light and happy step, known only to God’s people―those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Oh, the happiness, the bliss, the unutterable joy, of a soul finding itself in the presence of God and the Lamb! to be at home there, welcome there, happy there, and fit to be there through the Saviour’s blood.
This dear old Christian was about to taste of that joy, but before he departed his heart went out to his beloved children, some of which were unsaved. He yearned for their salvation, and from the door step of paradise he would send them a parting message. Oh, what weight it should have with them! It is to be fondly hoped they will heed it, and meet him there.
Calling Mr. N―to him, he said, “I want you, after I am gone, to send a message to each of my children. I want you to send them these words, ‘Eternity! eternity! eternity! where will you spend eternity?’”
Shortly after he was in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. Earth’s toil was over, his pilgrimage run, and his portion the undisturbed rest of God forever.
“That rest secure from ill,
No cloud of grief e’er stains,
Unfailing praise each heart doth fill,
And love eternal reigns.
God and the Lamb shall there
The light and temple be,
And radiant hosts forever share
The unveiled mystery.”
Wisdom would dictate to every soul to heed the words of this dying man, and to accept this solemn message from one who was about to pass into the presence of God. It is fools who hate knowledge, and who mock at sin, and “He who being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1)). It is to be fondly hoped that the reader of these lines will not follow such a course, for “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)). “Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee” (Job 36:1818Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. (Job 36:18)). But, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:2121Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21)); “The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prov. 22:33A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Proverbs 22:3)).
Be that prudent man, dear reader; if not saved, take shelter in Christ, the Rock of Ages, trust in His precious blood, and have peace with God.
You can appreciate the difference between a man passing into eternity with “Awful! awful! awful!” upon his lips, and a man with joy of heart, saying, “The blood of Christ, shed for me, a poor sinful man, has cleansed my conscience of all guilt, and I go in peace.”
But make sure that you are saved. Let it be heart work with you. Let the solemn realities of eternity fill your soul, and what it must be to spend eternity away from the presence of God. Rest not until you can truly appropriate the following verse of a spiritual song: ―
“Hallelujah! ‘tis done!
I believe on the Son;
I am safe through the blood
Of the crucified One.”
Remember that time is fleeting; soon this generation will give place to another; and in the light of this, how weighty and solemn is the message of the old Christian from the very brink of the grave, ―“Eternity! eternity! eternity! where will you spend eternity?”
“Verily, 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 judgment, 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)).
E. A.