THE LIFE-LINE
THE LIFE-LINE
Byron had not yet discovered the wonderful life-line that had been cast to him by the loving hand of the Savior. He was still clinging, as it were, to a part of the wreckage of his past life, and his soul was in constant danger of being swept away either by the rising tide of discouragement or by the whirlwinds of temptation . God, by His Holy Spirit, was endeavoring to show him his only hope of safety, and the things that had hindered him in his former efforts. But as yet he could not understand.
As they drove in through the gate, Byron drew a deep sigh of relief. It seemed so good to be at home again. Home was now to him a shelter from the tempestuous storms that were outside--a haven and a place to rest. Mother understood. She asked no questions. They were not necessary. In morning worship, however, her prayers were a real source of comfort, for Byron realized that she was not talking into space with no one to hear. He knew too much now about that silent Listener --who is ever ready and waiting to carry a message to God.
During the week and the days that followed, Byron found plenty to occupy his time and thoughts. The farm work was very pressing; and as he toiled day after day in the field, his mind became filled with a new inspiration . He saw, as never before, his mother's responsibilities in caring for her family and discovered that it was not only his duty, but his privilege to help her bear this burden. The thought seemed to arouse and cheer him, and his efforts became very noticeable and praiseworthy. But underneath this outward show, he carried a burden which at times was almost unbearable and of which he could not rid himself.
One day while he was in a back field at work, the team of horses needed a rest, so he climbed up as sat on the fence for a bit. With his jackknife he began whittling a small piece of wood, while the tired horses stamped and twitched at the flies that troubled them. Byron soon became buried in deep thought. His past life came before him as a book --and he read it page by page. He began with the early years of childhood, and the sweet memories thrilled him through and through. In those days, his mother was all the world to him. He could go to her then with all his little troubles, and her word and kiss would brush them all away. As he read on in this imaginary book , he found that he had not maintained the same tender feeling and that a time came when he ceased to carry his troubles to mother. "But why should I," he reasoned. "I did not want to burden her unnecessarily." Ah, that was not the reason.
Reading on, he found that the voice of his conscience had often reproved him as one who was running his vessel into dangerous waters. His conscience had endeavored to pilot him in the right way, but he had ruthlessly cast aside its counsel, and had turned a deaf ear to its gentle pleadings. He had not told his mother about his troubles, and he had not heeded her good advice given from time to time.
Some of the pages were full of trouble, and yet many had appeared as nothing to begin with, but which soon grew to be black, ugly mountains. He could now see how gently his mother had tried to lead him, how careful she had been lest some word of hers should cause him to think her harsh or unkind. He realized that he had misjudged her . The more he read, the more he could see that, although he had only continued along this path little by little, the results were certain. Each sin had led to a greater one!
He shuddered as he read the account of the stolen eggs . It was all there in black and white upon the pages of this memory book --the sudden flight of the hen, the burning sensation of the eggs upon his hand, his trip into the loft with them, his removal of the eggs; then to the grocer's remarks and the miller's story later on. Oh! why had he been so blind? Had he a right to a part of the produce that he had helped to raise? Yes, indeed, he had, but in no such way as that! He should have gotten his share with the rest of the family, and in an honorable way.
Little by little his wrongs came before him until he had reviewed his whole life. He now plainly saw that his recent trouble with the boys, was only the outcome of his disobedience and the result of his smaller sins . He saw, too, that those sins had robbed him of his innocence and happiness, and that was why he was without rest or comfort.
He was a guilty sinner -- lost on the ocean of sin . The wreck of his former self was stranded upon the mighty rock of Hope, but was liable to be swept away any moment by the waves of despair . He could see the Savior's lifeline , but it seemed so far away. He would have been glad to grasp it, but the effort seemed too great.
Poor Byron! He had endeavored to drown his feelings with hard work-- and had found it an impossibility. It could not be done! He felt that he was unable to raise himself out of his trouble by his own strength--that unless he obtained salvation, his life was ruined. The words, "Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble!" flashed across his mind. His mother had read them in worship that very morning, but they had not appealed to him then, as they did now.
Springing down from the fence, he quietly knelt down upon the soft ground and tried to pray. But all that he could do was to repeat the words of the psalm, which his mother had read. He was indeed in trouble , and he had never realized it so keenly as he did at that very moment. Oh, if only he had someone to whom he could unburden his heart!
In this state of mind he spent the remainder of the afternoon in the field, and when he returned to the house at the close of day, the load upon his heart had grown heavier , and his sufferings were almost greater than he could bear.
That evening he took a seat upon the porch as the golden streaks were fading away in the western sky. The scene before him was indeed beautiful--but he saw it not. He was looking away into the future and wondering what it held in store for him. "Oh, for the power to look beyond those hazy gates and read my own destiny," he sighed. Sitting thus in the twilight, with no definite purpose in view, he began to wish that something would happen to break the monotony of his thoughts, which were becoming almost unbearable. While he waited and thought, he heard a step behind him. Turning, he saw his mother approaching. She took the chair beside him.
She had noticed the sadness in her son's face from day to day, and as she saw it constantly deepening, she longed to see him happy and free again, as he used to be when a child. Realizing that nothing except full salvation could bring this to pass, she daily prayed for his conversion. Her mother heart was yearning to see him reach out and grasp the life-line that was being held out to him, before it was withdrawn, and before he was swept away again into the billows of sin.
At first they talked only of the crops, the weather, and the probable harvest. Then a silence fell between them. It was one of those times which are so keenly felt because each, knowing the other's thoughts, waits for the other to break the silence.
"Byron," his mother finally said, "there is to be a series of meetings held in our neighborhood chapel, and they will begin next Sunday. A minister and some helpers and singers are to conduct the meetings. I am earnestly praying that God will grant us a profitable meeting. I feel sure it will be a source of help and inspiration to each one who will attend. And," she added, "I am praying that it may be a benefit to those who are not saved, as well. I want to attend every service, and would be pleased to have you to go with me."
The talk was continued long after darkness had covered the earth with its mantle and the stars were peeping out of the sky. There in the solitude of the night, the confidence between mother and son, which had been broken, was restored. The mother found that her son was longing for that which she had been desiring him to possess, and her heart was cheered. The painful wound that she had received through his disobedience, was instantly healed when she found how close the Savior had been to him that very day.
When Byron went to his room that night, he knelt beside his bed and tried to pray, but his words seemed to fall back upon his heart as lead . It seemed that he could think only of the coming meeting. And when he fell asleep, and he dreamed that he was in the chapel listening to a very touching sermon.
When Sunday came, he was eager to go with his mother. It was for quite a different reason than he had once had. Before, he thought only of the boys and of the good times he expected to have in their company. Today he was eager to go in order to learn how to become a whole-hearted Christian. Sinful pleasures and disobedient actions, had lost all attraction to him, and he longed for the comfort of a conscience that was void of offense.
A new voyage
The meeting was in progress when Byron and his mother arrived, but the minister had not taken the pulpit. The company of workers consisted of one elderly woman, a middle-aged man, and three younger people. As they sang, Byron noticed the happy expressions on their faces. They seemed to be singing from the depths of their hearts, and these were the words:
Salvation's free, glad joy to all
Of Adam's fallen race;
We'll tell to all, both far and near,
Of saving, forgiving grace.
There's joy, glad joy,
Now flowing from above;
There's joy, glad joy,
In the fullness of His love.
How sweet the soul that's purged as pure
As gold without alloy!
How peaceful is the flowing stream
Of deep, eternal joy!
I'll live for Christ through this dark world,
And faithful I will be;
The joy I know that keeps my soul
Shall last eternally.
How the words thrilled Byron's soul! That was the experience for which he was longing. Oh, to be able to draw joy from a well that would never run dry--what a privilege! How gladly he would live for Christ and be faithful--if only he could have that joy that would last eternally.
When the song service was ended, someone said, "Let us pray." A number of the congregation knelt beside their seats, and Byron, although he only bowed his head, joined with them as best he could in prayer. After prayer another song was sung, and then the minister, stepping upon the rostrum, opened his Bible and began to preach about Christ's ministry upon the earth.
It was indeed a wonderful sermon. He recalled to the minds of the people the words of Jesus when He walked and talked in Galilee, and spoke of His simple life. He pictured the Savior's loving interest in mankind when He fed the hungry people and healed the sick. He read a part of the wonderful Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus taught His disciples how to join Him in His work. He mentioned the great love of Christ when He stood at the grave of Lazarus and wept. Then he told of the Last Supper in the upper chamber. He related how, after Judas had left, Jesus spoke of the sad event that was about to take place and introduced the simple memorial of His death and gave a true emblem of humility by washing the disciples' feet.
Then, following the Savior across the brook Kedron, he led his hearers on into the lonely Garden of Gethsemane. There he showed them Jesus bowed in prayer, pleading to have the bitter cup taken from Him, if possible, but willing to drink its contents to the dregs, if necessary. Next he pointed out the clamoring mob, a short distance away, awaiting the Savior's approach, and the Roman soldiers grouped about the foot of the cross. The mangled Savior , pleading with the Father to forgive them, was a beautiful testimony of God's undying love.
The scene changed, and the congregation were allowed to look in ecstasy as he talked about the meaning of the empty tomb. He seemed to see the risen Lord seated on the throne beside His Father--the place which He occupied before His visit to the earth--and heard Him saying, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
After the discourse, there was singing and a few testimonies from the strangers, and Byron was more inspired than ever to make Heaven his home . He became anxious to consecrate himself to the Lord, but as no opportunity was given, he returned to his home with the burden of sins still resting upon him.
The following day he could think of little else than the sermon and the happy faces of the strangers that he had looked upon in the chapel. As he thought, a picture of the ocean of life came before him. He could see the vessels floating about upon its surface, and he saw some of the rugged rocks upon which many of these vessels were wrecked. Some of these dangers were entirely hidden beneath the surface of the water, but each was shown on a chart with which all good seamen were familiar. On this chart there was a description of every hidden rock, and a course mapped out whereby it could be avoided. Each obstruction that was visible, bore a sign whereby its character might be discerned, but many of the signs were dimmed and blurred.
Some of the vessels that were floating carelessly about in the shallow waters, not heeding the instructions upon the chart--he saw torn to pieces and sunken. Others, although not so soon destroyed, were so battered and injured that they were unsafe.
On one of the flags that was floating above a forbidding rock, he saw the motto, "Do As I Please," and, to his amazement, he discovered, upon examining the chart, that more than half of the hidden dangers were located close around it. There was lying, stealing, gambling, drunkenness, and many other rocks just beneath the surface of the water. Above another he read, "Worldly Pleasures," and around and about this he found such evils as he had not even dreamed could exist.
Many other things were pictured before him, but of all the sights in this great body of water, the one that interested him most was that of people clinging to the parts of wreckage and floating about where the waters were deep and full of sharks and other dangers. Every moment he saw someone hurled down from a portion of a mast, a broken hull, or some other part of a wrecked vessel--to go down shrieking and groaning to his doom.
Byron shuddered as the scene passed before him, and he began looking out away from the shore. Here he discovered a promising ship with beautiful banners and streamers floating from it. Upon the banners he read, "Purity," "Honesty," "Kindness," "Holiness," and many other mottoes explaining the character of the passengers of the vessel.
The ship, too, he discovered, was not only strong and well-built, but traveled in a direct course and was out in mid-ocean. There it was in no danger of running into the rocks and hidden reefs which dotted the shallower water, for the water was much too deep for obstructions.
Now and then a lifeboat was lowered, and he saw that it was manned with the most competent sailors on board the ship. Watching them, he saw that although these life-saving crews went in among the reefs and hidden rocks, they went only close enough to throw the life-line to those who were in distress. Those who did not realize their danger, were simply warned, and the boat passed on to rescue those who were calling for help.
Looking back upon his own life, he saw that he had been stranded upon the hidden rocks near the reef "Do As I Please," and that he was now clinging to a very frail piece of wreckage. His danger was great, but the little company had come to his rescue in time and were throwing to him the life-line.
As he went to the meeting that night, he felt the burden of his sins more keenly than he had ever felt it before, and he was anxious to be rid of them. Night after night the plan of salvation was becoming more and more clear to him. He could see the two great kingdoms so strictly opposite, and could discern the antagonism between them. He learned that in the beginning, man was heir to the kingdom of God, but that through disobedience he lost his inheritance. He saw that Satan, the cruel taskmaster , disguises himself and with enticing words and methods seeks to induce as many as possible to work for him. He saw, too, that it is only through the great love and mercy of God, that it is possible for anyone to return, after forsaking the Lord to follow Satan.
He came to understand that Heaven, so pure and holy in all its aspects, and so full of bright and happy beings, cannot contain one sinful atom; that man must become pure in heart in this world if he would enter those realms above. He perceived it was only love, infinite love and pity on the part of God, that had prompted Him to send Jesus to save sinners, and that Jesus is the only door through which man can ever enter Heaven or approach God.
The laws of Satan's kingdom, have, for a time, the appearance of liberty and freedom. But, as Byron had learned from experience, there is something which keeps the subjects of this kingdom from enjoying themselves for very long. On the other hand, he saw that the laws of Heaven afford not only liberty, but an inexhaustible supply of happiness as well.
Byron now wanted this liberty more than he had ever desired the freedom that the boys had suggested to him down by the river. He longed to be free so that he might do all he could in return for what Christ had suffered for him. And that he might also redeem his lost character , and, if possible, make his dear mother feel that her efforts to make him a respectable and honorable young man had not been in vain.
The sermon on repentance was deep and heart-searching, and the solemnity that rested upon the congregation was almost painful. When the minister ceased speaking, a young man arose and urged the people to heed the words to which they had listened. He also gave them a kind and touching invitation to come forward for prayer. Then the company of workers joined in singing a beautiful song of invitation.
Come home, poor sinner;
Why longer roam,
Your Savior's calling,
"Come home, come home!"
Come home, poor sinner,
Come home, come home.
Oh, come to Jesus,
Do not delay;
Come, and He'll save you;
Come while you may.
Oh, come to Jesus;
He's waiting still
With His salvation,
Your soul to fill.
Byron was glad for such an opportunity. With his poor, aching heart painfully throbbing in his bosom, he hastened to the front, and there with several others, he bowed in prayer. The minister bowed beside him and explained in a simple manner what it really means to repent and to be truly saved from a sinful life.
"My dear young man," he said, "you have acknowledged to your friends, by the simple act of coming, that you intend to live a new and different life. But you cannot do this in your own strength. God alone can save you, and He can help you meet the conditions laid down in His Word. He says, first of all, to repent , and this means to be sorry for all the sins that you have committed.
"Now, there is a kind of sorrow that comes from having your wicked deeds found out--but this is not true repentance. To have godly sorrow is to be troubled and pained because one has violated God's holy law, brought dishonor to His character and government, and shown ingratitude toward His infinite love and benevolence.
"John the Baptist went about preaching repentance, and Jesus a few years later re-echoed the message of God's commandment to mankind; the commandment to repent, was not given to only a few individuals, but to everyone."
Turning to his Bible, the minister read Acts 17:30, and then said, "When a person has become truly sorry for his sins, he is to call upon God for help; for we are to seek the Lord while He may be found.
"There are, of course, conditions to be met in repentance. When you have become truly sorry for having offended your Creator, you must seek for His pardon. He will be close to you when He sees your sorrow, and you must call upon Him to help you."
Again he read from his Bible: "Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you upon him while he is near." By this you see that you not only must 'call' upon God to save you, but must actually seek His favor. See, this next verse will show you how: 'Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.'
"To forsake your way, is to turn from every evil motive that has prompted you in the past to commit sin, and to utterly abandon your old life of sin. You must make an unconditional surrender to God. You must not only acknowledge your sins to Him, but be willing to have them all exposed if necessary.
"Now God commands you to repent. There is no other way. If you want salvation, you must get it according to the rules laid down in the Bible. There are many other scriptures bearing upon this subject. God says, 'Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart.' (Byron thought at once of the voice that had spoken to him down by the river.) "You can apply this promise to yourself, for now is the time for you to hear His voice, and to believe. Here is another: 'Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' God wants you to yield yourself to Him, right now, to live the remainder of your life for Him and for His glory.
"Do you willingly promise that you will do anything that God may require of you? He will not tell us to do something impossible. He simply asks you to be willing and ready to make your wrongs right wherever you can. This is but just and right, and is one of the fruits worthy of repentance. 'He who covers his sins shall not prosper--but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.'
"Then, too, you must not only be willing to confess your sins and ask forgiveness for them, but forgive all who have wronged you in any way, for 'if you forgive not men their trespasses--neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.'
"All of these things I have done," Byron said in a low voice when the minister ceased speaking. "I have confessed to God and have gone to those whom I have wronged and have made things right as well as I could. What more can I do?"
"There is still another step," the minister said very earnestly. "You are well on the way, but you still have a great barrier to remove. Unbelief and disobedience have severed you from God, and you can only win favor with Him again by replacing these with obedience and belief in the gospel. The Bible says, 'repent and believe the gospel,' and what is meant by the gospel is found in John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Can you not see God's love and mercy? Can you not believe that the great sacrifice that He made for sin?
"You are changing masters . The power of Satan is broken. You are no longer his servant, but are instead to be subject to a higher, nobler Power than his, if you will but believe. And God is waiting to give you His Holy Spirit to direct and pilot you in all of your undertakings, after you have discovered the secret of believing."
"I do believe," Byron said a moment later, and the tone of his voice and expression of his face showed plainly that a change had taken place. He had indeed discovered the secret of salvation . Arising to his feet, he faced the congregation, and in a voice that was clear and distinct and a manner that was happy and free, he spoke of the new life that he expected to live before them in the future.
"My dear friends and companions," he said, "I want to tell you that I have decided to change my course in life. The rest of my days shall be spent in the Lord's service. I am truly sorry for all that I have ever done to displease Him."
Byron seemed already to feel a deep joy and satisfaction in the fact that of his peace with God . So confident were his words that his old associates looked upon him with awe, and some felt in their hearts a desire to share his happiness.