I heard the other day of a man who came a few years ago from the
Continent, and brought letters with him to eminent physicians from the
Emperor. And the letters said, "This man is a personal friend of mine,
and we are afraid he is going to lose his reason; do all you can for
him." So the doctor asked him if he had lost any dear friend in his
own country, or any position of importance, or what it was that was
weighing on his mind. And the young man said, "No; but my father and
grandfather and myself were brought up infidels, and for the last two
or three years this thought has been haunting me, 'Where shall I spend
eternity?' And the thought of it follows me day and night."
The doctor said, "You have come to the wrong physician, but I will
tell you of one who can cure you"; and he told him of Christ, and read
to him the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, "With His stripes we are
healed." And the young man said, "Doctor, do you believe that?" The
doctor told him he did, and prayed and wrestled with him, and at last
the dear light of Calvary shone on his soul, and a few years ago he
was writing to this self-same doctor as only one Christian can to
another. He had settled the question in his own mind at last where he
would spend eternity; and I ask you sinners to settle it before you
leave this hall to-night. It is for you to decide. Shall it be with
the saints, and martyrs, and prophets, or in the dark caverns of hell,
amidst blackness and darkness for ever? Make haste to be wise; for
"how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"