A Murderer's Last Words

Wisdom from a notorious criminal on the anniversary of his death.

 “Sir, I do not share your faith.  But if I did – if I believed what you say you believed – then although England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would crawl the length and breadth of it on hand and knee and think the pain worthwhile, just to save a single soul from this eternal hell of which you speak.” 
The last words of Charles Peace

Charles Peace (May 14, 1832-February 25, 1879) was an English career criminal whose burglaries and murders eventually led to his execution 136 years ago today.  During his final walk to the gallows the condemned man was visited by a nameless pastor who told Peace to repent of his sins and to seek God’s mercy before meeting the hangman and going on to meet God as judge. 

The pastor, who had made such an appeal many times before to convicted men facing execution seemed to deliver his appeal with all of the passion of a man reading aloud from the yellow pages.  There was no zeal, no winsomeness, & no urgency in what the pastor had to say, particularly when he mentioned of the reality of hell.  Charles Peace, just moments from his execution was shocked at the lifelessness of the pastor's words and he responded with what would be his last words on earth:

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On the 136 anniversary of his execution, let us hear the wisdom and answer the challenge of a condemned man.  Moreover, let us commit ourselves to the communication of the gospel even as we seek to live in the light of its eternal claims with winsomeness, passion, and sympathy for our fellowman.  Let us remember the never-dying soul of man, the reality of eternity, the certainty of judgment, and the mercy of God in the gospel.  Also let us embrace afresh the words of the apostle Paul who reminds us:

   “…we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20