The Heroic Helmsman of the “Ocean Queen.”
SOON after the “Ocean Queen” started on what proved to be her last trip on Lake Erie, fire broke out in the hold. On ascertaining that it could not be extinguished, the captain at once gave the order to the helmsman, “Make for the nearest shore.” The 300 passengers crowded together in the forepart of the ship, leaving the helmsman alone at the wheel beneath which the fire was raging.
As the fire gained ground the captain anxiously cried out, “John Maynard, can you hold out till we reach the shore?”
Back came the heroic answer, “Aye, aye, Sir.”
Then a little later, in order to encourage his faithful helmsman, he again cried out, “Stand by the wheel John, for just five minutes more, and we shall reach the shore.”
Once more came the heroic reply, “With God’s good help, I will.”
But soon the flames reached John Maynard, scorching his honest hands and noble brow, and presently one of his arms was seen to drop powerless at his side, But those flames had not yet conquered the noble spirit within, for setting his teeth firmly, he pressed his knee against the stanchion and with his other hand guided the ship until it reached the shore.
When safely landed the 300 passengers first thanked God for His mercy towards them and then looked round for their faithful helmsman to thank him for his part in their salvation, but the captain then told them that just before the vessel touched the shore he saw John Maynard reel and fall beside the wheel, which his one hand was at last obliged to relinquish, and soon after those 300 passenger saw the “Ocean Queen” sink in Lake Erie, carrying down with it the charred and lifeless body of their saviour.
What a noble death? Has there ever been a greater instance of one sacrificing his life for others? Yes—ONE—for the death of JESUS stands out in strong and superior contrast to the death of JOHN MAYNARD, wonderful as his death was.
(1). Maynard only did his duty. As a paid servant of the Ocean Queen, its 300 passengers expected him to do all in his power to save them. But the LORD JESUS was under no such obligation to anyone. It was of His own free will that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).
(2). There may have been some “good” people amongst that 300, and for such some would even dare to die. But Christ died for the “ungodly.” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
(3). Surely some could have helped Maynard on that boat. It seems strange that not one rushed forward to seize the wheel when his arm dropped powerless at his side. But no one could help JESUS in that “great salvation” which He accomplished at Calvary’s cross. It was when we were “without strength” that Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). So we had to simply “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:1313And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (Exodus 14:13)).
(4). Maynard knew while he was suffering that he had the full sympathy of, all who looked on—a great encouragement in such trying circumstances. But the Lord Jesus had to say, “I looked for some to take pity but there was NONE; and for comforters, but I found NONE,” (Psa. 69:2020Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. (Psalm 69:20)).
(5). Moreover, Maynard hoped to save himself as well as others. To have left that wheel would have been to imperil his own life as well as those 300 passengers. But the Lord Jesus knew that His own death was an imperative necessity if sinners were to be saved. He must be “lifted up.” He must die, before we could have eternal life. (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)).
(6). But a greater contrast still exists in the nature of the two deaths. Those who have suffered from burns can imagine something of the physical agony through which Maynard passed as those cruel flames licked round his face and hands. But no one can ever have the slightest conception of the soul agony through which the Lord Jesus passed when on the cross. There He bore our sins and suffered the punishment due to them. There He was made sin for us and received the judgment or condemnation due to it.
He who was always the beloved of the Father was accursed of God for us. It was this aspect of His sufferings (not the mere physical sufferings He bore there―exceptionally cruel though they were) that made Him utter that agonizing prayer hi the garden of Gethsemane, “O, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.”
(7) There is also a great contrast between the numbers saved by the Lord Jesus and John Maynard. Maynard only saved 300 by his death; but in Revelation 7:9-179After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9‑17) we are told that no man can number that “great multitude” which ascribe their salvation to God and the Lamb and this is only one of the many throngs seen in that book, all saved “through THE BLOOD of THE LAMB.”
(8) Again, Maynard’s power to save ceased when he saved that 300 with his death, but on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the death of Jesus, 3,000 were saved by the first announcement of His death, resurrection and ascension; and since then
“Millions have fled to His spear-pierced side,
Welcome they all have been, none were denied”
And “Yet there is room.”
(9) Moreover the salvation that Maynard accomplished for the passengers on the “Ocean Queen” only affected their bodies, though we hope that it was used of God ultimately to the salvation of their souls. But the Lord Jesus not only saves our souls, but also our bodies―from death, if we are alive and remain at His coming, (1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)), ―and out of death if we die before He comes (vs. 16).
(10) The 300 whom Maynard saved were only saved for time—a few years at the most; but those whom the Lord Jesus saves are saved for time and eternity. Some of those whom Maynard saved may have died soon after’ but those whom Jesus saves shall “never perish.” (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)).
(11) It is not recorded of those whom John Maynard saved that they erected a monument to his memory on the spot to which he guided them at the cost of his life. He certainly deserved one. But in heaven―to which place the Lord Jesus will safely guide all who believe in Him―all those whom He has saved will be eternal monuments to His saving grace. Meanwhile, may we be living monuments to His praise down here. In word by offering to God through Him the sacrifice of our lips giving thanks to (or confessing) His name; and in deed by doing good and communicating (as He did) for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Such sacrifices can never take away our sins, but they can show our gratitude to Him who by His own blood has obtained eternal redemption for us.
(12) The sweetest contrast we have left till last. John Maynard sacrificed his life to the dictates of duty. “DUTY NOBLY DONE” might well have been the epitaph on his monument had one been erected to his memory. But the LORD JESUS laid down His life on the altar of LOVE. Yes, each one whom He has saved by His death, will be able to say of Him, “The Son of God, who LOVED me and gave HIMSELF for me.” (Gal. 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)). While the mighty army of the redeemed will in heaven forever praise Him thus: ―“Unto HIM that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins IN HIS OWN BLOOD... to HIM be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.” (Rev. 1:5, 65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6)).
T. O. MACCOBMACK.