The steamer "Portland" left Boston harbor during a storm in November, 1898. She left when all the storm signals were flying; she left when the government agent at the signal office had advised out-going vessels to remain in port; she left when the owners of the ship had commanded her to stay at the dock.
Why she left, no one has ever been able to say. Her captain must have been apprehensive, for he said to the lighthouse keeper, "Keep your light burning bright tonight, for we may come back."
But she never came back!
How many lives have been shipwrecked for the same reason!
And if you still His call refuse
And all His wondrous love abuse,
"Too late! too late!" will be your cry—
"Jesus of Nazareth has passed by."