“‘TOO serious for me.” Such was the expression of a poor woman at the close of a gospel meeting. The preacher had dwelt on these words, “Ready to perish,” and most earnestly unfolded to his hearers their utterly lost condition and their awful position. He had also pleaded with them, telling them that though by nature “ready to perish,” yet “the Lord is not willing that any should perish,” the proof being that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).) Lastly, he warned his hearers of the fearful consequences of refusing God’s proffered grace, in God’s own words— “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish”
At the close of the meeting the subject of this narrative rose up, with her husband, to leave, shrugging her shoulders, saying, “No; it’s too serious for me.” She trifled with God and His Christ. God “called” — she “refused.” And with what result?
A few days after, as this poor woman was sitting in her room upstairs working, her husband, who was below, heard a noise. He ran upstairs, and, oh! what a sight met hip eyes! His poor young wife lay upon the floor her body crouched up, and her face ash pale. He thought she was in a fit, and sent for the doctor, but when he arrived she was dead! Thus did this unhappy despiser of God’s grace pass into eternity.
“Soon that voice will cease its calling;
Now it speaks, and speaks to thee;
Sinner, heed the gracious message:
To the blood for refuge flee.
Take salvation
Take it now, and happy be.”