AS I was walking one morning with some friends along a beautiful rocky coast, we came upon a vessel fast on a rock, not more than a stone’s throw from the beach. She was evidently quickly going to pieces, and appeared to be full of water.
At any time it is sad to see property cast to the wind and waves, even though there may have been no loss of life. This made us inquire of a coastguard what she was and how she got there.
A keen easterly wind had been blowing all night, and the fishing-boats and other small craft had hastened into T.—that they might find shelter there from the coming storm. The little harbor was well-nigh filled, and the vessels, safely moored and anchored, role quietly in the still water. With the wreck, however, it had been different. Her four fishermen had anchored her securely, as they supposed, and little dreaming of danger, they slept that night. The wind rose higher and the storm beat upon their bark till she was driven from her moorings, and thus became an easy prey to the mad winds and waves. The men still slept while their boat was driven on past the very mouth of the harbor (that harbor built on purpose to receive all such in the time of distress); but on she went, and her men were only startled from what became well-nigh being their death-sleep by the crash as she struck on the rocks where we saw her.
We watched the wild seabirds as they swooped and dived, and ever and anon perched on the masts of the wrecked and deserted vessel, while it was swayed to and fro by the merciless breakers.
It taught us a mournful lesson, of how many persons rest sleeping at case, feeling safe against the coming storm of eternity. They watch the dark clouds gathering again on the horizon; they know and acknowledge that that storm must come; they know and acknowledge also that a harbor of refuge has been opened for all in distress, even the Lord Jesus Christ; nevertheless they are contented with their own moorings, as the anchor of their trust holds on to the shifting sandbank of their feelings, or to the rotten rags of their righteousness or perhaps these together combined with soul-destroying indifference. Alas! for all such, in that day of which the question is put, “Who shall be able to stand”? It will be found that neither they, nor any others out of Christ, will be able to stand. Then, most assuredly, shall every prop, stay, mooring and foundation give way; for, saith the apostle: “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
“Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.”
ML-10/03/1920