A FEW years since, a young Caithness fisherman married a girl of his native place and of his own station in life. They were both followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the union was a happy one. The North Sea fishing season came round, and John, our fisherman, with his father, sailed for the fishing ground, and from time to time the young wife heard from her husband of their good success. Thus many weeks wore away. At length the season was closed, and the young wife heard that the boat was able to return, and that she might expect the absent ones home on a certain day.
The morning of the expected day rose bright and calm, and as the time wore on the young wife ascended the steep and high rocks over-looking the bay, and eagerly scanned the horizon for a sight of her husband’s sail. By and by she saw a speck, and as it came nearer and nearer she could make it out to be her husband’s boat. The little craft hastened on, and she could see the men on board, and descried her husband’s form. Then as she waved to him, he responded, for they were close enough to recognize each other.
Just at this instant a sudden squall blew up. It struck the boat and caught the sail, and swinging it round with terrific force, the boom struck John and swept him overboard insensible. Without a moment’s delay the boat was put back to the spot where the accident had occurred, but not a trace of John could be seen; he had sunk never more to be seen. He had perished new land, in sight of home, in sight of his beloved wife, nay, within sound of her voice!
Bitter were the wails and many the tears that flowed for the young fisherman, and we can hardly restrain our grief as we think of him and of his young widow. We would not narrate this sad story without an object. We have come to the year’s end once more, and the tale tells us of the numbers who are perishing eternally―perishing every year within sight and sound of salvation; perishing, we might say, within sight of home; perishing with an uplifted Christ before their eyes; perishing with the sound of the gospel in their ears; perishing with the word of life in their hands, and perishing willfully because of unbelief. Thousands died in sight of the Ark, though all had been warned and entreated. Thousands upon thousands perished in the wilderness―perished because of unbelief. “With whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom swore He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Heb. 3:17-1917But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:17‑19).)
Your vessel is nearing the eternal shore! Lo! there stand loved ones, and they seem waiting to greet you. Almost you can hear their voices, for memory brings back the welcome sound. Shall you meet them and be forever at peace and rest when this brief voyage of life is over, or shall it be with you-lost within sight of home?
Friend, make sure of salvation. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” J.H. J―G