A GALE on the Atlantic. The great waves are heaving high, their crests foaming to the rush of striving winds, while the black clouds pass across the desolate sky, like routed squadrons on a battlefield. One of the great steamers of a well-known line is laboring onwards against wind and tide; the watchful captain and officers are keeping a good look out. A dismasted vessel is seen in the offing, flying signals of distress. A volunteer crew is told off, under the direction of the first officer, to render all the aid that humanity demanded, even at such a time, and in the face of such a storm. The terrific sea that was running made it impossible for a time to approach very close to the disabled ship. The boat, coming as close as possible to them, lay tossing like a cork upon the heaving waters, while the brave crew strove with might and main to prevent her being capsized, sea after sea broke over them, but these British sailors shrunk not from the danger.
But how could they save those whose lives were in such awful peril? They could see them on the deck of the sinking ship, and hear their imploring cries. A young seaman, twenty-three years of age, volunteers to swim to the wreck with a rope around his waist. He is soon ready, and, leaping from the boat he breasts, with strong and steady stroke, the fierce waves that surge around him. It is a terrible struggle; his comrades watch him with eager interest. With a noble resolution he struggles onward; — now he is buried beneath an engulfing sea; now he emerges, and bravely struggles on; at last he reaches the wreck, and is enabled to make a hawser fast. With the aid of this, twenty-two men-safely gain the boat, in an exhausted condition.
The brave fellow is pulled into the boat after them amid the cheers of his comrades, and they are preparing to row back, when one of the saved men tells them that the carpenter has been left on board with both his legs broken. Without a moment’s hesitation the brave fellow again volunteers to swim to the sinking ship. Again the rope is tied around him, and he leaps overboard; just as he reaches the side of the doomed vessel, a huge wave, bearing with it a mass of wreckage, breaks over the ship, and falls with crushing force upon the head of the swimmer. With a cry of agony, never to be forgotten, he throws up his arms, and sinks crushed and dead, to rise no more.
After a pause of sorrow for the poor fellow so suddenly killed, the officer asks if anyone else will volunteer to save the man. Three instantly do so, undeterred by the fate of their comrade. One is accepted, and he safely reaches the ship, and goes down below and brings the poor sufferer to the deck. With the greatest difficulty and danger the boat is at length brought close enough to the wreck to enable the brave rescuer to drop the carpenter into the outstretched arms held up so willingly to receive him. He then leaps in himself, and they return safely to their own vessel with the saved ones. Sad are their hearts, for the one whom they have lost was a great favorite with all on board. And far away in England there is one who loves him, and who was to have been his wife. She will have to be told how bravely and how nobly he died, in the cause of duty and self-sacrificing humanity.
A sad tale of the sea is this, but it has its lessons for one and all. The men on the sinking wreck were in a place of certain death, unless help came to them outside themselves. They were lost as far as any power remained with themselves for salvation. No help for them from the roaring waters; no salvation from the howling winds; the black skies brooded over them like wings of death. But eyes of pity saw them, and arms of love saved them — and the price of their life was the death of the one who was their deliverer.
And so it is with us, my reader. That sinking ship is a type of a ruined world; those men upon it in such peril, are types of lost sinners — sinners such as you. and me. The billows of coming judgment surge around a world of sinners; and the winds of despair tell of coming doom; we cannot save ourselves — but One has come to save. Yes, He has died to bring us salvation. With strong heart of love He breasted the waves of God’s wrath against sin, and went down beneath them to deliver us. The men who were rescued by that devoted sailor would love him and revere his memory all through their lives. And can you not love the One who left heaven to redeem mankind? Do you love the Saviour? You can never save yourselves; you are lost without a Saviour. Will you have Jesus as your Saviour? There is none but Him. He is the only Saviour. Would you like to sink to hell through seas of wrath? Would you not rather be delivered from the wrath to come? Then fly your signals of distress now, my reader. Tell Jesus you are lost. He seeks and saves the lost. He will see you in your danger on the sea of time, and come to your deliverance. But you must own your condition; He only saves those who cannot save themselves. Are you one of these?