Online Tracts
Good Night or Good-Bye, WHICH?
A Dr. Langdale, of NY, told of a devout Christian businessman who was struck by an automobile and hurried to the hospital. He was informed that he had only about two hours in which to live. His faith was implicit in the goodness of God and in future life. To him death was only a gateway leading to a higher world. He had his family called and thus addressed them: "Wife, you have been to me the greatest woman in the world. Through sunshine and shadow we have walked together. You have been my inspiration in everything I have undertaken. Especially has this been true in reference to my religious life. Many times I have seen the Spirit of God shining in your face. I love you far more than I did the day you became my bride. Good night, dear, I'll see you in the morning. Good night."
"Mary, you are our firstborn. What a joy you have been to your father. How glad I am that you have looked so much like your mother. In face and spirit you have always reminded me of her. I see in you the sweet, beautiful young woman who left her home to become the builder of mine. What a Christian you are! Mary, you will never forget how your father has loved you. Good night, Mary, good night."
He then turned to his eldest son. "Will, your coming into our home has been an unmixed blessing. You were a manly boy. You have become an exemplary man. You love God and His Church. How proud I am of such a son! You will continue to grow in every Christian grace and virtue. You have your father's love and blessing. Good night, Will, good night."
Charlie was next. Charlie had fallen under evil influences and had grievously disappointed his father and mother. The dying man skipped him and spoke to the youngest child, a beautiful young girl.
"Grace, your coming was like the breaking of a new day in our home. You have been a song of gladness, a ray of light. You have filled our hearts with music. When not long ago, you surrendered your life to Christ, your father's cup of happiness was full and overflowing. Good night, little girl, good night."
He then called Charlie to his side. "Charlie, what a fine promising boy you were. Your father and mother believed you would develop into a great and noble man. We gave you all the opportunities that we gave the other children. If there has been any difference, you yourself must admit that the difference has been in your favor. We have done the best we could for you, Charlie. But you have disappointed us. You have followed the broad and downward way. You have not been guided by our advice. You have not heeded the warning of God's Holy Word. You have not heeded the call of the Saviour. But I have always loved you, Charlie, and I love you still. God only knows how much I love you. Good-bye, Charlie. Good-bye! Good-bye!"
Charlie seized his father's hand and between his sobs cried out, "Father, why have you said 'Good night' to the others, and 'Good-bye' to me?"
"For the simple reason, Charlie, that I will meet the other members of the family 'in the morning,' but by all the promises that assure us of a reunion and give me hope of having them with me again, by those statements of God's Word I can have no hope of seeing you 'over there.' It's good-bye, Charlie, good-bye." Charlie fell on his knees by his dying father's bed and cried out in the agony of his soul, praying God to forgive his sins and allow him the hope of meeting his father again.
"Do you mean it, Charlie? Are you in earnest?"
"God knows I am," said the heart-broken young man.
"Then God will hear you and save you, Charlie, and it is not 'good-bye,' but 'good night.' Good night, Charlie, good night. I am so grateful to God that it is not 'good-bye,' but only 'good night.' Good night, my boy." And he was gone.
Charlie became a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and looked forward to the time when he would hear his sainted father exclaim, "Good morning, Charlie, I'm so glad the night is gone and the day has come. Is it not a glad, great hour? Good morning, Charlie, good morning."
Members of the same home circles: husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, loved ones, when the shadows fall and you go to sleep, to those who love you, will it be, "Good-bye" or a short "Good night?"
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