The Globe-republican., 1894-06-22

to expect Him to invite us again. and
have we right to blame Him if He
does not invite us?
! If twelve gates of salvation stood
open twenty years or fifty years fOl
our admission. and at the end of thai
time they are closed. can we complain
of it and say: ''These gates ought to be
open again. Give us another chance?'
If the steamer is to sail for Hamburg
and we want to get to Germany by
that line. and we read in every even
ing and every morning newspaper that
it will sail on certain day. for two
weeks we have that advertisement be.
fore our eyes. and then we GO down to
the docks fifteen minutes after it has
showed off into the stream and say:
Come back. Give me another chance.
1t is not fair to treat me in this way.
Swing up to the dock again. and throw
out planks, and let me come on board. -
Such behavior would invite arrest as a
mailman.
And if. after the gospel ship has lain
at anchor before our eyes for years and
years. and all the benign voices of
earth and Heaven have urged us to get
on board. as she might sail away at any
moment. and after while she sails
without us, is it common sense to eX-
pect her to come back? You might as
well go out on the Highlands of Never
sink and call to the Majestic after she
has been three days out. and expect her
to return. as to call back an Opportun-
ity for Heaven when it has once sped
away.
You see that this idea lifts the world
up from an unimportant way station
to platform of stupendous issues. and
makes all eternity whirl around this
hour. But one trial for which all the
preparation must be made in this
world. or never made at all. That
piles up all the emphases and all the
climaXes and all the destinies into life
here. No other chance. Oh. how that
the value and the impOr-
tance of this chance.
Alexander with his army used to sur
round city. and then would lift a
great light in token to the people that.
ii they surrendered before that light
went O.. all would be well: but
if once the light went out. then
the battering rams would swing
against the wall. and demolition and
would follow. Well. all we
need do for orr present and everlast-
ing safety is to make surrender to
Christ. the King and COnquerer-sur-l
render of our hearts. surrender of our
lives. surrender of everything. And
He keeps great light burning. light
Of gospel invitation, light kindled with
the wood of the cross and flaming up
against the dark night of our sin and
sorrow. Surrender while that great
light continues to burn. for after it |
goes out there will be no other Oppor-
tunity of making peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Talk |
If another chance. Why. this is SUI
,ernal chance.
l am in the FURNISHED Judgment hall
If the last day. A great white throne
S lifted. but the Judge has not yet |
aiken it. While we are waiting for
His arrival hear immortal spirits in
What are you waiting
lere fOr?' says soul that went up
rom Madagascar to soul that as
Il came from America. where forty
ears heard the gospel preached. the
Bible read, and from the prayer that
earned in infancy at my mothers knee
until my last hour had gospel advan-
age. but. for some reason. l did not take
he Christian choice. and l am here
Waiting for the Judge to give me a
lew trial and another chance
stranger says the other: Il had
tut one gospel call in Madagascar. and
accepted it and do not need another
nance"
What are you here for?" says one
Who on earth had feeblest intellect. to
ne who had great brain. and silvery
ongue. and scepters of influence. The
after responds: ''Oh. l knew more
han my fellows. l mastered libraries.
nd had learned titles from colleges.
nd my name was synonym for elO-
uence and power. And yet l neglect
d my soul. and am here waiting for a
ew trial Strange" says the one of
he feeble earthly capacity: Il knew
mt little of worldly knowledge. but
new Christ. and made him my part
Ter. and have no need of another
hance.'
Now the ground trembles with the
pproaching chariot. The great fold.
ng doors of the hall swing open.
Stand backr' cry the celestial ushers.
Stand back. and let the Judge of quick
nd dead pass through He takes the
hrone. and, looking over the throne
f nations. He says: Come TO judg.
nent. the last judgment. the only judg.
1ent-' BY one flash from the throne /.
II the history of each one flames forth
o the vision of himself and all others. .
Dividew says the Judge to the as.
emily. ''Divide!" echo the walls. :
Divide!' cry the guards angelic.
And now the immortals separate.
ushing this way and that. and after =.
while there is great aisle between
hem, and great vacuum widening, !,
nd tho i,,1ro <,,rp;nr 70 <ho 4L-o--