FOOTPRINTS by M. C. Du Bois

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 3, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 49.

FOOTPRINTS

By M. C. Du Bois

A TRAVELER lost in a dark, wild forest searched in every direction for a path leading out, but found none. His despair grew more intense, as he realized still more fully his condition, until in anguish of soul he cried aloud. Just then his eyes rested upon a footprint in the soil before him. His sorrow was turned to gladness; he no longer felt alone. Some other traveler had gone that way before him. With renewed courage he pressed forward following the footprints which led out upon the highway leading home.

Reader, we are traveling through this world of sin, and like this traveler are lost from our Father in heaven. Many dangers lurk along the way we travel. Trials and sorrows beset our path, but not until we realize that we are lost, will we cry out in anguish of soul, and look for a way out of darkness. There is only one way to safety, viz., to follow the footprints of our Elder Brother, Jesus. He has passed through this dark world and left His footprints, which, if we follow, will lead us home.

Where shall we look for the footprints of Jesus? Not in halls of revelry and feasting. O, no. Not in the giddy dance, not in the midst of wealth and worldly grandeur, not in the corrupt circles of politics, not in halls of worldly education where the Bible is set aside. No, no. Go search along the rugged road of poverty, leading to the home of the poor and needy. By the bedside of the sick, the dying, along the dusty highways, lanes, and alleys; in fact, wherever a lost one is, there will you find footprints of Christ, who, when here among men, went about doing good. When you carry comfort to the sick, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, words of cheer to those in prison, or songs of praise to the sad and sorrowing around you, you are walking in the footprints of the Divine One.

To walk in the footprints of Jesus will lead, not in flowery paths of ease, but in self-denial and sacrifice. True, we may ofttimes be permitted to follow Jesus upon the mount of transfiguration, that we may there catch a glimpse of His glory. Then again His steps lead down into dark Gethsemane, that we may there witness His sufferings, see Him bearing our sins and the sins of the whole world.

Ah, here we draw back from the gloomy shadows of the garden. We do not like to follow Him through suffering and sorrow. We think there must be some mistake, and cry, “This can not be my path. Give me an easier way.”

But listen:—

“My child, this is the only way; I've passed the rugged path before. It leadeth straight to endless day; Where earth's perplexities are o'er. Dost thou not know My footprints, child? He questions in a voice so mild. I looked: I could not say Him nay— His bloody footprints marked the way.

“Enough! If I may place my feet In Thy blest footprints, all is well; I'll count it but a joy most sweet, Nor fear the powers of earth or hell. Thou'lt shield me from these wild alarms, Safe in the covert of Thine arms.”

Did you ever think, my reader, that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering?

Shall we who profess to be His followers shrink from trials, and fall out by the way? Rather let us sing from the heart, “Where He leads me I will follow.”

Let us watch more closely for His footprints, and strive to honor Him in the great and in the small duties of life. By and by, if faithful, the Divine footprints will lead home to those mansions He has gone to prepare for those who serve Him. From the pages of prophecy, fulfilling daily, we see evidences of His soon coming to gather His faithful ones to inherit those mansions. Not one will be forgotten or left behind, no matter how obscured, for His eye is upon the faithful tho they may be overlooked by others. Take courage, weary, lost traveler. Look upon the footprints of Jesus, and walk therein and you will find your way out of this dark world in safety.

M. C. Du Bois.

Grand Ledge, Mich.