The Royal mail steamer C—, having made the passage from the West Indies, was just entering the Bay of Fundy and all were glad that the short run from this to St. John would terminate the somewhat stormy voyage. A dense snowstorm was raging, rendering navigation somewhat uncertain, but all seemed to be going well. Suddenly there was a terrible crash, and it was soon learned that the ship had struck the dreaded Trinity ledge that lies just at the entrance of the Bay. She lay at the mercy of the mad waves that threatened destruction to all on board unless succor should come from an outside source.
How vividly this sets forth the perilous condition of all who are out of Christ.
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). With this difference, however, that all on board the steamer not only realized their lost condition, but the agonizing cry "Save our souls" went out without delay, and they were all without exception quite ready to accept salvation by whatsoever means it might come —and at once.
Men everywhere today can only admit the truth that "it is appointed unto men once to die," but few have any concern as to the judgment that just as surely follows, and so neglect the great salvation offered by God!
The wireless message fulfilled its mission and soon another steamer reached the scene and, though with the utmost difficulty, boats were put out, all were safely transferred from danger to safety.
As we review the situation, how terrible was the plight of those seventy souls crowded into that upper saloon expecting every moment the next wave to dash them to their death in the sea. It however fails to parallel the case of the sinner and the ungodly.
What joy they felt as from that upper deck they heard the whistle of an approaching steamer! What joy it should prove to the sinner who has learned God's estimate of man—"None righteous, no not one"—to hear that cheering word, "Yet doth He devise means that His banished be not expelled from Him."
The intensity of that love was shown at Calvary when in that terrible hour He forsook His blessed Son as He bore sin's awful load. Christ's atoning sacrifice, dear reader, is the way, the only way, of approach to a just and holy God. Through the virtue of Christ's work on Calvary, God can in mercy meet us in all our need, and by virtue of His shed blood, translate us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son.
Sinner, see the bleeding Savior,
Pierced and nailed to Calvary's tree;
Sacrifice of sweetest savor,
Object of man's enmity.
God in heaven now waits to save thee,
Now believing thou are free.
Sinner, hear the wondrous story,
Jesus died and rose for thee.