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XVIII.
The Kingdom Restored
Chapter 201
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The Game of Life in Progress
IN these
three beautiful pictures illustrating the game
of life, Satan, the prince of darkness, is
represented as playing with man for his soul.
The scene
chosen is a wide vault, whose arch is
embellished with lizard-shaped monsters, which
adhere closely to the two pillars, down which
they seem to creep. On the left-hand side of the
picture, near Satan, is an open-mouthed lion
ready to devour his victim at the first
opportunity.
The upper
surface of a sarcophagus is transformed into a
chess-board, beside which man sits, his head
resting on his hand, and his countenance full of
careful thought as to what moves he should make
next.
Opposite him
is Satan, seated, his chin resting on his hand,
his hair and beard bristling wildly, and every
feature expressive of cunning intent, and a
determination to watch every move, take
advantage of every mistake, and win if possible.
Beneath the
arch, in the background, stands a lovely angel
form unnoticed by either of the players, but
watching intently the progress of the game.
The Game of Life Lost
HERE we see
the results of the game lost. Satan has been
victorious. With a wild and horrid leer and a
deathlike grip he has seized his victim, and in
triumph points to the sure but gruesome signs of
death,-
the skulls and cross-bones. Amidst smoke and
flame, the hand of Death rises to strike man
with his poisoned dart.
In sadness
and despair man sits, with covered face, and
weeps over his defeat. His hope is gone; he
knows no peace; he feels the icy clasp of his
conquering foe. With keen regret, he now ponders
over his loss of faith, his neglect of prayer,
and his failure to study and follow his
Guide-book. Life, with its opportunities for
gaining the life to come, has been wasted; and
now, when too late to make amends, he sees his
fatal moves and his great mistakes.
The figures
on the wall have changed their visage, and seem
ready to pounce upon the doomed and helpless
man. The lion also has become more fierce, and
thirsts for his blood, while the angel turns in
sadness from the scene and weeps.
The entire
view is one of inexpressible sorrow and regret.
The Game of Life Won
IN the
closing scene of this allegorical representation
of man's conflict with the powers of darkness,
we have pictured the happy issue of a faithful
Christian life.
Satan has
been defeated, and has departed.
The sleeping
lion, the open Word, the cross and crown, all
speak of victory.
Instead of
sitting in sorrow and mourning over defeat, the
man, with cheerful looks and thankful heart,
lifts his eyes toward heaven, and rejoices that
he has met and vanquished his deadly foe.
In the place
of the ugly monsters on the wall, cherubs are
seen, with laurel wreaths ready to place upon
the victor's brow, while the angel, with joyful
satisfaction, points the victor to his exceeding
great reward.
This is the
game which all, whether conscious of the fact or
not, are playing. What its outcome will be in
each case depends upon how each one meets and
fights life's battle day by day. All may be
victors if they will.
"Keep thy
heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life." Prov. 4:23.
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The Goodly Land
We have
heard from the bright, the holy
land,
We have heard, and our hearts are
glad;
For we were a lonely pilgrim band,
And weary, and worn, and sad.
They tell us the saints have a
dwelling there,
No longer are homeless ones;
And we know that the goodly land is
fair,
Where life's pure river runs.
They say
green fields are waving there,
That never a blight shall know;
And the deserts wild are blooming
fair,
And the roses of Sharon grow.
There are lovely birds in the bowers
green,
Their songs are blithe and sweet;
And their warblings, gushing ever
new,
The angels' harpings greet.
We have
heard of the palms, the robes, the
crowns,
And the silvery band in white;
Of the city fair, with pearly gates,
All radiant with light;
We have heard of the angels there,
and saints,
With their harps of gold, how they
sing;
Of the mount, with the fruitful tree
of life,
Of the leaves that healing bring.
The King
of that country, He is fair,
He's the joy and light of the place;
In His beauty we shall behold Him
there,
And bask in His smiling face.
We'll be there, we'll be there in a
little while,
We'll join the pure and the blest;
We'll have the palm, the robe, the
crown,
And forever be at rest.
W. H. HYDE.
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