Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-22
The Only way.

! The Only Way.
a9
A young man was walking with some
gay companions in a dark forest. They
were not sure that they knew the ex-
act course they wished to pursue,
and yet the laugh, the story, and the
song beguiled their way. They hoped
70 come out at the right place, and thus
get home safely. But suddenly the sky
grew dark, the birds ceased their sing
ing, and in the distance they heard the
bowling of the hungry beasts of prey.
Soon one of the young men stumbled
over something. and down, down he
fell, with a piercing cry Of horror! His
companions saw him as he fell down
the steep and fearful precipice. Their
fears soon gave place to joy, for they
saw he had not fallen to the bottom,
but had caught hold of bush half way
down. They called out to him, ''Haug
on, and We will save YOU" They soon
made long rope, which seemed very
strong, but, alas i. was made of mate
rial which may be called "Ss!f-rghtsous-
ness" and had no strength at all. It
looked as if they could never break it,
and so as they let it down to him, he
seized it with all his might. They CALI
ed to him, s'Hold on, and we, will draw
you up" but they did not lift him an
inch before it broke all to pieces. "Oh,"
be shouted, 'the rope is broken; give
me something stronger. Be quick, for
nay hands ache dreadfully!"
Then they made another. It seemed
very hard, and they said it must hold.
1t was made of "Morasny." Now, said
they, Take hold Of the rope, and we
will draw you to the top" But they
scarcely moved him before it snapped
like the other. Again he cried, solve
me something stronger, or shall fall
and be killed. 80 s.--- -.
! While they were making third rope,
the poor fellow turned hiseye down
ward, hut could see nothing but dark
ness.
Suddenly he heard a sweet voice say
ing, "Fau, fall; I sciu SAGE thee. Ny
arms sciU catch thee; let go, and faU into
Mens." His friends on the brink above
did not hear this sweet voice, and so
they kept busily at work till they had
finished third rope, made ola very
common material, which they found
near at hand twisted together, and call
ed "Good Resolutions. ~ ssz -
"Now," said his friends, 1--WE have a
rope which you can never breaks.
mo sooner had these words sounded
III his ears, than he again heard that
calm, mysterious voice from below,
GALL INTO MY ARMS AM MIGHTY
TO sAvzsn ----.s- !
But, like many with proud hearts, he
again seized the rope, though with
almost nerveless hands. He was at the
same time greatly frightened at what
should have rejoiced his heart, for he
thought he saw sword (the sword of
the Spirit cutting off the roots Of the
bush.
'sHold on we will soon get you to
the top. It's the last rope we can give
you" And so they pulled with all
their might; but, like the other three,
it broke as if it were a cotton thread.
There he hung, with but little strength
left, and yet again he heard that plead
ing yoice-s'FALL, FALL WILL SAVE
THEE" -... Mid.
"But it is dark, and I cannot see
you"
TRUST MY WORD, AND SEE. LET
GO AT ONCE" .,e. rl
And yet again his foolish companions
shouted, "Hold on hold on." fs
The bush at last gave away, being
cut entirely by that strange sword. As
he felt his strength all gone, he family
cried, ''Lord save, or I perish:' What
was his JOY when suddenly he found
himself firmly ,clasped in the mighty
arms Of Him, WHO IS ''ABLE TO SAVE
TO THE UTTERMosT1AL THEN THAT
81 f.~H+ q.
CONE UNTO Cop By HIM!"
Now, my dear. young friends, IS not
this picture of the way you have been
trying to climb up to heaven? Have
you not often felt that you could by your
own good works merit home in the
mansions above? This you can never
do. Give up every other hope, and
trust only in Jesus. ''LET co THE
BUsH,". and fall into Jesus arms, and
you will be as happy as this young man
and the little girl who were led by this
simple story to see the only way of
salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
London Globe. n.
The blunders Of life, friends, do not
kill. Let us remember that Past
follies do not forfeit failure opportunity.
God is always. eager to give man or a