THOSE of you, my dear young readers, who still go to school, or who have but lately left it, know that the top line in a copy-book is that from which the scholar is to copy through the whole of the page, in order that he may learn to write a good hand. It is in some instances beautifully engraved, and in others it is a specimen of the handwriting of the schoolmaster, or mistress; but in either case it is the pattern from which the scholar has to shape his letters from the first to the last line of the page.
There is a great difference in the manner and style of writing of the learners. Some write much more nicely than others; some keep the page clean, and others smudge it; while all sometimes make mistakes and form ill-shaped letters. But there is one special feature in the writing of some to which I desire to direct your attention.
Some children write the first line pretty well, the second not quite so well, the third rather worse, and so on to the end of the page, and the last line is the worst of all. Now, why is this? Well, I think that the chief reason is, that they forget, or fail, to keep their eye upon the top line. When they have made one copy, which is of course imperfect, they look to that faulty copy in writing the next line, or, at all events, they do not continue to look to the top of the page in writing every line till they reach the bottom. And hence it is that the last is not nearly so well written as the first.
My object in penning this short paper is to give a word of counsel and encouragement to young believers in the Lord; though I judge that the lesson is applicable not only to “little children,” but to “young men” and “fathers” (read 1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12) to the end). But this I would first say to anyone, young or old, who has not come to Christ, as his Saviour, you can have no place whatever in the school of God until you have come as a helpless, undone sinner, to Christ, and found forgiveness for your sins, and refuge in Him, through the precious blood which He has shed. Then, having entered by The Door, you will become a disciple of Christ, and a learner in the school of God.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:11Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)), was the exhortation of the Apostle Paul―and a blessed follower of Christ he was himself Perhaps none ever followed Him more closely and devotedly. He was, as it were, the first copy of the top line; the only perfect One being Christ Himself. But how carefully the apostle adds, when he exhorts others to be followers of him, “Even as I also am of Christ.” As though he said, “Do not fix your eyes upon me, though I have found grace to be faithful; but look above to Him from whom I have derived both grace and faithfulness.”
Dear young believers, it is most blessed for you to have truly Christian guides and teachers, but while heartily accepting all the help and guidance which God in His grace gives you through them, let me entreat you to keep your heart and eye upon the top line—Christ Himself. And thus, while acknowledging all the bright reflections which you see and own in those who are under the sweet constraint of His love and Word of truth, you will beled to the Source whence they derive every ray of heavenly light which they reflect; and yourselves will manifest that light, as those who are in direct communion with Himself.
T.