WHEN Samuel Webb was working at the bottom of a deep well at Brightlingsea some time ago, the sides collapsed, and buried him beneath some tons of earth. Relief operations were soon commenced under the guidance of a party of well-sinkers, willingly aided by the people of the place. They succeeded in removing the earth and rubbish, being encouraged by the knowledge that Webb was not only alive, but apparently not seriously injured, as he could be distinctly heard singing “Rock of Ages,” his favorite hymn. He could hear the rescue party at work, for he called out, “Tell my wife that I am trusting in Jesus.” After toiling for eight hours, the rescuers were able to pass ropes under Webb’s arms, and to drag him out.
After an entombment of eight hours, as might be expected, the poor fellow was in a state of collapse, but no bones were broken, and recovery from the effects of his alarming adventure was not difficult. He most certainly would have been killed had the great mass of earth fallen directly upon him, but he was standing underneath a ladder when the sides of the well collapsed, and the ladder was the means of keeping the earth shored up, and thus he was able to remain in an upright position till rescued. To do this, the well-sinkers proceeded to dig a pit alongside of the well where Webb was buried, and from this pit a cross-cut was made into the well. We are indebted to a daily paper for this account. It testifies to a power which can sustain a soul in an hour of terror—even of “that Rock” which is Christ.
A happy and consistent Christian said to the writer, before passing out of this world to be with Christ: “My feet are upon the Rock, and the hosts of hell can never remove them.”
How different the remark made by William Pitt, the great statesman: “I’m afraid that I have put off repentance too long to make it of any avail now.”
Many, alas! are looking for that “convenient season” which, after all, is to them inconvenient. Reader, beware of trifling! Some seem to think that they can seek God just when they please. Such do not know their own hearts: the truth is, that “there is none that seeketh after God.” No! the seeking comes from the Saviour’s side. It is He who “came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Mark that, the “lost.”
We speak of castles being built in the air, and know what becomes of such structures with no foundation. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.”
It may be, that owing to smallness of faith, or to a lack of spiritual apprehension of what blessed results flow to the believer in Jesus Christ through His finished work upon the cross, many are not so steadfast in their stand upon the Rock as they ought to be, not “always confident,” as says the Scripture. This reminds us of what was said by the Scotch boy, when asked if he had had any doubts and fears since he had been a Christian. “Aye,” he replied, “I have often trimbled on the Rock, but the Rock has never trimbled under me!”
“On Christ salvation rests secure,
The Rock of Ages must endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown
Which rests upon the ‘Living Stone.’”
W. R. C.