THE GOSPEL BY RIBBONS

OBJECTS: A Number of Colored Ribbons

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.