NOT many weeks ago the whole civilized world was thrilled by the news that the monster liner Titanic had foundered at sea, attended by the loss of some fifteen hundred lives.
The glory of her designers and builders, the pride of her owners, and the confidence of her crew, the great vessel started from Southampton amid the cheers and good wishes of all who watched her departure.
The Titanic was the last word in ship-building. She was a triumph of ingenuity and skill, and withal pronounced unsinkable. She was in fact a floating palace, no expense having been spared to provide, by electric installations and numerous other modern conveniences, for the comfort and luxury of her passengers.
On the bridge stood one of the first captains of the day, his officers the most competent, and his crew the bravest. Among the passengers were men and women in every station of life. Science, art, literature, religion, army, civil government, commerce, etc., were all represented.
After calling at the usual places for passengers and mails, the Titanic steamed into the Atlantic, increasing her speed, and bidding fair to make a good passage. By means of her Marconi wireless apparatus she was continually in communication with other vessels, receiving on one occasion the good wishes of a sister ship, and a warning of the proximity of icebergs. The warning was unhappily not heeded, and consequently she struck a berg that lay in her course, taking in at once vast quantities of water.
Such confidence had been placed in the ship that at first little alarm was felt; but soon the real danger became known, and then all hope of saving the ship was gone.
The order was given to lower the boats with the command, "Women and children first." Here another fatal mistake became known; that while every other convenience had been thought of, provision for saving life had not. During all this time, the operator of the Marconi wireless apparatus had been ceaseless in sending out messages for help and the one which is most striking of all is that which forms the title of this article: S.O.S.”
What does it mean? What does it convey?
It means, "Save our souls," and it conveys the idea that they were utterly unable to save-themselves, that they were dependent on others to save them.
The message was indeed received, but the distance was too great for the receiving ship to reach them in time, and actually only those were saved who had been placed in the life-boats. The remainder were lost in the great ,ocean, while the Titanic sank, and is irrecoverable.
These facts bring before us what is even more important and far-reaching, the fact that men and women are like the vessel named, embarked on the ocean of time, invested with the assurance and self-reliance that only fallen man is capable of, unaware of their lost condition, and the rocks, storms, and icebergs of sin that beset their way. Like the younger son in Luke 15, who gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country. He left his home in possession of a full portion, only to learn that the way of transgressors is hard (Prov. 13:1515Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15)). PRO 13:1515Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15)How many there are to-day who are resting in a false security, hoping by their works to obtain a place and favor with God, when God in His word has declared that by the deeds of the Law there shall be no flesh justified in His sight (Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)); ROM 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20) that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (3:23); ROM 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)that man is without strength (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)); ROM 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)). EPH 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)
It is to such that God commends His love, telling of a Saviour who is MIGHTY to save, who saves NOW; who says, Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out; for who soever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37); JOH 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) Rom. 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) ROM 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). If you call, you will be heard, just as the jailor at Philippi, who cried, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? " received the reply, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," with these assuring words, "and thou shalt be saved." The Lord Jesus not only saves from the fear of death and judgment, but saves all along the way. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)). HEB 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
W. T.