TWO bridges spanned a dark gulley, at the bottom of which ran a deep black stream, which, from its extreme ugliness, had rightly gained the name of the "Devil's Trap." Two young mechanics were returning from their work one summer evening, and were obliged to cross this chasm by means of one of the two bridges. The younger of the two men was about to step on to the plank nearest him, when his older companion caught hold of his arm to retain him.
“Don’t go that way, Jem," he said. "My missus told me ‘twas to be knocked down soon, as it is rotting, and is not safe; that is the reason Squire Harris built this iron one."
Jem laughed, and shook his arm free of his companion's grasp.
“Nonsense! Smith and Bright crossed it a minute ago; besides I am tired, and it will cost me five or six more steps to go round to the other."
With this he stepped across and gained the middle of the wooden bridge, which, however, gave way under him with an awful crash, and in a moment, before his companion could speak, the dark water had sucked Jem under. Next day his body was found floating on the still water near the bank, some miles down the stream.
What did I tell such a gloomy story as that for? Well, dear reader, but that is just what many thousands of human souls are doing now, and I want to warn them.
"I am not a bit worse than my neighbors," you will probably say. “Very likely not; but God will not compare you with others," I reply.
When you try to cross the stream of death by not being "worse than your neighbor," you will find that rotten plank give way, and where will you be then? It is a terrible thing' to think of. Dear friend, I pray of you to step with faith on to the iron bridge, which is Christ, it will bear you over every grief and trial, and, at last, death itself will be spanned by it. I speak from experience, not as a mere idle talker; I know no one on earth could have helped me through what my Savior, Jesus, has. Moreover, I feel sure all sorrow that is to come in my life, will be sweetened by Christ. Do not delay, go to Jesus now, and He will receive you, as He did me, not long ago. M.
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"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
“Blessed are they whose sins are forgiven."
"Justified freely by His grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."