[The speaker, instead of adopting the method here suggested, may draw out the children’s answers to each question, “What would you do?”]
If, while you were out playing some day, boys and girls, a splendid carriage should drive up, all made of gold and glittering with diamonds; and if it should stop, and a noble-looking man should get down, dressed in the most magnificent way; and if he should invite you to get into the carriage and drive away with him, promising to bring you back in a few hours worth ever and ever so much,—worth enough to keep you in luxury all your lives,—what would you do?
If, while you were on your way to school some day, there should be a mad dog in the street, and you should be walking along a great stone wall, with no gate in it and no way to get over it out of the way of the mad dog; and if, just as the mad dog rushed at you, a big, strong, kind-looking man should lean over the wall, and hold out his hands, reaching down to pull you up,—what would you do?
If you were lost in a great, black forest, and the night was coming on, and the wild beasts were beginning to howl all around you, and not a sign of a path was to be seen; if you were cold and hungry, and the wind was beginning to blow, and the snow to fall; and if a tall, strong man should appear before you, with a loving face, and a warm cloak, and a big basket of food; and if he should ask you to eat some of the food, and then get into his arms and let him carry you back to your home again,—what would you do?
I know what you would do. You would ride off with the king, and come back rich. You would let yourself be pulled up over the wall out of the way of the mad dog. You would let the kind, strong stranger carry you home. You wouldn’t hesitate a moment.
Children! these things are just like the promises of the dear, loving Jesus. Doesn’t he promise us all kinds of riches? Doesn’t he promise to keep us from all dangers? Doesn’t he promise to carry us in his strong arms through all the dark places of life? Let us trust him, and let him do all these kind things that he wants to do for us.