WHAT IS THAT TO THEE? FOLLOW THOU ME.
By Mary Martin
These words of our dear Saviour have been much in my mind of late; and though uttered hundreds of years ago by him who suffered such unsurpassed agony in Gethsemane's garden, and poured out his soul unto death on Calvary's mountain, yet with characteristic and thrilling sweetness they came to me this morning. The perils of the last days thicken around us on every hand. And some with pity, some with scorn, assail those who are waiting and watching for their Master's return, and derisively ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But oh! how little does the heart imbued with love for Jesus care for these things. Saith the Saviour, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” How pleasant and easy the broad road looks; and in it are so many of our dear ones. Can we, must we, part from them if they will not go with us? As their mirthfulness and gayety, and, it may be, entreaties, reach us, we are nearly bewildered, but again, clear, rich, and full, with deeper meaning, come my Saviour's words, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” Instead of following, how many times have I halted amid the busy scenes of life with my mind filled with thoughts of other things, or mentally exclaiming, Not by this road; it is so rough I never can endure it. But if I cannot trust Him to lead me as he sees best, surely he never will lead me beside the still waters. Oh! how we would love to follow the Saviour if he would walk in the way we love to go. But this is not the way in which Enoch walked with God; neither can we walk with Jesus so now. How we look about us for an easier, better way; there are so many professed Christians who seem to have found it. What would become of us did not the Saviour's words of solemn, yet mild reproof, again reach us, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” Ah! yes. Here is the work for me to do; and how great a work it is. A hasty spirit, impatient words, pride, self-will, and how much that I cannot see as others can; all these must be overcome. Almost appalled, I ask myself is there time for all this ere the Master calleth to the reckoning? Certainly not, unless I hasten, and continue diligent to the task of overcoming, and then with earnest entreaty ask God for Jesus' sake to help me to prepare to enter the city. I feel I will do this; will try to walk more closely in the footsteps of my Saviour, and keep near to him, lest the darkness that is covering the earth and people, gather around me, and I wander so far from the strait and narrow way that his words cannot reach me, and I at last be found in the broad road, and receive the wages of sin, which is death. MARY MARTIN.
Blakeville, N. H.