Years ago at Niagara Falls, a young man, was employed as a guide. Having nothing to do one day, he moored his boat well above the falls and lay down in it to rest. Rocked on the ever-moving waters, he fell asleep. He thought he had tied the boat securely, but with its constant swaying it was finally loosened, and with its unconscious occupant, began to drift with the current. Spectators on the shore, seeing his grave danger, shouted loudly to awaken him, that he might save himself while as yet the current was not rapid, but with no effect. At one point in the boat’s progress, it was grounded upon a rock that protruded in mid-stream. Seeing the pause, the bystanders redoubled their efforts to arouse the sleeping man, crying loudly to him, “Get on the rock! Get on the rock!” But he slumbered on, oblivious to his extreme peril. With the movement of the waters, the boat was soon cleared from the rock and again heading for the Falls. The poor man was aroused from his sleep only amidst the thundering roar of the great waterfall, over which he plunged to his death. How appalling! Asleep in the boat! Calmly and unconsciously drifting into the very jaws of death!
One trembles to think of it. Yet how aptly this illustrates the indifference of souls today! — many unconcerned as to their fatal course, fast asleep in their sins, perhaps lulled on the tide by earthly pleasures; soothed into false confidence by their dependence on a blameless life or religious profession. ALL ASLEEP IN THE BOAT!
“The god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).