The Washington herald., 1909-03-13
THE NARROW GATE.


Wicket Gate" Matt. TiiI-E.
A man who had visited Korea recently
said: Il verify believe that It is harder to
/ get into the Korean church than II Is to
get into the Kingdom Of Heaven" He
was making a point OF the strict exami-
nation which catechumens must pass be-
fore they are admitted 10 membership in
the body of native believers. The Korean
/ church has the narowest door in Chris
/ tendon This may account for the high
standard OF Christian character reported
/ from Korea At first reading Il may
| seem strange that the wicket gate in
] Pilgrims Progress should be repre-
sented as narrow; yet that is the Scrip
tural figure also. Perhaps the thought
| is that one must enter unincumbered.
leaving without all the trappings and
/ burdens of the worldly life Certainly.
salvation is such prize that men should
be willing TO prove their sincerity by
making earnest effort and real sacrifice in
order TO attain it.
All gates to growth and greatness are
entered at some cost.
No one can enter the gate that leads to
life except by STOPPING.
Narrow though the wicket gate Of en-
trance upon the Christian life NAV be. IL
Is entered most easily by those who are
accompanied by other persons whom they
are leadinng.
After all has been said and written
about success" IS 1t not actually true
that the greatest Of all doors OF oppor-
tunity is the open wicket gate that leads
10 the life eternal?
The way Of God is plain. yet not easy.
for 1t is only they who can stand tests
by the wayside who are fitted for Gods
cOmpaniOnship.
There is room in the strait and narrow
way for the largest life and experience.
A little gate may lead into a large field
The entrance into the green pastures and
beside the still waters. provided for the
mock OF the Good Shepherd is through
the wicket gate.
Bunyan's Pilgrim fell by the wavsids
on his way TO the Wicket Gate. Mr..
Worldly Wiseman. who dwens in the
village Of Morality. got hold OF him and
persuaded him. for the time. TO be salts
ned with something less than the Coles
tlal city and the Journey thereto. II IS
the DID, old story. When men. cannot be
deferred from seeking after new life. thew
are tempted 10 stop somewhere this side
| or their best possibilities. They are urged
70 let well enough alone and rennJn5a5
that they are as good as the next man. .
Whereas the very hallmark OF spfrtt-
uallty Is 70 be better than ones previous
4 best self-to be content with nothing less
than the highest degree Of perfection at
talnable. No man ever set out TO be as
good as his fellows without becoming
worse than his own highest capabilities
In the town Of Morality the standards
are ever broadening and lowering and
always variable. Whereas whos0evc- en-.
tiers the Christian Church land Bunyar
, evidently meant the wicket gate 10 rep.
resent church membership has con-
stantly before him a high and fixed stand
ard, the example Of the Master.
It is possible OF course, to be a Chris.
tian outside of the church. but it IS both
difficult and dangerous to try the ex.
pertinent Inside the wicket gate is IN
struction. fellowship, protection, and
guidance.
Nobody minds walking a difficult patti
in order 70 reach a great destination
And the narrow way is the only way
which leads to life-full, free, joyous. and
abundant life.
The narrow way affords scope for III,
enlargement Of all ones best powers.
found pursuing the narrow way
The way IS worth while. because OF its
comprehensive. because Of fits goal, and
because Of its Guide
The wicket gate swings inward to who.
soever knocks.
In one Of the mosques IN Cairo are two
marble pillars close together. and thu
tradition is that the person who canno
J pass between these will not be able tC
enter Paradise-which is surely the the
olOgy OF a lean prophet. Our guide was IN
terested to have us pass through. as We
were easily able to do so. but the driver
! a large man. could not make Il at first
He grew quite excited after time. anC
would not depart until he had removed
several layers of clothing. Then, Will,
the dragoman pulled I pushed. and We
managed to force the poor fellow
through He thought nothing Of his SUI
fering. however, he was so elated Owe
having met this test. There are innum
| cradle tests and feats OF this sor
throughout the non-Christian world
whereby one wins 70 paradise. In con
trast. how simple IS the Christian pro
gramme ASK. and It shall be giver
you; seek, and re shall find; knock, and
II shall be opened unto you"