AWAY out at sea, thirteen miles from Cape North, and at the entrance of the Gulf of St Lawrence, is the rocky and dangerous island of St Paul. It has been said that no spot on earth, or rock of like dimensions upon the navigable globe, has proven fatal to so many of “those who go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters,” as the island of St Paul. It is divided into two high peaks by means of a deep gulch through the rock, where the ocean from primeval time in stormy weather has made pastime.
When a storm sets in from the broad Atlantic, the sea breaks through this horrid valley, ever and anon tearing huge rocks and heavy boulders from their foundations, and sweeping them gulf-ward like pebbles upon the sea shores. When heavy winds blow out and oceanward, the great heaving swell of the St Lawrence breaks through this gorge in a reverse direction, and the spume and the foam lash the sides of the wild peaks upon which the lighthouses are situated.
Such was the scene of the birthplace of two remarkable women who had never enjoyed the sense of hearing or the privilege of speech. The father of these deaf-mutes was the superintendent of the island. On one occasion those who assisted him in his duties were away at the opposite side of the island. A storm suddenly sprang up; these men were not able to return. The billows rose, coming through the gorge, and the storm raged most furiously. A ship freighted with human life — a passenger vessel — was observed, helpless and foundering, rapidly drifting leeward upon this fatal rock. Soon she struck, and the wail of this perishing multitude went up, mingled with the hoarse howling’s of the stormy tempest. Oh, dear reader, what a picture of the poor lost sinner “ready to perish,” — certain destruction facing them, helpless and hopeless is their condition, as far as they know. Thousands there are who have never been awakened to a sense of their lost condition. Such was the state of these poor perishing souls on the foundering vessel. Lost! they needed salvation from their perilous position.
Unknown to them the utmost effort is being made. One old man and two brave girls are “ready to save.” It is a desperate mission, and the risk is great; but there are souls perishing — yes, “ready to perish,” and must be saved. This old man, with no one to assist but these two deaf and dumb girls, sets forth on this life-saving mission, and reaches the sinking vessel. A line is connected with the shore, and eventually all are landed on the rocky island.
How foolish it would have been had these perishing people refused the proffered aid in landing! You may perhaps say, dear reader, “No one would be so foolish.” But how is it with yourself, if unsaved? Do you not know that without Christ you are in danger of being dashed upon the rocks — to perish eternally?
There is One “ready to save.” He has gone up on high, sits at God’s right hand, and is waiting to be gracious. He first came down, He humbled Himself; He came to the place where poor lost sinners were, like the good Samaritan. He did not come and look and then pass on, like the priest and the Levite (Luke 10:31,3231And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31‑32)). He went to the cross, became obedient unto death, and finished the most glorious work that had ever been undertaken for God and poor lost man. Will you have Him for your Saviour? or will you refuse, and have Him for your Judge?
“Come to the Saviour, make no delay,
Here in His Word He has shown us the way.”
Yes, it is through His Word that we know the way of salvation. The salvation of God has been preached all over Christendom, and all over Christendom is being rejected. But, through the rich mercy of our God, souls are being brought to Him too. The Father is seeking worshippers. The work goes on, in spite of everything; but, dear reader, the day of God’s longsuffering is closing in, — the Lord Jesus is coming for His own, and then the door will be shut, and where will you spend eternity?
The foregoing incident, which occurred in the year 1863, was related to the writer of these lines. It is a touching story this of the old superintendent of Paul’s Island and his speechless daughters, both of whom in calmer weather were not unaccustomed to handle the oar, but had never before launched forth in such an angry sea. Think of the waters, the terrible waters, the waves and billows that went over the head of that Holy One on Calvary’s cross! Believe and live, ere the door is shut and it is too late. J. P.
Anxious sinner! Troubled soul! here is a message from the heart of God for you, and which He speaks with His own lips. Turn your eye to Him, and with the ear of faith listen to Him. He has heard your groans and sighs. He knows all that is passing and has passed in your heart. He has numbered all your sins, and He announces to you that which will stand written on the page of Eternity, when even heaven and earth have passed away into eternal oblivion: “Thy sins are forgiven thee.... Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.”