A youth on board the Harbinger, during her last outward voyage to Melbourne, was asked to come to hear the gospel preached on board by a servant of Christ. To this invitation he made this light and trifling reply: "Heaven is not for sailors, it is only for landsmen"; and he refused to come and listen to the joyful tidings.
Now it happened that this very man had in his possession a small New Testament. Many precious verses were marked in it by some unknown hand, and, among others, Acts 13:38, 39:
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Had he read those verses? If he had, what a flat denial they should have furnished to his own rash statement, "Heaven is not for sailors," since God has said "All that believe are justified."! Alas! for such hardened mockery.
But now read the solemn sequel. On July 25 he had climbed to the foreroyal (to reach the topmost mast but one), when suddenly he lost his hold, and fell with a sickening crash upon the ship's rail, and from there into the water. The man at the wheel saw the accident, and as he floated astern the crew threw a life-buoy close to him: but to all appearance he was dead; for as he floated past his head was under water. And what use, therefore was all the help in the world to a dead man?
Who can tell what may have passed through his mind on the way between that foreroyal—yard and the ships bulwarks?
May this story be a solemn voice to every soul that reads be he sailor or landsman. The limits of your little history are in God's hands. Remember, "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Prov. 29:1.
“Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish." Acts 13:40, 41
DESPISE today, and you may
WONDER at your own madness tomorrow and
PERISH forever.