It was but a tiny, trickling stream that he held
back; yet if he had not done it, it would soon have become a torrent,
and before morning the sea would have swept over the land, submerging
fields, homes, and cities. Between the sea and all this devastation
there was but a boy's hand. Had the child failed, the floods would
have rolled in with their remorseless ruin. We understand how
important it was that that boy should be faithful to his duty, since he
was the only one God had that night to save Holland.
But do you know that your life may not stand any day, and be all that
stands, between some great flood of moral ruin and broad, fair fields
of beauty? Do you know that your failure in your lowly place and duty
may not let in a sea of disaster which shall sweep away human hopes and
joys and human souls? The humblest of us dare not fail, for our one
life is all God has at the point where we stand.
This truth of personal responsibility is one of tremendous moment. We
do not escape it by being in a crowd, one of a family, one of a
community. No one but ourself can live our life, do our work, meet our
obligation, bear our burden. No one but ourself can stand for us
before God to render an account of our deeds. In the deepest, realest
sense each one of us lives alone.
There is another phase of this subject, however, which should not be
overlooked.
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