IN a railway carriage in which eight people were seated, two young ladies were traveling together. Next to one of them was a soldier, a corporal who with a companion was just returning from leave. Ah! how many in these days know something of the thoughts that fill the mind at such a time! So much has been done, so many have been seen, and the time to say farewell came at last, and the last sight of loved ones was taken, and in many cases the mind was filled with recollections of the past few days, and wondering what the future had in store.
There was not much spoken during the journey, save that the soldiers mentioned that they might be soon going across to France; and these words being overheard by the lady made her wonder whether they were ready for eternity, should they not return. They were ready to meet the enemy, being fully trained, but were they ready to meet God?
And here I would ask the reader if he or she is ready to meet God, because all are responsible to Him, and will have to give account of themselves to God, as we read in Rom. 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12). ROM 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12) "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Have you yet given this a thought? If not, it is wise to do so at once, because we know not what a day may bring forth, and if you have not the knowledge of God's love and forgiveness, and you should die in your sins, you will come under the judgment of God, as it is written: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).) HEB 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
The lady, knowing the value of a soul, and the blessedness of having accepted Christ as her Saviour, was anxious to be able to give a message to the one sitting next to her,, so tremblingly took out of her bag a little booklet, and asked if he would care to read it. This he did slowly, and when he had read it through once he re-read it; and then got out his pencil, and wrote in it.
By this time the train was nearing its destination, and when they arrived at the station, all got out, and the soldier handed back the tract.
“You can keep it," was quickly said.
But the answer was simple and clear: "No, that is for you," and the corporal was lost to sight in the crowd on the station.
The lady took the tract, and was anxious to know what had been written in it, and was overjoyed when she read these words: "Must tell you, but I found my Saviour seven years ago, and no boy was happier. Yours happily"; and then his name and that of his regiment were given. She then knew that he was ready, whatever should be his lot, and was thankful to have that simple testimony of a saved soul.
I would now turn again to the reader, and ask if you know anything of the happiness which the corporal knew. He was happy in the knowledge of a Saviour, and so that shows he had found out he was a lost sinner, and needed salvation; and, more than that, had found the Saviour. Do you Plow what it is to have seen yourself guilty before God, and needing salvation? Many are blinded to-day, and think sin matters not; but oh the hatefulness of sin in God's sight! And sin must come under the judgment of God; but, blessed be God He has provided a Saviour in the Person of His beloved Son, who upon Calvary's Cross bore the judgment of sin, meeting all the claims of God.
“God could not pass the sinner by,
His sin demands that he must die,
But in the Cross of Christ we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.
“The sin alights on Jesus' head,
'Tis in His blood sin's debt is paid,
Stern Justice can demand no more,
And Mercy can dispense her store.”
Yes, indeed, God's justice has been satisfied.
Christ has suffered in the sinner's stead. Will you believe it? Will you accept it? Christ has died for you. “God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).) ROM 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) If you will but confess your sin before God, and own that you are a lost sinner, and then thank God that Christ has died for you, and accept Him as your own personal Saviour, you will know the joy and happiness which come through simple 'faith in Him, and be able to confess: He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my sins was upon Him, and with His stripes I am healed. (See Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).) ISA 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
“The sinner who believes is free,
Can say, ' The Saviour died for me,'
Can point to the atoning blood,
And say ' This made my peace with God. '”