Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, The Wreck of the “Royal Charter”

Who, having seen a shipwreck, can ever forget the awfully terrible and soul-thrilling sight. To stand upon some storm-lashed shore and see out on the grey sea a helpless vessel struggling in the grip of the tempest; to see that ship go shivering helplessly onward to its doom, almost hidden at times by huge waves, then at length lifted high upon their crest and dashed upon the relentless rocks to disappear with broken back in the swirling waters. This is indeed a terrible sight — one that leaves an impression upon the mind which time cannot erase.

But more terrible by far is the shipwreck of a soul. To see those who have been created for the glory of God choosing the ways of sin, neglecting and rejecting God’s offered salvation, this is truly saddening; for to choose the ways of darkness and sin is to reach destruction at last.

And yet this is the sad end of many, and there is a possibility that it may be the end of some who read these pages. Because of this awful possibility we continue to warn and to press upon you the great necessity of accepting God’s salvation.

Salvation is needed by all. This is proved by the fact that God offers it to everybody, but all are not saved, for many wilfully reject or neglect the salvation which God offers. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3) is a solemn question. Ah! there could not possibly be any escape, for none but God could provide salvation for sinners, and if His way is rejected there is none other.

The wreck of the Royal Charter on the night of October 26th, 1859, shall serve as an illustration of salvation neglected. She was one of the finest and fastest vessels afloat at the time, and was returning from Australia with a full complement of passengers. Many of these had made themselves rich at the newly-discovered goldfields, and were doubtless looking forward to enjoying their wealth at home in England.

All went well until the shores of Wales were sighted on the evening of October 25th, when a terrible hurricane began to blow, and the engines of the Royal Charter became powerless, with the result that she began to drift before the gale.

To be so near an ugly lee shore and in such a gale thoroughly alarmed the captain, and he hoisted signals of distress. A ship carrying troops to Ireland hove to, and through the trumpet the captain of the Royal Charter cried: “Our engines are broken down; for what will you tow us into port?” The price was named. “Too much” was the answer. On being urged to accept the offered help, the captain replied, “I’ll run my chance.”

Within twenty-four hours the appalling news was flashed all over the country, that the Royal Charter had gone down off the coast of Wales, and with her 490 souls had been swallowed up by the insatiable sea.

They went down in sight of home, overwhelmed and destroyed when, humanly speaking, they might have been saved.

I had the story from the lips of a Christian soldier who was on the troopship that offered the help, and when I heard it my thoughts turned to many who, like the ill-starred captain of the Royal Charter are turning their backs upon salvation, and saying, “I’ll run my chance.”

If such should read these lines, I urge you to be warned. You have absolutely no chance of salvation and heaven apart from Jesus. Your danger is great to-day, and the longer you stay away from the Lord Jesus Christ the more imminent it becomes.

Do you say you cannot see any danger ahead? You have heard how that in the midst of the battle of Copenhagen, Sir Hyde Parker commanding the British fleet, signalled to Nelson, his second in command, to cease action and retire. When Nelson’s attention was called to this, he put his telescope to his blind eye, and said, “I really do not see the signal.” And many do not see the danger because they will not. They are wilfully blind. They have allowed Satan to put the scales upon their eyes. Nelson was wise, for he had his other eye wide open and knew that victory was in sight but for the sinner who closes his eyes to the truth there is absolutely no hope. This is Satan’s work, but he not only closes men’s eyes, but he has closed their ears too; they will neither see the danger nor hear the warnings. Thus Satan wrongs them now that he may destroy them eventually, and, they seem to love to have it so. As long as the present seems bright they care not though they be but a league from some dreaded reef.

But there is a Saviour nigh at hand ready and able to save all who desire His salvation. He can save the vilest: He can save to the uttermost. Past rock and shoal, through fog and storm, He will safely steer all who trust in Him and safely to the heavenly haven they shall at length be brought.

Not one of “His own” shall be lost. The famous “Cunard” line can boast that they have never lost a single passenger’s life since the foundation of their company, and a wonderful record this is when one thinks of the fierce storms that rage upon the Atlantic and of the thousands of souls that they have carried; but the Cunard line is not infallible, and, though we earnestly hope that its proud record will be maintained until the end, one cannot say what may happen at sea.

But with Jesus we can speak with all confidence. The salvation which He procured at the cost of His own precious blood is a perfect salvation. In His right hand, as the living risen Saviour, there is omnipotence, and He can say with triumph of His own, “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28.)

He has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

So that we may boldly say “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what men shall do to me.” (Hebrews 13:5-6.)