e are many such warnings in the
Scriptures.

Jonah was one. God said to him, "Go to Nineveh," and yet, with the
spirit of rebellion, he attempted to sail to Tarshish and we know his
miserable failure. Let it never be forgotten that if Nineveh is God's
choice for you, you can make no other port in safety. The sea will be
against you, the wind against you. It is hard indeed to struggle
against God.

Jacob was a warning. Deceiving his own father, his sons in turn
deceived him. May we never forget the Scripture which declares,
"Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."

Esau was a warning. Coming in from the hunt one day, weary with his
exertions, he detects the savory smell of the mess of pottage, and his
crafty brother says, "I will give you this for your birthright," which
was his right to be a priest in his household; a moment more and the
birthright is gone; and in the New Testament we are told he sought it
with tears and could find no place of repentance. But many a man has
sold his right to be the priest of his household for less than a mess
of pottage, and in a real sense it is true that things done cannot be
undone.

Saul was a warning. He was commanded to put to death Agag and the
flock, and he kept the best of all the flock and then lied to God's
messenger when he said that the work had been done as he was commanded.
He had no sooner said it than, behold, there was heard the bleating of
the sheep, and the lowing of the oxen. "Be sure your sin will find you
out."

The New Testament has many warnings like these in the Old, but Judas
surpasses them all. There is something about him that makes us shudder.

It is said that in Oberammergau, where the Passion Play is presented,
the man taking the character of Judas is always avoided afterwards. He
may have been ever so reputable a citizen, but he has been at least in
action a Judas, and that is enough.

I was once a pastor at Schuylerville, N. Y., where on the Burgoyne
surrender ground stands a celebrated monument. It is beautiful to look
upon. On one side of it in a niche is General Schuyler, and on the
other side, if I remember correctly, General Gates; on the third, in
the same sort of a niche, another distinguished general is to be seen,
but on the fourth the niche is vacant. When I asked the reason I was
told that "It is the niche which might have been filled by Benedict
Arnold had he not been a traitor."

The story of Judas is lik