I'm really sorry for not continuing with this series for so long. I have been busy around the home. I must say that this is one of my favorite parts of the whole Spirit of Prophecy series.

'We then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to privations and hardships. Where were such now? They were not in the company. At every change, some were left behind, and those only remained who had accustomed themselves to endure hardships. The privations of the way only made these more eager to press on to the end.

Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path; for it was too narrow.

We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming: “We have hold from above! We have hold from above!” The same words were uttered by all the company in the narrow pathway.

As we heard the sounds of mirth and revelry that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered. We heard the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard the war song and the dance song. We heard instrumental music, and loud laughter, mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing, and were more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.

I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood. It caused a feeling of regret to see the wall thus stained. This feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, as I soon thought that it was all as it should be. Those who are following after will know that others have passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and will conclude that if others were able to pursue their onward course, they can do the same. And as the blood shall be pressed from their aching feet, they will not faint with discouragement; but seeing the blood upon the wall, they will know that others have endured the same pain.'

In the first few sentences of this section, there is a solemn warning to all who embark upon this road that our Saviour has trod. If we have not accustomed ourselves to hardships, then we will surely be left behind! The only way we can endure to the end is to lean wholly on Jesus who is our rest and stay in the storms of life. He will save us even if the rest of the world will stand against us! 

I find it very interesting that as the company heard the sound proceeding from the abyss below them, they shuddered, and seemingly hated the sounds that would so easily y spell enjoyment to some. Instead of enchanting, inviting, or even appealing to the listeners on the narrow way, the only repelled them to cling closer to the wall. If we surrender our lives to Christ, he will take away the desires of our carnal nature; the nature that loves to behold vulgar and base things, and will change them into the same desires that Christ had. 

The part of this quote that I love the most, is the part where it talks about the wall being stained with blood. It reminds me that even though at the time the path may have seemed harsh and the people may have wished for a smoother or easier way, God knows best, and the people who tread the same weary path after them will be cheered that some have borne the pain before them.