Dying Hour*”
M T HAVE just been to the funeral of a very dear
A friend,” said I to a meny-looking man, whilst
waiting for the train. “ And it is no small comfort,
when a friend departs, to know with absolute certain
ty, that that friend is gone to be with Christ, which
is far better.
“Your
“I should think,’ said he, "there are very lew
that die who have that certainty. At least not many
would like to chance it, if it were put to them to-day;
I mean if the question was put, Are you so sure of
heaven, that you do not mind dying today ?” I re
plied, “ I fear even amongst those who profess to be
Christians, too few would stand that test. But it
was very different with my departed friend.
had only been ill a few days, and on the day before
her death, knowing there was no human possibility
of recovering, she calmly said, ‘ I would not exchange
places with the Queen ’ Not the shadow of a doubt
passed over her nappy soul. She rested not in any
thing she had done, but in the finished work of
Christ Jesus, the Son of God. Precious Jesus 1 Thy
blood and righteousness never fail in the hour of
death. Nothing can be so certain as that which God
has said, ‘that whosoever believeth on Him, ahall
not perish, but have everlasting life.’ ”
“ Well, said he," it is a happy thing wnen a per
son has such confidence; but I fear there are very
few who have the happiness to enjoy it.. Man is so
given to sin, he has such strong inclinations to sin.”
“ Very true,” I replied. “ But you are not a man
of all sin; you have not committed all sin. But God
is the God of ALL grace, and that grace is seen on
the cross, surpassing all your sins. Who can tell
the value of the blood of Jesus as God sees It? I
myself am the chief of sinners; I have notone particle