Ronald and his mother were very poor, and he used to go down to the cliffs by the sea to gather birds’ eggs for food. This was very dangerous work, as the large birds defended themselves furiously when their nests were robbed.
One day he set out with some other boys, taking with him a strong rope by which he was to be let down over the side of the cliffs, and also a knife to defend himself, if attacked by the birds. He could look out over the foaming ocean as it dashed against the rocks beneath him.
He fastened one end of the rope carefully to a rocky point, and then tied the other end around his body. His comrades then lowered him till he came to a nest. He set his foot on the rock, took his knife in one hand, and stretched out the other to seize the eggs.
At this point he was attacked by a bird. He tried with a blow of the knife to defend himself, but to his horror he hit the rope instead of the bird, cutting it nearly in two.
He gave an awful shriek which was heard by his comrades. Seeing the danger he was in, they pulled the rope up as carefully as they could. Ronald could feel that one thread after another was breaking, and he closed his eyes so that he would not see the precipice. He felt the rope getting thinner every second and cried to God for mercy. I cannot tell you whether or not his soul was saved then, but I know it was surely a voice from God to him.
He heard the anxious shouts of his comrades, and then became unconscious with fright. One of his friends was leaning over the edge, reaching as far down as he could at the risk of his own lite. Just as he neared the top his friend caught him and pulled him to safety. Ronald was saved! What a diverance!
We tremble as we think of the awful death that would have come to him had he fallen upon the rocks below, but if you, dear reader, are unsaved, your position at this moment is worse than his. Each day another little “thread” breaks, and you are that much nearer eternal judgment. How much time have you left? At any moment your “silver cord” of life may break, and if you die in your sins you will be lost forever.
Ronald was thankful for the strong arm that saved him, and there is a stronger Arm reached out to save your soul from eternal doom. The Lord Jesus Christ came all the way from heaven’s highest glory, down to Calvary, and there He died to save your precious soul. Are you going to turn a deaf ear to His gracious call, as He offers to save you? Why refuse His loving entreaties any longer?
ML 05/23/1954