Many years ago, when the upper peninsula of Michigan was an almost unknown wilderness, two men set out to reach a new mining camp. From the straits of Mackinaw they hastened on in a westward direction, hoping to reach their destination ere winter, with its heavy snows, set in.
One bright November morning they started on what they hoped was the last stage of their journey. A flurry, of snow during the preceding night had almost obliterated the faint track made by former travelers, but they confidently went on, believing themselves quite capable of keeping the right direction.
As the day wore on, the woods through which they journeyed grew more dense, until they could not see the sun which hitherto had been their guide. Still they pressed on in what they thought was a westward course, choosing where the underbrush was crushed as evidence that others had passed that way before.
What was their astonishment ere long to find that they were apparently not alone on their journey. There were before them the fresh tracks in the snow of at least two others. Reassured by this they hurried on, hoping to overtake them, and were amazed still later to find others had joined the travelers. This they looked upon as a sure token that they were on the right way, and that the camp was near.
They were about to go on when they were surprised by the appearance of an Indian standing by the side of a sturdy oak only a few feet from them.
Involuntarily, their hands went to their firearms, but without moving from his position the Indian grunted out in broken English, “White man lost?”
This they were quick to deny angrily but the Indian, pointing to the tracks, stated positively, “White man lost—he go round and round.” The added footprints had been their own, for they had been walking in what has been called “the death track”—round and round in a circle.
It is not difficult to perceive the danger these men were in—an unknown country a trackless forest, without a guide, and treading the hopeless round of the death track. But how many are like them! Being desirous of going to heaven, but not taking their directions from the one infallible guidebook, the Bible, they are also traveling each one in his own way. But what saith the Scriptures? “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” They are treading the death track.
Unsaved one, plodding away in a round of religious duty, we would say to you, as the Indian to the travelers, “You are lost!
You are going round and round.” We would like to call a halt, and warn you that to go on as you are is to perish. No amount of zeal will alter your sad condition: you are helplessly lost! But there is One who stands ready not only to save, but to guide you safely home. To save you He had to die but He is now risen, and as a living Savior proclaims, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).