Perhaps many who read this paper remember the story of the mighty Alaric, the Goth. However, as his history may be unknown to some of our readers, a few words concerning him may be in order.
About the year 409 A.D. the Romans had a very weak-minded, indolent king named Honorius. Of this king the surrounding nations took easy advantage, and pillaged and robbed the country at will.
The Goths at this time had a very able warrior called Alaric. He made war with the Romans, conquered them, pillaged their city, and took many of them prisoners. After he had sacked Rome, his avarice still was not satisfied. He then coveted the beautiful island of Sicily, and determined to acquire it. He therefore prepared a mighty fleet to bear his troops to the conquest. This first fleet encountered a furious tempest and was scattered. Before he could renew the attempt he fell ill and died.
It was the custom among the heathen nations at this time to hide their warrior's graves lest the enemy should find them. So the Goths employed a number of their captives to turn the course of the river Busentimus. In the river bed thus exposed they made a grave for their valiant warrior; and Alaric, with some of his richest spoils, was buried in this singular tomb. Then the waters were restored to their usual channel, and all who had been engaged in the work were slain on the spot. In this way the place of interment would remain forever secret.
While thinking of the hidden grave of the mighty Alaric, we would do well to remember that solemn day when the sea shall give up its dead, and the small and great who have died in their sins will 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: 11-15).
Remember, there is only one hiding-place from the judgment which is coming, and that is the Lord Jesus. He is the only safe refuge. Every soul who comes to Him in this day of grace He will hide, for He has said: "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).
"A man [the Lord Jesus Christ] shall be as a 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).