I just wish I could picture you as you read this “Messages of the Love of God,” for I know that this paper goes to many different lands, and is read by many boys and girls. Perhaps you have heard a great deal about people of other lands, and you have heard how boys and girls live and work and play in Australia, England, United States, Africa, and Cada. Sometimes when people speak of Canada they think of a lot of Red Indians, living in tents! I have lived in Canada for 37 years, and I have never seen an Indian living in a tent yet! But many years ago there were more Indians than white people, and you may imagine that there were no motor cars, and no roads in those long ago days. The story I wish to tell you happened in those days when there were nor many white people in Canada.
Mr. Findlay and his wife and two boys lived in a little village in the province that we now call Ontario. One winter day Mr. Findlay said good-by to his wife, and started out to walk to the next village.
“It is a long walk,” he said to his wife, “and I shall have to stay overnight. But I hope to start early tomorrow morning, and be home as soon as I can.
Mr. Findlay was a good strong walker, and he arrived at the village and finished all the business and work he had to do. Then he went to bed early, after committing his wife and boys to the Lord in prayer.
Early the next morning he started out for home. The snow was falling gently, and it was cold enough to make him want to walk quickly to keep warm. Gradually he began to feel a bit worried. The countryside didn’t look too familiar, and he began to wonder if he had missed his way. The snow had stopped falling, and he looked all around in the hope of seeing something that would set him right. But he could see nothing but trees and fields, and white smooth snow. Not even a footprint in the snow could he see! On and on he went, watching ever more carefully for signs of footprints, so that he might be able to follow them. At last he found what he was looking for—footmarks in the snow! With a thankful heart he hurried on—and on —and on. For, walk as fast as he could, he still couldn’t seem to find His way home. At last he noticed that he was following two sets of footprints and then he was more sure than ever that he was in the right path, and would soon be home. But it was getting dark.
All at once a big Indian stepped from behind a tree and smiled. “White man lost!”
“No, I’m not lost now. I was, but I am following two others now, and I shall soon find my way out.”
“White man lost! White man following his own footmarks!”
Could it be? Mr. Findlay stopped and looked carefully at the marks. Sure enough, he had walked in two very big circles, and now was following his own footprints twice. “Follow me,” said the Indian. Silently the lost white man followed his Indian guide, and soon was within sight of his village and home. He thanked the Indian again and again, and even gave him a little gift for his kindness in leading him out.
What a story he had to tell his wife and boys. They sat in silent thankfulness as he told them of how he was lost and didn’t know it; of how he was following what he thought was a sure way out, but it was only his own footprints. And he told them how glad he was to have someone tell him that he was lost, and then lead him to safety.
Doesn’t this story remind you and me of something very, very important? Boys and girls and men and women are taking a great journey, and it is going to take them to a very important place —either heaven or hell! Do you know which road you are on? Oh, you say, I think I am all right. Many other boys and girls are the same as yourself, and you all hope you shall end in heaven some day.
Let me tell you of Someone who came down into this world “to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). His name is Jesus the Lord, He does not simply show you the way, for He says, “I am the way.” If you take Jesus as your Saviour, He will wash away all your sins and take you to heaven to be with Himself, for He loves and died for sinners. But if you follow in your own way, it will end in being eternally lost.
The Lord Jesus stands before you right now and says,
ML 01/18/1953