In the recent excavations of the buried city of Pompeii, many striking discoveries have been made, some of which fill the mind with horror, as we realize the suddenness of the destruction with which the city was overwhelmed in the year 79 A.D. Some of the stories strike a deep note of pathos to our hearts, and I want to tell you of one which was related to me the other day.
In the course of their excavations some men came across the figure of a tiny girl, standing in the doorway of a house. Her arms were outstretched, her whole attitude displaying her desire to reach some object.
The search was carried further, for they were anxious to discover what it was that so attracted the child. Their observations lay in a street, and as the child seemed to have been in the act of rushing across it, they accordingly followed that direction. Soon their efforts were rewarded, for on the opposite side, in another doorway, stood the figure of a woman. If the child’s attitude was that of eagerness to reach its mother, what shall be said of the mother herself? She saw the danger, knew the awful calamity that was about to fall upon her child, and the mother’s heart yearned to save her. Her bearing betokened only her longing, loving desire to reach her little one: the mother’s outstretched arms showed how gladly she would have sheltered her against her breast if she could!
Ah! there was the sadness, the pathos, and there the weakness of even a mother’s love. She could not save her child she could not save herself. Probably she would have been willing to lay down her own life for her little one, but she had not the power to effect even this. And so they perished beneath the ruins of the city.
A far worse calamity awaits this world, my friend, than any which has overtaken a single city. When it comes there will be no escape. Now you may flee from the wrath to come, if you will; but, perhaps you are not like that little child, which, seeing something of its danger, longed to be saved I If this is so, I ask you to seriously consider your position now. But oh! what a poor feeble illustration is the mother with all her love and longing to help her little one of the Mighty Saviour, who is waiting with such infinite love and patience, to receive and shelter you from the coming judgment 1 Is not your heart touched when you think of His love? Does it not awaken some chord of responsive gratitude in your soul? You have so long been cold and unconcerned so cold as to His love and His great sacrifice! so unconcerned, too, as to your danger! Can you turn a deaf ear to His pleading? Will you let the Lord of glory offer you eternal salvation in vain? Remember, He can save, where even a mother’s love is powerless. Oh! it is so true of Him that “He is able to save to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)). He knows how terrible a judgment hangs over your head if you refuse Him, and His love goes out to you in the tenderest compassion as He says, “How often would I have gathered you... but ye would not” (Luke 13:3434O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (Luke 13:34)). Again He calls. That still small voice pleads with you to accept the eternal life He came to win for you by giving up His own life on the cross. Will you still let Him sadly say, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life” (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40))?
Remember, friend, every warning you receive only adds to your responsibility. He will not always plead. There will come a last time, and then you will hear Him say, “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” (Prov. 1:24, 2624Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; (Proverbs 1:24)
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:26)). Oh, do not then refuse Him! Flee now from the wrath to come, trust in His atoning work and rest in the loving arms of Him who still says, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)). He says, too, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
L. P.