A SHORT time ago a man died in this city worth two million and a quarter of dollars. I heard that He offered the doctor at last all he was worth, if he could prolong his life for one single day; but no! it was impossible. The summons was come, and he was called into the presence of a heart-searching God.
The other day a young man died here under different circumstances. His name was little known, but he was well known to many of the Lord’s people, and beloved by many as Willie. He was poor, but perfectly happy.
He had been in deep distress about his soul about ten months ago, and used to sit up night after night with C. M., about the all-important question of how he could be saved. He had been a great sinner, and had lived without God all his life, though with occasional feelings of great remorse for his sins. He was led at length, by the Spirit of God, to see that the Lord Jesus had died for such, had shed His blood to make an atonement before God for sin, that His sacrifice had been both provided and accepted by God; and now He could act justly, and yet be the justifier of him who believed in Jesus. He cast himself on Him, by believing in Him—nothing more; not by giving up the sins first, but just by simply believing on Him, as having died for his sins and risen again for his justification. And Jesus saved him.
He was soon after received into fellowship with the saints at the Lord’s table, and that day he stood up and said how happy he was that he could take his place among them, for that now he knew that his sine were all washed away by the precious blood of Segue; and he broke the bread and drank the wine in the full consciousness that that death had availed for His sins, that the body of the Lord Jesus had been broken for him, and that the precious blood had redeemed him. Swearing, cursing, etc., fell off him like withered leaves, and the new eternal life in him began to bring forth fruit and blossoms to the praise and honor of Christ in him.
“If ever there was a true Christian, it was Willie,” as one said, who had worked with him for a long time. His gentleness won the hearts of many, and he ever showed forth Christ in his life.
He got consumption and rapidly wasted away; his brother had died of it before him; it was in the family; — and his friends saw surely and clearly how it would, end. A doctor came to him, and consoled him as he thought, by telling him how he would soon have him on his feet again, but he still grew worse. Another doctor came and just said to him, “Would you like me to tell you the truth?” He was silent. “Well,” said this kind, faithful man, “I may tell you that I cannot cure you; I will take no money from you, but I will attend you and relieve you as well as I can.”
Dear Willie was very calm, and just said, “I like you all the better for telling me the truth.”
He was often in prayer, but he never seemed to be-praying for himself; it was always for others. He lay like a little child in his Father’s arms.
Daily he wasted away, and at midnight, surrounded by his friends, his soul winged its way right into the very presence of Christ, to be with Him forever; and the believers will meet him in the air, coming with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. He is to come in glory with Christ, when He shall appear in all His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords. He shall share His glory and reign with Him. He lived and died poor here, but he was in perfect peace and happiness from the time that he came to know Christ as his own Saviour.
Reader, are you like the rich man, who would give all he had for another day on earth; or are you like dear Willie, who could not pray for himself, but only for the conversion of sinners? This was one of his last prayers—May God bless you, and may you accept (by believing) of Christ’s salvation, while God is beseeching you to be reconciled to Him. — An Extract.