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But the way of life is narrow, and the entrance straight. If you cling to any besetting sin, you will find the gateway too
narrow for you to enter. Your own ways, your own will, your wrong habits and unchristlike practises, must be given up
if you would keep the way of the Lord. He who would follow Christ can not follow the world's opinions or meet the world's
standard. Heaven's path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in state, too narrow for the plan of self-centered ambition,
too steep and rugged for lovers of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice, reproach, poverty, the contradiction of
sinners against Himself, was the portion of Christ, and it must be our portion, if we ever enter the Paradise of God.
Yet do not therefore conclude that the upward road is the hard, and the downward road the easy, way. All along the road
that leads to death there are pains and penalties, there are sorrows and disappointments, there are warnings not to go on.
God's love has made it hard for the heedless and headstrong to destroy themselves. It is true that Satan's path is made to
appear attractive, but it is all a deception; in the way of evil there are bitter remorse and cankering care. We may think it
pleasant to follow pride and worldly ambition; but the end is pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering promises,
and hold out the hope of enjoyment, but we shall find that our happiness is poisoned, and our life embittered by hopes that
center in self. In the downward road the gateway may be bright with flowers, but thorns are in the path. The light of hope
which shines from its entrance fades into the darkness of despair; and the soul who follows this path descends into the
shadows of unending night.
The pathway to heaven is narrow, but no one need fail of finding it. It has been plainly marked out by the Father's hand.
Not one trembling sinner need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Altho the upward path is sometimes difficult and often
wearisome, altho the Christian may have to endure toil and conflict, yet let him go forward with rejoicing, trusting as a little
child in the loving guidance of Him "who keepeth the feet of His saints," knowing that the path he is traveling will bring him
at last to the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. "The path of the righteous is as the light
of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
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