THE terrible disaster in Martinique will be fresh in the minds of most of our readers. It affords a solemn and striking illustration of the false security many will be found in when the Lord comes, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape.” Warning had been given, and many terror-stricken inhabitants were desirous of seeking a safe shelter but were prevented, and the assurance given that they were all right, the danger being past; then in a moment a hurricane of fire seemed to sweep down upon them from Mont Pelee, and not one of those thirty-five thousand inhabitants escaped.
It is indeed terrible to think that in that place proverbial for its wickedness, not a single man or woman was left alive; all were swept into eternity in a moment, without warning, without time being given for repentance, no opportunity of turning to God at the close of a misspent life, but cut of in their sins in an instant.
Reader of these lines, if still unsaved, you do well to take this to heart. God forbid that such a death should be yours. Then trifle not with the golden opportunities God has given you, and while you have this present moment to call your own, turn to God, and receive the offered salvation, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The last message received by telegraph from the doomed city is deeply affecting. The telegraph needle moved, and the operator received the message―
“ALL RIGHT.”
Then there followed an indistinct noise made by the instrument, as though something had gone wrong, and then a faint sign which took the form of a cross, and then all was silent; for the hand of the operator had ceased to move forever.
Reader, all this has a voice to you, if but you would heed it. Maybe even now you are trying to persuade yourself that you are all right, when you know matters are not right between your soul and God. What folly! Let St Pierre stand as a flaming beacon to warn you of your danger, and let this moment be the moment of your decision for Christ; then come what may, if your trust is in Him, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38, 3938For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39)).
“Haste, traveler, haste! the night comes on,
And many a shining hour is gone;
The storm is gathering in the west,
And thou art far from home and rest.
Haste, traveler, haste!
Haste, traveler, haste!
For thou art far from home and rest.”
E. E. N.