IN working out a design upon canvas the worker puts a dark background as a contrast to the pattern, but in such an idea there may be a variety of shades in working it out. So with most things that we, as men and women, have to do with day by day. We have our ups and downs, as people say, our joys and sorrows,—the very many and various vicissitudes as we pass along this earth. In the history of some the path has been sunny and smooth,—very little to trouble or depress; others have sorrow, sickness, losses, with scarcely a ray of brightness to cheer.
But I am thinking of God's divine contrasts, and more especially of the dark background hell.
My reader, is your journey down here to end in that place of darkness, misery, remorse, anguish, and despair? No hope,—not a ray! No variety in its pattern! how gladly would the occupants of that awful place welcome it. Not a drop of water to cool the tongue there,—not a possibility of relief.
You don't like to think about such a place; dear unsaved one, do you? You shudder, and try to banish the thought of it from your mind. So did I once. I tried not to think of death, but I could not get rid of the fact that it might overtake me at any time. I wished to forget the great white throne, but it haunted me sleeping and waking. I sought for more pleasure to drown my thoughts, but in vain. In the theater or dancing saloon visions of hell would come before me. But thanks and praises be to the God of all grace, my very wretchedness brought me to the Savior. I needed just such a Savior as God's dear Son. He met me in my need. He not only saved me from hell, but He has brought me to God. No longer a child of the devil, but a child of God Now, dear reader, you had far better think of hell now, than to wake up in its fearful torment by-and-by. Put a child of the devil side by side with a child of God; notice the contrast,—there is no relationship between them. Whose are you? If the devil's, hell is your home; if God's, heaven is yours. I beseech you, do not delay thinking about it, for the next moment may settle your future destiny.
The Lord Jesus Christ is about to rise up from the right hand of the Majesty on high, to descend in the air to wake up His sleeping saints, and catch up all who believe in Him, to be forever with Himself. Not one of those who have taken shelter beneath His precious blood will be left behind; but not a child of the devil will be taken by mistake.
Now for another contrast: the broad way,—the narrow way (Matt. 7:13, 1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14)). Scripture says, one leads to destruction, the other to life,—no path between. Where are you going? “Bless the Lord," said a poor woman to me the other day, "that He showed me that my feet were in the broad road. I was going down a court when I saw in a window a paper called The Two Roads.' I just stopped a little to look at it, and then I passed on. But something kept saying, Where are you going? which road are you on?'
I couldn't keep back my tears, so I went up to a quiet part of the court, and told God I was on the broad road. For three days I was very wretched, for I knew my sins must take me to hell. Then the Savior told me, He had died for me. I was so glad to believe Him. He has put my feet in the narrow way, which will lead me to heaven bless His Name!”
Dear reader, be as simple as that dear woman.
Believe what God says about you, take your true place before Him as one under the power of darkness.
E. E. S.