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Monday, October 31, 2005

Lost By Water

Lost By Water
by Moses Denman

Lost By Water LOST BY WATER J. J. Johnson, a young man of this country, while trying to cross a rising stream here, placed himself in a lost and helpless condition. Upon reaching an eminence in the river-bed surrounded, by the swelling waters, he realized that heed should have been paid to the warning given a short time before. He now worked to save himself by climbing a small tree. For awhile this effort gave a false hope of safety. Someone proposed to bring a horse for his rescue but the frenzied man either did not hear or was powerless in will to heed this doubtful proposi­tion. Again he was urged to meet another halfway to help him over; but being helpless in water he preferred his present refugee, still hop­ing the water would not reach him. Thus he indulged the false hope that he would be saved after awhile; but the water continued to rise. Now in great alarm he was calling upon God to have mercy on his soul. Then he was begging his fellow-beings to aid him if possible without risking their own lives too much. Among his last words were, 'If you can help me do so now, for I can't stay here much longer.' Several times the tree was borne down by the forcible current carrying the gasping victim beneath the increasing wave. Finally an additional rise swept over the tree, the man's hold was broken and all was hushed save the voice of the wind and the lashing of the waves. We hope his prayer was the result not of fear simply, but the voice of loving trust in God. If so, evidence is thereby given that he will finally be among the highly favored ones at God's right hand; for the promise is, 'Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' We regret that no one present was able to save him, or was given the courage and benevolence to risk his own life for the man, in the hour of his extreme peril and great need. We have desired that, like our Saviour, some able loving one should have not merely offered to save but should have gone to the man and saved him. Christ the Lord, our great exampler, does not make mere propositions to save; but Jesus, our Good Samaritan, comes to the helpless sinner wounded by sin, and saves him, and pays all his dues. And we likewise should deny ourselves to save our fellow men from physical harm. Much more should we be willing to sacrifice all to save loving believers from the destructive waves of wrong doctrine and the ruin of sinful practice. 'Our dear Redeemer was ready, not only to risk his life for his friends but to die for his enemies. God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' What amazing love! While we were yet sinful rebels against him, Jesus loving­ly died for us here that we should live with him hereafter. He suffered the extreme agonies of the cross, that we should enjoy the sweet and perfect bliss of heaven. Poor distressed sinners and humble lovers of Jesus, wounded and sick of sin, remember the believer's debts were all fully paid by the suffering Saviour of lost, helpless sin­ners. So be of good cheer. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and he is the only way of salvation. Do you believe this, oh, my friends? Then heed his loving words. 'If you love me keep my commandments.' Oh, come to the Saviour in humble, trusting love and drink of the water of life freely. Yes, the dear Redeemer's gift is free, without money and with­out price. Jesus suffered for our disobedience; let us then turn from sin, and love and obey him always, and enjoy his gracious presence and cheering love. May the love of Christ constrain you to come, obey, and be blessed in the deed.
Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth, Is to feel your need of Him; This He gives you, 'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.
Sparta Tex.
M.D. DENMAN


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