I AM going to tell you a true story, and I want you to answer the questions I am going to ask you about the story.
One evening in June, a young girl, whom I will call Violet, and two boys, Gerald and Hugh, who were staying at an hotel near some beautiful Swiss mountains, settled that the next day they would go up one of them and see the view from the top. The morning was fine, and off they started, being bidden by their parents to be back not later than half-past six in the evening. When they came to the foot of the mountain they thought it would be a much quicker way, besides giving them more fun, if they went straight up instead of following the winding path. At first they all enjoyed the climb very much, but after a time it became rather tiring work however, they agreed that it was very pleasant to be going a different way from other people. Several times they thought they must be almost at the top, but as the day was wearing on, and they were feeling hungry, they decided to have luncheon, and then to rest a little. After about two hours more they reached the summit, where a most lovely scene lay before them. It was some years ago, but Violet remembers distinctly, the beauty and grandeur of the snow-covered mountains by which they were surrounded.
After they had finished counting the mountain tops before them, the watch told them it was much later than they had thought it was, and taking a look round, they came to the conclusion that the side of the mountain opposite to that which they had come up, would be the shorter way home. They hoped to save time, but in a little while the descent became very rough work even for the boys, while Violet could get only very slowly down the steep places. Presently it became smoother, so they all set off running, for it was getting late. As they ran, they heard someone shouting, to which they paid no attention, but the shouts being repeated, they looked round and saw a man running rapidly after them, and calling eagerly to them. They waited. In a few minutes he came up to them, almost breathless, and when he could speak he said, “Oh, it was well you stopped when I called to you, for in a few minutes more you would have gone over the precipice below us, and then nothing could have saved you from being killed at once.” The man spoke in French, but they all understood enough to know the narrow escape they had had of death, when not at all thinking it was near.
Children, death is not likely to be brought before you in quite such an unexpected way, but are you ready for it? Two of the three of whom I am telling you, knowing that they were sinners, had asked the Lord Jesus Christ to wash their sins away in His own precious blood, which cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). One of them had often heard about salvation, but he had never asked God to make him fit for heaven. Dear children, ask yourselves, “Which of these three am I like?”
The man, who under God’s guidance, had so kindly saved the lives of these brothers and sister, told them they had wandered very far from home, and that he must go to his cottage and get a lantern, as it would be dark before they could reach the foot of the mountain.
It soon became dark, and part of their way led through a wood, and glad they were of the guide and his lantern. By-and-by they saw lights in the distance, and then heard shouting, which the guide, familiar with the different mountain cries, told them meant, that people were searching for them and wanted to know if they were unhurt. He shouted, “All are safe!” and in a little while the young wanderers were with their parents, who, as they welcomed them back, and heard their story, could not be thankful enough to their Heavenly Father for having shielded their children from the great danger to which they had been exposed. I need scarcely add that our young friends did not attempt this kind of mountain climbing again.
Now I think you will agree with me that you may be hastening on, not knowing whither you are going, very much in the manner of our three young friends. And my question is. Is the path you are taking a safe one? Will it lead you at last to be forever with the Lord Jesus in heaven? or, will it bring you to the judgment? This paper is a voice calling upon you to stop, and I trust you will heed it, as did our young friends the kind Swiss peasant, whose voice saved their lives.
Suppose, after the man had told them of their danger, Violet, Gerald, and Hugh had refused to go with him, and be guided by his lantern? Whose fault would it have been if they had been lost? And whose fault will it be if you should at last fail to enter heaven? I think the lantern the guide carried, is like the Bible, which shows us the way to heaven, and which those who love it can say “is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)), and I pray you may be guided by God’s word in the right way, and that your lives may be spent to the glory of God.
D. H. E. B.