The S. S. "Ionian," torpedoed during the First World War, was on one of its many voyages across the Atlantic Ocean with a large company of passengers for Canada. Within two or three days' journey out of Quebec a small sailing ship was sighted by the officer on the bridge. He saw through the binoculars two flags flying on one of the masts as signals. This indicated that the men on the sailing ship had sighted the liner and desired to communicate with her.
According to the "rule of the road" on the high seas, a signal expressed by two flags indicates a matter of urgency. It requires any vessel observing the signal to attend to the matter at once.
At first the "Ionian" was too far away for the signal to be clearly understood, so the great liner was turned out of its course by quite a few miles to enable the officer in charge to decipher the message. Had there been only one flag he would have passed on with an easy mind; but international law, as well as the call of courtesy and humanity, demands definite action when two flags are seen.
The little vessel was frequently hid from view amid the giant waves. Several sails were set and it was clear from the message that the sailors were not face to face with any immediate danger—but they had lost their bearings. This is a nautical phrase, but it is well understood by all landsmen. The two flags called across the few miles of turbulent water: "Where am I? What is my present position?”
Soon, at the officer's instructions, a number of flags of various designs and colors were quickly procured and strung up to the top of the mast, conveying to the sailors in the small vessel the needed information. As seen through strong glasses the men seemed to be grateful for the message. They waved their arms in acknowledgment of the courtesy shown them and soon the liner returned to her course and continued her voyage.
But why their dilemma? Had some accident disabled their own compass? Many questions we should have liked to ask them. They needed no assistance and asked for none. "Only," their message ran, "tell us where we are. We must be many miles from land—are we making for port?" The waves were very high indeed and the sun was shining through a haze. A fresh breeze was driving their vessel merrily along, but they did not know where they were. Now the information was conveyed to them, and they were delivered from their uncertainty.
Reader, you are on a voyage. Each day is taking you nearer the end of life's journey. Have you ever asked of your conscience that question in Gen. 3:9, "WHERE ART THOU?" In view of eternity near, let me ask you: "What is your present position?" It is God who asked the question in Gen. 3, and it is God who has given the answer. The Son of God came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost. It is only when we see Him, the spotless, holy Savior, bearing God's judgment against sin on the cross that we catch the answer from infinite Light and infinite Love to the solemn question: "WHERE ART THOU?”
"God could not pass the sinner by:
His sin demands that he must die!
But in the cross of Christ we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.”