A man by the name of Avery and two other men, were on the Niagara River a long way above the Falls. They had been drinking and it is thought two of them were very drunk. They rowed to shore and carelessly threw a rope around a rock, but failed to tie it very well. Then they lay down in the boat and went to sleep.
While they slept the motion of the water unfastened the rope, and they floated down towards the Falls, unconscious of their danger.
Nobody knows how, but Avery got out of the boat and onto a log lodged above the Falls on a little point of rock. In the morning he was discovered sitting on that log. The other two had gone over the Falls and into eternity.
And there was poor Avery. But nobody could get to him. Who would dare to? The motion of the water kept the log rocking continually, and it seemed at the least change he must go over. But for 26 hours he held that perilous position.
“It is estimated that 10,000 peons lined the banks. There were boats, rafts, and friendly hands. One man said: ‘I will pay any man $1,000.00 if he will rescue Avery!’ "
Some of Avery’s friends thought he would become discouraged and drop off the log and go over; so they got a wide board and wrote on it in big letters, “WE WILL SAVE YOU!”
But that promise could not be fulfilled. At that very moment when poor Avery thought he was about to be rescued, he found himself being borne by the rapid current to the edge of the Falls. As he saw that he must die in the sight of 10,000 friendly hearts and hands, he partly raised himself in the water and gave a most heart-rending cry that reached the ears of the spectators. Then he plunged over the Falls into eternity.
Dear reader, if you are unsaved, without God and Christ, without hope in this world, see in this poor man’s condition a picture of your own. Poor Avery cried, but there was none to deliver. You still have time to cry to the One who alone can save you—Christ the Saviour of sinners. He is near, and if you have faith to trust Him, those outstretched arms of love will reach out and lift you to everlasting safety.
Avery was well aware of his danger; he eagerly longed to be saved. Can as much be said of you? Sad is your case if you do not want to be saved. The Lord doesn’t save anyone against his will, though He does make us willing at times.
Avery’s friends promised to save him, but it was a vain offer. No vain offer is this which the Saviour offers you, written clear and plain in God’s own Book. The Lord Jesus is as mighty as He is willing to save.
Sit no longer on the rocking log of life, as it were, in the current of time. Ahead lies death and judgment—and eternity. Today the offer of salvation still holds. Tomorrow the offer may be gone—and you may be gone, too!
ML-03/23/1980