Two Brothers

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 5
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
IN A country district there lived two brothers, sons of Christian parents. One of the boys, while still young, came to know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and from then on that young life was devoted to his Master’s service. It was his joy to tell forth in the gospel the love of Him who gave Himself for sinners everywhere.
Bill, his brother, on the other hand went the other way. Bad companions and drink brought him down to ruin. In early years his young life was tarnished with shame and dishonor. He knew the way of salvation, and doubtless he wanted to be saved some day, but Satan is a terrible master and sin an awful chain. Some of the sweet gospel hymns Bill learned in childhood were the songs he would be heard singing in his drunken moments.
Time and again God had spoken to Bill, seeking to turn him from his evil course; “for God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.... He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit.” Job 33:14,2414For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (Job 33:14)
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (Job 33:24). But these gracious pleadings of His Spirit seemed lost on poor Bill.
One evening Bill, drunk as usual, was leaving the park with some of his companions, and I heard him singing, “Tell Mother, I’ll be there!” I thought to myself, I wonder if Bill will be there — will he meet his old mother in heaven?
The next day brought the sad news of the fatal accident that took poor Bill’s life. He and a companion, apparently drunk, had been driving down the country road. They hit a concrete bridge and both were knocked unconscious in the crash. Bill never regained consciousness; his companion recovered. A bottle of liquor was found in the wrecked Ford.
People die pretty much as they have lived, it is said. There is little hope that Bill ever repented and closed in with God’s offer of mercy. How sad and solemn to think of one so young gone to hell!
Just think of these two brothers, reader, one on the road to heaven, and one on the road to hell! Which road are YOU traveling?
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1).
ML-05/27/1973