THE FAMILY ALTAR
October 8.
"Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and
slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that
dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish."Luke 13:4-5.
Newspapers often bring reports of frightful disasters that
caused great loss of life, and you will hear men, after reading
them, say: "These terrible accidents prove that there is no wise
and loving God, as the Bible declares, otherwise He would not
permit such things to happen." What does Christ say of such
catastrophes? We have His answer here in our text. He tells us
not to judge rashly and harshly concerning the victims of such
accidents. They were no greater sinners than other people are.
Not what we have to say about these disasters, but what they have
to say to us, is the all-important question. They are warning
signals of our God, calling on us to repent and to save our souls
alive. They are forerunners of His last great judgment when He
will bring to light all the secret deeds of men and reward them
according to that they have done, be it good or evil. Oh, that men
who read of these accidents would take God's warning voice in
them to heart ! But God must complain of them as He complains
of impenitent Israel: "They have refused to receive correction;
they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused
to return." (Jer. 5, 3.) Oh, that at least we, when hearing or
reading of such accidents, might ponder their solemn lesson! In
the midst of life we are in death. Are we ready to meet our God
to-day or at any other time ? Let us daily live in repenting faith
that clings to Christ alone, then no sudden fatal accident can pluck
us out of the Savior's hand.
Who knows how near my end may be?
Time speeds away, and death comes on;
How swiftly, ah! how suddenly,
May death be here and life be gone!
My God, for Jesus' sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.
The world that smiled When morn was come
May change for me ere close of eve;
So long as earth is still my home
In peril of my death I live.
My God, for Jesus' sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.
Teach me to ponder oft my end,
And ere the hour of death appears.
To cast my soul on Christ, her Friend,
Nor spare repentant cries and tears.
My God, for Jesus' sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.
