A New Face!

Francis Bourdillon, 1873

 

Two women met at the corner of the street; one of them was carrying a small parcel of groceries.

"So you've been to market, Mrs. Brown," said the other.

"Yes," replied Mrs. Brown, "there's a new face there."

"Why, has that young man gone, who was there — the pale-faced young man, who was always so polite?"

"Yes, he is gone; and what's more, he'll never come back; he's dead! The new young man tells me he went home sick a week ago, and now they have heard this morning that he is dead."

The women looked grave for a minute or two; but they soon fell to talking about other things — how expensive butcher's meat was, and there was a price increase on bread too, but then, to be sure, tea was cheaper — and so forth. And then one of them said something that made both laugh; and laugh they did heartily — and so they parted.

I do not think either of them gave another thought to the new face at the market, or to the polite young man who would never serve them again.

And so it is. One being gone, and another having come into his place — makes generally but a moment's impression. Yet how great and solemn the change to him who has gone! The young shopman was standing behind the counter a week ago, making up little packets of tea and sugar, saying a polite word to one customer, then turning to another with "What can I do for you, ma'am?" — not feeling quite well, it is true — yet bustling about briskly. And now he is gone — gone forever! His body is motionless in death — and his soul has passed into eternity. The business of the shop goes on just as before. There is "a new face" — that is all. But how vast a change to him who was serving there a week ago!

Such a change lies before us all. As long as the world lasts and things go on as at present — we shall all of us in our turn, give way to those who will take our place. One by one, the customers of that shop will pass away — as well as the shopmen. New faces will be seen there. In time, not one of the old ones will be left! Among the rest, those two women who talked together in the street, will be gone. Each case will make but a slight impression on those who remain; but in each case, as each happens — the same momentous change will take place — the change from life to death, from time to eternity; the passing away from all earthly things; the settling of the everlasting state.

Reader, if this change lies before you, if some day you will be gone, and "a new face" be seen in your stead — are you ready? Have you thought of the greatness of that change? Have you turned your thoughts off from the little things of every day — the work, the shopping, the talking with neighbors, the getting ready of meals, the bustling about — and have you turned your thoughts off from these, to think of your soul?

You have a soul. And when your time comes and you die — your soul will then go away. Where will it go? Will it be happy when your body lies dead, and those who loved you weep around the corpse, and your acquaintances meet in the street and tell one another the news that you are gone? Will your soul be happy then? Is not this a point that ought to be settled, and settled at once? For who can tell when his time to die may come?

Thank God, the point may be settled. You may be happy when you die, safe and happy. How? By Jesus Christ.

Let me speak plainly. You are a sinner. You do not deserve to be happy when you die. If God were to deal with you as you deserve — ah, then where would you be after death? You and I and all — where would we be, if God were to deal with us as we deserve?

But God has given us a Savior, Jesus Christ. He came and died for us, and now He lives above for us. All who flee to Him to save them — He will save. He can, and He will. He is mighty to save — He is willing to save. He asks no price. If He did, we could not be saved, for we have nothing to pay. But His salvation is free, "without money, and without price."

Reader, the word of God to you is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ — and you will be saved!" (Acts 16:31). Believe now. Believe today. Then, whenever the great change may come — you shall be saved. The Bible says so. Nay, before it comes, while you are waiting for it — you will be living every day in a state of salvation.

Do you ask what believing means? It means this: not merely believing the account about Jesus Christ — that there is such a person and that He lived and died and rose again — but going to Him in your heart, feeling your sinfulness and danger, mourning for your sins, trusting in His precious blood — and casting yourself upon Him for salvation.

Do not stop short of this. Do not put off thus coming to Christ. Come to Him heartily. Come at once. Come as if this were the last call you would ever receive — and today the last day you would have for coming. Come, and so you will find peace with God. Come, and so you will go to Him when you die. Come! May God the Holy Spirit teach you and lead you to come — yes to come at once!