The Terrible Chain

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 26, 1865

The Terrible Chain.

There was once a captain of a vessel promenading gaily on the banks of a stream not far from its mouth when the sea was at low tide. As he looked right and left without paying any attention to his feet, he did not see extending before him a great chain, of which one end was attached to a ring fastened to the rocks of the shore, and the other to an anchor buried in the sands in the middle of the river. Not seeing it, he struck it with his foot, stumbled and remained fast. His foot had passed through a link, and he could not withdraw it. He made repeated efforts, he turned his foot in every way, but all was useless. Then he cried for aid, and men, who were fishing some distance away, heard him and ran to him. Immediately they attempted to withdraw his foot, employing all their strength, but it began to swell, and their good will availed nothing.

What can be done? To unfasten or raise the chain would not be possible. It was one of those masses of iron that one can not remove but by the aid of a capstan, and there was no time to lose, for the tide was rising. Let us call a blacksmith to cut the chain, said the men; and one of them was dispatched to the nearest village, which was two or three kilometres from the place. The blacksmith came, but the instruments which he had brought were not heavy enough; it was necessary to return to the village to get others. He returned, but during the time the powerful waves of the ocean began to return; the water, which had at first only wet the sand, now rose over his foot, then to his thigh, and when the blacksmith arrived he could do nothing; the waters had risen to the captain's waist, and the men who assisted him were in a boat.

What can be done? What hope is left? Anguish upon anguish! One only resource remains, but it is terrible—to sacrifice his limb to save his life! Does he wish this? Yes, anything, everything, not to die! Life! oh, life! Oh for a skillful man, a surgeon to cut off my foot!

One ran instantly; a surgeon was found; he came in all haste, his case full of instruments, and everything necessary for the operation. As soon as the unhappy captain saw him afar he cried, quick, quick, doctor. Oh, hurry, cut off my foot, save my life! But when the doctor came near he had to get in a boat, and could not reach the captain except by rowing; the water had risen to his neck; they could scarcely keep his head out of water, and the surgeon said, "It is too late!" A few minutes after, the waves passed above the head of the unfortunate man, and he perished.

My friends, this terrible history we use as a comparison. That man who went out so gaily in the morning, taking his pleasant walk, that is you. That chain, which through heedlessness he did not see, is the net of Satan. That link in which his foot is caught is your sin. He believed he could easily extricate himself; he was deceived. The waves which mounted toward him are time flying, death coming. There is not an instant to lose. Each hour that passes renders your sins more powerful and your salvation less probable.

What will you do? All the boats in the world cannot save you; all the smiths in the world cannot sever your chain; all the doctors in the world cannot cut off your connection with sin. What will you do? There is a Saviour, but he is the only one; it is Jesus. He is able to save you, to unfasten you, to deliver you. Turn to him; call him to your aid; hasten; time flying; to-day is the day of salvation. Cast an eye of faith on him; he merits all your confidence and all your love; he has devoted himself to death, and has suffered it in order to give you life. Do not delay. Whosoever believes on him shall not be confounded. Do not delay; he will be with you in trouble, in danger, in death, and will deliver you. But delay not, for to-day is the day of salvation.