A young man came to the dean of a renowned university. With a face beaming with enthusiasm, he informed the old man that the long-cherished desire of his heart was at last fulfilled:—his parents had given their consent to his studying law. As this university was distinguished for its law school, he had decided to attend and to spare no labor or expense in getting through his studies as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thus he continued to talk for some time. When he paused, the old man, who had been listening to him with great patience and kindness, gently said: "Well, when you have finished your studies, what do you mean to do?”
"Then I shall take my degree," answered the young man.
"And then?" asked his venerable friend.
"And then," continued the youth, "I shall have a number of difficult and knotty cases to plead. I shall attract notice by my eloquence, and wit, and acuteness, and win a great reputation.”
"And then?" repeated the professor.
"And then," replied the youth, "there can be no question but what I shall be elected to some high office in the state, and I shall become rich.”
"And then?”
"And then," continued the would-be lawyer, "I shall live comfortably and honorably in wealth and respect, and look forward to a quiet and happy old age.”
"And then," repeated the old man.
"And then," said the youth, "and then-and then-and then I shall die!”
Here his venerable listener raised his voice, and again asked with solemnity and emphasis: "And then?”
At last the aspiring student had no answer. With bent head and downcast eyes he silently left the room. That final "And then" had pierced his heart like a sword—had darted like a flash of lightning into his soul.
He could not rid himself of the sharp barb. His conscience was pricked and his heart pierced by that searching "And then?”
The result was an entire change in his course. He saw for himself the vain structure on which he would have built his life. Abandoning the thought of studying law, he received the Lord Jesus as his Savior. This settled the question of where he would spend eternity after leaving this life. In the meantime he is faithfully telling others the good news of salvation, counting all his former plans and attainments as loss for Christ. Phil. 3:77But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:7).