One morning, when walking through a village, I observed a number of people earnestly gazing into a beautiful woods, where were two or three persons walking about among the trees with bird cages in their hands, each containing a canary.
What do you think was the meaning of it all? A gentleman present explained that a canary, in a house close by, having seen its cage door and the door of the house both open, had wisely taken the opportunity of escaping to the woods opposite, where it was enjoying freedom from its prison.
The same gentleman also told me that these people with birds in cages, were trying to entice the escaped bird back to its prison-house. But no, no; it would appear dear little birdie was not going to be so easily persuaded to exchange its native woods for the gloomy confinement when once it knew the difference! I found that this bird was born in the cage it escaped from, and that it was not quite a year old.
Now, dear children, what are you to learn from our story. First, that we are all born in sin, and that we should not let a moment pass without knowing we are turned from the power of Satan unto God. Second, that when we have got out of prison, and are enjoying the happy liberty wherewith Christ makes His people free, we ought to take good care to keep away from the fowler’s snares that are laid to draw us away. The Lord says to His own,
But have you yet escaped from Satan’s thralldom, and are you enjoying the blessed liberty of the children of God? If not, why not, when the door is still wide open, with every opportunity to escape? Then escape, dear young reader, like that canary; for if you do not, the door of God’s grace and mercy will soon be shut against you forever.
To escape, is to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Then be wise like the little canary, and escape from prison, and enjoy your sweet liberty throughout all eternity with the blessed One who set you free.
ML 03/01/1936