Climbing by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1916

Climbing

By G. B. T.

JESUS has admonished us that following him means the forsaking of all we have in this life — home, friends, money, all. The inspired apostle exhorts that we lay aside every weight if we would win in the Christian race. In another place we are instructed to lay aside all malice, envy, evil speaking, and such like, in order that we may grow strong in spiritual things.

We cannot successfully climb the rugged mountains of life's experiences, and face the storms and gales, loaded down with worldly accessories. I was reading recently of an ambitious and hearty young man who set out to climb Mt. Blanc. The toughened old guides told him the climb was so strenuous that he must take nothing with him. But he would not listen; he was determined to take pictures, some notebooks to record his impressions and experiences, and certain articles of gay clothing. He started. Another climbing party started a few hours later. At the first stopping place they found his eatables. Farther on they found his camera, a little later his books, still farther his extra clothing, and at the top they found the young man, tired and footsore, and stripped of all unnecessary equipment.

It is even so in the Christian life. We cannot mount up on eagles' wings loaded down with the things of this world. All must sooner or later be laid aside if we reach the top. Here is where many fail, and make no progress in their Christian experience. They are holding on to something. They are trying to carry too much baggage with them to heaven. But those who go through the “needle's eye” into the kingdom must leave the world outside. G. B. T.