(For the Lambs of Jesus’ Fold.)
FOR several successive years the writer has had occasion to spend a day in the autumn at the village of C—, and on one of his journeys thither he witnessed one of those little incidents which so often afford instruction to sober, reflective minds.
While the vehicle in which he rode was slowly passing through an open field, the driver, pulling up, called his attention to two laborers who were busily engaged in trying to get a lamb out of a pond, into which, by some means or other, it had fallen. As, in consequence of the dry season, the pond, though deep in mud, had scarcely any water in it, the men had a difficult task; and before they succeeded, it was painful to hear the bleatings of the lamb, and to witness its struggles. When at last it was brought to the pond’s mouth, it cut a very sorry figure; and, after shaking the mire from what should have been its white coat, it bounded away from the scene of disaster, as though it was determined not to have a second fall.
Its forlorn and filthy appearance seemed to alarm its companions; for they fled from it as though it were an enemy, and though, when the writer returned in the evening, its condition was somewhat improved, it was still grazing alone.
Little believers, learn from this short story to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” From the moment that ye were delivered “from the power of darkness,” and translated into “the kingdom of God’s dear Son,” you have been the objects of Satan’s constant malice, and though he cannot pluck you out of the Father’s hand, nor deprive you of the “eternal life” which “the Good Shepherd” has given you, he leaves no stone unturned to allure you into sin; and the flesh within, and the world without, are instruments he uses to affect his diabolical purpose. Let this solemn truth make you sober and vigilant; and remember that you are only safe from “the wiles of the devil” as you dwell “in the secret place of the Most High,” and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
From henceforth may you walk softly and humbly; never forget that the word of God asserts that there is a principle within you, the tendency of which is to continual departure from the Lord. In order that you may be proof against all the dangers to which you are exposed, let your minds be pre-occupied by Christ, your hearts filled with contemplations of His grace and love, and your souls hold constant and undisturbed communion with your heavenly Father. In this way you will be kept “from fleshly lusts which war against the soul;” and while enjoying solid peace and true happiness, you will have power to manifest in all your ways and walk a more faithful exhibition of the truth, and of the Divine life.
“But gracious Lord, when we reflect
How oft we’ve turned the eye from Thee,
How treated Thee with proud neglect,
And listened to the enemy;
And yet to find Thee still the same—
’Tie this that humbles us with shame.
“Astonished at Thy feet we fall,
Thy love exceeds our highest thought;
Henceforth be Thou our all in all,
Thou who our souls with blood hast bought:
May we henceforth more faithful prove,
And ne’er forget Thy ceaseless love.”
ML 07/13/1902