A PERSON with whom I am acquainted, and who was located for some time on a large island on the west coast of North America, was in the habit of paying an occasional visit to one of the extensive woods which are found in that island, with the object of shooting game, or of fishing in the lakes. On one occasion he and another person started early in the morning to spend the day together in that manner, taking with them their revolvers and fishing tackle, as well as a supply of provisions. During the freshness of the morning they walked a considerable distance, not meeting with a single human being all the way. They then sat down under some trees, and while resting themselves, partook of the refreshments which they had brought.
After this, the younger of them, wishing to reach a certain lake, in which it was reported there was abundance of fish, left his companion in order to go in search of it, though advised by him not to do so. But, as he was bent upon making the attempt, his friend, who was the more experienced, gave him strict injunctions not to lose sight of certain waymarks, which he pointed out to him. They then parted, making arrangements as to where they should meet in an hour or two. The elder one, who is my informant, did not venture far from the spot from which they separated; and he told me that when he was left by himself, the sense of loneliness and silence was so intense that he felt quite oppressed by it, though he is by no means a fearful man. It being then about midday, and the heat very great, even the animals were quiet, doubtless enjoying a tranquil repose.
The young man, being thus by himself and under no restraint, started off in high spirits, and soon forgot the warning which his friend had given; for, fancying that he could see the object of his desire at a short distance from him, he pressed on with ardor to reach it, and lost sight of the marks which were to serve as sign-posts to him. But, after all, he did not find the lake, which, like the mirage, seemed to retreat farther from him the more he strove to reach it. At length to his dismay, he awoke to the fact that he was lost in the depths of the wood, and a feeling of wretchedness then came over him. He shouted out again and again, at the top of his voice, but heard only the mocking of its echo in reply. He fired off some of the charges of his revolver, but the reports brought no return, either from friend or foe. He then climbed a lofty pine tree, in the hope that he might see from thence some trace of human habitation, or at all events discover some way out of the wood; but in vain, for all that he could see was an apparently interminable forest. The day, by this time, was fast declining, and the idea of passing the night alone in such a place, when, among other animals, the puma and the bear might be ranging abroad, was dreadful to him. He walked about hither and thither, without guide or compass, not knowing which way to turn. At length, however, after wandering about for some hours, he through the mercy of God, had the inexpressible pleasure of meeting his friend and again looking him in the face. That friend had himself felt much alarm on his account, and was delighted to see him, even though it was then late in the evening, and they still had a long way to go. The young man, who was much exhausted, was greatly refreshed by some wine and milk which his friend then gave him. It was very late when they reached home, and it was some days before he was thoroughly recovered. He used often afterwards to say that, if he had not partaken of that wine and milk, he believed that he should, have died.
If it is so dreadful to be lost in the wood, like this young man, who would take his own way, and, contrary to his friend’s advice, go in search of the object of his heart’s desire, which, as we have seen, he never reached, how much more fearful it is for one to be lost as a sinner, turning away from the only One who can save, pursuing the down ward course of self-will, pleasure-seeking and unbelief, ending in “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord!” But, on the other hand, how blessed it is for one that is lost, and who is made conscious that he cannot, by any effort of his own, find a way to escape from his terrible condition, to know that Jesus came both to seek and save that which was lost! “All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the’ iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). Such is the language which they who have fled to Jesus for refuge, and who are “found in HIM,” through believing on His name, are now privileged to utter, in thankfulness of heart to the praise of God our Saviour, who sent His only-begotten Son into the world that we “might live through Him.”
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isa. 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1).
ML 04/20/1902