Some time ago I was on a steamer taking a trip to the Menai Straits. The weather was fairly Fine with a moderate breeze blowing, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
On the way out we had noticed quite a number of small racing yachts, and with their white sails they looked very pretty. When we returned, rain began to fall, and so most of the passengers retired to the lounge or some sheltered spot.
Presently, the steamer, for some reason which we could not make out, slowed down almost to a dead stop. What could be the matter? Then a sudden rush of the passengers to the front and side of the steamer, I among the number, of course.
We soon saw what was the cause of the excitement. In the water, almost touching the side of the steamer, was one of the small yachts. There was a race on, and it would appear this particular yacht was, very anxious to cut across in front of the steamer so as to get to the opposite side of the Strait without being delayed in any way. It was a foolish risk to take, but it was taken, and it nearly cost the lives of the occupants of the yacht, for it was practically filled with water which came from the swell of the steamer.
The captain of the steamer, seeing the danger, stopped his vessel and promptly gave orders for a boat to be lowered and go to the rescue.
One of the occupants of the yacht, a lady, pluckily hanging in the water on to the outside of the yacht, managed to keep it from keeling over and so save it from immediately sinking. The yacht sailed slowly away, every moment threatening to capsize in the gale owing to the quantity of water it had shipped. Then a small motor boat rushed out to the rescue and we journeyed on our way, the small yacht just managing with exceeding difficulty to reach the shore in safety. But it was a near shave and an unnecessary risk.
The incident reminded me of the risk that so many boys and girls run in the matter of their souls’ salvation. Each one of my readers has a soul which will live forever in one of two places, heaven or hell; yet the awful risk that is run is totally unnecessary.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants to bless you, wants to save you from your sins and take you one day to heaven. Sin can never enter there, Satan does not mind how much you sin and only wants to get you to dwell with him. Whom are you going to choose—the One who died on Calvary’s Cross to save you, or Satan?
Will you not trust Jesus and be safe forevermore? Do not think you can come to Jesus just when you like, at the last moments of your life, for you will be running the totally unnecessary risk of being lost. God’s promise is “that those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Prov. 8:17); so you come to Him now.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3.
ML 05/26/1940