Old Thomas of Kimberworth.

OUR old friend Thomas lived for more than three-score years and ten, having no hope and without God in the world; but in mercy, he was saved at the end of his career, and has now gone to heaven on the ground of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus—washed in the blood of the Lamb. The last word he uttered just before passing out of time into eternity was the significant word "PREPARED."  We are all interested in hearing of the last words of departed friends; they seem to come as messages from those who are looking beyond things present and are facing the realities of the eternal world.  And how cheering it is for us to have the assurance from one who is thus passing into the unseen world—that bourne from whence no traveller returns—that all is well, and that he is prepared to go.  How very different was the case of a young lady who died not long ago, and whose last words, spoken to the visitor at her bed-side, were "NOT PREPARED."  Are you, who are reading this, prepared to die now, whether old or young, should the summons quickly come?
On a Sunday afternoon in December, one of those mournful processions which are so often seen on that day in country districts, was slowly wending its way along to "the village church that topp'd the neighbouring hill" of Kimberworth.  The obvious purpose of those comprising the procession was to lay in its last earthly resting-place, the body of the loved one that was being borne along.  It was a beautiful day, clear, bright, and frosty, just the sort of a wintry day that is enjoyable to the healthy and strong.  The dark aspect of a December landscape was lightened by the roads and fields around having upon them their first mantle of winter's snow.  We were in a South-Yorkshire district which is full of interesting historical associations. On the hill standing out prominently to the left, are still to be traced, vestiges of ancient British earthworks.  In the valley below, near the confluence of the two rivers so often sung by Ebenezer Elliott, were lately unearthed extensive Roman remains, and many interesting discoveries made.  The Manor House stands on the right, and behind it is Castle Hill, where once stood the residence of the Saxon lords who held sway over the district, while on the Common, some distance further away, still stands a portion of a Norman building, where at one time resided a little colony of monks.
But the tolling of the village church bell falls upon the ear as we draw nearer, recalling the mind from thinking of the past to present-day matters, as do also the merry voices of groups of "noisy children," not like those of Goldsmith's village, "just let loose from school," but wending their way to it. They fill the air with their lively chatter as they go sliding along the slippery footpath, giving but little heed to the funeral procession passing their school this Sunday afternoon.
As already said, old Thomas, whose body we were taking to inter, had long ago passed the allotted span of life—three-score years and ten, and had proved the truth of the Psalmist's words that thereafter are "labour and sorrow."  It was not, however, as those who sorrow without hope, that we placed him in the grave, but rather "in certain hope of a glorious resurrection," for he had died PREPARED.  That word, as we have stated, was the last he uttered ere he died.  He had not long been prepared, for it was only shortly before his death that he had placed his trust in the precious blood of Christ, having lived all those years in the world without the knowledge of salvation. He was what is called a working man, and something of a socialist.  Always discontented with the world as he found it, he denounced its institutions and the state of society, and was desirous of having things put right according to his own ideas.  He did not know that the world is at enmity against God, and in rebellion against God's Christ, and that he himself was still unreconciled to the One who could deliver him from the judgment yet to fall upon the world.  It was the men of wealth and power (he used to say) who caused everything to be wrong, and who used their position and influence, to keep down their dependent fellow men.  Ten years before he died, a wealthy employer to whom he applied for work, told him that it was time he went to the workhouse.  He took this as a personal affront, and it greatly increased his bitterness of spirit.
While capital and labour seem to-day to be at almost constant warfare, one with the other, it is for both to seriously consider their several duties and responsibilities in the light of Scripture, and to remember that each is dependent on the other.  Capital needs labour, and labour cannot get on very well without capital.  Why not seek to work more hand in hand together, and more trustful one towards the other?  "Masters, give unto servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven" (Colos. iv. 1). "Servants, obey in all things, your masters in the flesh; not with eye service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God" (Colos. iii. 22).
Not only against men of wealth and leaders in the world had the spirit of our old friend become embittered, but against religious teachers and professors also.  He would shake his white locks, and curl his lip, too, when vigorously pointing out their inconsistencies and wrong-doings, while most scornfully would he speak of what he called "religious cant."  Yet, God is gracious and longsuffering, and old Thomas was gradually brought by the teaching of the Holy Spirit to learn that it is the living God in whom we are called to trust rather than in man.  The Psalmist tells us that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man, or even in princes (Psalm cxviii. 8).  Have you yet proved the reality of this fact?
For over thirty years, our old friend Thomas lived an active and hard-working life in Birmingham, and when he was about sixty-five, an accident befell him, whereby several of his ribs were broken.  After this, his strong constitution gave way, and he became too enfeebled for work. The poet Cowper tells us that—
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform,"
and it was so with our old friend, the breaking of his ribs had undoubtedly much to do with the breaking of his will and the softening of his spirit; for afterwards, he was much quieter in his manner, and more willing to listen to the truth of the Gospel.  And it so proved that when, in his old age, he returned to Kimberworth, near Rotherham, the home of his youth, it was, through the over-ruling mercy of God, that he might be saved.
He was very fond of walking in the country, noticing nature in its varied aspects, and pointing out and speaking of its many beauties. Thus, all the district round about his home, so familiar to him in his youth, became more familiar to him on his return to it in his old age. The day before he died, as I stood by his bedside, he told me that when thus taking his rambles out, he had of late often knelt down by a stile or hedgeside, and—to use his own words—"prayed to God to make it all right with his soul."
For a man of his proud spirit, this was indeed a confession of exercise of heart before God and showed a sense of his need of salvation. Yes, God was graciously working in his soul, and before I left him, I had the joy of being assured by him that he was "trusting in Jesus alone," believing that "the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth from all sin" (1 John i. 7). Where else could he find salvation and rest of soul?  After over seventy years in the world, and after having shown much opposition to the revelation of God, he was obliged at last to own the truth of the old Gospel, which tells that " God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John iii. 16).
It was difficult to bring home to the mind of old Thomas the fulness of blessing there is in Christ Jesus for all who believe the Gospel. This is often the case with those who have gone on for so many years, ignoring the claims of a righteous God, but still, he trusted in Jesus as his Saviour.
Is the reader one of that numerous class who live without Christ, and yet hope to escape at last; it may be by the skin of the teeth? (Job xix. 20.)  The opportunity of accepting the Saviour on a death-bed may not be yours, for you cannot even say that to-morrow is your own.  You may not be rejecting the Gospel, only neglecting it, perhaps, intending some day to embrace its benefits.  Remember, however, that the result is just the same to all who die in their sins—they are eternally lost; for it is a truth of God that there is no hope for such beyond the grave.  We ought, therefore, to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip; for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? (Heb. ii. 1-3.)  In men's worldly affairs, it may sometimes be the best policy to wait, but not so with the question of the soul's salvation; there is no time like the present.  Our old friend was permitted in his advanced years to see how everything down here failed at last, and to have his eyes opened to see Jesus as the only Saviour of the lost, to learn to trust in Him.  And that was the reason why, on that cold December afternoon, we could leave his body without hopeless sorrow in the churchyard on Kimberworth Hill.  But it might not be so with you; to live to an old age might not be your lot, therefore may you, while it is yet to-day, harden not your heart, for behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. vi. 2).
The friends of old Thomas inscribed his memorial card with the words:—"He said he was tired, and fell asleep in Jesus."  His illness had been of a most wearisome character; he could obtain but little sleep and rest, and early in the day on which he died, he had complained of feeling tired.  His poor frail body was weak and weary.  It is now resting in the village graveyard with many others he had known so well; but his spirit has winged its flight to heaven.
And how is it with you who have now read my story?  Are you tired, tired of the world, with its trials and sorrows, its delusions and disappointments? Are you tired of carrying your burden of sin's heavy load?  I trust you are, and desirous of being relieved.  If so, listen to His gracious invitation who says:—"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. xi. 28).  Let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. xxii. 17).  If you do this, when the summons comes—either to pass through death, or, with all who are His, to go to meet the Lord in the air—you, like old Thomas of Kimberworth, will be PREPARED to go.
And then in yonder glory bright,
Away from sin and care;
We'll sing of His redeeming might,
And in His glory share.
HENRY W. PONTIS.
"The Springing Well" 1898