“I wish it would rain.” Mr. O’Hara anxiously looked up, but a blazing sun shone from a cloudless sky. Just the right day for swimming or for picnics, but Mr. O’Hara was worried. It hadn’t rained for many days, and he was afraid of a forest fire. There were many homes, and cottages near the lake where Mr. O’Hara stood, and he knew a fire would bring a terrible disaster.
The very next day it happened. Mr. O’Hara and his brother were repairing a fence when they spied a cloud of smoke in the distance. With sickening fear they watched for a moment, and then they knew the awful truth. A forest fire was sweeping down upon them.
Their sturdy boat was right at hand, and they could easily row out into the lake and be perfectly safe. But they didn’t! They ran from cottage to cottage and warned everyone they met. Wouldn’t you do the same?
And this paper is a warning to you. The judgment of God is soon to fall on this poor world, and we would warn you to flee for shelter to Jesus Christ the only Saviour.
Some of the people were very much alarmed and ran quickly down to the water just as they were. Others didn’t seem to be worried very much and even smiled at those who left their homes and ran for the lake.
Soon the waves of smoke began to roll in and the roar of the flames could be heard closing in. Mr. O’Hara and his brother climbed into their boat and helped others in. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven! Just room for one more —eight—then, no room!
With careful strokes they rowed out into the lake, for their boat was so full they hardly dared to move. By this time there were other boats and some of them tipped over. Back on the shore the sight was even worse. The flames were sweeping everything before them, and the poor folks who had failed to heed the warning were trapped.
Now came the hardest task of all. Some were swimming in the water, and they tried to climb into Mr. O’Hara’s boat. But there was no room! What could he do? With an ache in his heart, he raised his oar and pushed away the despairing hands off the side and watched them slip down. Several times, through those awful hours, he had to turn away those who begged for rescue—there was no room!
Next morning, when the fire had burned itself out, they brought their boat to shore and looked about them. I cannot describe the picture but I can tell you that Mr. O’Hara, who now lives in Kingston, Ontario, says that the most awful part of the whole sad night was to push away those eager drowning hands from the boat.
The judgment of God is going to fall on this world soon. Have you a shelter? Your church—your own good deeds—your Christian parents? None of these will do. The only shelter is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, the shelter you need is the Lord Jesus Christ while there is still room. If you wait till the judgment falls it will be too late. The door of mercy will then be shut.
ML 09/27/1953