THERE are few of my young readers who do not know what it is to slide and skate on the frozen ponds in winter time.
Let us see what lesson we may learn from a slide. May God in His infinite grace bless it to each.
We will imagine ourselves to be on the bank of a large pond frozen over with ice, where all seem to enjoy the running and sliding.
Now we watch, for a few minutes, the boys sliding on one long slide. Look, there goes a good slider; he takes a short run and away he goes. How smoothly and rapidly he glides along, and, without the slightest further exertion on his part, can go right down towards the end of the slide. Suddenly he hears a crash, and sees that the ice has broken, and those who were in front of him are now struggling in the water. How can he stop himself? is his one thought.
By falling down immediately just where he is, This is the only way he can possibly save himself from sliding right into the midst of those struggling ones in the water.
Heedless of those in front, they seem to close their eyes as they rush on, minute by minute drawing nearer the end, which is eternal death.
Are you one of these heedless ones? O! if you are, fall down at once at the feet of that One who died, whose precious blood was shed that all who come to Him may have full forgiveness and a free pardon. Fall right down at His feet, just where you are, and as you are; take your true place as a lost and ruined sinner, and your course down that fearful slide will be arrested, and you will be saved.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of Death," Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)., 16:25. Think of the end of the way which seemeth right.
If once you glide on to the end of that awful slide,—the broad road,—you can never get back, no, never.
Please read carefully Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31).
Messages of God’s Love 5/12/1929