Probably many who peruse this little paper are well acquainted with the story of the mighty Alaric, the Goth. But as some details of his history may be unknown to my readers I will add a few words concerning him.
About the year 409 A. D. the Romans had a very weak-minded, indolent king named Honorius of whom the surrounding barbarous nations took great advantage. The Goths at this time had a mighty warrior called Alaric. He made war with the Romans, conquered them, pillaged their city, took many of them prisoners.
But after he had sacked Rome, Alaric's avarice was not satisfied. He then coveted the beautiful island of Sicily, and determined to acquire it. He therefore prepared his troops for this purpose; but the first fleet was scattered by a furious tempest, and before he could renew the attempt he fell ill and died.
It was the custom among these heathen nations to hide their warriors' graves lest the enemy should find them. So the Goths employed a number of the captives to turn the course of the river Busentimus. In its bed they made a grave for their valiant warrior; and there Alaric, with some of his richest spoils, was buried in this singular tomb. The waters were then restored to their usual channel, and all who had been engaged in the work were slain on the spot, that the place of interment might remain forever secret. (A. D. 410.)
While thinking of the hidden grave of the mighty Alaric, we would do well to remember that solemn day, fast approaching, when the sea shall give up its dead, and the small and great who have died in their sins shall stand before God's throne of righteousness to be judged according to their works. Alaric's grave will have to give up its contents, for everyone shall give an account of himself to God. None can escape that tribunal. (Rev. 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15).)
Remember, there is only one hiding place from the judgment which is coming. That is in the Lord Jesus. He is the only safe refuge. There every soul that comes may hide, for Scripture has said: "A man (the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest," (the dreadful judgment of God that is coming on all who have not taken refuge in the True Hiding Place). Isa. 32:22And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. (Isaiah 32:2).