WILL YOU BE HELPED? by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1868

WILL YOU BE HELPED?

By Jos. Clarke

Some of the brethren in railroading their way to the camp-meeting were carelessly carried some two miles beyond the place where they should have been left, and they had to plod their way back, on foot, in the dusk of evening; passing a bridge all open, stepping from timber to timber, over a deep ravine. All but one of the number walked over it with comparative ease; but this one, being unpracticed, was too timid to venture, and tried to get around; but this was more dangerous still. He knew not what to do, and laid down his bundle.

The brethren, seeing his difficulty, came back. One took his satchel, two others took hold, one of his right, the other of his left hand, and kindly and courageously addressing him, essayed to lead him across. The thing seemed impossible to the timorous traveler; but nerving himself, he thought, I will try it if I fall in the attempt; and so, holding his teeth tightly together, he crossed, quickly and safely, not only this, but a second one, still more difficult to walk upon; but it was only with a strong and determined will, and the help of his fellows, that he overcame a dizzy faintness in so doing.

I have thought to moralize a little upon this incident. The Christian comes to a difficulty in life. He cannot overcome it. He stops, and tries to go around it; but he cannot—the way around is still more precarious. He lays down his burden. His brethren and good angels come to his rescue. He hesitates. It is too dangerous. He finally sees that his brethren are too much in haste to wait. What will he do? Already his kind brother has shouldered his bundle, and has passed half way across the bridge. He nerves himself. He says, These are good angels; they are kind brethren; if I die in the attempt, it will be better than to die a deserter, a victim of fear. I will let these good brethren lead me. He overcomes.

Again he comes to a like difficulty. He is half broken in. His brethren know what to do. They lead him safely across. What if he had doggedly, sullenly refused to be led? had gone back? Brethren, let us go on with the body. If we faint, let us be willing to be led. Soon we will not need so much help, if we are willing to learn how to overcome.

JOS. CLARKE.