The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1850-08-03
TnEPATII OF LIE.

Looking, awhile since, at collection of
German Autographs, was struck with one
that was simple In conception, and yet of
great power and beauty.
IL was tho picture Of little child, ia the
dress Of q pilgrim, walking slowly alonsN mar
row path which was bounded ON each side
by terrific prccipioc, the edges Of which
wcro hidden from hi. view 10y luNuriant
thickct Of fruits aud flowers Behind the
child is an angel, with a countcnRncc Of mis-.
c,l tenderness and anxiety, his hands placed
lightly on the shoulders of the little pilgrim
~ if'to keep him IN The cCntFc Of the path
while the chiid, having closed his eyes, that
he may not perceive the tempting snnrcs on
either side, is walking calmly onward, con
tcnt not to see whore he plants each fooistcp
so long rs he feels the gentle aud guiding
touch Of the angel upon him, His whole as
pact is that of peace, confidence, nnd con
srious sfcty, so long ns he follows the guild
ance OF his heavenly monitor, and presses on
ward in his way.
A. gnzcd upon Il, several thoughts rose
mp wildly 10 my mind; and as the description
is itself a picture, others, in view oft, may
ponder the lesson il suggests and as they
ponder, be proftcd.
l. Il reminds .or The dangers that surround
lis on earth. ~ there was a prccipirc on
each side of the path, in which the little pill
grim was walking, 80 there Is on each sile Of
our own. On every side there is dangcr.-
The world alurcs; temptations threaten; the
adversary OF souls assailsi passion pleads for
indulgence; error bcckons away from the
path Of truth; delay; whispering OF some flu
turc season, is forever postponing the great
salvation. On cycry side, aud near at hand
is some prccipicc, over which we are in dan
ger of falling.
2. The path orsaC,ty,is a narrow path
Soit'was withthc little pilgrim, and so our
Saviour teaches, il is to ns, "NVidr is the gate
aud broad is the way that lcadcth TO dc.truc-
ton, aud many there be that 90 in thcrcaj;"
but, straight is the gate, and narrow is the
'Nr that lca,lcth unto life, and few there be-
that find IT," And we must keep in that way
and press ON in it, or we cannot be safe. We
must not draw back" in our course, it * per-
Isss4st-s'et- he-'Fee,s it;-I-t-,t
run wcll only for season" is not TO "pcrsc-
we're 10 The end" We must not turn 10 the I
right hand nor to the Tci);" for thus our feet
will come to evil. "Forgctting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which arc before" we are "to
press forward toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"
,, The approaches of evil are insdous.-
The edges of the prccipico of trnnsgrcssion
are too often concealed by fruit, and covered
with Flowers. But alas, those flowers bloom
Only for death, and that fruit, like the fruit !
my tempted our first parents, is tasted only
tor ruin. The only security il, ITO shun the
very appearance of cvil;" to remember that
the beginnings ordanger are in little things,
anl that "hc that dcspiscth'Smal things, shall
fall little by little
l. Go1is ever willing to guide rs it we
will but accept ofhis guidance, by conscience,
hy his word, by his providence, 10y his Spirit,
and 10y his angels which, though unseen, may
over be beside us to keep IA in all our
ways he will hear the cry OF the young, |
My Father be thou the guide ormy youth.
IN the temptations of manhoof he will keep
rs. Evcu '"down tondage aud hoary hairs"
La 4',.iH eaiF,, and deliver ny If''in all our
w1ysre acknowledge Him." he will 'Hlircct
our paths" III will "auilc us byshis conn
sci herr, and-aIlcrw1iyts receive rs to glory"
., We must walk by faith. Closing our
cycS like thai ittlo child. To the tempting
suarcs that surround Us; rc-iguiug ourselves I
5lnpfcitfy TO the DIVINE guidance; yielding to /.
tac slightest touch Of the heavenly conductor, I