(An Allegory.)
YOUNG man determined to embark on a voyage. It was fraught with great and important results to his whole career. He made his way to the landing stage to board the vessel, which he found all ready to sail, the good ship “Today.”
He had lingered on his way, and so hid missed the preceding boat, which after it had sailed was commonly called “Yesterday.”
But, before starting on his voyage, the young man thought he would take one last look round the old quayside, with its variety of objects to attract attention. So he wandered round. Once or twice he had an uneasy feeling that the time was fast speeding, but some new sight quickly claimed his attention. Besides, he reminded himself, how stupid he was, if it came to the worst, and he missed the “Today,” he could proceed by the “Tomorrow,” which was soon to arrive.
The day wore on, and wearied with his diversions he sat down to rest. Soon he was fast asleep. Even in his slumbers he was not at rest. He dreamed that he saw the ship depart. Ah, well, there was still the “Tomorrow”!
Soon the stars peeped out one by one. The moon shed her silvery light over the scene, but the would-be voyager still slept on. Presently great clouds drifted across the sky, and that night a terrible storm arose.
In the annals of the quayside it is recorded, “The ‘TOMORROW’ never arrived.”
Reader, desiring to be saved, meaning to take the salvation so freely offered you, so vital to your soul’s eternal welfare, is there not a word of warning in this parable for you? How important in all the affairs of this life to be in time. But, above all, how vastly important to be in time about this great question of your soul’s salvation.
The place you are in need not hinder your being saved. Men have been saved at the plow, on the ocean, in the railway train, on the battlefield. There is no hindrance to your being saved at once, except that which arises from your own delay.
If you are thinking that tomorrow you will decide, and you are in danger of relapsing into your former sinful slumbers, then God’s word meets you with its plain and earnest warning: “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1).)
May the deep solemnity of the present moment strike home in power to your conscience, and quicken your acceptance of the great salvation of the only Saviour.
W. B—d.