A POOR wayfaring man, whilst walking along the bank of a broad river, missed his footing and fell into the flowing tide. Vain were his most frantic efforts to save himself, for alas! he could not swim. Attracted by his cries for help, however, a man hastened to the spot with a coil of strong new rope in his hand. With a well directed aim, he threw it straight to the drowning man, shouting out at the same time, “Lay hold of this and I will save you.” But the friendly voice and proffered aid were unheeded. Again and again, in louder and more urgent tones, the would-be saviour called, “Lay hold of the rope, man, lay hold of the rope.” But it was all to no purpose. What was the meaning of such fearful madness?
There, standing on the opposite bank with a bundle of straws under his arm, just gleaned from the harvest field nearby, was an enemy in disguise. With smiling countenance and soft persuasive speech, he had attracted the poor man’s attention, and was busily engaged flinging to him the golden wisps. “Here, my good friend,” said he, “catch hold of these, and you’ll be all right. Don’t be alarmed, there’s really naught to fear. Heed not that noisy fellow opposite.” He listened. And then, with the last desperate clutch of a drowning man, laid hold of one, only of course, to find out―when too late—his fatal mistake. Loudly laughed that false friend at the success of his evil scheme, as he saw his victim sink beneath the waters, never more to rise.
Sinner! “THOU art the man.”
Fast floats thy precious soul along the swiftly flowing stream of TIME. Must it be that thou, too, shalt sink into ETEIRNITY, and be lost―damned?
How long wilt thou listen to the seducing voice of the devil, as he whispers in thine ear, “Do not be alarmed, enjoy yourself little longer. You know you mean to be saved some day, but there’s plenty of time yet”? Or, if an uneasy conscience will not let thee rest, says he, “Well, then, attend a place of worship more regularly,” “try and mend your ways,” “read the Bible,” “don’t neglect your prayers,” “do the best you can.” Ah! if thou put-thy trust in these “wisps of straw,” depend upon it, friend, they will not avail thee in thy dying hour. Right well the devil knows such hollow slender; reeds can never save thy soul.
Does the cry, then, escape thy lips, “What must I do to be saved”? Listen. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). All that was needed for the salvation of the sinner has been done. When? Over eighteen hundred years ago. Where? On the cross. By whom? By Jesus. “It is finished,” was the dying Saviour’s cry.
Now He is waiting, willing and able to save all who will trust in Him. Jesus is the only true rope of salvation. Hark! the sweet gospel call is sounding. From the glory yonder it comes; o’er the dark waters of sin and sorrow it travels, till it reaches thee. In loving and more urgent entreaty than ever, as if for the last time, it bids thee, poor perishing sinner, “Lay hold of Christ.”
Anxious soul, dolt thou say, “What must I do to be saved?” Heed the Holy Ghost’s plain reply: ― “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30, 3130And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30‑31)).
W. R. P.