The adventuresome spirit possessed a boy during an exceptionally cold spell. He was given a half-holiday for skating, so decided to spend it exploring new territory. Down the frozen canal he made his way, until at last he was careering at full speed over the frozen waters.
Enjoying such a unique experience to the full, he was tempted to go farther and still farther. A dangerous fog began to envelope the entire scene, until he could not discern what lay three yards ahead.
At once he saw his awful peril, so lost no time in deciding on the wisest course. He turned and made for the shore, as he thought. After some time of searching in vain, he realized his mistake: he must have taken the wrong direction. At any moment he might land on thin ice, and then—what?
For some time he waited, hoping the fog would clear, and in the meantime he paced backwards and forwards in an effort to keep warm. This was no easy task, as the wind and frost pierced him to the bone. Everything was indeed very hopeless—the very picture of death.
In sheer desperation he managed to build up blocks of ice as a wall of protection, but in doing so his hands were badly bruised and cut. Beneath this poor defense he sought to rest.
Sleep would have overcome him; but he persistently kept awake by getting up every now and then and pacing back and forward beside his shelter. In this way he was kept from freezing; for full well he knew that once asleep he would never waken. So thus he spent that awful night, now resting, now patroling, with a heart filled with many fears.
At last the first rays of morning light afforded new hope and courage. He resolved to watch and listen for the first signs of life. He heard a siren! Ner before had a siren so much music in it! It was from an inland enamel factory, calling the employees to work. This was his compass; so he set off in the direction of the sound, sometimes walking, but at other times he was forced to crawl on hands and knees. Success attended his efforts, and with a sigh of great relief he reached the shore.
The first habitation was a small farm, and to this he made his way. Here he was treated with the utmost kindness. They drew him to the fire and provided hot food. These attentions soon began to revive him, though he suffered much as his benumbed parts regained their feeling. The last part of the journey home was rapidly covered, and none too soon for his anxious folks, whose hearts overflowed as they saw him back safe and sound.
His thrilling experiences are full of lessons for us all, by which we might profit.
By taking his own foolish way, he illustrates to us again the solemn truth of Isaiah 53, “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way.”
Our will and God’s will never blend, so the best thing for us is to trust the will of a perfect God.
But after tasting some of the thrills of excitement, our boy friend soon felt the pains and peril of his folly. How like the poor prodigal—pleasure and plenty for a time, then the awful coapse, morally and spiritually. He had to say, “I perish.”
But the story does not end there. He, too, came “to himself.” To remain where he was, would have meant certain death; to return, meant life. Aly it to yourself. Are you prepared to say, “I will come” to Christ?
The end is so beautiful. See the reception he received! But what will yours be if you turn in faith to Calvary, the only place of shelter from the ooming judgment? See your sins bng laid on God’s appointed Sinbearer as He stands in your place of distance, exposure, and death. Embrace Him as your very own. Rest on His perfect work, and of you it will be said, “He was lost and is found. And they began to make merry.” Luke 15:2424For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24).
ML 10/28/1945