PASSING along the main thoroughfare of a large seaport town, not long ago, I noticed that people were hurrying past me, hot and breathless, towards the end of the street. It was quite dark, and to the stranger it became a matter of surprise why such haste was manifested without any apparent cause or object.
I was making my way to the railway station, but there was plenty of time, and I had no cause to exert myself unnecessarily. But seeing the "eager, anxious throng" pushing onward, I quickly made my way over the footbridge which spans the lock-pit, between two docks, and forms part of the main road.
The bell which had been ringing for some minutes then ceased, and all hurry and bustle amongst the foot-passengers as suddenly subsided.
On inquiry I found that in this great town which is intersected by docks, vessels are at certain intervals passed through the dock-gates, during which times the draw-bridge is lifted, and all traffic is suspended—sometimes for half-an-hour at a stretch. In order to give due notice of this obstruction, the gatekeeper rings a large bell as a note of warning, and those acquainted with the usages of the place are at once aware that unless they make haste they will be delayed.
A gentleman who, like myself, had "just saved the bridge," exclaimed breathlessly, "Thank God for that bell ringing! If I had not got over, I should have been lost, for the train in which I am going on a matter of vital importance leaves in so many minutes, and 'time and trains wait for no man.’”
'Midst the flickering of the lamps on the quay side could see the rapidly gathering crowd. Some had rushed up "just in time to be too late," Others had been sauntering lazily along, heedless of the warning bell, And how many there might have been amongst that company to whom a few minutes were just then of vital importance!
To my mind a very striking analogy was suggested; and it is one of those lessons which anyone of us may profit by, if we keep our, eyed open to the circumstances which surround us in our everyday life.
The bell of grace rings out an invitation to the sinner; the voice of the preacher echoes God's message, "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." The glad tidings of a dying Savior's love are told out by those who have been sought and found by the meek and lowly Jesus.
We see young and old hastening on in the rate of life; and though the night is dark, and the object of their pursuit is undiscerned by those around them, yet they press forward towards the object they have in view.
Others, again, linger by the way, disregarding the ringing of the bell, or the affectionate appeal of the preacher. They have “plenty of time.” They want to get over the bridge, and they mean to do so, but there is no cause to hurry.
Presently the bell stops, and the bridge it raised. Those who have passed safely over are at once peaceful and calm in the certain knowledge that their onward course will be unimpeded. On the other side, there are many expressions of vexation and disappointment, anxiety and regret.
Dear young reader, the hour is coming—God only knows how soon—when the bell of grace will be hushed forever! The preacher and those who have crossed over will be occupied in singing the song of the redeemed in the presence of the King of Glory, and the door, which no man can open, will be shut
forever!
Are you striving to enter in at the strait gate whilst the warning bell is yet ringing? It may be that the last of its shrill notes are now being wafted to your ears, and that presently there may be joy and peace on one side, and blank despair on the other.
The gate is still ajar—nay, wide open; and the message of God's love is ringing in your ears—"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”