Are we judged by works or faith?

 

I have just come from the earth. 

A large railway bridge in America broke down at the moment the train was passing over it. 

All the passengers were swallowed up in the stream. 

No cry of horror―no expression of anxiety interrupted the speaker. 

A great judgment of God has been accomplished—

The criminal indifference of those who risked the lives of their fellow men although they had long known that the bridge was insecure is punished—

They have brought this judgment upon themselves. 

The bridge has been unfit for traffic for a long time, but we, God's angels, kept our hands upon it until God's hour had come. 

And when it came, we were all sent forth to keep back all who were not yet ripe for death―not yet ripe for heaven―or hell from going by that train. 

The Lord granted a gracious respite to many who were walking in the broad road―

We had to place some hindrance in their way. 

Others for whom God had still some use on earth, we warned in dreams. 

All who got into that train, which was to carry them to eternity were numbered. 

All the tears of the survivors were considered. 

The field was tilled in which was to be sown that seed of misfortune from which a harvest of joy was to grow. 

Once more, the Good Shepherd sought all the unbelieving souls. 

Once more, God's call—

Come, for all things are ready went forth to their hearts. 

They received also on the very night that they left their homes to hasten to the station through the silent darkness a last greeting from God—some in the farewell of a pious wife―some from the innocent mouths of children―some from the silent sermon of the heaven-soaring steeple in the moonlight. 

The train rushed out in the night and was soon upon the bridge. 

Then came an awful crash and the long row of carriages rushed in one mighty curve into the foaming stream. 

It was but for a brief moment that the moon shone upon the scene of destruction. 

The tides bury speedily―very soon all was silent and only the waves were murmuring the death dirge.

Not all those whose bodies are buried in the stream will come here, but there is no one among them whose pilgrimage was not completed. 

We know everyone. 

But a salutary fear of God will seize men who are living in security and bear many a blessing even to distant circles. 

The fresh confirmation of the saying in the midst of life we are in death will be beneficial to many careless souls.

A troop of souls now approached. 

They belonged to those who had so suddenly and violently departed from the tabernacle of the body. 

They had already entered Paradise, hence the expression of terror and the death struggle had already vanished from their features. 

Angels were accompanying them and showing them the glories of paradise and they joined in our praises of the wisdom and mercy of our God and Saviour. 

There is an old man—the evening prayer in which he commended his soul to God was still hovering on his lips when he leant back in his seat and gently fell asleep. 

He experienced the accident while sleeping—he scarcely woke before his soul had peacefully gone home. 

Many beloved children and friends are welcoming him―with them, he is praising the Lord for entering into eternal peace without a struggle. 

He is so quickly at home here―he had often gazed at the Throne from a distance and sent his weary heart there before Him. 

He asked his friends nothing―he only worshipped.

Here is a young man—he has borne many cares. 

He had been wandering about the town to no purpose for some time when an inward voice said to him—

Set out tonight and you will attain your object, and he has attained his object.

I see a whole family—father, mother and children. 

They left town to go into the country, for the sake of the father's and the youngest child's health.

Let us travel by night, said the mother, it will be cooler and then we shall be settled by Sunday and able to enjoy it.

The mother was still holding the youngest child in her arms whom she had grasped in the agonies of death. 

And the little one did not know it was dead―it laid hold of its sister's hand and said—

What a beautiful place―let us stay here always. 

I feel so well and have no pain!

There is a young man appointed to missionary service who is about to start for his station—a mature soul, deeply rooted in the love of Christ. 

There is work in heaven for such souls―happy work, without weariness—or sighs. 

Many now draw nigh and there is none whose countenance is not radiant with joy―none whose tears of sorrow are not wiped away. 

They no longer talk in earthly language of the calamity that has befallen them, but of their happy homecoming, and all horror of those earthly forces of nature is taken from their minds.

The angel now gathered them all around him and explained the ways of God to them by telling them of those whom they had left behind on earth, and of their fate. 

They answered with neither grief, nor murmurs―they looked up at him with earnest intelligence and no anxious questioning interrupted the words of the angel. 

Yes―many tears will be shed for you on earth―many a sad and sleepless night passed and many a sigh sent upwards. 

But are they not salutary? 

Do your dear ones look upon the saying Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth as mere empty words? 

 

Men do so struggle against the wholesome bitter medicine, but is it to be therefore withheld?

Your seven sons said he, turning to a railway labourer who had accompanied the train will weep with their mother. 

They are still sleeping. 

Listen how one in his half-waking slumber is praying for his father. 

But with the message of sorrow will come to them also a message of blessing. 

Charitable hands will be widely opened to them. 

Truly, the compassion of men is wont to be aroused by striking cases―it so readily slumbers in presence of everyday misery. 

Praise the ways of God who purposes to awaken mercy from its slumbers in your town where there is so much need and poverty, and so few hands ready to help. 

It will grow and increase and look upon the distress of others besides yours. 

But pray for your children that they may not too soon forget you. 

For prosperity, according to human estimation will arise for them from this calamity. 

And it is not misfortune, but prosperity that may easily become a danger to their souls.

Your intended, said he, turning to a young girl will be led to reflect and repent. 

The shock will become an awakening. 

But for it, he would have been yours only for your earthly life―you know you would not have been really happy with him. 

But now the Saviour will find his soul, and in a little while, you will have him again. 

He, therefore, departed from you for a season that you should receive him forever.

Thus the angel addressed them. 

At the same time that mourning and lamentation were beginning on earth, songs of praise were resounding in heaven.