Boom! came the sound of the coastguard’s gun, and people in the seaside resort held their breath fearing it was the signal call for the lifeboat. Yet a minute later the second report from the gun told the sad story of a vessel in distress.
The lifeboat was quickly manned by its crew of brave men, and towed out of the harbor by the tug. Soon it was on its life-saving way. The distressed boat was a schooner wrecked on the dreaded Goodwin Sands. After some hours of battling with wind and wave, the lifeboat came quite near the vessel. The front mast was already half buried in the quicksand and the waves were beating over the deck. Although they rowed as near as they dared, they could see no sign of life, and so with very sorrowful hearts they made their way back to the harbor. They had to leave their anchor behind, but decided to return for it at low tide the next day, for at low tide it is possible to land on the Sands.
However, the next day the wind was still so boisterous and the waves so high, they did not go, but waited yet another day. The sea this time was much calmer and the wind ceased, so they got out to the wreck in about half the time.
As they rowed near the schooner to their amazement they saw someone signaling. With all possible speed they made their way to it, and found, in a terribly weak condition, three members of the crew. Very carefully they carried them aboard and happened back to the harbor and on arrival the men were hurried off in the ambulance to the hospital. After a few weeks of care and attention, they recovered their health.
How was it that they had not been discovered when the lifeboat first went to their rescue? They had climbed the mast for safety and had signaled when they saw the lifeboat coming. Then in order to protect themselves from the tempest they wrapped themselves in the topsail. They thought their signals had been seen and waited for the lifeboat to come and take them off, but to their horror they saw the lifeboat turn round and make its way back, and they knew they had not been seen. The lifeboat men saw the sail bulging, but thought it was with the force of the wind.
One poor fellow, only seventeen years old, lost heart entirely and letting go, he fell into the sea and was drowned. But the others hung on, hoping against hope that they would be seen somehow and saved.
Was it not God’s mercy to those poor seamen that caused those men to go back to the spot for their anchor? Yes! And it’s God’s mercy today that gives you another opportunity to escape not from a watery grave, but something far worse—a Christless eternity. So many people think they are all right, but oh, take warning from these sailors. Thinking you are safe, and being safe because you are resting on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, are two very different things.
The poor men on the doomed vessel had to wait for two days before rescue came, but there is no need for you to wait for another moment before you may know the certainty of being saved. The Lord Jesus is waiting for you. Come now to Him and I have life and peace forever.
Christ is the only Saviour mighty to save,
He who suffered once for sins, and sank ‘neath the wave;
Sing how the wrath of God on Calvary’s cross He bore;
How by death He conquered death and lives evermore.
Christ is the Saviour, He never will fail,
All hope to save oneself could nothing avail;
Man is a total wreck, can never reach the shore.
All who trust in Jesus Christ are saved evermore.
ML 07/30/1961