MANY years ago, among the Alps in Switzerland, stood a towering peak, called the “Rossberg.” At the foot of one side, which was nearly perpendicular, there nestled a little village. Just below this, was one of those blue mountain lakes, so common in Switzerland. Some of the people thought part of the mountain might fall someday, so an officer was sent to examine and report on it. He stopped at the hotel, and every day for a week, with pick and shovel and hammer, he dug and climbed and examined. At last he had the people all called together, when he said to them, “I am an officer sent here by the government to examine this mountain. I find that the top of it is composed of separate boulders, resting on a foundation of gravel. One of these days it will fall! And the wisest thing you can do is to move away. Good by!”
Of course the people were much alarmed at the message, and hardly dared to stay.
Some moved away to another village.
But it did not fall immediately, and soon people laughed at their fears, for the mountain still stood, as it had for many years. Days, weeks, months and years rolled away, and still it stood. Old men and women died and were buried. Strange children played in the streets, and all went on as usual. The officer and his message were nearly forgotten.
But one night, nineteen years after the warning, with an awful roar, the mountain fell, which buried the village and half choked up the little lake. Very few escaped.
Now, my young friend, has this no warning voice for you?
You are living in a scene which has been solemnly threatened with the judgments of God. “The heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up.” 2 Pet. 3:77But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7) and 10.
All of a sudden, like a thief, it will be here!
There is one way of escape, and only one. Jesus died on a cross of shame for you, and you must flee to Him by faith.
“He bore God’s judgment poor sinner’s to save.”
I’ve forgotten where I read the story of the “Rossberg.” But I cannot forget the still more solemn warnings, of still more terrible judgments in God’s Word. Mighty men will soon be calling for mountains and rocks to fall on them, to hide them from the wrath of God. W. D. C.
ML 02/18/1900