Some years ago, on a grand jubilee occasion, a distinguished statesman rose up in the presence of assembled thousands, and, in reply to certain calumnious and dishonorable charges raised his hands in the vast assembly, exclaiming, “These hands are clean!” Now, if you or I, or any of our fallen race, did entertain a hope that we could act over this scene before God in judgment, I could comprehend the calm and unimpassioned indifference with which men sit in churches on successive Sabbaths, eye the Cross of Calvary, and listen to the overtures of mercy.
Are these matters with which you have nothing to do? If, indeed, you have no sins to answer for; if before this world’s great assize, you are prepared not only to plead, but to prove your innocence; if conscience accuses you in nothing and excuses you in everything, then sleep on, in God’s name, sleep on, and take your rest.
But when the heavens over men are clothed in thunders, and hell yawns beneath their feet, and both God’s law and their own conscience condemn them, such indifference is madness I Beware! Play with no fire; least of all, with fire unquenchable. Play with no edged sword; least of all, with that which justice sheathed in a Savior’s bosom.
Delay by the mouth of no pit; least of all, on the brink of a bottomless one, the smoke of whose torment goeth up forever and ever.—GUTHRIE.