Traveling home from the big city one night not long ago, two men were conversing together. One was setting before his friend "the way of life." Earnestly and lovingly he pressed his companion to receive God's gift of eternal life and turn to Jesus—"the way, the truth, and the life."
The listener disdainfully turned his head away and, as he bade his friend farewell, exclaimed, "You go your way; I will go mine."
The young man had chosen his way, rejected the offer of mercy, and continued his journey along the "way of death." What his thoughts were as to seeking the Lord another day I do not know; what his resolutions for the future no one living can tell.
That same week he again took the train to the big city, spent some hours there, and returned by the last train at night. His home was at a wayside village, and the nearest station was Morningside. On his way from the city he fell asleep, and slept so soundly that he did not awake when the train stopped and the porter called out, "Morningside Station." The signal was given, and the ponderous train began to roll out of the station.
A sudden jerk aroused the sleeper. He discovered that the train was moving away from the station where he intended to get off. He jumped up, rushed to the door, leaped out, was caught by the wheels, and instantly crushed to death. His lifeless body was picked up and carried to his sorrowing friends. But what of his soul? "You go your way; I will go mine" had been his response to the last offer of mercy he is known to have had. Think of it, reader—awakened from sleep, and hurried in a moment into eternity!
Sooner or later you also must pass into eternity. It is of little moment whether you do so surrounded by loving hearts and hands ready to minister to every need, or in a moment are hurried out of this world. The great and all-important questions are: Are your sins forgiven? Have you eternal life? Are you personally acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ? We seek to awake you to the solemnity and importance of a decision for Christ now.
In contrast to the case of the young man whose sad end speaks so solemnly to us is that of another young man who fell asleep while traveling one night from the city. A fellow-passenger, fearing he might go beyond his destination, aroused him from sleep. Then he used the occasion to speak to him about the salvation of his soul. Finding he was unsaved, he warned him of the peril of being quietly lulled to repose and indifference about such an urgent matter. He listened; his eyes were opened to see his peril; and with deep and earnest anxiety he turned to the Savior, and experienced the blessedness of passing from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. His feet were planted in "the way of life" for the first time. Ever since, in speaking of that memorable journey, he says, "I was awakened out of two sleeps that night."
Friend, which of these two young men is a picture of yourself? Which path are you in? What road are you traveling, the "way of death," or the "way of life"?