ONE morning in the early part of September, 1872, a wreath of smoke was seen to ascend out of the shaft of the Adelaide Mine. The awful truth was at once realized—the mine was on fire, and at the pit-head a mass of flames soon surged around the pulley-legs which supported the enormous wheels. Thousands of anxious people crowded as near as they dared, and many wives and children of the poor miners below were in an agony of suspense, yet little hope was entertained for the safety of the imprisoned men and boys as the fire raged on.
Think of the fearful peril of those poor fellows! Helpless, for there were no means of ascending to the surface; in darkness, for the smoke and fumes had extinguished their lamps; and perishing, for they could not exist long in such a choking atmosphere.
They thus present a vivid picture of how every unconverted person is regarded by God—helpless, in darkness, and perishing, away from Him, "having no hope, and without God in the world," Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12).
Half a mile from the doomed mine was a reservoir which, as a last resource, was opened so that a stream of Water poured into the pit mouth, and soon clouds of steam indicated that the fire had been conquered. But what about the poor fellows below?
If still alive there was one possible chance of escape, and only one. Could a man be found willing and able to go down into the mine—down to the very place where the poor men lay—and strong enough to lift them and bring them up to the surface?
As soon as the shaft mouth could be approached, volunteers were called to descend. There was no lack of such, but Bob Anderson, the shaft man, waving his hand, cried out, "Stand back there, I'll do that." Anderson was a tall, powerful man with a rough exterior but a tender heart. He was conscious that he was going on a journey of no ordinary danger, for the legs supporting the pulley wheels were already weakened by the fire.
He whispered into the ear of the manager " You'll look after the wife and bairns if anything happens," and, on being assured of this, the brave fellow stepped into the iron bucket and began to descend.
Slowly he was lowered, and in four minutes the signal was received that he had reached the bottom of the shaft. Then there was a long pause—a time of terrible suspense—but at last the signal to pull up was given, and soon Bob Anderson appeared at the surface with the words, "All alive, sir”
There arose a ringing cheer from the thousands around. Many prayed, while others fainted for joy which they were not strong enough to endure.
But there was much to be done, and in a few minutes Anderson was again descending for the purpose of rescuing the entombed miners.
He had discovered that, with the exception of one miner, all the unfortunate men were gathered close to the bottom of the shaft, and these were as rapidly as possible brought to the surface, though thirty-eight descents had to be made to accomplish the rescue, and this extended over four hours.
Surely we are reminded of Jesus, the Son of God, who, with His heart full of love, left His bright home in glory, and came down to Calvary—that place of darkness and distance—there to endure the judgment of God, the hatred of man, the suffering on account of our sins, and who went into death itself, that He might be the Savior of sinners. He knew what it would cost Him, yet He voluntarily went to the cross, there to do the will of God and accomplish the mighty work of redemption, so that God can righteously save every sinner that trusts in Him.
Have you ever from the depth of your heart thanked Him for coming down to where you lay, in order to be able to take you up to His home on high?
But there was still one poor fellow in the mine. Anderson knew he was a long way from the shaft, and that the water by this time was three feet deep in the workings, yet he could not think of leaving one miner to perish without an effort to save him.
Again we are reminded of the tender heart of the Son of God, the Good Shepherd, who went after that one sheep that was lost until He found it. Has He found you? If not, He is seeking you and wants you to submit to be loved by Him. He is both able and longing to save you.
Anderson therefore stepped into the bucket for the last descent, and was quickly lowered. Arriving at the bottom of the shaft, he waded for a long time through the water, waist deep, and at last had the satisfaction of finding the missing man. With considerable difficulty he succeeded in getting him to the shaft, when both were pulled up in safety. A few seconds after, the huge pulley legs, charred by the fire and strained by the work of rescue, collapsed and fell with a crash down the shaft.
How useless it would have been for anyone to have called from the top of the shaft to those imprisoned men to come up. Nor would it have been of any avail to have told them to do their best, and he would then try and help them. The rescue could only be accomplished by going down, down to the very place where they lay strength less—and by his own power bring about their salvation.
You cannot get to heaven by your own efforts, and your best will not bring you one whit nearer to God. But the Lord Jesus Christ has been to the place of death, has finished the work of redemption, and cried, "It is finished," so that now His mighty saving power is available for you, if only you will put your case in HIS hands and trust Him and the mighty work He has done.
Delay not! call upon Him in all your need, and you will prove that He is rich to all that call upon Him. Take courage! for " when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
F. S. M.