A storm swept ‘round the sea coast
Of Scotland’s town, Dunbar;
And on the strand, a crowd did stand;
To watch a wreck afar.
The crew on board, nigh perished,
Clung hard to mast and rope;
With anxious eye, they did espy
What filled their hearts with hope.
For nearer came the lifeboat
As brave men fought each wave,
And shouts did cheer, as they drew near,
Their fellow-men to save.
Soon cheers rose o’er the tempest,
For all were saved but one;
And he was told to loose his hold,
And jump as all had done.
But clinging to the rigging
In hopeless misery,
He looked around, but made no bound
For life and liberty.
“Leap, leap for life,” they shouted,
“Leap now,” and brought up near
The boat again, but all in vain,
He would not leap through fear.
And sadly there they left him,
Nor could they longer stay;
The wreck sank fast, all hope was past,
They had to row away.
How like this man are many
Who God’s salvation slight
Through doubt and fear, though He comes near
To save in love and light!
For, like a storm, sin rages
And wrecks the doubting souls;
And, like a sea, Eternity,
With certain judgment rolls.
But there’s escape from judgment;
And cleansing, too, from sin;
And they’re not wise, who now despise
What Christ once died to win.
Then trust the great Lord Jesus,
All power to Him is given;
For only He can Saviour be
To bring you safe to heaven.
ML 08/27/1916