THE summer holidays had just commenced, and Eddie was real glad when the longed-for day arrived, and he was able to bid good-bye, for a while, to the routine of school with its necessary restraints and lessons.
Eddie was an intelligent and lively boy, bent upon fun and enjoyment, things quite right in themselves; but like many other boys, and grown-up people too, he was quite indifferent as to the future.
An evening, however, came round bringing with it a marvelous change, and it is of this I wish to tell you. The friends with wbom Eddie was staying,
were Christians, and he, as usual, went with them to hear a gospel address. An aged servant of God, whose delight it was to lead souls to Christ, used as his subject,
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer, and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are." Luke 13:24, 25.
Interesting as was the address to many, it appeared to have no charms for Eddie, who fidgeted about a good deal, and watched the clock eagerly, hoping for the close of the meeting.
The preacher, in conclusion, made an earnest appeal to his hearers to enter in at the door of mercy, at once. It was, he said, wide open, but would not long remain so; and lovingly did he entreat people to enter, warning them how terrible it would be to find themselves on the outside of a shut door, which would never again be opened to them.
Eddie now hid his face in his hands, and as he remained in this position after others had risen, a kind and friendly hand was laid upon him, while a soft inquiry was whispered in his ear.
The only response, however, was a sob, and it was quite a long time before he could be induced to rise. When at length he did allow himself to be lifted, his face, although wet with tears, bore a happy expression, and in reply to an inquiry as to the cause of his emotion, simply said, pointing to the preacher,
"He said the door was wide open, so I thought I had better go in."
"And did you?" asked his friend. "Yes," said he.
The tears at once vanished; and joy, which he made no attempt to conceal, took their place.
In the course of the preaching, the Lord's return to claim His own, had been referred to. Eddie made diligent inquiry
as to the details, and talked, much about it during the walk home. He was directed to 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 to end.
That night he took his little New Testament to bed with him, and early the next morning, was heard singing hymns, later on was found sitting up in bed reading his now precious Bible, and marking the scriptures which had been blessed to his soul the night before.
It was indeed wonderful to see him growing in divine wisdom and knowledge from day to day as he was being taught of God.
Reader, whoever you may be; old or young, rich or poor, wise or ignorant, the door through which Eddie entered is still open, through the mercy of God, wide open.
Jesus has not yet come to claim His own, but He is coming, and that soon. Are you ready? Have you entered? If not, you had better, like the dear boy of whom I have told you, go in at once ere the door be shut against you for ever.
"All things are ready, come, The door is open wide,
0, feast upon the love of God, For Christ, His Son, has died."
Messages of God’s Love 5/25/1930