MANY years since, I was residing with my family at a small bathing town in the South of England. It was customary, during a few months of that year, for a Christian to come from a neighboring town, to preach the gospel on the Lord’s Day evening. A proposal was made on one of these evenings, in the month of July, to preach in the open air instead of our usual meeting place. Accordingly, about half-past six, we adjourned to the beach. There were large logs of timber lying high on the beach. On one of these the preacher stood, whilst many gathered around him, listening to his words; there were also many passers-by, who paused for a few minutes and then moved on again. Amongst the latter were three lads. They also paused for a moment or two; then rushed to the water’s edge, got into a boat, and pushed off. No particular notice was taken of them; the preaching was continued, the hearers appearing very attentive. About half an hour had elapsed from the time that the boat containing the three lads had been seen to leave the shore, when suddenly, there was a cry, “They are gone down,” and a general rush was made to the water’s edge. We were near the Preventive Station. The boatmen in the service immediately put off in one of their own boats, to see if they could save the poor boys from a watery grave. It was a most distressing scene, for none could tell with certainty who were in the boat. One young woman came down to the beach directly she heard the news, fearing that her husband was one of the number, as he had left home but a short time before. Parents, wringing their hands, were inquiring whether either of the boys belonged to them. At last (though it was in reality but a short time) the boat that had put off to seek their rescue, returned, having been entirely unsuccessful. All that they had recovered was a cap belonging to one of the poor lads. The parents crowded around to see if they could identify the cap. It was identified by a man of the name of T. W. It belonged to his son. The clue being given, it was soon ascertained who the other two were. The three companions had been seen the previous day assisting in digging a grave, little thinking how very soon others would have to perform the same office for them. Two of these boys bore but an indifferent character; the third, T. W.’s son, had, contrary to the wishes of his parents, associated with the former two; his father had, that evening, only a short time before the accident occurred, charged him not to leave the house until his return. He was merely going to his field, where he still was when tidings of the accident reached him. Poor man! his heart misgave him; his boy, he feared, was one of the lost. That fear was soon changed into certainty, when, as related above, he saw the cap which had been found by the boatmen. Who can tell the agony of that parent’s heart? In an act of direct disobedience his child had perished. Oh! my dear children, the Scripture does not speak in vain, when it says, “Children, obey your parents,” and again, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Oft-times, you may not see the why and wherefore of their commands; still the word is “obey.” A blessing attends obedience―a curse disobedience. How little did this poor lad think what the end of this act of disobedience would be. What must he have felt when he saw his danger? What would he have given to have been where his father left him? Wishes were vain in that hour; it was then too late. God deals in much long-suffering and mercy now. He does not, in His infinite grace, visit all acts of disobedience with such signal judgment. He is willing to receive the disobedient and sinful child, that confesses his sin, and looks for forgiveness through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But we do sometimes see His hand put forth in judgment, as in the above instance―and why? Is it not as a warning to others, and to show us that, though He bears long with us, yet that sin is as hateful to Him as ever it was; and that unless confessed and put away, judgment must follow. Another thing I would notice―it is this: these lads, regardless of its being the Lord’s Day, had set their hearts on pleasure. They had, it appears, agreed together to go out in a boat that evening. On their way to the beach, they passed by one of God’s servants, who was, at that very time, delivering a message of pardon, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, to all who felt their need. These poor fellows, bent on their hearts’ desire, passed by. An hour’s pleasure was to them preferable to listening to the good news of eternal life and happiness, freely offered to all who go as guilty, helpless sinners to Jesus. It was the last opportunity afforded them of hearing these glad tidings. Doubtless, they thought, as many others think, that there was time enough for them. What a warning! We know not how soon our last opportunity may come. Defer not, beloved children. Put not off, for another hour, the fleeing to that blessed Saviour, who is so ready to receive all who come to Him.