I HAD been on a holiday to Scarborough and was returning to London. When we had proceeded some distance, we were joined by the mate of a vessel from Grimsby. He had the charge of a poor sick lad to whom the passengers sheaved much kindness and attention.
The mate was an infidel, and began scoffing at the word of God; and I felt it my duty to speak to him. We sat at opposite ends of the carriage, so that all could hear what was being said. We talked together for a long time, but with no apparent result.
As we drew near to London, a young man leaned over, and said to me, "Do you live in London? If so, I should like to correspond with you; I am under conviction.”
He gave me his address, and I wrote to him, and we met by appointment on the Embankment.
He told me that he had gone home for a holiday, and found his mother lying dangerously ill, and he had stayed with her till she died. So that, when we met in the train, his heart was softened, and the word which seemed to have no effect upon the mate touched him.
He then opened his mind to me, and told •me that he had been employed in London for twelve months, and had been leading a festive life.
We met again, and I invited him to come with me to hear a servant of God who had been used very much in the conversion of souls. He then told me that twelve months before, he had been brought under conviction at Hull whilst listening to this same preacher.
The end of it was that he was converted that night, and shortly afterward came with God's people.
Dear reader, it may be that you like my friend have been under conviction. As you heard the word of God expounded, conscience was awakened, but there was no yielding on your part. You allowed that favorable moment to pass, and the consequence was that Satan came and took away the word that was sown in your heart; and you are now in a worse state than before. You have now a measure of light that you had not formerly, which prevents your enjoying the pleasures of the world as you once did; and you are in danger of plunging deeper, so as to drown the voice of conscience altogether.
Now, my dear reader, be warned in time, for it is a solemn thing to trifle with convictions. God has spoken to your heart; it is for you to obey.
Sooner or later you must be obedient, for God has, decreed that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Let it therefore be a willing submission on your part now. Let the door of your heart be opened wide to receive the Savior. He brings you life, and peace, and joy. He will give your weary heart rest. He will satisfy that craving of the soul—which never can be otherwise satisfied.
Day by day you are being borne onward to eternity. Nothing that defileth can enter that holy place, the dwelling-place of God. There is but one entrance. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
Strange indeed it is that men try to approach God in other ways, which are all vain. God's appointed way is by His Son, and coming in this way you are sure to find acceptance. God having removed every hindrance, see that you slight not His offered mercy. Think of what He offers, and to whom He offers it, and at once embrace what is offered—a full, free, and present salvation. This is what you need, and without it you must perish.
As you value your soul, let me affectionately urge you not to delay coming, for it is a perilous thing to put off from day to day that which should be attended to at once. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?"