It has been estimated that over seventy-five per cent of the inhabitants of this country have no concern about the salvation of their souls! They are not atheists or infidels, nor do they make any profession of being saved; they are simply indifferent to the whole matter. If the thought of having to do with God comes into their minds, they solace themselves by a comparison of their own state with that of their fellows, and they conclude that as they are not worse than others, and perhaps better than many, there is no reason why they should have any concern as to their spiritual state. Any occasional alarm is speedily stilled by the thought that "God is merciful"—a sentiment which in the mind of an indifferent sinner means that he thinks of God as One whose judgment of sin is not much more severe than his own. To this large body of people, and to each individual in it, the following plain words are addressed.

A friendly voice asks you the question which stands at the head of this paper—a question which once awoke Jonah out of his stupor—"What meanest thou, O sleeper?"

You would at once condemn the folly of indifference if good opportunities presented themselves for pecuniary gain, mental improvement, or social elevation. Yet eternal gain is within your reach, and the greatest possible blessing is offered to you without awakening in your heart any desire to secure it for yourself.

O friend, consider that indifference will soon have an end, and the time of grace and mercy will soon be for ever past. Then that sad and bitter wail, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

Indifference is a sin of no ordinary kind; it is an offense of great magnitude. For what is it that men treat with indifference? It is the claims of God that are set at nought, and the love of God that is despised! The gift of the Son of God, His work of infinite love at Calvary, the glory which that work has thrown open, and all the present blessings of the salvation of God, are treated as so many trifles by the indifferent sinner; but can anyone treat them with disregard and not be profoundly guilty?

How you must hate God, when you would perish rather than have His blessings! The hardihood which ventures to brave His wrath is only equalled by the hatred that refuses His love, and both combine in the indifferent soul. In saying this I am assuming that you have heard the proclamation of grace; but perhaps, in doing so, I am taking too much for granted. Perhaps my reader is entirely ignorant of the good things which God has provided, and which, through His grace, a large number of people in this world are enjoying.

Let me say, then, very briefly, that through a crucified, risen, and glorified Saviour—the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord—God is proclaiming the forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation. The poor may freely take these priceless blessings, for they are the gift of God; and the rich surely cannot afford to be without them, for no riches here can give an entrance there. God's salvation is expressly for the guilty and the lost. And as for the "good" and "righteous," they too may be saved if they cast their pride to the winds, and take the sinner's place in repentance before God.

At an infinite cost God has righteously taken the title of SAVIOUR-GOD. The Son has been given; Jesus has died; and the whole universe can see at Calvary that God is neither indifferent to sin nor to the need of His poor fallen creatures. Oh, let indifference be banished from your heart. Turn in true repentance to God, and receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. For your life hangs on a thread; the record of your sins is on high; and the blackest midnight is far less dark than a Christless grave.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

—C.A.C.