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Themes God's Patience ONE CHANCE! On the night of October 16, 1859, John Brown and his band of eighteen men gathered outside the town of Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Brown, a fanatical abolitionist and cold-blooded murderer, believed that all slaves should be set free. He would fight and kill until this happened. At the signal from their leader, the men raced into town and captured the U.S. Armory and Rifle Works. Brown planned to use the rifles and ammunition to arm the black slaves in Virginia. Then, he planned to have them march though the South and end slavery forever. Brown and his men captured many people from Harper's Ferry as hostages, including a great-grand nephew of George Washington. However, immediately after the capture, Brown's plans fell apart. The slaves did not rally to his aid. Instead, townspeople surrounded the armory and fired their guns on the raiders. The bullets killed most of the men including two of Brown's sons. It was a stalemate. Neither side would give in and Brown's raiders had not accomplished their goal. Then, the U.S. Marines arrived. They were under the command of Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee. On the morning of October 18, Lee sent Jeb Stuart out with a white flag to end the firing, and demand that Brown surrender. Brown refused. Instantly, Stuart waved his hat, and the Marines charged. They battered down the door and quickly captured Brown and his four remaining men. The raiders were charged with murder, treason and rioting. Ten days later, a judge ruled that they were guilty of all the charges. John Brown and his men were sentenced to hang for their crimes. John Brown was a murderer just like the first murderer, Cain. The Marines only gave him one chance to change his mind and surrender peacefully. Then, they attacked! Thank God He does not act like the Marines. God gave Cain many chances to answer God's questions honestly and make himself right before God. Cain refused. Like John Brown and his raiders, he only saw that his way seemed right. Eventually, he was also destroyed. God says "there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25). God's patience with people is greater than our patience with each other. Should you not thank God today for His amazing love and patience with you? Should you not accept His Son as your Savior today? The Lord Jesus suffered and died for sins, and God offers you salvation. God is patiently waiting for you to trust the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your soul. Remember, God may not be patient with you any longer. The Bible says, "Behold NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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Shelly McKenna
