31. An Edification

AN EDIFICATION.

It was in a farm house. The preacher was a plain, straightforward farmer. First they sang an old hymn, then one offered a prayer, and then the speaker arose, ripened the Bible and read a portion of the prophets. This he applied metaphorically and started his speech from this point, but didn’t, however, keep to the text.

The speech was an earnest, loving admonition to seek the salvation of their souls; each admonition be supported with a scriptural sentence; he was remarkably
well acquainted in his Bible. The words streamed quickly and with warmth from his lips, and he concluded thus:

“And now you aged, you who are on the verge of the grave, oh, consider your souls’ salvation! The young one may die, but the old ones must die. Perhaps there are only a few days between you and the grave; you can yet save your soul, today is the time of grace, but it may soon be too late.

“Too late, oh, that is a terrible word. There was a man who often had had a calling from God, but he didn’t obey. Then death came. Then he cried in despair: Too late, too late! and with that he died. Friends, friends, it is terrible to be thrust into the eternal fire. Repent while it is still time.

“You fathers and mothers, who perhaps have a flock of thriving children around you, who have men and women servants, have you considered that you shall have to give an account of those souls? Imagine, you mother, if your child on that day shall step forward against you and say: ‘Now I suffer in the eternal fire because you, mother, didn’t show me the way.’ Imagine if the child you love some day should talk to you like that. Bear that in mind, you fathers and mothers, seek salvation for your own souls, that you also might save those who are entrusted to you, so you on that day may step forward and say: ‘Lord, here I am and those you gave me.’

“And so, you young people, you dear, dear young people, oh, how my heart burns for you. Don’t let the world and the vanity’s pleasures entice you! It is a severe slavery, the slavery of Satan. I have also in my youth been his obedient servant, but I was not comfortable. Do you know how I fared? I would not listen to God’s Word, but my wife loved the Lord. She asked me to go along to edification. I did so because I loved her, and there the Lord found me. Oh, if it would be likewise with you, my dear young people! You could also be found and be won; it is blessed to belong to Him, and do you know whether even you may lie cold and pale tomorrow. ‘Seek the Lord while He is to be found, call on Him when He is near.’ ‘Today is the time of grace. Today you may find God.’ Amen.”

When he had finished, the whole crowd wept; many were deeply touched. The words came so fresh, warm and simple from the heart and could not help but go to the heart. Thereafter prayer was offered by a third layman, and a hymn was sung. The crowd did not arise, however. People remained seated as though they expected something more. Then the lay preacher arose, went down among the listeners and said:

“I must still talk a little with you. I knew some women; when they gathered together they used to have so much to tell each other about their husbands, how bad they were and how they themselves suffered. Then they were converted to God, and afterwards when they met they had so much to tell each other about how God mercifully had led them, and all they did was to give praise to God. When you get together, dear women, what do you have to talk about? Is it praise and thanks to God you bring to each other? Oh, what a blessing you could be to each other when your conversation would consist of praise to God for His mercy.”

He held some tracts in his hand. He read: “On which road do you walk?” as he handed the tract to a young boy. “Take this and ask yourself the question, on which way do you walk? Do you love me? Thus Jesus speaks to you.” He laid his hand on the shoulder of a young girl: “Do you love Jesus? He loves you. He wants your heart now.” Thus he continued to distribute tracts and talk with the individuals, and these directly addressed words seemed to make an impression on them. Finally he said: “Is there one among you women who will sing a song for us before we part?’ From the midst of the crowd a voice was heard:

Today comes tidings from God in heaven
That sleeping souls must awaken,
Hasten to adorn yourself as the bride
Wants to look when the bridegroom arrives.
Oh, sinners, what are you thinking of,
Who still will sleep on burning straw.
Oh, wake up, before death calls you.

After the song was sung most of the people left, while some intimate friends stayed to have supper with the strangers. They went across the hall into a side room, and here the private conversation about God’s Word and spiritual experiences continued. Here are a couple of samples:

“How is it, is there still fighting?” the layman asked of one of those present. ‘Yes, each day new struggle,” was the answer.

“But every day new grace, isn’t it? Is this a sister?” he asked as he turned to a young girl.

“Yes, she is.”

“God bless you on your way. But, dear sister, begun is not fulfilled. He who laid his hand on the plow should not take it back again. It is important to fight forward.”

To Be Continued.