It was an Eastern city nearly nineteen hundred years ago. A funeral procession had just passed out through the gate. The dead man was "the only son of his mother and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.
And there came a fear on all; and they glorified God.”
It was another Oriental city some twenty-four hundred years ago. A funeral had just passed out through the gate. Much people of the city followed and the mourners wept as only those without hope can weep. China's greatest sage was passing and heard the wails for the dead and saw the procession slowly wend its way to the hills outside the city. He passed on to his house—not to eat—but to mourn and fast in bitterness of soul for his helplessness.
For nearly twenty-four hundred years China has held the teachings of her dead sage. Today China herself lies prostrate—dead in sins. Both the sage and his teachings have proved helpless and hopeless.
My reader, do you know where to find help and hope for such a state? Do you know the Savior who giveth life and joy?