A CERTAIN man lived on one of the large islands of the west coast of North America, and he was in the habit of going, from time to time, into the woods to fish and to hunt. One day he started very early with a friend. They had guns and fishing-rods with them, and enough food for one day. In the fresh morning air they went quite a distance into the forest. They did not meet even one human being. One could scarcely see the blue sky through the wide branches of the trees. It was just as if they were alone in the world. Only the song of the birds, and the noise of their own footsteps broke the silence.
After they had walked a considerable time enjoying the splendid scenery, they sat down to rest and to take some food. The youngest of the two declared that it was his intention to hunt up a certain large lake, where there was abundance of fish, and to fish there. This was a dangerous undertaking, for in such an extended forest one could easily lose his way. His friend strongly advised him not to go. Still he would not be kept from it.
“I’ll find my way,” he said with assurance, and after his friend had cautioned him as to certain things by which he could recognize his way, he went off. Merrily he went on, and soon forgot his friend’s warnings. Thinking that he saw the lake in the distance, he hastened to reach the object of his journey, and forgot to take notice of the way he was taking. But the lake was farther away than he imagined. He was continually thinking that it was right in front of him, and was mistaken every time. His heart began to beat faster from uneasiness. Should he never reach the lake? Where was he? Was he lost?
All at once the conviction fell like lead on his heart, that he could not find his way back. An indescribable feeling of misery came over him. He was alone in that immense forest. How dreadful! What must he do? He called out loudly: but what use was that? He heard nothing but the echo of his own words. He fired his gun, but there came no reply. He climbed up a high pine tree, hoping to see some human dwelling, or at least to discover a way leading out of this forest: but, alas! he could only see the tops of trees which seemed to stretch out on all sides endlessly. By this time it was late, and the thought that he must spend the night there, all alone, filled him with anxiety and terror. He walked on, not knowing where he was going. His anxiety driving him on, and all at once, after walking for hours, he met his friend. The latter had become uneasy at the younger man’s long absence, and set out to look for him. How glad they were! Our friend was saved from certain death. After resting and taking some food, they returned, but it took the young man days to get over the fright, and fatigue he had undergone. How terrible to be lost, like this young man, in such a forest!
But dear reader! It is still worse to wander around in this world, a lost sinner, far from Him, who alone can save the soul. The young man would not listen to his friend’s warnings, and went his own way, a way that would have led to destruction, if he had not been saved in time! And if you are not yet converted, you are in much greater danger—the danger of being lost for eternity. Still there is a way of escape. Jesus ‘says: “I am the way.” If you believe in Him, then you have eternal’ life, and shall not come into judgment.
ML 05/28/1922