THE HALFWAY PLACE.



"JOHN," said the teacher, "have you found the beloved disciple's place in Jesus' bosom? Are you with him today? "John's eyes and glad smile said even more than his "I hope so."

"And Fred, how is it with you?"

"I guess if there's any halfway place I'm there," said Fred, who had been halting some time between Christ and the world.

"And how long do you mean to stay there?"

"I don't know. I can't get any farther."

"Ah, you mistake; Where is the halfway place? Where would it have been to the prodigal had he stopped there? Still a long way from home. No father in sight; no home near; no food; no clothes; no fatted calf; no golden ring; the feast not made. He never would have heard those precious words, 'My son was lost and is found.' He would still have been lost. Halfway home would have been no better than the far country. But there is no halfway place. Half a Christian is still a sinner. Halfway to Heaven is nowhere near the pearly gates. Half-way to Christ is still on Satan's ground; for 'he that is not with me, is against me.' Christ wants your whole heart or none. Do you like half-way friends?"

"No; I despise them."

"Do you suppose Christ wishes such friends? Do not stop any longer where you are. 'If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him.'"  The halfway place, if such there be, is Satan's favorite ground. 




S. S. Times.  




A HINDOO who had become a Christian, first had a Bible given him and afterward a clock. " The clock will tell me how time goes, and the Bible will teach me how to spend it," said the old man.