J. S—was by profession an infidel. Prayerless he rose from his bed in the morning, and prayerless he retired to rest at night. Thankless, too, he received his meals with no acknowledgment of the goodness of God. Worse than the brute beasts, he spent much of his time and breath in denying the very existence of the One who daily loaded him with benefits. So alienated from God, and so hardened in sin was he, that he not only hated the Bible himself, but did his utmost to get others to hate it too—that blessed Book which reveals Jesus as a Saviour—the One whose atoning work upon the cross had given him every morsel he put in his mouth, and the very breath he now used in open opposition and blasphemy.
It was Sunday afternoon. The children were just coming out of the village Sunday school. A large crowd, young and old, had gathered around J. S—, into whose ears he poured impious words which, if imbibed, would ruin every precious soul thus deceived.
A young man passed by. Though he was then unsaved, he pitied the poor children who were drinking in such deadly poison, and boldly rebuked the infidel before the whole crowd.
But “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:1919And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)). They closed the young man’s mouth, and preferred to listen to one who professed to prove the Bible to be a myth and a fraud.
The Bible reveals God’s holiness and exposes man’s guilt. It speaks not only of the death of a Saviour, but of His resurrection. It declares solemnly that all will be raised—that there is to be a Judgment Day when every unsaved man will be judged for his sins. It tells not only of redemption and the blessing of the redeemed, but speaks with no uncertain sound of the wailings of the damned in the lake of fire. Here lies the secret of man’s futile attempt to get rid of this living and abiding Word. Nevertheless,
“settled forever in heaven,”
it stands more impregnable than a rock which cannot be shaken, and not one jot or tittle shall pass unfulfilled.
But God’s eye was upon that company. His ear heard every word spoken that afternoon. He honored that young man, and soon after opened his eyes and heart to see and receive both the Blesser and the blessings of which the Bible speaks.
He “passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). He has “peace with God” (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)). For him, there is “no condemnation,” “no accusation,” “no separation” from the love of God (Rom. 8:1, 33, 38, 391There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Romans 8:33)
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39)).
Not long since he received a post-card asking him to go and see J. S—, who was then on his deathbed. Hoping to find him anxious about his soul’s salvation, he went at once, but great was his disappointment to find it was only this world’s business.
After this was settled my friend said, “You are very ill, and will never get up again. I hoped to find you anxious about your soul’s welfare. Our business is now settled, and you must pardon my asking,
What prospects have you for eternity?”
It was an unwelcome but searching question. He shuddered at the mention of Eternity, but not a word escaped his lips.
Behind him was a life of sin and rebellion. Before him rolled the deep, dark river of death, and beyond lay the shoreless ocean of Eternity. Beside him rose his crimson sins, mountains high, bearing him on to death, and “after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)).
The world he must leave behind; his strength is diminishing, and his last hope has fled. When his breath left his body, his spirit returned to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:77Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)), and the question remained unanswered.
J. S—is DEAD! But the Bible LIVES! That very village is now being visited by God in blessing. Many have been gathered, together both on Sunday nights and during the week, to hear afresh “the old, old story of Jesus and His love.” Every house has received an invitation. Children’s meetings, too, have been held, and many, young and old, have trusted the precious Saviour of whom the Bible speaks.
Happiness has come into their lives, and satisfaction into their hearts. Their sins are forgiven (1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12)). They “have boldness in the day of judgment” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)), and a glorious home in heaven prepared by their blessed Saviour, who will soon come again, and receive all “His own” to be with Him forever (John 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1‑3)).
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.” “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:4, 274And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)).
A. T. P.