YOU may have seen the plant called the bladderwort in ponds or streams. At blossoming time the bladder, which is the flower of the plant, fills with air. The bladder bloom is held above the surface of the water as it hangs on the stem of the plant. It is pretty and delicate in color, and is either pink, violet, or purple. This delicate blossom of the bladder-wort really looks quite harmless.
However, each bladder has a small round door with a flap. This door is surrounded by very fine hairs, finer even than silk thread, which are called filaments. Sometimes tiny pond creatures, such as insects, go near these fine hairs to seek safety or food. In so doing they push open the flap of the door. Woe to the little creature! It has entered the death chamber. It is a prisoner, for the trap door cannot be opened from the inside. The bladderwort is a carnivorous plant—a plant that feeds on living creatures. So the insect is digested, and then the trap is set for the next victim.
Satan has his traps set everywhere also. Alas, he traps many boys and girls, and older folks too. He offers them the world, its pleasures and its sin, and causes them to forget their precious, never-dying souls. He does not tell them that the pleasures of sin are but for a season (Heb. 11:2525Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25)), that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)), and that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).)
Dear young friends, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” (Ecc. 12:1) and come to the Saviour early in life.
" ‘Twill save you from ten thousand snares
To trust Him while you’re young.”
ML-11/27/1960