02. Choose Wisely
Choose Wisely
TREASURES CONTRASTED.—If that wall was a blackboard and I were to ask someone to take a piece of chalk and write upon it some of the treasures of earth, he might name such things as money, houses, farms, mills, wives, children, comforts, etc. And he would be right. If I were to ask another person to take the chalk and by the side of the column already written, mention the treasures of Heaven, they would be salvation, peace, rest, crowns, robes, mansions, God, Jesus, etc., and the column showing the treasures of Heaven would be much longer than the one showing the treasures of earth.
POOR RICH MAN.—An aged wealthy man once took an acquaintance to see a splendid mansion. “This is all mine,” he said. Then he pointed to a little town: “That is mine; it is called by my name.” In another direction he pointed out farms extending for thirty miles. “These are all mine. I was a poor boy, but I made all this myself.” The visitor looked at him and said: “Well, you have all this on earth, but what have you in Heaven?” “Well, I’m afraid I haven’t got much up there.” “Ah,” said the visitor, “but you’ve got to die, to leave this world; what will you take with you of all these things? You will die a beggar, for all these riches count as nothing in Heaven.” The poor old rich man burst into tears. He had no hope for the future. In four months he left it all.
YOU NEVER PRAYED FOR ME.—The son of a wealthy western man was playing one day, when a passing car ran over him and he was carried home in a dying condition. The father exclaimed: “Oh! can nothing be done to save him?” “No,” said the doctor, “he is past help, he is dying.” The boy opened his eyes, and the father said: “My boy, do you know you are dying?” “Am I dying?” responded the boy. “Father, will you pray for me? You have never prayed for me. Oh, father, do pray for me.” But the father could not pray, the mother could not pray, the doctor could not pray, and surrounded by a father, mother and doctor, neither of whom could point him to Jesus, the boy breathed his last. Had his father, mother and doctor, like Mary, chosen that good part, which would never have been taken from them, they would not have been helpless to point the dying boy to the Lamb of God.
DYING TESTIMONIES.—Bateman, when dying, said: “I surely must be going now, my strength sinks so fast. What glory! the angels are waiting for me. Farewell!” Mrs. Booth, wife of Gen. Booth of the Salvation Army, said as she neared the river’s brink: “The waters are rising, but so am I. I am not going under, but over. Do not be concerned about dying; go on living well, the dying will be all right.” George Brodil said: “I am so glad I am saved. The Lord has forgiven all my sins. Oh, papa, there is Jesus.” Mrs. Ferris said as she was leaving the world: “Oh! beautiful! beautiful! lovely! Is this walking through the valley of death?”
GLIMPSES OF THE SPIRIT WORLD.—Clement Brown, when dying, pointed with his finger, and said: “I see one, two, three, four angels waiting their commission. I see them as plainly as I see you, Hester. How I wish you could see them. They are robed in white. Angels beckon me and Jesus bids me come.” Sarah Clare, shortly before her death, said: “I have been at the door of Heaven. It was open for me. I beheld the Almighty on His throne.” Isaac Collins, when about to pass out, said: “Heaven is near. There stands my Saviour.”