Careless Sinner, Come to Jesus.
WHAT, a rebel against God—hastening toward death—doomed to hell—yet careless? Reader, are you one of those who are so busy with the trifles of this world as to pay no attention to the eternal realities of the next? Listen to the startling question of Jesus. Ponder it. "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Suppose you saw a crowd walking along a meadow, at the end of which was a terrific precipice. They pass on merrily, plucking flowers, till, as they reach the edge, one after another falls over, and is dashed to pieces. Would you not call to them, "Stop, stop! as you value your lives, turn back?" You are strolling onward to a far more terrible fate. Yawning beneath you is the lake of fire—and do you still go forward? Jesus calls to you, "Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?" But you see not the danger. You feel happy, and hope it will be all right with you hereafter. Have you never seen how smooth the stream is just before it leaps down the cataract? Such is your peace, soon to be broken by a fatal plunge into endless death. Many poisons are pleasant to the taste, and soothe those who drink into sweet slumbers; but from these slumbers they never awake. You are quaffing Satan's cup of death. What you think pleasant drink is deadly poison; and your unconcern about religion is the sign how dreadfully it is operating on your soul. Before it is too late, shake off this lethargy. Your house is on fire; the roof will soon fall in and crush you. But you sit at ease, amused with trifles, and neglecting every warning. Many cry, "Fire, fire—fly for your life;" but you pay no attention to the alarm. Jesus offers himself as a refuge, but in vain. Yet though you regard it not, you are in danger. In danger you draw every breath. Danger is your traveling companion when you journey, and danger haunts your home. Danger hovers over you during the bustle of day, and danger peeps between your curtains amid the silence of night. You may be prosperous, beloved, flattered, and thoughtless; but you are in danger. You may drown reflection in business, or by plunging deeper and deeper into worldly dissipation and sin; but you are in danger—danger of wrath, death, hell. Oh flee to Jesus. There only we are safe. Escape by the door of salvation, while it is yet open; for it will soon be shut, and then you will knock in vain.—Sel.