Memory and Hope Walking Along the Highway

Painting by American artist, Daniel Ridgway Knight, 1895

 

The following post was written in 1909 by the famous author of "In His Steps," Charles M. Sheldon. It offers help and encouragement. 

Ask yourself this question: On your life journey, are you (going backwards) like "Memory" or (cheerfully going forward) as "Hope"?

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  Memory and Hope met each other once as they were going along life's highway, and stopped to exchange greetings.  Hope was walking with elastic step and serene brow. Memory had her eyes pensively fixed upon the ground, and walked slowly and with frequent pauses.

   "Good morning," said Hope cheerfully. "Whither art thou going?"

   "Back over the way I came," replied Memory.

   "Art thou not weary going over the old path?"

   "At times I am, but there are many scenes I love to revisit."

   "On the whole, however," said Hope, "it seems to me thy traveling companions are many of them, at best, troublesome and even exceedingly sorrowful. I wish thou wert not going the backward way. Wilt thou not join us?  All the saints are going our way. All the army of the redeemed who have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb are going with me over the road. It is good company; the best in life."

   But I saw Memory shake her head, and continue sadly on her way; and Hope, with no time to waste in useless regrets, prepared to advance.

   Then I, who had been hesitating between Memory and Hope, came up to Hope and said: "May I join thee? Hast thou room for me in thy company?"

   "And who art thou?" asked Hope gently.

   "A human soul," I answered sadly; "one buffeted with trouble, beset by doubts, cast down by loss, terrified at the thought of death, and in great need of comfort."

   Then Hope held out the hand and drew me along the way with her, saying joyously: "Welcome, Oh soul of Humanity! Come! Thou shalt walk with me up to the Pearly Gates. Forget thou the things that are behind and stretch forward with me unto the things that are before."

   So I let Hope lead me along the way; and when night came, Faith and Love joined us, and we journeyed on through the night, which shone even in the darkness with the star-lamps of heaven.  

   And in the darkest places of all I heard Hope singing, singing as if God had taught her, singing in an undertone: "It is better farther on."
   

- Charles M. Sheldon, 1909

This story can be found, as a bonus, in the following book, published by "The Legacy of Home Press."- 

"Born to Serve: The Legacy of Home Press Classic Edition"

ISBN: ‎ 978-1956616217

Paperback, 155 pages. 

 A Description can be found here at The Legacy of Home blog.

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