As the year ends, many business firms withdraw their traveling salesmen and representatives from the "field." They practically close their business. Not only are the days the shortest, but, as if by common consent, everyone takes a holiday. All business that is not absolutely necessary is laid aside.
One commercial traveler who was being "called in," apparently was not overly well-pleased with the result of his labors. He had taken few new orders, and had found his regular customers little inclined to deal with him. So he was discouraged and depressed and hesitant about reporting to his firm. I felt sorry for him as he, in a friendly manner, opened his, heart to me, a stranger. I longed to lead his heart to the place where disappointment will never come.
Seeking right words to guide his thoughts, I said: "I know a house which never is closed, and its traveling representatives always find more business than they can possibly attend to!”
In surprise, the young man asked: "What house can that be?”
In reply I said: "It is the house of Him who said to His servant: 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.'" Luke 14:2323And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23).
To make this clear to my listener, I said: "He who says that, is God. It is therefore God's house, that is, Heaven. The servant, or representative, is sent forth with His message' of cheer, and his one business is to 'compel' people to come in, in order that God's house may be filled. Isn't that wonderful!”
Then I told my fellow traveler, as we journeyed together in the train, that the great privilege of all who belong to Christ is to invite others to receive God's call to the joys of His house. The work of these messengers has gone on continuously now for more than nineteen hundred years, and the house is not yet filled! But soon, very soon, the last invitation will have been issued and the last guest received. "Until then," as I told the interested young man, "that is my happy business and at this moment, ere the year closes, I invite you into that house.
"Will you come?" said I.
"But come where? To a house? Nay, more! To a feast? Nay, more! To la sinner's Savior? Yes, and to pardon, and love, and life! To God! Yes, and far more, to a Father-God, to the Father's house, there to receive all the joys of eternal life and heaven.
"Will you come?" I repeated.
I felt the glorious dignity of being a traveling representative for such a house at that moment, and rejoiced that from my lips went forth such a divine invitation—"Will you come?" For how soon may Heaven's "Come" be changed to eternity's "Depart," and the long, bright "clay of salvation" sink into everlasting night—how soon!
"Will you come?”
I listened for the answer. And it came: "We cannot always answer that question," was the withering reply.
I was disappointed in this case. But who, after all, is the loser? Poor young man!
"Oh," I thought sadly, "if you will not come, someone else will. That house will be filled! Christ's traveling representatives must just go in quest of those who will feel their need, and who by His grace will accept His invitation.”
Oh, ye rejecters, take heed. This call, this "Come, and welcome!" may not wait your time nor your pleasure. You will hear it once for the last time—and then? Then you shall hear the awful words: "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matt. 25:4141Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41).
"Come" or "Depart"—which? "Come unto Me,” or "Depart from Me"? One or the other it must be! But, reader, which?
Once more, "Will you come?”