Third Flag. A blue flag. This flag is called the "working flag." When it is displayed on the track, it means the trackmen are working there. Often they are repairing the road, or working on a wreck. The blue flag, therefore, stands for work. God plants this flag in our path every hour. Boys and girls with bright eyes see this flag flying, and start and get busy. There is an office boy in Chicago of whom his employer is justly proud. He likes to tell how he came to take him on. Busy at his desk one morning, he looked up to see a little fellow waiting, cap in hand, to speak to him. He went on with his work and in about three minutes the boy spoke to him. "Excuse me, but I am in a hurry." "Oh, you are, well what are you in a hurry about?" "Got to be in a hurry. Left school day before yesterday to go to work, and haven't struck a job yet. If you don't want me, say so, and I'll look somewhere else. I can't waste any time. The only place where I stay long is where they pay me." "When can you come to work?" asked the surprised merchant. "I'm here now," said the boy, "and I'd have been to work five minutes ago, if you had said so."
This lad saw the blue flag hanging from the window of the merchant's office, and he walked right in and reported for service at once. Over the gateway of the Lord's vineyard this blue flag is flying today. Jesus put it there, and on it is written in letters of gold, "Son, go work today in my vineyard." Let us walk in, and be as anxious to work for God as the lad was for the merchant. If we have an anxious heart and want to work with all our heart, we will see the blue flag flying everywhere. Lift up your eyes, and behold the world waving with blue flags.
Fourth Flag. A green flag. This signifies "Go ahead, road clear." The church flies the green flag. Walk in. It is the gate to the road that has been made clear for you. Walk in. Walk in, the flag is green.
The green flag is waving from the foot of the Cross. All is clear from that point to go. Go straight ahead. Ride over obstacles in the road. Keep going, and you will find God with your pardon all prepared for you and ready for your taking. He will also dispatch a guard of angels to go with you who will bear the green flag. They know the way of God; follow them and the green flag.
At last, my dear reader, when the sunset comes and the day of mortal life is ending, and you are looking out over the sea of eternity, may you see the green flag flying there. Then you will know "All is clear—go ahead."
It may give a good setting to this lesson if you should ask a boy or girl to come to the platform, and hold the flags as you present them one by one. Hold a grand review of the four flags and ask questions as to their meaning. This will help you to plant these flags in the hall of memory of old and young.
21
THE DEVIL'S GOAT
OBJECTS: A Number of Wooden Blocks and a Piece
of Stove Coal