How Will It Be With Thy Soul?
By S. J. Wakeling
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” Matt. xxiv, 30. When all the tribes of the earth mourn because126of the plagues poured out at the Judgment, and the signs of the coming Saviour are again hung out to cheer the faith of those who are looking for his appearing and kingdom, and cause them to lift up their heads and rejoice, and cause a look of joy and glory to shine out upon their faces, where will you be, dear reader? and how will it be with thy soul? Will you be found among that little company who are rejoicing amid deep trials? or among those who persecute them? When the Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation, proclaiming in thunder tones which shake the earth to its foundations, the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, will it make your heart rejoice as you hear those awful tones? or will you be of those who think it was simply thunder, and still scoff at the idea of his coming? And when the sign of the Son of man appears, as the small black cloud draws nearer, and looks larger and brighter, until it is a great white cloud, and we can behold the glorious form of Him who sitteth thereon, will you be among those who will be able to stand before his searching gaze? And when he sends forth his angels to gather the elect from the four winds, will you be among that company who are caught up and borne away by angel hands to meet the dear Saviour in the air? or will you be of that unhappy number who shall cry in their terror for rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the presence of the Lamb? They will not be able to look upon him, for the exceeding brightness of his glory shall consume them, and their portion is death. Will you be among those who stand on the sea of glass? who shall enter into the heavenly city, and walk its golden streets, and have right to the beautiful tree of life? or will you be cast into the outer darkness, never more to experience happiness, but to be burned with the chaff and the tares? Will you join in the song of the redeemed, and dwell forevermore with Christ and the angels? or be forever shut out from his presence, and in your extreme anguish and pain, blaspheme his name? Your destiny you hold in your own hands. Choose this day whom ye will serve, and may your choice be a wise choice. Which way will you take? Will it be the one leading through the flowery fields of worldly enjoyments and pleasure, but which is the broad way that leads to destruction? or will you choose the rougher path, which is sometimes very rugged, but whose whole length is enlightened by beams of glory from the Saviour, who once traversed that uneven path, and left some of his own hallowed footsteps in the way, whereby we might know if we were following him? In traveling through this path is found much peace and joy; and it will bring us straight to Heaven. If any faint in the way they can recover their strength by applying to the Saviour, who has promised to sustain us in the hour of trial. Be entreated to seek the Saviour in meekness, and serve him with singleness of heart. Let the arms of his divine love and mercy encircle your heart. Let no other object come between your affections and the Saviour; but open your heart to him, and let his great and unbounded love for you melt your heart to submission to him. Let it touch your heart, and cause it to beat in thrilling bounds to the mention of his name. Listen to the tones of his lovely voice as he gently bids you come to him. Will you not heed his tender call? Hear him pleading with the Father for you. Hear him plead his blood that he shed freely for you. And shall he plead in vain? Angels are watching, anxious to carry to Heaven the glad news of a sinner coming to the fold of Christ. Shall Christ, and the angels, and the saints of God, all be moved at your situation, and you alone feel no anxiety? Will you not seek him now? Fly to him for refuge from the storm. If you delay, it may be too late to repent; and the question, How is it with thy soul? I fear will bring the fearful answer, Lost! lost! FOREVER LOST!! Merrillsville, St. Clair Co., Mich.