During the war between the states several earnest Christian workers left their comfortable homes for the scenes of conflict. They felt called of the Lord to minister comfort and aid to the wounded and dying on the battlefield.
On the occasion, in carrying out his work of love, one of them was required to move to a distant camp. This had to be done under cover of night. Having obtained the password he started out, taking his perilous journey on horseback.
Reaching an outpost he was challenged, "Who goes there?”
"A friend," he answered.
"Advance, friend, and give the countersign.”
He advanced to the very muzzle of the sentinel's loaded gun and gave the word: "Massachusetts." There was a dead silence. The soldier's musket was aimed directly at his heart, and his finger was on the trigger.
The Christian stood trembling. Another minute and he might be hurried into eternity. What a moment of suspense!
The silence was at last broken by the soldier. "You have given the wrong password. I know you, sir, but for this knowledge you would have been a dead man by this time. At the risk of my own life I'll spare yours. Go back at once, and get the right word.”
Hurrying back, the Christian reached headquarters from whence he had started.
"Whatever is the matter?" was the inquiry.
"You have given me the wrong password, 'Massachusetts.'”
"Yes, then, indeed we have! It was changed tonight after you started. 'Lincoln' is the word now.”
With this new word he again started out on his journey. Reaching the outpost he was again challenged by the sentinel:
"Who goes there?”
"A friend.”
"Advance, friend, and give the countersign.”
He advanced, and boldly gave the word, "Lincoln."
"Lincoln, it is; pass on and all's well.”
He passed on, but only for a step or two. Turning to the soldier, he said, "Friend, I cannot pass on without at least grasping your hand and thanking you for sparing my life. You and I are traveling to eternity. The weary march of life will soon be over. You no doubt hope to reach heaven and spend eternity with God's beloved Son, and with all who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb?”
"I do, indeed, hope to be there!" was the reply.
"But a password for heaven is needed, and will be asked for. If you pass the narrow archway of time into the wide expanse of eternity with the wrong word, how awful will be the result! You will not then have the opportunity you kindly allowed me tonight, of returning to have it changed. Now, may I ask if you know the password for heaven?”
"I do.”
"What is it?”
"JESUS.”
"Blessed, precious, never-failing password! Tell me where and when did you learn this?”
"I learned it when I was a boy. From your own lips, Mr. Green, at Sunday school back home.”
Reader, do you know Him—Jesus? Is His name your password? He is indeed the chiefest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely One. Knowing that blessed name as the title of your Savior is all you need to pass you safely into His presence in glory.