O doubt, dear children, you have all heard and read of the country of India, and perhaps you know also that the people who live there are worshipers of Confucius, Buddha, and other false gods.
The story is told of a certain Indian who became anxious about his soul. Like many other people, he commenced by doing his best—turning over a new leaf, giving alms to the support of the idol temple, etc., but one night he had a remarkable dream, which was used of the Lord for the salvation of his soul.
He dreamed that he was passing through a country lane, and, without the least warning, fell into a deep ditch, so deep that by himself it was impossible to get out. What did he do? He commenced to climb the side of the ditch, but fell back again into the mire. This was repeated again and again, until at last, his strength expended, he gave himself up for lost.
Having come to this conclusion, he had no thought but of death, and "after death the judgment."
But, hark! yes; that surely must be a foot-step coming along the lane. He listened and heard the sound again, and then saw the flashing of a lantern.
"Help!" he cried.
"Who's that?" said a voice.
"A poor, unfortunate being who has managed to fall into this ditch. Help me, sir!"
"Poor fellow," was the answer, "I must tell you to be very careful in passing ditches again."
"Do help me out! Who are you, sir?"
"I am Confucius; but I cannot stop to help you. You must get out as best you can, and be careful not to get in such places again;" and with the same he passed by.
I cannot tell you what, in his dream, the poor fellow passed through before another footstep was heard. Hoping that this one would be his saviour, he called out,
"Who is that?"
"I am Buddha; but who are you, and how did you come in such a place as that?" was the answer.
Seeing this voice was much more kind in its tones, he eagerly replied,
"Help me out; do help me out!"
After a brief consultation, during which the man thought in his dream he told Buddha of his entire helplessness, etc., he had the following answer,
"Well, if you could climb up half way, so as to allow me to reach your hands, I could easily lift you out."
"But," replied the man, "I cannot move. I am helpless. Come down and help me up."
"No. If I come down there I shall be a helpless prisoner like yourself. I am very sorry I am unable to help you," was Buddha's answer, and with that he passed on.
After a short time the man heard another footstep, and a very bright lantern he saw flashing around the mouth of the ditch.
"Help!" he cried, "save me!"
"I will," a voice replied, and down came the stranger into the midst of the mire, lifted the poor man on his back, and carried him on his shoulder to the top of the ditch, and landed him safely.
The poor man then asked who his rescuer was.
"Jesus of Nazareth," was the answer.
At this point the Indian awoke from his dream. For want of space I cannot tell you all the details of his conversion, but this dream was the means used. He saw that he was "guilty before God," and was glad to accept God's own terms, which are,
And now, clear children, do you know this loving Saviour?
The first man of whom, in the dream, the Indian sought help is a picture of Satan, who comes and tells man he must turn over a new leaf and live a better life, and by so doing he will get to heaven in the end.
Again in Buddha we find another picture of Satan coming to a boy or girl and telling them that they must do their part, and God will do His.
But in the third one who went down into the ditch and carried the poor man out, we have a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ who came down into this wicked world, where we were all lost sinners, and helpless, unable to save ourselves. He saw us in our degradation and in the ditch of sin, and He loved us and pitied t4S, so He went to the cross, and died for us so that He could save all who are willing to be taken out of their sinful condition.
If the poor man in the ditch had said, "I don't want to be taken out of the ditch, I am happy and contented to stay here," he would soon have died.
How many there are who are willing to remain in the ditch of sin, lost, and cannot save themselves while the Lord Jesus is willing and anxious to save them and carry them all the way to heaven on His shoulders of love and strength.
But if you are not willing for Him to save you, and you resist His loving offer of salvation, you shall certainly die in your sins, and be lost forever, and be sent into everlasting punishment.
He is now saying to you in tender love,
Messages of God’s Love 8/31/1930