ONE lovely morning in the month of October, a number of fishermen were preparing to go to sea. They gathered around to consult the barometer, and were very much astonished to find that during the night the indicator had gone back from “Fair” to “Stormy.” They looked up to the horizon, but no appearance of a coming storm was there. The sky was clear, and everything around them gave indications of fine weather. The one dissenting voice was that still barometer, in its unmistakable voice, saying, “Stormy.” What was to be done?
Barometers had been known to go wrong at times, and so they came to the decision that this one must be wrong. Off they sailed on the mighty deep, confident and sure, with the exception of one solitary boat, whose crew were doubtful about the “fair” signs, and whose faith was firm in the testimony of the barometer. The boats arrived at their respective fishing-grounds, and had let down their nets. Everything was going on quietly, when lo! suddenly the sky became covered with clouds, the wind began to blow, and the waves began to lash around.
Could it be possible that the barometer was right, after all, and that they were wrong? That it was so became more painfully evident every moment, but alas! it was knowledge acquired too late for them. The sea raged in fury, and the storm increased. Unable to recover their nets, they left them, and made for the nearest harbor. The scene was heart-rending and painful beyond description. There on the shore stood wives and children weeping. Husbands and sons sank down beneath the surging waves before their very eyes. The wreckage and the dead strewed the shore. Many perished, and all because they rejected the warning voice of the barometer.
And now, dear children, I think you have seen the lesson that this sad story teaches. God has put a barometer into your hands—it is the Bible. With a clear and solemn voice we are told in the Bible of a coming storm of vengeance and wrath upon sinners, All was “fair” and peaceful in the days when sin was unknown in the garden of Eden; but ever since the lurking serpent’s lie was believed, the indicator has been pointing to “Stormy,” and warning sinners, both old and young, of the wrath of God to be revealed from Heaven. It will burst upon the Christ-rejector swiftly and suddenly, and there will be no escape.
Strange to say, the most of people heed it not. They reason like the fisherman on that fatal morning. The blue heavens above present no sword of coming judgment, and people say, “It must be a mistake: the indicator must be wrong.”
So men reason and hasten on in forgetfulness of coming wrath, until with awful force it bursts upon them. Where will you seek shelter then, dear children? O! be warned while yet the Refuge is open. Jesus is the hiding-place. Flee to Him now.
ML 12/30/1917