BY A. SMITH
ON a certain time, man living in a wilderness received a summons to appear immediately at court and answer to charges preferred against him in law and equity. It was evening, and there could be no delay, lest he should loose his case. His most direct route lay through the dense forest, by a path he had never traversed. He hesitated, but was assured that the light of his lantern would reveal the path, step by step, before him, and if he continued to walk in it he would get safely through. For a time he walked on rapidly, and with confidence, so clearly did his lantern reveal the path and surrounding objects. But by and by the path became rough and difficult to walk in; and as there appeared to be easier by-ways, seemingly running parallel with the path, he began to make detours as being more agreeable, and just as certain, with the aid of his strong light, of leading him through the wilderness. Fatal mistake! He became lost; and though his lantern shone as brightly as before, revealing objects all around him, it was of no practical value to him because he had lost his way. He was condemned at court, and committed to prison.
Reader, you have received a summons to appear at the judgment—seat of Christ; this world is the wilderness through which lies the difficult and “narrow way;” the Bible is your lantern, and you must walk by faith as it reveals your duty step by step. If you step out of the way, and choose one more agreeable to you, the word of God in your hand will shine just as brightly, lighting up ten thousand objects all around you, but it will only strengthen your intellect; it will not benefit your heart. Keep in the narrow way!