p. 9 | The Forks of the Road by Clara Edna Rosencrans

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Apr 25, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 17.

The Forks of the Road

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

"YES, just keep on the ridge for a mile or so. You'll see two or three dim trails that lead off into the woods; but keep to the main traveled road till you come to the place where it forks. Then go to the right hand, and it will take you straight to his house."

How often one hears this bit of information, as one travels through wooded, hilly stretches of country, where the main or county roads are intersected at every turn by dim, unworked trails leading off over the knolls, or "knobs" as they are called, winding in and out, till at last they bring one, without warning, to a quiet farmhouse nestled away in some green valley.

And as we often see beauty in the commonest objects, as man is strengthened by the most homely toil, so it seems to me that we who are traveling through a strange country, beset with hills of difficulty and valleys of temptation and sorrow, may get a lesson of courage and hope from this simple direction of our mountain friend, who knows the country for miles around, and could draw a map of it on the ground without omitting the tiniest cow-path.

He knows exactly what will happen if you turn to the left hand instead of the right, if you go up an incline instead of down a hill, and can tell you with unerring judgment how far it is across the mountain to Farmer Brown's. His knowledge is exact, and as a guide through these wild regions he can not be surpassed.

Now for the spiritual lesson. We have been sojourners here for over a half century, claiming to have a definite aim in view, claiming to be guides pointing others through this world, with its "knobs" of difficulty, its "hollows" of pain and sorrow,—to use another expression common in the Ozarks,—on to a better country, where the dwellers will be loyal servants of the King of Kings.

But can we point the inquirer with definiteness and certainty toward the road that will lead him Zionward? Have we used our ears and eyes to as good purpose as has our mountaineer? When we meet some earnest inquirer after truth, are we able to cite chapter and verse which gives us our warrant for faith in this Threefold Message?

These are solemn questions, questions which need earnest, prayerful thought, which must receive an answer, as we hope for eternal life.

The pioneers in this mountain region used to "blaze" out roads through newly opened tracts of timber. That is, the bark would be "scalped" from trees a hundred and fifty or two hundred feet apart, making a continuous line of these primitive sign-boards for perhaps several miles.

Even so it is with this "Highway of Holiness." All along the path that our feet press, are emblazoned the sign-posts of our mighty Guide.

Here at the beginning, as our feet first enter the way, we read, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Then a little farther on we see shining out this blessed assurance: "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Ah, over and over, as we fare homeward, we find these sign-boards, in one place warning us of danger to be avoided, or pointing the way to an inn, or quiet retreat, placed here by the kindly thought of our generous Sovereign; in another telling where crystal springs gush forth, where amid cooling shades we may bathe our weary feet and rest after the toilsome upward climb.

But by and by we will come to the forks of the road. It is on the top of the ridge, remember, that the road takes a sudden turn.

To the right hand it leads over the stony, uneven ground. Briers here and there line the narrow track and hinder our progress, and we wonder sometimes why these things should be there.

Then we remember that our Guide-book, which we carry along with us, has told us that by this road only can we gain the heavenly city; and our hearts grow strong again.

Far otherwise, however, is the track which leads to the left hand, the path of self-indulgence and worldly pleasure. Smooth and easy, a steady downward slope, it is here that we very often get out of the way. There are no briers to wound the feet, no stones to make the progress hard; and there are many companions to keep our minds occupied, and make us forget the holy, pure, unspotted life that is the atmosphere of the high "ridge road" leading to the right.

Ah, let us remember that the joy of this lower way is elusive and short-lived, that it leads downward to death, and that in the highway of spotless purity are pleasures forevermore.

And let us remember also that our Guide has been over every step of the way before us; and that if need be, holy angels will be sent to stay us, and lead us onward and upward, till at last we come to the city of eternal joy, the home of those who have been faithful, steadfast, and who have conquered.

There are two ways for travelers, only two ways. One's a hill pathway of battle and praise. The other leads downward; tho flow'ry it seem, Its joy is a phantom, its love is a dream, Its love is a dream, 'tis only a dream.

Mountain Grove, Missouri.