The way through the Peruvian mountain pass was long and steep, and it was late in the day. The weather was bitterly cold and snow was filling the pass, while two weary natives urged their laden donkeys up the last lap of their journey to a house at the top.
But at this point one of the travelers, overcome with cold and fatigue, gave up the struggle and sat down in the snow to sleep.
Knowing that it would be a sleep which ended in death, his companion endeavored with sternest warnings to urge him on; but his direst threats were in vain. So he continued the journey with the donkeys alone and finally reached the house on the summit.
Later, another traveler up the pass found the sleeping man; but unable to arouse him, he too left him behind and reached the house. When his companion learned from the newcomer that the sleeper was still alive, he pulled on his coat and boots, and taking his donkey whip, returned to the scene.
Finding the man still asleep, he proceeded to belabor him with the whip and finally succeeded in waking him and standing him on his feet.
Then with constant yelling, threatening and whipping he managed to literally drive the drowsy fellow up to the safety of the house, thus saving him from his fatal sleep. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend"!
When a missionary from Peru related this story, we could not but think of the multitudes in our land, who, overcome by the prince of this world, are asleep to the awful doom that awaits them if they die in their sins. They are as the sailor in the Proverbs, who totally insensible to his danger, "lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast." Prov. 23:34.
God in His mercy and love often employs the sternest measures to awaken those He has determined to save. It may be through accident, illness, loss of loved ones, loss of property or other financial reverses.
Assuredly this is God by His Spirit going out into the highways and hedges and compelling them to come in that His house may be filled. Luke 14:23.
Have you, reader, come in? There's room in God's house for you. Through Christ Jesus He welcomes you today.
"What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" Jonah 1:6.