A GENTLEMAN relates how he was once traveling home on board ship, when all were feeling the monotony of the days, and were lounging about here and there, not knowing what to do to while away the time. Having got far out on the ocean, they had not seen land or another vessel for many days, and this, of course, made the monotony all the more trying. Some were repeatedly scanning the vast ocean around them, anxious for the first sight of anything to vary their daily routine, when, far away, a black speck was seen, and immediately the cry was raised all over the vessel, "A sail! A sail!”
All was at once excitement, and the good ship altered her course towards the sighted vessel, wondering who she could be, and where she was bound. As they approached nearer and nearer, it was evident that something was wrong, as she was flying the distress signal. All were full of curiosity as to what it could mean. Was it that she had run out of food and water, or had she a leakage? Had a disease broken out on board?
Imagine their surprise when they were within hail, to learn that she was lost! Her compass had failed her, and she knew not where she was, and rather than wander aimlessly about, her crew had decided to wait till some vessel should come along and set them in the right course.
I fancy I hear my reader say, "It was the very wisest thing they could do." Yes, indeed it was, but what a contrast this is, to the countless throngs of poor benighted sinners in this world, who are lost in their sins, and indifferent to the fact, that every step onward is taking them further and further down the broad road that leadeth to destruction.
That all men by nature are lost, is unmistakably declared in the Scripture of truth, for does it not say, "There is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Oh, my reader, have you ever taken it to heart, that such is your awful condition, away from God and lost, "dead in trespasses and sins?" Well might you tremble and shudder, as you read in the early pages of God's word, the heart-breaking story of the fall of man on account of sin; of his hiding himself, because of the consciousness of that sin, from the holy presence of God; and of God coming out to seek the lost one, saying, "Where art thou? " Adam says, "I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." Then you read that he was driven out because God could leave him no longer in that garden, because he was a sinner, for God is holy and righteous; and from that moment man became lost to God.
But oh, how mournful to observe the unconcern that marks so many; the writer's desire is to seek to awaken all his readers to a sense of the solemn reality, which, allow me to repeat, is so forcibly maintained in the word of God, that all, young or old, rich or poor, male or female, are lost! Oh, think of it, dear reader, and be wise like the mariners in that ship, and halt, till you know where you are, and where you are bound. Were it simply mine to tell you this solemn fact alone, and leave you there with no remedy, one might well bow one's head in the dust in deep grief and overwhelming sorrow, and weep at the awful end of sin, and the lamentable doom of the sinner. But oh, joy of all joys, listen! It is mine to tell also of One (blessed for all eternity be His holy and peerless name!) who came to seek and save that which was lost; who came to call the wanderers back to God; who came to arrest the lost ones in their onward, yet downward, course, and set their feet and their hearts right for eternity.
Beloved reader, do you know of whom I speak? It is Jesus, God's spotless holy Son! It is the Christ of God! It is my Saviour! In love to His wandering sheep, He veiled His glory and became a man, that He might seek and find them. Oh, have you ever traced Him in His wonderful pathway through this scene, calling to the lost to come to Him? How few then responded! How few then turned to Him in response to His gracious overtures of love, and yet He still sought! So unwearied was that love of His heart that He wavered not in His yearning after those whom He knew had need of Him, even the lost.
But there is more to tell you. None could ever have been brought to God had He not gone on to that cross that awaited Him at Calvary. Such was His love to the lost, that on He went, even to lay down His life for His sheep, as He so tenderly and touchingly says, “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the Sheep... I lay clown my life for the sheep."
When the Good Shepherd saves, He saves forever; and while you are here in this world, He puts into your hand His blessed word, which is a sure and reliable compass, which will guide and direct you aright, not for one moment failing you, as did the compass of the good ship of which I have told you. Oh, will you come to my blessed Saviour? Do not delay! Soon His happy ransomed sheep will be taken out of this scene to be with their Shepherd forever, to the praise of the glory of the grace of God, who has provided such a Saviour, at such an infinite cost. W. G.