Christians and Infidels

LONDON: Printed by Augustus Applegath and Edward Cowper Duke-street, Stamford-street; Sold by F. Collins, 56, Paternoster-row; and Evans and Sons 42, Long-lane, Smithfield.
Price One Penny .
“If there is one condition in life more happy than another, it is surely that of him who founds all his hopes of futurity on the promises of the Gospel.”—These are the words of a respected author, and deserve the consideration of every one.
The hour of death puts these principles still more strongly to the test than any events of our lives. There are many men who laugh at the Bible, and reject the idea of a Saviour, and say they are happier than those who are shackled with the restraints of religion. They say they are happier ; yet their lives generally prove the falsity of the assertion, and their deaths always do. Their death-beds shew the miserable state of those who thus reject the hope that is set before them; and, when contrasted with the last hours of believers, the difference appears still more strongly marked.
A strong instance of this is stated in a letter from the Rev. J. Hervey to the well-known Beau Nash of Bath. It is as follows:—
“Sir, I was not long since called to visit a poor gentleman, erewhile of the most robust body, and of the gayest temper I ever knew. But when I visited him; Oh! how was the glory departed from him! I found him no more that sprightly son of joy which he used to be; but languishing, pining away, and withering under the chastening hand of God. His limbs feeble and trembling; his countenance forlorn and ghastly; and the little breath he had left, sobbed out in sorrowful sighs! His body hastening apace to lodge in the silent grave, the land of darkness and desolation. His soul just going to God who gave it; preparing itself to wing away unto its long home; to enter upon an unchangeable and eternal state. When I was come up into his chamber, and had seated myself on his bed, he first cast a most wishful look upon me, and then began, as well as he was able, to speak. ‘Oh! that I had been wise, that I had considered my latter end. Ah! Mr. Hervey, death is knocking at my doors: in a few hours more I shall draw my last gasp; and than judgment, the tremendous judgment! how shall I appear, unprepared as I am, before the all-knowing, and omnipotent God? How shall I endure the day of his coming?’ When I mentioned, among many other things, that strict holiness, which he had formerly so slightly esteemed, he replied with a hasty eagerness: ‘Oh! that holiness is the only thing I now long for. I would gladly part with a world to obtain it. Now my benighted eyes are enlightened, I clearly discern the things that are excellent. What is there in the place whither I am going, but God. Or what is there to be desired on earth but religion?’—But if this God should restore you to health, said I, do you think you should alter your former course?—‘I call heaven and earth to witness,’ said he, ‘I would labour for holiness, as I shall soon labour for life. As for riches and pleasures, and the applauses of men, I count them as dross—no more to my happiness than the feathers that lie on the floor. Oh! if the righteous Judge would try me once more; if he would but reprieve, and spare me a little longer; in what a spirit would I spend the remainder of my days! I would know no other business, aim at no other end, than perfecting myself in holiness. Whatever contributed to that; every means of grace; every opportunity of spiritual improvement, should be dearer to me than thousands of gold and silver. But, alas! the best resolutions are now insignificant, because they are too late. The day in which I should have worked is over and gone, and I see a sad horrible night approaching, bringing with it the blackness of darkness for ever. Heretofore, woe is me! when God called, I refused: when he invited, I was one of them that made excuse. Now, therefore, fearfulness and trembling are come upon me; I smart, and am in sore anguish already; and yet this is but the beginning of sorrows! It doth not yet appear what I shall be; but sure I shall be ruined, undone, and destroyed with an everlasting destruction!’ “This sad scene I saw with mine eyes; these words, and many more, equally affecting, I heard with mine ears; and soon after attended the unhappy gentleman to his tomb.”