Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, Nelson and Hardy.

Everyone will agree that it is a downright good thing to have a real and true friend — one in whom you may always trust, who will stand by you at all times, and never play you false. Such a friend is well worth having.

Now I can introduce you to a Friend of this kind. He will never deceive you, and upon Him you may always safely depend. The Book which never lies says “He sticks closer than a brother” and “loves at all times,” and those who know Him best are the readiest to bear witness to the fact that all the Bible says of Him is true. His name is Jesus. This is the Friend in whom I glory, and it would be well if He were the boast of every one who reads this page.

Yes, Jesus is the Friend of whom I write and the Friend whom you need; in every walk of life you need Him, whether, so to speak, you ship behind the mast or walk the quarter-deck, whether your responsibilities are great or small, your trials heavy or light, you cannot get on aright without Him.

The most successful life is a stupendous failure, when judged in the light of Eternity if it is lived without the Lord Jesus Christ.

But He is not only indispensable to you, He is all sufficient — fully equal to every emergency in which you may find yourself.

Now do not turn away as though He were not worthy of your notice, or the time will come when you will heartily wish you knew Him. When will that be? When the hollow shams that please you now have ceased to be, and you are confronted with the tremendous realities of the vast Forever, and the reason why it would be well for you to know Him at that supreme moment is because He is greater than all that could make you afraid then.

He is greater than your sins, greater than the judgment they deserve, greater than the power of death, the grave, and Satan; in short, we who know Him proclaim Him to be the greatest and most blessed Person in God’s universe.

Well, if He is greater than all these terrible things, He is surely greater than this world, more glorious than its greatest glory, more powerful than its utmost might; He is greater and better than the things that please you; He is greater than your foes and trials; and being so is the very Saviour and Friend you need.

How happy is the portion of those who belong to the Lord Jesus! He is sufficient in every time of need. His power and grace are ever put forth on their behalf, for He is at all times true to them.

An incident from the life of Lord Nelson, may in some sort of a way illustrate for us the unfailing love and Friendship of the Saviour. It is well known that Nelson had a strong and life-long affection for his lieutenant Hardy. On one occasion this affection was put severely to the test. Nelson was then Commodore, and his flag flew from the mast of the frigate Minerve. On the 11th February, 1797, he sailed from Gibraltar to join the fleet under the command of Sir John Jervis.

Nelson had no sooner weighed anchor than he perceived two Spanish battleships moving in pursuit of him, the foremost of which was gaining upon him. As the Minerve was inferior in size and equipment to the Spanish vessels all sails were set to get out of their reach.

At this moment a sailor fell overboard, and Hardy, who had just been released from Spanish captivity, leaped into a boat with a party of men to attempt a rescue; their efforts proved useless, and they sought to regain their ship; but the current was against them, and then to their consternation they found that the foremost Spanish ship was now within gun shot.

It was also evident that if Nelson waited to pick them up, his ship would be overtaken, and run the risk of being destroyed or captured.

He took in the situation at a glance, and at once decided to take the risk of saving his friend. “I will not lose Hardy,” he exclaimed; back the mizzen top-sail.” At once the Minerve’s course was changed, and she began to drift towards Hardy and in the direction of the Spanish ship Terrible. Now was the Spaniard’s opportunity to avenge themselves upon Nelson, and he fully expected an engagement and prepared his ship for action.

But the Dons feared his prowess, and were utterly taken by surprise at this daring manoeuvre, so much so that the Terrible shortened sail in order to allow her companion to come up before commencing an attack. This gave Nelson the time he desired; he was able to save Hardy from falling into the hands of the Spaniards again, and setting his studding sails, he got clear away from the foe. It was a daring thing to do, but it proved the reality of his friendship; he risked his ship, his reputation, his liberty, and his life in order to stand by his friend and save him from his perilous surroundings, and I am sure that Hardy would never doubt the sincerity of Nelson’s love to him after such an exhibition of it.

But let us think for a moment of the constancy and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was said of Him when here on earth, He is the friend of publicans and sinners, and verily, though this was said in bitter derision, He has gained for Himself this title, gained it by proving the reality of His love. It was written in olden days — “If a man would have friends, he must show himself friendly”; and truly the Son of God has shown Himself to be friendly in order that He might gain friends. He could say, “greater love has no man than this — that a man lay down His life for His friends.” This is what He did, and having done it He offers Himself to all. You, yes, even you, may accept Him, you may trust in Him as your Saviour; then you will prove how great a Friend He is. You will be able to sing: —
“I have found a Friend in Jesus,
   O, how He loves!”

And His love will never change.

Having saved you He will care for you all the way home. It is true that Christians have many foes in this world. Satan desires to harm them and hates them bitterly because they belong to Christ; but he cannot destroy them, for Jesus has said of them “they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.”

Nor need we fear the foe, for our Lord Jesus Christ has also said “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” And he is greater than all our foes. He proved His greatness by overcoming them all upon the cross.

He did not merely risk the conflict with the foes in order to save sinners, He met them in stern battle, and, by dying Himself, has gained the victory, and He has now risen triumphantly from the grave. He is the conqueror, His right hand has gotten Him the victory, and the Christian can say, “I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”

When in the midst of the raging tempest of Galilee’s lake the disciples were just as safe as they were when Jesus in His majesty rose and quelled the storm; they were as safe in the storm because He was with them, and you are safe if a believer in Jesus, safe for ever. His name and glory and word are all pledged to bring you to the harbour of heaven in perfect safety. The foe shall not again enslave you because you belong to Him. But if you are not His, if you cannot say, “I am His and He is mine for ever and for ever,” your danger is most terrible. Oh, that your eyes may be opened to see it; that you may discover your sinfulness and the need of this Saviour, then you will turn to Him and turning to Him you will prove Him to be a present and eternal Saviour, “a Friend that loves at all times, a Brother born for adversity.”