p. 187 | Lost! Lost! Lost!

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

Lost! Lost! Lost!

In the north of England there are many coal-fields which were formerly worked, but which have been abandoned. The shafts of these neglected mines are partly filled with water, and are of great depth. A poor man was returning home one evening from his work, and thought to arrive more quickly at his cottage, by crossing a barren moor in which some of these open pits lay. He had miscalculated his time, and night closed in before he had crossed the moor. As he walked on, hoping that he was in the right path, he was suddenly seized by an undefined terror; his limbs trembled, his heart beat violently, and fear prevented his taking another step. All he could do was to stand still and cry, or rather shriek out, “Lost! lost! lost!” This mournful sound reached the ears of a watchman who was employed to warn travelers of the dangers of the way, and who spent his nights in a little hut at some distance. He lighted his lantern, and shouted back to the benighted traveler in return, “Stand still for your life.” He soon came up to him with the light, and holding the lantern just one step in advance of the feet of the poor wayfaring man, showed him a dark, fearful chasm, half filled with black waters, into which he must inevitably have plunged had he taken one step more.

Reader, unless, by God’s grace, your feet have been directed into the narrow way that leads into life, you are like this wayfaring man. You are on a journey, and your road is beset with fearful pitfalls and dark chambers of death. Another step, and you may plunge yourself forever into a chasm of perdition, from whence there is no escape. Your safety consists in first being aware of your danger. Stop, then, on your way. Stand still, and from your inmost soul cry, “Lost! lost! lost!”

God has set a watchman with an unerring light to point out the path of safety, and to guide you out of the way of destruction. The cry, “Lost! lost! lost!” will reach at once the ears of Christ. He is “the light,” and he is “the way.” Commit yourself to him. Trust in him as truly the Saviour. His name is Jesus, which means “Saviour.” It is his very occupation—his office—to save. To that end was he born into this world. To that end did he die on the cross. To that end was he raised by God from the dead. It is his delight to rescue the sinner from perdition, and he only can do it.

Do not trust in any efforts of your own. Do not think that you know the right path, or that your resolutions, prayers, or religion, can avail. Jesus alone is the Saviour, and he is complete salvation to all them who trust in him. Nothing needs to be added to his death upon the cross. That sacrifice for sin is enough. “He that believeth is justified from all things.” “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” All God’s billows and waves of wrath on account of sin, have rolled over the soul of Jesus, and buried him in the judgment of death, in order that no wrath, no condemnation, might ever come near to any sinner that believes in Christ. Stand still, then, and see the salvation of God. Trust the power and the love of God, as shown in the gift of his own Son, “who was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification.” Let your soul rest on Him as your substitute, “who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” and you shall be saved. Light, life, peace and joy, shall be your portion for ever.—Sel.