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SO EASILY ENTRAPPED

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 25, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 4.

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SO EASILY ENTRAPPED.

By G.

MAN was originally so much higher in intelligence than other earthly creatures, that he was given dominion over them all. But by his disobedience of the One who had dominion over him, he demonstrated that he was no longer competent to be a superintendent of a department of the universe. One who will not yield allegiance to his superior is not competent to command inferiors—especially in a realm where obedience is the principal requisite of competence.
Since man lost the dominion of the earth, and became subservient even to sin—disobedience of the law of his Creator—he has had many reminders of his inferiority to even the insignificant things over which he was designed to have control. One familiar injunction is, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Another proverb is, “Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.” And the Lord, by His prophet Isaiah, says, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.”
The bird is not caught by the net that it sees you set for it, and in that it shows its superior acumen; for Satan’s snares are being continually set in the sight of men, and they deliberately walk into them with their eyes wide open. Not only so, but they diligently seek out the hidden snares, in order to indulge in the tempting baits that they know tend to degrade and to kill.
Not long ago the temperance people in a certain university town succeeded in driving the saloons out of the place, by refusing to license them. The main purpose was to protect the students from the baleful influence of these nets, which had been spread for them by the enemy of souls. The good people of the town deemed it a solemn duty to remove these dens of vice from the daily haunts of the young men who were in a measure under the care of the municipality, and who were not possessed of the instinct or wisdom of the birds, that leads them to avoid the traps which they see are being set for them.
But the nearest railroad station to this now prohibition village is not so highly favored. In its vicinity the deadly saloon still has recognition. It has long been a place of resort for convivial purposes, and is well supplied with the requirements of such a place. So it is said that many of the young men from the prohibition dormitories take the evening trains for a short ride, and to pass a jovial hour or two in the gilded snares so openly set for their entertainment in the neighboring “park.”
To these the voice of the Lord of mercy is calling: “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof; behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.” G.