The wild winds blew, and the sea rose in mountains, causing great disaster and loss of life in the North Sea. As the shades of night fell, a vessel was seen struggling against wind and tide making for the harbor. Seen by the coastguards to strike a rock, the word was passed by the coxswain to "Man the Lifeboat," which was done, and in less than half an hour the gallant rescuers were making for the disabled vessel, several of whose crew were distinctly seen clinging to the mast and rigging. One after another of the helpless, half-frozen sailors were borne in strong arms from their places of danger to a seat in the lifeboat, where restoratives were given amid many expressions of gratitude, while the crowd on the shore cheered the noble deliverers, who at the risk of their lives rescued those who were "ready to perish" (Job 29: 13.)
When they approached the skipper, who was clinging to the shattered mast of the fast sinking ship, he refused to be carried from the wreck, first by maintaining that she would yet make the harbor, and finally, when every argument had failed to convince him of his danger, he threatened to shoot "dead on the spot" with a loaded pistol he had in his hand, any who would lay hands on him to take him by force. The rescued men were carried in the lifeboat to the shore; darkness settled down on the wreck with its defiant skipper. When the morning broke it was gone, and he with it, to a grave in the storm-tossed sea.
The lifeboat with its living rescuers is like the Gospel of God sent to rescue the perishing out of the world, and bring them to God and to heaven. To all who commit themselves to Christ, the Gospel becomes "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1: 16). None perish that trust themselves to Christ, who is "Mightly to save" (Isa. 63:11Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (Isaiah 63:1)).
But some who hear the Gospel and have the salvation it brings brought (Tit. 2:1111For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11)) to their side, like the defiant captain of the sinking vessel, refuse to be saved, cling to the world, and perish in their sins.