Dear Ones in Christ,

A few weeks ago I buried an old friend. We had gone to school together and we both loved the same girl. Thank God I got her and because of her prayers I was saved just after we got married. My friend, Rex, was saved a few years later.

As the years slipped by, Rex lost most of his hearing and most of his sight. He lived alone in a retirement village. Sitting in his chair, looking out his window, he told me that he couldn't go on, that he wanted to die.

Then Rex got very sick and refused to eat. We brought him Jello and pudding but he had given up, vomiting up even a spoonful of food. During this dark time, I re-read our gospel tract called, "The Letter." It had a great impact on me. I didn't have to worry about Rex's salvation, but I shuddered to think of those I had neglected to reach.

Things went from bad to worse for Rex. We got him into the hospital, but he kept crying out, "Jesus, take me home!" He kept pulling away the oxygen tube and by that time he had pneumonia. He told us that he loved us and said goodbye with a smile, but we knew he was in pain.

Rex was in the same hospital where his 90-year-old mother had died. The next morning was his mother's birthday. She would have been 103 years old.

The nurse was with Rex when the end came. She looked at his face and he started smiling, showing love and excitement, like he recognized someone he loved. Then he was gone...to be with his Saviour.

I know I'll see Rex again. But there are multitudes of friends, people we know and neighbors who won't smile when their hearts stop beating. That's why we must continue passing tracts to them. Then they can't say we never warned them.

God bless you as you continue spreading the Word.

Your brother in Christ,

Jack T. Chick, President
Chick Publications, Inc.