In this chapter the story of salvation will be told by different
colored ribbons. This will be attractive to the eye as the bright
colors appear, and the colors will not only teach the truth of the
lesson but will fasten the truth in the mind for years to come. Color
makes a deep impression on the mind. It is like a foot-print in the
clay. It comes to stay as time hardens the mental clay.
Some years ago I was asked by an old friend to be a witness to the
transfer of a large tract of land into his possession. The document
was drawn up in full legal form, and deposited by the housewife in a
secure and secret place. About a year afterward my friend informed me
that the document could not be found. The wife had forgotten where
she had placed it, and believed it to be lost. I was asked if I could
remember anything about it. At first my mind seemed to be a blank,
and then I remembered all about it, and this was the how of it. On
the day of the transfer I remembered the wife took the document and
tied around it a piece of red ribbon. I remembered she put it in a
small closet back behind the old-fashioned fireplace. In closing the
door a portion of the red ribbon was left exposed on the outside. I
noticed that _red_ ribbon in that position which I thought it might
direct attention to the document and thus expose it to a thief and so
endanger its safety. I remembered the wife arose and opened the door,
put the ribbon inside, and I let the matter pass from my mind, and it
would have passed out of my mind forever, had it not been that that
_red ribbon_ had fastened itself down in my memory. The red ribbon
located the lost document. A color is a tack which holds down the
truth in the human mind. May the colors of the lesson have the same
ministry.
Secure a number of ribbons of the colors about to be mentioned. They
can be about one inch wide and each one six inches long. Sew them
together at the ends. Place them in a box, and draw out six inches at
a time in the following order.
First produce the _white_, holding it in the hand as if considering
it, and say: "Thus was man created--in white. He was placed in the
White Garden where all was purity and spotless. But the Tempter
entered this White Garden and tempted the white soul to sin, and so
man sinned and the _black_ of sin took the place of the _white_ of
righteousness." As thus you speak you draw out from the box the black
ribbon; as you hold this in your hand, you remark that the black is
the sign of death, for "the wages of sin is death."
Now draw out the _red_ ribbon, and say, "The blood of Jesus has now
come to take away the _black_ of sin and death." As you say this let
the _black_ drop out of sight, and let the _red_ appear. "They shall
call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."
Tell the story of the scarlet rope which was displayed in the window
of the house on the wall at Jericho, and how safe was Rahab when the
red signal was in her window. How safe are all they who are hiding
behind the red line of Salvation by the Blood. Now draw out the
_white_ and remark, "Now the Blood has brought back the white state
to the heart again, for when we stand clothed in Christ's
righteousness we have been restored to the place in God's heart that
Adam occupied before the fall."
Now draw out the _purple_ ribbon. This represents the royal standing
of the believer. Purple was the color of the king's robe. The saved
are children of the King, joint heirs with the Son. It is the family
color. All Christians are children of the King of kings.
Now produce the _blue_ ribbon. This represents the standfastness of
the believer. He is "true blue" for God--faithful to the end, and to
all the family of God in Christ Jesus.
Now produce the _gold_ ribbon. This represents the mansion of gold in
heaven. It reminds us of the streets of the White City of God which,
we are told, are paved with pure gold. May our eyes look at, last
upon its gates of pearl. May our feet walk through the streets of the
city, the streets of gold.
Last, produce the _green_ ribbon. This represents everlasting life,
having reference to the fixed color of green, the same all the year
round. This ribbon is the trail home to God, our everlasting home in
heaven.
After this lesson is taught ask two of the children to take hold of
the ends, and let the whole span the front of the room. Ask them to
tell you the meaning of the colors. Often give them this drill; it
will fasten the Bible truth and Bible order in their hearts for years
to come.
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