Part 5.
YOU have heard how the little boys, Agape and Astathes, crossed the stile, and traveled along the narrow pathway, which led to the golden gate, and the beautiful garden. They met with trouble and sorrow on the road, perhaps you think, but when you hear how differently their day ended to that of Argia and Edone, the children who, you remember, remained in the garden, I believe you will agree with me that the, trouble and sorrow were well worthwhile. And how did Argia (indolence) and Edone (pleasure) spend their day?
After they had driven Astathes from them, they sat for a while longer on the same grassy bank, dreamily doing nothing. Then, as the sun grew hotter, Argia fell asleep, and Edone strolled some way from him to gather the rich looking fruit which hung from a tree a little farther on; there he sat for hours, eating fruit and idly amusing himself by throwing the stones from him.
Gradually the sun sank in the west, and just as it disappeared behind the horizon, Edone saw a fierce beast creeping towards his sleeping companion. He thought it very shocking to see his friend eaten up, but he felt more afraid for himself, so without trying to awaken Argia, he stole away towards the wood. The beast came up to Argia, who still slept soundly on, when just at that moment Edone shook the bushes as he fled away. This turned the attention of the fierce lion in his direction, and a moment later, Argia was awakened by the fearful shrieks of Edone, as the beast seized him with his terrible teeth and claws. Argia sprang up in deadly terror, and ran, he knew not where. Then he thought of his flute, and felt for it in his bosom, but it had fallen out whilst he slept, and he hardly dared steal back to look for it. At last, however, he did; but when he found it, it was so bruised and bent, he could hardly sound a note. However, having found it, he started off as fast as his feet would carry him, and as it happened, he ran straight to the stile over which Agape and Astathes had passed. But the darkness prevented me from seeing whether he ever got across it. He may have done so, for we know that the Lord is merciful and very gracious, but we also know that God is not mocked, and whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, and so we must leave the fate of the unfortunate boy unknown.
O! how much happier were those who, though they passed through trials and difficulties, were now safely at rest in the Father’s house.
And now my little allegory is finished, and I know it is not necessary to explain it to my young readers. But I would say a word, especially to those among them who have heard of these things from their infancy, who have early been provided with the flute of prayer, and the pure water of God’s Word; who have been pointed to the stile of faith, and the narrow road which leads to everlasting life, again and again. Have you ever really decided for Christ, or are you halting between two opinions, as Astathes, the Waverer; or given up to pleasure, as Edone; or are you sunk in the sleep of indifference, as Argia? It may seem as if the world was a pleasant place now, in the sunny morning of your youth, and as if you can well afford to wait awhile before deciding, but be wise, and heed what the Word of God says to you, even you “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” (Eccles. 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1).) And again, “But ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but shall not find Me, for.... they did not choose the fear of the Lord.” (Prov. 1:25-2925But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: (Proverbs 1:25‑29).)
ML 04/01/1917