"The Easiest Way Is the Best Way."
By W. N. Glenn
THIS is an old saying, and I became so accustomed to hearing it used in connection with secular affairs, that I had about set it aside as a lazy man's motto, and therefore practically unreliable. I had not, until recently, even dreamed that it possessed any practical value in a moral sense. I had allowed my mind to become so imbued with the thought that "we must through great tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14: 22), that I almost overlooked the hard way of the unbeliever. I believe the Christian course might be made a little more enticing, especially to the young, were it not for the too general supposition that the way of the world is an easy way, and that Christianity contains about all there is of bitterness in this life. Not long ago my thoughts were turned into another channel by a sentence from the pen of one of our most familiar writers, as follows: "We make very hard work for ourselves in this world when we take such a course that the Lord is against us." Immediately my mind reverted to a Scriptural confirmation of this sentiment, found in Prov. 13: 15: "Good understanding giveth favor, but the way of transgressors is hard." The author of this proverb knew whereof he spoke, and he did not have reference to a future punishment either, but to every-day experience. We have only to look around us a little to see the verification of his words. It is hardly necessary to refer to the fact that the heaviest famines, earthquakes, and other great disasters have come upon the nations that have forgotten or rejected the way of the Lord to find the proof. We can find it nearer home. In our large cities the haunts of crime and filth are also the abodes of suffering and disease. Go through the prisons, the asylums, and the almshouses, and, with rare exceptions, you do not find the followers of Christ. The majority of Christians are poor, but they seldom become paupers. But how is it in the ordinary walks of life? Some young men professing Christianity look upon their fellows of the world with feelings akin to envy, supposing that there is enjoyment in the evening revelings of the worldling; and sometimes they are drawn into the vortex in the vain search for pleasure. But here, also, the wise man truthfully pictures the situation, as many a victim will testify. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23: 29, 30. But some imagine that to be rich would be an easy way. Were it even so, it is well to remember that it is a hard thing to get riches in this life, and even harder to retain them. Very few become rich, and few who do will tell you they have had an easy time. Then the danger of riches mark this as anything but an easy way. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall." Prov. 11: 28. The deceitfulness of riches choke the word. Matt. 13: 22. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you." Jas. 5: 1. No, the way of worldly rich men is not an easy way, all things considered, if it does show a glittering exterior. A careful survey of the whole field reveals the fact that the way of the wicked has no firm foundation or sure promise of reward. The Lord's way is perfect (Ps. 18: 30), and he "girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect" (verse 32). The perfect way must be the best way—it is the Lord's way, and his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. See Matt. 11: 28-30. Have we afflictions, the consolation of the Spirit will make them "light" and "but for a moment." 2 Cor. 4: 17. Not so the afflictions of the wicked. "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Ps. 1: 6. Verily the easiest way is the best way. W. N. GLENN.