If I can but get out into the broad Atlantic I shall be safe,” thought the captain of an outbound vessel, which was caught in a storm.
The nearest port could, at the time, be easily “made.” There he knew he would be safe, but he thought:
“I’ll take my chance, and run for the open sea.”
The storm rapidly increased in its fury, and the captain soon saw that he could not make the ocean, and so at once steered for P.
Alas! it was too late. The raging of the storm rendered his vessel almost uncontrollable and before long it was drifted helplessly on to the rocks.
Messengers were sent for the lifeboat by the watchers on shore, and it was quickly manned and launched with its brave crew into the foaming billows, but all in vain; before they could reach the vessel, it was broken up by the violence of the waves, and only two out of her crew of fifteen men survived. These two were picked up half dead by brave ones who ventured on to the rocks to help.
Had the ship been run into F. when the storm first overtook them, all might have been well; but the desire to get on the journey quickly, urged the captain to run the risk, and led to his death and that of most of his crew.
There are many today who are like-this foolish captain—they refuse a place of safety, and still pass onward. They turn from the Lord Jesus, and think they will be all right without Him.
Soon it may be too late—then no Saviour will be found. Many people will wake up to their danger when the Lord Jesus has cone and taken all His own away. Many will be in earnest then—but too late! too late!
Will you dare “take your chance” of being saved by-and-by? I warn you:
You have been warned, my reader. Again and again have you been told of that coming storm of judgment upon those who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you not heard of the open harbor for poor, tempest-tossed sinners? Christ Jesus says:
Why delay? Why will ye die?
“Now! now!! now!!!
Delay not from death to flee: O! wherefore the precious moments waste, When Jesus is calling thee?”
ML 04/11/1943