1 THOUGHT one day I would search for I the people, who were striving to enter in at the strait gate, the narrow door, and in my dream I wended my way to the Halls of Science. I saw the astronomer turn his telescope to pierce the mysteries of yonder starry heaven; I watched the geologist with his hammer make the very stones disclose their secrets; I marked the wise physician intent on finding some new alleviation of suffering, some fresh remedy for the ills which afflict mankind. But when I asked: "Gentlemen, are you striving to enter in at the strait gate?" the astronomer turned upon me the pitying look one bestows on a child or on a person deficient in natural wit, and answered, "Such a question is out of place here.”
Another scene rose before me. The hum of many voices was in my ear, the sounds of some eager conflict. I was in the Exchange of a busy city. Surely here are signs of some earnest striving, was my unuttered comment. A benevolent-looking man approached, to whom I timidly put my question: “Sir, are these men striving to enter in at the strait gate?" His gaze saddened as he said, "I am afraid most of them have not even heard of it.”
Again, it seemed in my vision, I passed into another world—the world of refinement, of art, of literature—and there, too, men suffered, and strove, and toiled, but their striving was not to enter in at the strait gate; it was for fame they toiled, for the laurel wreath of popular applause, for the fading crown of earthly honor and reputation. Disappointed I said, I need not ask here; I will seek my answer in the religious world.
Presently I espied one whose garb betokened his sacred calling, and at once I questioned, "Do you strive to enter in at the strait gate?”
“Sir," said he, "are you aware that your question is altogether out of date? Doubtless the exhortation was very necessary for the illiterate fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, but in this cultured age we have removed the boundaries and enlarged the entrance. There is no longer any strait gate,'" and he passed on.
Effort belongs to youth, I soliloquized. I will seek the young; perchance they may know that which seems to be hidden from the eyes of men. I knew well where they were. I found them in the tennis court, on the golf course, in the concert room, the opera house, all earnestly seeking—but what? Pleasure! I laid my hand gently on the arm of a fair girl, and asked: "Are you striving to enter in at the strait gate?" "No," she briefly answered.
But are not these the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?" "Yes, "she said, more thoughtfully.
“And did He mean them?" Very slowly and reluctantly her answer came:" I suppose so.”
“Do you not think, then, that you should strive to enter in at ' the strait gate?”
A sound roused me. My dream was over; but it was painfully like reality. Reader, what answer have you to this momentous question? Do you not think you should strive to enter in at "the strait gate," for many will seek to enter in and shall not be able?
A little boy was crying at the end of a Gospel meeting in Yorkshire because he didn't want to be shut out. Have you ever pondered the possibility of your being shut out? You, for whom the precious Gospel has no charm.
You have heard it so often, and have not obeyed it. The day may soon come when you shall seek to enter in and shall not be able—
SHALL NOT BE ABLE.
Once more, with all the loving entreaty my soul is capable of, let me ring these words in your ears: " Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Luke 13:2424Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24).)
L. R.