Long before there were telephones, airplanes, or Federal Express Overnight Delivery, there was an effective system for relaying messages through the Highlands of ancient Scotland.  Each village had a torch runner, a brave and noble man who was able at any time of night or day to carry a message swiftly to the next town.
    It was the responsibility of the runner to first pass the torch and the message to the next runner, and then to tell the news to the villagers.  From one village to the next the news traveled as quickly as the skillful runners could carry it.
    One of the famed torchbearers had a son who was eager to follow in his father's footsteps.  How that boy worshipped his father!  He loved to run out from the village each time a new message went on its way to the next town.  As the boy grew older and stronger, he was able to run a little farther before the flickering light of the torch disappeared through the night.  At last, he was able to run all the way with his father and they walked back together after the message was delivered.  At his father's side he learned every inch of the way.
     One day, the boy's father suddenly died.  On the very night of his death a runner arrived with an urgent message to be carried to the next town.  Who would carry the torch?  Who would deliver the message?  As the villagers stood helpless and speechless, the lad seized the torch, read the message and set out through the darkness for the village beyond.
     Because he had seen the need and boldly jumped into the gap, his name became well-known throughout the land.
     But in that same country there lived another torch runner.  It was his task to carry the message from his town on the mainland to a small village at the end of a point which jutted far out into the sea.  It was a long, hard journey to that village.  There were many hills, rocks, and paths.  But he was considered a strong and brave runner.
     One night, after his energy was spent in hours of hard work, he heard a loud banging on the door just as he was drifting off to sleep.  The flickering light of the torch outside told him there was a message to be carried to the distant point.
     He quickly dressed and hurried out.  Listening briefly to the message, he took the torch and was off into the darkness.  Just as he was out of sight, his feet began to feel very heavy and he could hardly lift them.
     Then, suddenly, he thought of his friend, the torch runner in the village on the other side of the narrow neck of land, a short distance away.  If he ran across to this town instead of going out to that little village on the point, no one would know.  The torch would continue on its journey to the other towns.
     So he ran across the shorter distance and gave the message to his friend.  It went on around the circuit and all the villages of Scotland heard the news of an approaching enemy - except one.
     That night the enemy came from the northern sea.  The first place they struck was that one little village which jutted out into the sea.  Because the people there were sleeping and did not get the message, the enemy was able to conquer them and go on to do great damage in all the land.

     Each of you can be a torchbearer, too!  First, you must know and believe the message from the king:  that Jesus Christ died for you and wants to become your Savior - and will, if you let Him.
     Once we have this message, we must tell others.  We must carry the light of the Gospel throughout the world.  Not one village or nation should be missed.
     This is a task that requires brave and faithful young men - men who will risk whatever hardship or sacrifice may come in order to get the message through.  Can the King count on you to be his torchbearer?

Excerpt from "Campfire - Adventure Stories and Campfire Songs for Boys"
  published by Christian Service Brigade - Wheaton, Illinois
  copyright, 1987

  Back to Home