The first man was a miner, who was passing a meeting house one night and went in. The minister was speaking of the holiness of God, and of the awful situation of those who were still unprepared —and might be called at any moment to meet God. He begged his hearers to ask themselves the question, “Am l ready to meet God?" He urged them to answer it now, for now, was the accepted time. God was ready now, and they were alive tonight. Tomorrow might be too late.

 

The miner thought, “I am not ready to meet God! I have lived a careless, godless life - I dare not meet His Holy Eye. How can I make peace with Him? I am such a sinner I dare not stand before Him." These truths troubled him so much he could not go away. He waited till the people went out, and then he told the minister his fears. The man of God tried to lead him to Jesus. “Jesus is your peace,” he said. But the miner found none.

 

The minister laid the way of salvation clearly before him. “Now,“ he said, ”it is late. Go home and seek your Savior there." “No," answered the miner with increased earnestness. “I beg you to let me stay a little longer; it must be settled tonight!" Again the minister spoke of the finished work of Christ, Again the miner prayed, following his words with sobs and tears; and at last, the light broke in on his darkness. “l see it!" he cried. “My peace is made with God. lt is settled. l have to thank God for it! Praise His Name!" He heard their cry and saved the miner's soul.

 

The next day as the miner was working, a mass of rock fell upon him. Working to save him - his faint voice came from beneath the fragments of rock. “I thank God it was settled last night! Settled forever I am His. Tonight would have been too late, but thank God it was settled last night!!" When they uncovered his body, he had gone to God.

 

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."