DURING one of Napoleon’s wars, he ordered one of his officers, named McDonald, to cross a dangerous mountain path with 15,000 soldiers during a severe snowstorm. As they marched along the rugged road, an avalanche of snow rolled down the mountainside, and swept the drummer boy into the valley below. A cry burst out from the ranks, and many a brave soldier wiped a tear from his eye. As they listened, they heard a drum beat far below, and they knew the drummer boy was alive.
Marshall McDonald threw off his cloak, tied a rope around his waist, and ordered his men to let him down into the deep ravine. He found the drummer boy buried in the snow and, tearing off his sash, he bound him firmly to his own body and gave the signal to draw up. Those on the heights above at once began to pull up their commander who had left them and gone down at the risk of his life to rescue the lost drummer.
Up from the depths beneath, slowly the rescuer and the rescued one were drawn. There was a shout of gladness among the soldiers when the brave marshall and the lost drummer boy were safely landed tether.
That lost drummer boy reminds me of the lost sinner. Jesus, the Son of God, came down to seek and save the lost, and all who know Him as their Saviour are bound up in life with Him and shall reach the same glory.
Dear young reader, have you been reached and saved by the Son of God? Are you lost in the depths of sin beneath, or saved and risen with Christ above? Have you cried to the Lord to save you? He will hear your cry in heaven, and rescue you from death and judgment. Then you will be able to say with the psalmist: “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:... Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust.” Psalm 40:1-41<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 4Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalm 40:1‑4).
ML-08/09/1964