THE story is told, of a vessel that was wrecked at sea. Whether she had struck upon some treacherous rock, or whether wind and wave had joined to vent their fury upon her, we know not, but whatever the cause, she was now fast settling to a grave in the depths of the ocean.
Above the tumult the captain’s voice was heard giving orders to abandon the ship. As the boats were hastily lowered the terrified passengers crowded into them. Soon the last boat swung clear of the sinking vessel, and all hope of escape was cut off from the group that still remained on deck.
To one of that number death must have seemed very terrible. This man, in a desperate attempt to save his life, plunged into the sea and tried to clamber into the nearest boat; but the men in the boat, fearing lest another passenger would capsize her, seized a sword and cut off the fingers of the hand that was clutching their boat.
As the man fell back, the salt water closed over his head. Still struggling for life he rose and seized the boat with his other hand, and again the sharp sword-blade did its work. What of that? If he cannot enter the boat he must DIE. With a strength born of despair the man gripped the boat with his teeth, and at such dogged determination the men in the boat relented; they took him in and he was saved.
How earnest men are to save their lives, and yet as regards their souls they are often quite unconcerned. It is true the stakes are great if the life is in peril, but when the danger threatens the soul, they are infinitely greater.
The man in our story had to face immediate death if he stayed on board the wreck, and by gaining the boat he grasped life for a few short years at the most. But, unconverted reader, thy choice lies between the unquenchable fire of the second death and eternal life with its fadeless joys. He was in earnest; art thou? Surely there is reason for earnestness.
Thou art like one on board a doomed vessel, for the storm of divine judgment must soon burst upon and overwhelm the impenitent. There is but one possibility of escape. Take refuge in the lifeboat of the redemption that God’s grace has provided. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Christ died, the Just for the unjust; and, if thou turn to Him for the salvation He is waiting to bestow, thou wilt find a shelter from the storm of judgment, and a hiding-place in every time of trouble.
M. L. B.
PERSONS fancy that it makes people proud to be in the third heaven. Never. The danger is, when you get out of the third heaven, of the flesh being proud of having been there. We feel our nothingness in the presence of God.
J. N. D.