CLOSE to the harbor, and at the foot of Barcelona’s most beautiful and celebrated avenue, stands a high column, surmounted by a statue of Christopher Columbus. The arm of the statue is outstretched, and the forefinger appears to be pointing to some distant object.
Naturally we should expect to see the finger pointing westward, to the scene of the triumphs which have made the name of Columbus famous—to the continent that he discovered, and to the lands which his unwavering perseverance enabled him to reach.
But the forefinger of the statue is pointing in a south-easterly direction, to no particular object, and apparently with no design or purpose.
And so stands many a living statue, many a man, many a preacher today! Surely the fingers of all who preach the Gospel should point unmistakably to Christ: back to Calvary, to the work of atonement that He accomplished there, and upwards to glory, to Himself, the living Saviour, at the right hand of power.
But in how many other directions are the fingers pointing, of those who would fain pass as the spiritual guides of men! One points to Rome, and mumbles of an infallible church. A second points to theology, and repeats what he learned in the scholastic works that he studied as a youth at college. A third points to a blameless life and cries: Take that as your model! A fourth points to Socialism and says, In this direction lies humanity’s hope! A fifth points to the hill of earnest struggles and continued effort, and bids you climb its slopes and reach the summit, if you can.
The Scriptures, however, God’s message to man, point in one definite direction, namely, to Christ. They tell us plainly that in the whole universe there is no Saviour but He. No work but His is efficacious to wipe out sin.
By means of this printed page we would point in the same direction as the Scriptures. Sinner! It is Christ that you need. His atoning sacrifice is a sure foundation on which you may safely rest for eternity. We point you to Him. Flee, as a dying man, from self and sin to Him. Fly, on the wings of faith and repentance, to His bosom. Cast yourself, strengthless and sinful, at His feet.
What will be the result? Guilt canceled; the soul saved; the heart rejoiced; heaven made sure.
Friend: follow no will-o’-the-wisp! Listen to no siren voice that would beguile you! See the One to whom the Scriptures point you, and trust Him as your own personal Saviour!
H. P. B.