When travelling lately through the Simplon--one of the great Alpine
passes leading from Switzerland into Italy--I observed, close by the
roadside, at regular distances, a number of plain, square buildings. On
these (sometimes over the doorway, sometimes on the side) were inscribed
the words--"REFUGE No. 1," "REFUGE No. 2," "REFUGE No. 3," &c. I think
there were twenty altogether. I was told, on inquiry, they were intended
as shelters for any hapless travellers who might be overtaken by the
sudden storms which so often sweep down from the snow-white mountains
bounding the prospect. These "_Refuges_," at the time I saw them, were
empty, for it was in the beginning of summer, when everything, even in
that elevated region, was looking bright and green. The Alpine
rhododendron was flushing, with its pink blossom, the mountain sides; or
growing up, along with the lovely blue gentian, close by stray patches
of winter's snow which were still filling the ridges and hollows in the
higher parts of the pass. Seldom at this season are travellers exposed
to any peril from an Alpine storm. It is different, however, in winter
or spring, when the avalanches come tumbling from the heights, or the
snow is drifting in huge masses over that wonderful Road. Many
shivering wayfarers have fled with thankful hearts into these shelters.
Some have been carried thither, in a state of insensibility, by unknown
benefactors, and on gradually awaking to consciousness, have blessed the
kind hearts and hands which have saved them from certain death, and are
now ministering to their necessities. By others, alas! they have been
reached too late. Rescued from the snows of the mountain, they have been
conveyed to them only to die.
As I passed those Alpine "Retreats," I could not help being reminded of
the wonderful _Cities of Refuge_ which God graciously provided of old in
Palestine for the unfortunate manslayer.
It sometimes happened, in the land of Canaan, as in our own country,
that a Hebrew, without any evil purpose, would cause the death of a
brother Hebrew. He did not intend to inflict any injury; it was the
result only of unhappy accident. But, nevertheless, to show God's
detestation of the shedding of blood, he was liable, by the Levitical
law, to be killed by the Avenger, or "Goel,"--the person nearest related
to the murdered man. If he wished to escape with his life, his only
chance of safety was to flee to one of these Refuge-cities. It mattered
not what his age, or name, or station in life was. He might be young or
old, prince or noble, priest or prophet, he was exposed every moment to
death, unless he availed himself of the offered shelter. There was no
time for delay, he must betake himself to instant flight. To linger
might be to perish.
Do you not think with pity of the unhappy fugitive, obliged thus
suddenly to leave his home and all he most loved on earth? If at the
time he caused the death, he was working in his vineyard, the
pruning-hook must be left to rust on the branch. If he was ploughing
with his yoke of oxen, they must be left lowing in the furrow. If he was
busied in his harvest-field, the sheaves must be left unbound, and the
reapers receive their wages from another's hands. If he was returning
home fatigued at evening after the toils of the day, and longing for
grateful repose, he dare give no "sleep to his eyes, nor slumber to his
eye-lids." His child may be lying pining in sickness at his cottage, but
it may endanger him to return to clasp that and his other little ones in
his embrace, and bid them a fond farewell. He may have no time to alter
his raiment or take even his scrip or pilgrim-staff. The Avenger of
blood may be in the adjoining street, or in the dwelling hard by.
Another hour may be fatal;--"Skin for skin, all that a man hath will he
give for his life."[1] Off he speeds in breathless haste--now along the
level road--now up the steep ascent--with his breast heaving, and drops
of perspiration standing on his brow. Friends may meet him, but with a
wave of the hand, and shouting "Goel! Goel!" he rushes on with fleet
footstep. Parched with thirst in the hot noonday, he turns a longing eye
on the ripe grapes that are hanging in purple clusters on the wayside,
or on the water trickling down the narrow ravine. But he dare not pause.
Knowing full well that the Avenger is in close pursuit, he hurries on
with unabated ardor. Happy sight, when he sees at last, on some mountain
slope, the longed-for shelter! Happy, when, weary and footsore, covered
with dust, the portals of the city close him in. A few moments before,
had he been overtaken on the mountain-top by his pursuer, he might have
been heard to cry out, in the bitterness of despair, "Hast thou found
me, O mine enemy?" Now, safe within the secure shelter, he can
rejoicingly exclaim, even with the Avenger standing close by, "O thou
enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end."[2]
These _Cities of Refuge_ form one of the Old Testament PICTURES of the
sinner, and of the coming gospel salvation. This was the way God took to
teach the Jewish people great gospel truths. Just as we know that
youthful readers like a story-book all the better when it has got
pictures in it; so God taught the early church, when it was in a state
of "_childhood_," by means of similar _pictures_ or _types_; and the
present was one of them. It represented, and still represents, the
sinner who has broken the Divine law as pursued by an avenger: JUSTICE
following with drawn sword, exclaiming, "_The soul that sinneth it must
die._"[3] "_Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not escape
unpunished._"[4]
This is a picture, too, which applies to every one without exception,
rich and poor, parent and child, master and servant; "for all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God."[5] But a glorious CITY,
"_salvation_ its walls and bulwarks," opens its gates. The sinner is
exhorted to "escape thither;" to "linger not in all the plain;" to
"flee for his life, lest he be consumed."[6] That city is _Jesus_, the
sinner's Refuge and the sinner's Friend. Once within its walls, no enemy
can touch him,--no sword can terrify him. He can triumphantly exclaim,
"Who shall separate me from the love of Christ?"[7]
Dear young friends, it is because I know this City of Refuge is open for
the youngest of _you_, that I now write these pages. I love to read
about a group of little ones who, eighteen hundred years ago, were
gathered round its gates, asking admission; and when others, with unkind
words, were sending them away, He who held the gates in His hand, "_who
openeth and no man shutteth_,"[8] said, "_Suffer the little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of
heaven._"[9] It is because I believe and know that many as young as
_you_ have obeyed the Saviour's invitation, and have already entered
this happy City, that I ask you to come and hear while I speak to you
about it. I believe and know that many such have learned to feel that
they are sinners, and that they need a Saviour. They have been taught by
God's own Word and Spirit that they have broken His holy law, and have
thereby exposed themselves to eternal death. But they are now safe
within the Gospel Shelter. The "enemy" is "stilled." The "avenger" has
sheathed his sword. I think I can hear their youthful voices, as they
march through the streets of the City, singing, "_Out of the mouth of
babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine
enemies, that thou mightest_ STILL _the enemy and the_ AVENGER."[10]
"_Blessed be the Lord; for He hath showed me His marvellous kindness in_
A STRONG CITY."[11]