Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed]

"The prairie is on fire, and he is a lost man if he waits

another moment."

See Page 3.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[graphic]

EAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-Have you looked at that strange picture on the opposite page? It is one of wildest terror. You see a whole plain on fire; you see the flames rushing along, devouring everything in their way; you see man, and beast, and bird, fleeing before the fiery torrent. Look at that poor Indian pressing his horse to its utmost speed, in order to escape. He is in earnest; he has no time to lose; he does not halt or loiter; he is in haste to escape;-for the prairie is on fire, and he is a lost man

if he waits another moment. He is bent on reaching yon prairie bluff, yon high bare rock which rises in the plain, to which the flames cannot climb.

You look at those miles of roaring and surging fire. You are glad that you are not there.

But, dear readers, there is another and far more awful scene in which you are concerned. This world itself will ere long be set on fire by GOD, and its burning will be fearful. GOD warns us of this. He tells us of those burnings, kindled by his wrath against the wicked. He tells us of the day that shall "burn as an oven," when "all the wicked shall be as stubble." He tells us that that day is coming fast, and he cries to us to flee from the wrath to come.

This New Year is saying to you, "Flee from the coming fire! Flee from the coming wrath! Make haste; flee to the refuge, for the fire will soon be kindled!"

Haste, traveller, haste! the night comes on,
And many a shining hour is gone;

The storm is gathering in the west,
And thou art far from home and rest.
Haste, traveller, haste!

Then linger not in all the plain;
Flee for thy life-the mountain gain!
Look not behind, make no delay-
Oh, speed thee, speed thee on thy way!
Haste, traveller, haste!

Poor, lost, benighted soul, art thou

Willing to find salvation now?

There yet is hope; hear Mercy's call,

Truth, life, light, way-in Christ is all.

Haste to HIM, haste!

When it is kindled, will you be able to escape? No. It will then be too late. The Indian on his fleet horse

may escape from the burning prairie, but no speed will save the sinner when once the wrath is kindled and the world has begun to burn.

Yet the very warning which the New Year brings contains in it glad tidings too; for it tells you that it is not yet too late to flee and be saved. It tells you that God's wrath has not yet broken forth, but that his love is now coming down upon this earth, not like the wasting fire, but like the gentle and healing light. It speaks of a God that delights not in cursing, but in blessing-not in destroying, but in saving. It speaks of a grace that is a free love, that yearns over you, and would fain save you from that coming flood of fire.

That free love bids you welcome back to God. That free love asks you this day to turn and live. That free love would forgive all your sins-would bring you into the family of God-would deliver you from the wrath to

come.

The greatness of your past sin is no hindrance. This forgiving love of God goes far beyond the utmost extent of man's sin; it takes you as you are, in all your guilt, and makes you heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

This grace is so free and so large that it leaves nothing for you to do; it brings you good news of what the Son of Man has done. These good news are all to you, for they tell of the open way into the kingdom. And it is not in doing anything that you are saved, but simply in believing what another has done. Ah, yes! it is simply in believing God's gracious record of his Son that sinners, whether old or young, enter into friendship with GOD, and take their place in his happy, holy family, as his adopted sons.

INDIA.

MADRAS.

An Old Scholar at Thay-Thayrey.

I STOPPED near a tank, which was almost dry, and the little water in it was green and muddy. In it beasts washed and men cleansed themselves. I was both hungry and thirsty. One of our old scholars, who held the situation of sergeant of police, came to me and soon recognised me, though I must have seen him some ten years ago at Conjeveram. He did not forget our sainted father, Mr. Anderson. After a little conversation, when he saw how I was situated, he brought rice, butter-milk, and pickle, and asked me to partake of his poor food. could not refuse such natural hospitality, neither would my hunger let me forego it, though my servant was preparing my breakfast. I sat down on a mat, a leaf was spread before me, and the man himself placed the rice, &c. He saw me partake of it, and seemed much pleased. I told him that my English education did not make me forget the use of my fingers, nor my friends.

Here is an example of what Bible education has done towards putting down caste prejudices.-Rev. S. Ettirajooloo.

BOMBAY.

What the Girls Learn at Puna.

In our common day-schools the girls learn to read well, and to write tolerably. They become pretty expert in elementary arithmetic-a matter of no small consequence in their domestic duties. The elements of geography, with the maps of India, Asia, Europe, and generally England, they know pretty well. Something-not much -is learnt of history; unhappily there is a lack of suitable books from which to teach it. A great deal of useful general knowledge is conveyed. Sewing is not forgotten; and we are thankful to say it is popular; the parents, as well as the girls, like it. During the past year three girls came from a great distance to the mission

« ZurückWeiter »