THIS is a very handsome, old fashioned boat. The large man standing in the center is a king, Charles I., of England. Before him sits his queen, with a pet dog on her lap, and one of the little princesses is feeding the swans as they float along. The royal family, with their guards and servants, are out for a pleasure ride, on the river Thames, on a summer’s evening. It is a pleasant scene, but I doubt the king’s enjoyment of it. Poor man! The terrible troubles that came upon him, soon took away both his crown, and his head.
I suppose you think if you were a king, you would be happy, with all the grand houses and clothing which they have, but kings have special troubles of their own, and great men are not always happy. No one can be really happy un, less he knows the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour.
I once heard of a king who looked very unhappy, and a friend of his said to him that he thought it was strange he had such a sad face, and if he were in his position—the head of a country and surrounded with such grandeur—he would be happy.
The king then asked him if he would wear his crown, and sit on his throne for a time, and see if he would be happy.
The man consented, and the day was appointed; when the time arrived, he went to the palace, the crown was placed on his head, he was dressed in the king’s gorgeous robes, and he was blind—folded and led to the throne. After he sat down, his eyes were uncovered, and he viewed with admiration the grandeur around him.
Presently he looked up, and think of his dismay at seeing a sword right above his head, hung by a single thread, which might fall at any moment!
Then he looked to the floor, and his terror was increased by seeing that the beautiful throne on which he sat, was placed on some rotten boards, over a dark hole, and they were liable to break with him and down he would go into that dreadful abyss.
He cried out in his fright to be released from his dangerous position.
The king came to him, and said, “Now you can understand why I am not happy, notwithstanding all this grandeur with which I am surrounded. I know the sword of God’s judgment is hanging over me, ready to fall at any moment, or if I should die, I would drop into hell. It is these dreadful realities that cause me to be unhappy.”
Such is the position of every one who has not trusted in Christ, not only kings, but everyone else. As soon as any one trusts in Him, He delivers them from these terrible judgments.
But the Lord Jesus is soon coming again, to be King, and then He will take all the crowns and kingdoms in this world for His own. He will be King of Kings!
How well it would be if all the kings in the world would be wise now, and be subject to Him!
If we suffer patiently a while now, with Jesus, by and by when He reigns, we shall reign with Him. This will be far better than this world’s fading glory.
Charles I. was first a king, and then a prisoner. You may suffer reproach for Christ now, and reign in glory with Him all through eternity.
Will not that be far better?
Jesus is coming soon.
W. D. C.
ML 09/30/1900