WE had done it in other places, and knew the delight it gave, so we promised the young folks of the country home in which we were staying that the first heavy fall of snow we would make a snow man full life size, and decorate him to order. For two or three days the lovely snowflakes kept steadily falling till the whole countryside wore a mantle of pure white. Then it ceased, and the sun came out, glistening on ten thousand times ten thousand of the icy crystals lying in profusion around.
With willing hands to help it was not long till the snow was piled high enough to form a man. With spade and stick we sought to carve out the figure of a man. Poking holes for buttons, eyes, and mouth, planting our own hat as his headgear, and sticking in a sprig of holly to crown all, we were almost thinking we had triumphed when the brightest young maiden chirped out, "a teddy bear." Her brother asserted it was the policeman with his buttons, and the eldest of the three was so aghast at the inhuman monster that she collapsed in surprise.
Looking at our clumsy attempt to form a snow man brought to mind the beautiful figure which was once carved in snow by the great sculptor Michael Angelo. A gentleman named Pietro de Medici took a fancy to see what the famous sculptor could do in nature, and commissioned him to carve a man. Michael Angelo set to work during very stormy weather, and produced the massive figure of a man, said to have been a masterpiece of art, and awe-inspiring to look at as it sparkled in the sunlight.
We thought of the contrast between the work of fancy and the work of art, and yet they were very much alike. No sooner did the weather change and the sun steadily shine than they both began to melt, and quickly disappeared. Michael Angelo may have thought of this as he carved the art
statue in snow, for he wrote the following: "The wise man, I affirm, can find no rest In that which perisheth, nor will he lend His heart to aught that cloth on Time depend."
Certainly we thought of it a morning or two after as we saw our white man turned into a mere heap of muddy snow without form or comeliness.
What a picture it was of the time when we tried to form a statue of goodness out of our own righteousness, only to find it crumble and decay as the first flash of the light of the Word of God shone upon it, and made clear that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)).
Like the "wise man" mentioned by Michael Angelo, we could find no rest in "that which perisheth." Then, and only then, did we follow the example of the "chief of sinners" (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)), and "commit" (2 Tim. 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)) our all—spirit, soul, and body—to the Lord Jesus Christ —trusting alone in the blood which "cleanseth from all sin" (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)); resting only on the atoning work "finished" (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)) on the cross; accepting the sweet invitation of the Saviour, we found "rest" (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)) for time and rest for eternity.
Build in snow in time if you will, but see to it that you build on "the Rock of Ages" for Eternity. Like our snow men, the things of time perish and decay, and are gone for ever. Like the live men who formed the figures, each of us go on forever, either to "shine as the stars" (Dan. 12:33And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)) in the glory of eternal day; or to be in "the blackness of darkness" (Jude 1313Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 13)) in the gloom of eternal night.
May the fleeting things around only cause us to consider the "things eternal" so rapidly approaching, and may none rest till they find true heart rest in Christ.
Messages of God’s Love 3/20/1932