It was the close of a warm day in the latter part of August and little Franz Hoffmeister was playing near the cottage door with his baby sister, Marine. Therese, the elder sister, was clearing away the evening meal, while the elder brother, Robert, was carving wooden spoons to sell to the travelers whom his father often guided over the mountains. These four Swiss children lived in a little chalet under the care of twelve-year-old Therese, for their mother had died about a year before.
Their father had gone away to guide a party of travelers over the mountains. Just after sunset Therese put the two little ones to bed. Robert bolted the cottage door, and soon all four children were sound asleep. Therese had not slept long when she was awakened by a sudden shock, as though something had struck the little cottage and made it tremble all over. She was frightened for a moment, but all was very still now, and, being tired with her day’s work, she soon fell asleep again.
It was some hours later in the dark little cabin that Karine awoke and called loudly for her breakfast. Therese was already lying awake, and Franz called out in the darkness, “When will it be morning?” Therese did not know. It was still strangely dark, and they could not find any matches, so they dressed as well as they could without a light.
Robert then unbarred the door, but was immediately knocked to the floor, half buried in cold soft snow.
Poor little souls, hungry and helpless, and without a light! All avalanche of soft snow had slipped down from the mountains and buried their cottage during the night.
Poor little soul who reads this story, are you in like danger? God is looking down upon you, but if you are unsaved “your iniquities have saparated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you.” Isaiah 59:22But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2). Do you realize that the glory of God shines far above you, but your sins are in between? Are you helpless, in the darkness, without a light? It may be that you are still “asleep” as to your danger. If so, wake up now and cry to God, for His great salvation has already been provided for you.
ML 01/11/1953