The small sailing schooner was plying its way across the waters of the Caribbean. The little craft was laden with people, crates, boxes and bags. Even a turkey and a goat could be seen tied up on deck. The sun was dropping lower and lower in the sky, about to disappear below the horizon, as we sailed the beautiful deep blue water between the West Indian island of St. Vincent and the tiny island of Bequia.
Although aircraft fly passengers between the larger islands, the smaller ones are still served by these sailing ships. We were on board this afternoon with Bibles and tracts in hand to hold an open-air meeting on the island 10 miles away. An hour's sail brought us to land. "Safe passage," they said as we arrived.
After taking lodging for the night, we took a Bible and a large assortment of gospel tracts and papers and began our circuit through the village.
"There will be a gospel meeting at 7:30," we said.
"We'll be there," was the response.
"Gospel preaching on the road down by the beach tonight."
"Okay!"
At the appointed hour the gospel went out to young and old. Some were sitting on the sand, others on small boats, while many walking down the road stopped to listen to the old, old story of Jesus and His love and the warning of the uncertainty of this life.
An hour later two men came hurrying down to the dock to go on to the next island. The schooner, overfilled with passengers going home for the holidays, was just pulling away.
"Hurry!" one yelled as he jumped on board.
The other, just behind him, cried, "Don't go, John! Stop!" But John had already made the choice. He was on board and the boat was pulling quickly away. The gap widened between them. The moment of decision was past.
Sails were hoisted and away they sped in a happy mood. Bottles of rum were pulled out as they sailed farther and farther from land. Soon spray filled the air and some moved to the far side of the boat. Some say the captain was not at the wheel and the ship was not riding into the waves properly, but suddenly and without warning the boat rolled over on its side, dumping the 79 passengers into the water. The boat sank quickly with some people trapped down in the hold.
What a change now! No more light and careless talk. No more laughing and drinking-only screams and cries for help. Those in the hold remained trapped and perished. Others, still crying out, soon tired and sank to the bottom. Still others removed clothing and struck out to swim the four miles to shore. The tide being in their favor, 38 made it and dropped exhausted on the shore. How welcome a life preserver would have been!
How about our friend John? He couldn't swim and soon drowned. He sank beneath the waves, perhaps hastened by a belt filled with money still around him. John had heard the way of salvation through simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but had turned a deaf ear to it. We can only hope that in those last moments of his life he called upon the name of the Lord.
Perhaps the Savior is speaking to you today. You may not plan to go out in a boat, but your tomorrow is just as uncertain as John's was. Yes, you might be in eternity before another day breaks, so be safe. Take the Savior as your own now. Own your lost condition and His saving power; then you can sing with assurance:
"It's done, the great transaction's done!
I am my Lord's and He is mine!"