THESE words in large print attracted my attention a few days ago. On reading what followed, I found it was only a notice of a photographer about to leave town. But as I looked at the words, I thought how much they might mean!
Dear young reader, when your Sunday-school teacher today faithfully presented to you, once more, the only way of salvation through faith in Christ, and the danger of delaying your acceptance of Him—what if it had been your last chance?
When last night the Gospel preacher preached Christ and Him crucified, and asked if you did not wish to have a personal interest in that death, would you have turned carelessly away if you had thought it was “your last chance”?
There are two things that might, either of them, come in, to make even the reading of this little paper, your last chance to accept God’s offer of free pardon and eternal life through the gift of His Son. One of these, you well know, is your own death. How suddenly and unexpectedly it may come! Only a short time ago, a man was sitting in his own house a shot was fired through the window—and he was dead.
The other is, the coming of the Lord. He says in the last chapter in the Bible: “Behold I come quickly.” The very thought of this event fills the hearts of His own with joy, but not so the unbelieving one. Ah, he knows that when the Lord comes, his last chance to enter the open door will be gone, for the door will be shut. (See Gen. 7:1616And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:16), and Matt. 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10).)
And now, just a word to you, dear boys and girls, who are rejoicing in Jesus as your own Saviour, What are you doing for Him Who has done so much for you? Are you seeking to serve Him each day as though it were your last chance? It may be. The time is short. “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58).
ML 03/15/1903