An Allegory. Part 1.
IN a fresh and beautiful garden, full of every gay and sweet-smelling flower, I saw a merry party at play. Four boys made up the group. They were all of nearly the same age and size, and their light hearts laughed in their glad eyes as they ran here and there in their sports and frolics.
While I was watching their sports, delighted with their gaiety, I saw the figure of a man coming to them from among the trees which bordered the garden. He went and sat down in the shade and, calling the boys around him, began to speak to them. There was something kind and tender in this man’s face and voice, and as he talked the boys became very attentive and listened to every word he said. I thought I would draw near and listen, too, and this is what I heard him saying:
“This garden is a bright and pretty place and you boys may be very happy in it for a time. But it is not a place that you can stay in; all its pleasures are likely to turn into pain and trouble, the sun will not always shine, dark night will soon be coming on, when fierce wild beasts will come out of their hiding places, ready to spring upon you. What you need is a place of safety, where no evil thing can come, and it is of such a place I have come to tell you. This garden can never really be your home, but there is a beautiful home awaiting you, over the hills you see yonder. This home has been secured for you by the dearly beloved Son of the King who owns it, and He has sent me to call each one of you boys to hasten to it without delay.” Then the boys began to question the man; some asked what the home was like, and their kind friend told them it was more beautiful than anything they could picture; he told them of the street of gold, and rivers of living water, of harps and golden crowns, and best of all of a loving Friend who would be there to welcome them and make each one glad.
Then another little lad whose earnest manner I had noticed from the first, said eagerly, “Let us go; let us all go at once; will you not take us now?” The man smiled, but he shook his head. “I cannot take you there,” he answered, “but I can tell you the way, and first of all, I would urge upon you the importance of starting immediately. Do not wait until the sun is hot, and the road grows dry and dusty; the hills will seem steeper then, and the way more weary, but go now; in the early morning, while the road is easy to find, for the King Himself has said, “They that seek Me early shall find Me.”
“Then he pointed them to a stile, which led from the garden into the country beyond. “Go over that stile,” said he; “its name is Faith. You may think it will not hold you, but once your foot is on it, you will see how strong it is. When you have gone over it you will find yourself upon a narrow footpath; follow it closely, and in it you will find the footmarks of the King’s Son.” Then their kind friend gave each boy two gifts. The first was a reed flute, and the second was a small bottle of what looked like the clearest water.
“Take these with you,” he said, “and never part with either. The flute may not look very much, but it will be of the greatest use to you. If you see any wild beasts prowling about, or are in danger of any kind, put this flute, Prayer, to your mouth, and as the music comes forth, a way of escape will be afforded you; and when you are weary, or thirsty or discouraged, drink freely from this bottle of living water, and courage and strength will return. You cannot exhaust it, and the more you drink, the more you will enjoy it, and the better you will be able to meet the difficulties of the way.” And having said these words, the tall stranger rose, and bade farewell to the four little boys. “But,” he added, “I shall hope to meet you again in that happy home I have told you of.” Then he disappeared from view among the tall trees and the children were left alone.
ML 03/04/1917