What have I Done to Save a Soul To-day?
“THE night cometh, when no man can work.” John ix, 4. Thousands are perishing around me! Hell is enlarging itself. God saves souls by human instrumentality. He saves by the simplest means. He points to some just on the verge of hell, and says, “Save them with fear, plucking them out of the fire.” Paul’s object was by all means to save some. He became all things to all men, that he might save the more. What have I done this day in order to save a soul from death? Have I pleaded with God, as one should plead for the deliverance of a soul from death? Have I spoken kindly and affectionately to any one about sin, and the salvation which is in the Lord Jesus? Have I given a tract, a handbill, or a little book, accompanying it with fervent prayer for the power of the Holy Ghost to attend it? A tract may save a soul. God may speak by it—it may suggest a thought, which may work, and work, until the Saviour be sought and found. And can I, believing this, neglect to give away tracts? A word spoken, or a passage quoted, may save a soul. God has often used such simple means as these. And shall I neglect to speak to those about me, or fear to set God’s word before them? A letter written to a friend has saved a soul. God works by letters written out of love to his name, with zeal for his glory, in order to bring sinners to his throne. And shall I fail to write, when I cannot speak to my friends, to warn them to flee from the wrath to come? Oh, if we all prayed for sinners, realizing their great danger, and dreadful doom—if we took advantage of the opportunities that offer to speak of Jesus to those who are perishing around us—if we gave tracts and little books to those we meet, praying God to bless them—if once a week, or oftener, we wrote a letter to some friend, to direct attention to eternal things, how much more good might be done, how much evil might be prevented, how many souls might be saved, how greatly our congregations might be increased, how the Lord Jesus Christ would be honored, and what glory we should bring to our God and his cause! This would prove that we really believe God’s word, that we sympathize with sinners in their danger, that we are in downright earnest to save souls from death, that we wish to see God’s church flourish, that we realize our obligation and responsibility. Then God, even our God, would bless us. Doubts and fears would leave us, joy and peace would be enjoyed by us, and all Christians would confess that we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. O my brethren, let us examine ourselves daily! Let us ask ourselves every night, What have I done to save a soul this day? If I do nothing, can I be guiltless? If I do nothing, can I be honest with my profession? If I do nothing, ought I not to give up all profession of religion at once and forever? Conscience, be honest, and speak!—Christian Press.