October 11

By whom also we have access. — ROMANS v. 2.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. . . . I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. — JOHN x. 7, 9.

A FOLD has but one door: so with the kingdom of heaven. The earthly shepherd controls the door: the heavenly Shepherd is the door. The earthly shepherd admits whom he pleases: the heavenly Shepherd, — “whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” But he must come while the door is open, for when once the master of the house has risen up and has shut to the door, it is too late. Even a sheep cannot get in when the door is shut. There is no side door, back door, nor little door; there is one door only, and that door is Christ. The door is never ajar; it is either open or shut.

Those that enter the door are safe. They are safe because the door is shut. No use to have a door if you never shut it. When the morning comes, the door is open; no danger now. The sheep are free to go forth and enjoy the green pastures, or lie down beside the still waters. So with the believer. This life is the time of danger. He must come into the fold, and must come through the door. He must come in, — no compulsion about it. Once in, the door stands between him and danger. When the morning cometh, all danger is forever past. Henceforth the door “shall not be shut at all by day, for there is no night there.” Then the “redeemed shall come forth with songs and everlasting joy,” and the “Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters.”

The door stands invitingly open; let us go in.

Joseph H. Reading.

Yes; thou art still the Life, thou art the Way The holiest know, — Light, Life, and Way of heaven; And they who dearest hope, and deepest pray, Toil by the light, life, way, which thou hast given.

THEODORE PARKER.