“AND a queer cradle it is!” some of our readers will be likely to exclaim. A gulf is found in one of the Shetland Islands, which is an object of much curiosity to travelers. The opening between the rocks is not more than sixty yards wide, while the depth is four hundred feet! The chasm is formed by the separation of a portion of the rock and soil from the mainland―probably by some violent commotion of the earth, or possibly by the action of water through a long succession of ages.
This detached rock is wholly inaccessible except by a sort of wooden chair, traveling from precipice to precipice on rings which run upon two cables stretched across over the gulf. This chair is called the Cradle of Noss. Seated in this, a man will carry across to the island a number of sheep and leave them there for the season. The boatmen make light of the risk of crossing it, but it seems tremendous to a brain disposed to be giddy.
A few years since a celebrated climber conceived the idea of forming a passageway over this frightful chasm. And the promise of a cow, if he succeeded, emboldened him to make the attempt. He went within the opening in a canoe, and then climbed up the precipitous sides, fixed a pulley and suspended a large, strong basket upon a rope which could be thrown across to the mainland; and by its means the connection was formed.
After this bold enterprise had been successfully achieved, the poor man, forgetting how much more difficult it is to go safely down than it is to ascend a precipice, neglected to take advantage of his own bridge, and, in trying to regain his boat, his foot slipped, and he lost his life!
Perhaps some of our readers think he was a very silly man, who could provide a way of safety for others and yet neglect it himself. And he was. But are all the readers of Good News clear of such folly? Will not many be found at last of whom it will be said, they were the means of saving others, but were not themselves “wise unto salvation?” These things they ought to have done, but not to leave the others undone.
A good way to lead others in the right path is to be in it, and happy in it ourselves. Phil. 4:44Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4).