Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, How the “Thetis” was Lost.

H.M.S. Thetis was steaming up the Mediterranean, bound for Naples, with the British Ambassador and his suite on board. It was late in the evening, and dinner was just over. The captain of the vessel had been for some time eagerly scanning the charts; but now he stood before the company in the saloon rather more excited than usual, and with his watch in his hand, he addressed the company somewhat as follows: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a story to tell you which will probably be of interest to you. About two years ago I was cruising with the Thetis in these waters, and had orders to search for a reef said to exist hereabouts, and report accordingly. I spent days in the search, but found nothing. Now, one of my officers did not agree with my conclusions, and he managed to come out here again and renew the search. He pretended to find the reef, and reported the same. He was believed at home and promoted, and now that reef is noted in the charts. I believe the whole thing to be a myth, and I vowed then if ever I sailed the Mediterranean again I would run my ship clean over the spot. We are exactly there now, and in five minutes time shall have passed the imaginary danger.

 

---

There was a great stillness in the saloon as the captain’s eyes followed the minute hand of his watch. Presently, with a ring of triumph in his voice, he said: “We have passed the spot; I have proved my point — there is no reef.”

 

---

He had scarcely uttered the words, when first a grating on the keel of the vessel, and then an awful crash awoke him to his folly, but it was too late then to undo the mischief. The vessel heeled over, and in a few seconds was in a sinking condition. By great efforts the whole of the ship’s company was saved; but the captain refused to quit his ship, and as the Thetis made her last plunge he was seen with set face and clenched teeth holding hard on to the bridge of the vessel he had so madly thrown away.

There are thousands who treat eternal matters as the captain of the Thetis treated this reef. They laugh at the idea that danger threatens them, because they themselves have not seen it. But God’s Word plainly testifies as to this matter. Sin and its consequences, death, judgment, and hell-fire are realities, and God warns men of them that they might take the way of escape which He has provided.

But many refuse to believe the Bible; they think they know better than God, and despise the danger of which He warns.

This is a great snare of the devil. You see, if he can persuade a man that he may live as he likes and be all right at last, that man will go on in his self-willed and sinful course, despising and rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.

I tell the story of the Thetis by way of warning. Oh! be not guilty of the captain’s folly. Thank God for His warnings of mercy, and take His way of salvation.

It is not wise to close the eyes to danger but this is what the devil would have you do in order to destroy you. Do not play into his hands and be lost for ever, but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and through Him find perfect safety from every danger that threatens you.