Among the officers of a regiment in India was one young lieutenant whose genial manners had made him a general favorite. Time was heavy on their hands and this young officer with a few others decided to join in a hunt. For some miles they cantered on, the lieutenant being some little distance ahead.
Suddenly his horse reared up, and with a stifled scream from the rider, both disappeared from sight. Spurring their horses, the men galloped forward to learn what had happened. The mystery was soon explained: their companion had fallen into an old covered pit where in time past food had been secreted.
As quickly as possible ropes were secured and lowered. Horse and rider were drawn to safety, and very thankful were the soldiers to have him once more among them. But what a change had taken place! In that short space of time his hair had turned white, and the flush of youth had vanished.
Revived by the fresh air, he told them that without warning the earth had seemed to give way beneath him.
Plunging down into the darkness, he had fallen clear of his horse. But amid the hiss of serpents, he lay half stunned at the bottom of that pit. Afraid to move, he thought each moment would be his last.
Feeling himself on the very threshold of eternity, his eyes were opened. The past with its neglected opportunities came crowding back to his memory. The agony of soul he passed through, face to face with death and in God's presence, was loudly witnessed by his altered appearance.
This young officer was suddenly awakened to the fact that the path on which he was seeking his pleasure was beset with deadly danger. One plunge placed him beyond his own power of recovery, and he knew it to his utter dismay. Realizing his own helplessness, he "cried unto the Lord and He delivered him.”
Now mark this, my reader: with the first sin you ever committed in defiance of God's holy will, you took that plunge! From that moment, as far as you are concerned, your case has been absolutely hopeless. You can never undo that sin, and its consequences are inevitable. God holds the record.
But there is this difference between you and the young lieutenant. He was instantly made alive to his terrible predicament; you probably were not. But that does not make your case less serious. It is not difficult to see that even twelve hours of unconsciousness at the bottom of that serpent-infested pit could not possibly have made his case any better. And so with you.
But have you at last been made aware of your danger? Perhaps your ruined, helpless condition before God has come alarmingly before you.
Listen then while I tell you of One who can save you. Moved with divine compassion, the Son of God has come down to where you are. His arm is mighty to save. Will you not trust your precious soul to Him ere it is too late?