Two lumbermen were felling trees in the forest: one was a Christian, the other was a scoffer. The name of Christ was often on the scorner's tongue, but it was in blasphemy. His wicked language sorely grieved his fellow workman. The saved man often warned his companion of coming wrath, and told him of God's love and grace for sinners.
The days passed on, and the scoffer continued his scorning. One day the tidings reached them that a neighboring woodsman had been killed by a falling tree. Instead of its producing a solemn impression on the scorner's mind, he turned it to ridicule, singing in ribald jest: "Who'll be the next?"
The Christian workman, pointing to a marked tree at the root of which lay his companion's axe, said seriously, "David, YOU may be the next tree marked to be cut down."
That night while the scoffer was riding home his horse was startled by a passing train. It jumped to one side, throwing the rider to the ground with great force. He was fatally injured; and after two days of agony and pain, he died.
God will not be mocked. He is long-suffering and slow to wrath; but let it be remembered, my reader, that He will not always bear with sin and sinners. The day of His wrath will come.
Are YOU rejecting the gospel of God, and with open eyes choosing eternal damnation rather than everlasting life?
"Tonight may be thy latest breath,
Thy little moment here be done;
Eternal woe—the second death—
Awaits the Christ-rejecting one.
Thine awful destiny foresee:—
Time ends, and then ETERNITY!"
"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."