The Penalty Is Death by E. Lloyd

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 26, 1915

The Penalty Is Death

By E. Lloyd

A TOURIST relates that when passing through an Austrian town, his attention was directed to a forest on a slope near the road, and he was told that death was the penalty of cutting down one of those trees. He was incredulous until he was further informed that they were the protection of the city, breaking the force of the descending avalanche, which, without this natural barrier, would sweep over the quiet homes of thousands. When a Russian army was marching there, and began to cut away the defense for fuel, the inhabitants besought them to take their dwellings instead, which was done.

So likewise on the integrity and support of God’s law depends the safety of the universe. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” is a merciful proclamation. “Whosoever shall . . . offend in one point, he is guilty of all,” is equally just and benevolent. To transgress in any point is to lay the ax at the root of the tree which represents our security and peace. E. LLOYD.