In two hours and forty minutes the fate of 2,223 aboard the ill-fated Titanic would be history. The trip of a lifetime had become the disaster of all time. Many were the responses of passengers who now realized their lives were rapidly coming to a close. The sloping decks now caused even greater alarm and concern for what was ahead.
Unlike many on board, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ryerson, a fine-looking couple, had begun their voyage with heavy hearts. While vacationing in France, they had received word of the death of their son in Pennsylvania. Their quickest way to America was aboard the Titanic. Before leaving France, Mr. Ryerson had made arrangements for his son’s funeral to be held on April the nineteenth. That would allow two days after their arrival in New York to make final arrangements, but that was all in the future.
Now along with 2,223 and more passengers and crew, the Ryerson’s busied themselves in an effort to leave the sinking ship with their thirteen-year-old son who was traveling with them. When they were about to leave their stateroom, Mr. Ryerson realized their young maid, Victorine, was without a life jacket. Quickly, he removed his own and fastened it about the trembling young woman. Now prepared, the four left for the Promenade deck. Approaching a lifeboat, Mrs. Ryerson was informed the boy could not accompany her. Vehemently, the mother, who a few days before had lost another son, informed the objecting crew member the lad was only thirteen and he was going with his mother. Her insistence was rewarded, and mother and son boarded the lifeboat as they said a tearful good-bye to a husband and father standing misty-eyed at the ship’s rail.
When finally the funeral was held for the older son of the Ryerson’s, Mr. Ryerson was not there. Having given his life jacket to save the life of his maid, he had gone with the Titanic to its final resting place.
Mr. Ryerson’s selfless action pictures the devotion of the Lord Jesus Christ of whom the gospel writer says in John 15:1313Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13), “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Mr. Ryerson’s devotion was for a young person he knew and appreciated. The love of the Lord Jesus, as displayed on Calvary’s cross, was for all the sinners of all time. He loved and died for all to make possible their everlasting salvation. That precious truth is so clear when we read Romans chapter five and verse eight, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Many were the acts of heroism as the Titanic experienced her death throes. A number of men traveling on the first-class decks displayed great bravery in those final hours. They encouraged ladies to enter the remaining lifeboats and then comforted them in their moments of danger. One such was Henry Harris, who accompanied his wife to the nearest lifeboat. Hopefully, they would both be permitted to enter a boat before it was lowered. However, the shout of an officer announced it was, “Women and children first.” Mr. Harris realized the shout was directed at him, “All right,” he replied, resignedly. Giving his wife her final farewell kiss, he said, “good-bye, my dear,” and then stepped back into the shadows to eventually be listed among the “Lost.”
During those fear-filled hours, people did unexplainable things. One gentleman returned to his stateroom for four oranges and died in the attempt.
Many were the heart-breaking good-byes seen that night. Husbands and wives bade their final farewells with promises exchanged to meet in one of the boats or in New York. Fathers gave children a final embrace and an affectionate word of encouragement. A few panic-stricken men tried unsuccessfully to enter lifeboats in spite of the previous order, “Women and children first.”
How unlike the invitation of the Savior who said in John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37), “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” His all-inclusive statement is for every person alive today. Have you accepted it to know you are on your way to heaven? O, I pray you have.
Acts of heroism were many in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, and they were performed by men and women. Twenty-five-year-old Elizabeth Evans died that night so that others might live. She was safely within a lifeboat about to be lowered when it was realized it was overloaded. She was seated by Mrs. J. J. Brown, a mother of several children, when she turned to her and said, “Your need is greater than mine. You have children who need you and I have none.” Then rising, she left the boat and disappeared into the shadows of the ship which was slowly making its way to the bottom. No doubt Mrs. Brown and her children, who knew her loving care so well, were grateful through life for the great sacrifice made by Elizabeth Evans on their behalf. She died that others might live, reminding us of the Lord Jesus who died that those who accept His sacrifice of love might live eternally.
Colonel John Jacob Astor was one of the wealthiest men on board the Titanic and on that never-to-be-forgotten night proved his bravery. When he was urged to take a place in one of the descending boats, he emphatically refused, stating he would not do so until all the women and children were safely placed within the few remaining boats. One eyewitness recalled seeing him lead Mrs. Astor to the side of a lifeboat and help her in. She was overcome with grief and insisted upon waiting with him until their rescue together would be possible. With calming reassurance, a word of comfort and a tip of his hat he joined other men on the sloping deck. Later that night he ordered a lifeboat to stop as it was being lowered past a port hole and then assisted two women safely into it.
Of many named for bravery on that cold night is the name of Major Archibald Butt. He was a military aide to President Taft of the United States. Some reports say that the actions of Butt were grossly overrated. However, Mrs. Henry Morris said she would forever remember him as he directed men and calmed hysterical ladies. He helped sailors rearrange ropes and chains. When one young man insisted on entering a boat, Major Butt took him by the arm, as if he were his big brother, telling him to keep his head and act like a man. When he had placed Miss Marie Young, a music teacher to the President’s children, in a boat, he tenderly reassured her all would be well as he said, “Good-bye, Miss Young, good luck and please remember me to the folks back home.” Then he stepped back and waved his hand as the boat was lowered.
Many who were rescued from the Titanic owed their lives to the bravery and self-sacrifice of men and women like Edith Evans, John Jacob Astor and others who gave their lives for people they did not know.
Many who have lived on this planet feel they owe their all to the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who sacrificed Himself on the cross when He died for those He knew to be sinners. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote in Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20), “The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Those rescued from the Titanic would experience a life for which they would be so very grateful. Those, however, who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior have been rescued from a life of eternal suffering in the place the Bible calls the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)). Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior? If not, do so before you read another word. Then you will have a confidence given you by God that you will spend eternity with Him and His Son forever.
There was a touch of theatrical flourish with the way in which millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim and his valet approached the fatal hour of 2:20 a.m., on the morning of April 15, 1912. They were dressed in full evening attire as they stood at the ship’s railing declaring, “We have dressed in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen.” And they did.
It was before the ship and the iceberg had met that John Harper, a Baptist preacher, turned to his daughter and sister-in-law as he looked at the afterglow of the setting sun and said, “It will be beautiful in the morning.” For many who rowed in the lifeboats in icy waters surrounded by floating ice, it was far from a beautiful morning. John Harper’s body had gone to the bottom with the Titanic, but his spirit had gone safely to his heavenly home to be with the Savior he loved and had faithfully served. For him it was, indeed, a beautiful morning.
An unknown poet thought of his heavenly home this way.
O think of stepping on shore
and finding it heaven,
Of taking hold of a hand
and finding it God’s,
Of breathing new air
and finding it celestial air,
Of feeling invigorated
and finding it immortality,
Of passing from storm
and stress to perfect calm,
Of waking and finding it glory.
“The Titanic had everything for enjoying life, but not much to save it.” Detroit News