Disasters by Land and Sea by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1912

Disasters by Land and Sea

By F. M. W.

THE present year bids fair to equal any of its predecessors in furnishing its full quota of disasters. The disaster of the “Titanic” stands without a parallel. The terrible floods along the Mississippi, which have resulted in the destruction of hundreds of lives and thousands of dollars' worth of property, are unprecedented in the history of this country. Fire and earthquake in different parts of the world have accomplished their destructive work. We are reaching the time in earth's history when these evils seem to be rapidly on the increase and whether the cause of some of these disasters is directly traceable to the neglect or devisings of men, they nevertheless cause ominous forebodings. Multitudes are looking into the future with feelings of uncertainty. They know not what a day may bring forth. Every morning the click of the telegraph, the call of the telephone, or the cry of the newsboy reveals some new fatality.

The Scriptures of truth tell us that only these events are signs of the approaching day of God. By means of these disasters God is warning the inhabitants of this earth of the things that are soon to take place. The great crisis of human history is fast approaching. Probation's hour will soon pass, and God to-day is speaking to men through fire and storm and earthquake and tidal wave, admonishing them of his coming judgments, and calling them to repentance.

But while we recognize that God is speaking in these ways, it is not for us to clothe ourselves with the robes of judgment or to climb into the judgment-seat and declare that this or that disaster has been visited upon men as a special act of God's judgment, or in consequence of their sins. When we begin to do this with particular disasters, then we shall begin to pass judgment upon our fellow men around us. We are warned against this in the thirteenth chapter of Luke:—

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Verses 1-5.

As already suggested, while we may see in these events an indication of the times in which we live, while we may recognize that through them God is seeking to warn the world, calling men to repentance, there is a lesson for us to learn as individuals. It is the lesson of God's forbearance to us. This lesson the Saviour likewise emphasizes in this same chapter:—

“He spake also this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Verses 6-9.

How many times has the Lord come seeking fruit in our lives and found none? Stern justice has demanded that we who have been so unfaithful to the light given to us be cut down, but mercy pleads for a lengthening of our probation. Again and again by God's grace have we been spared. We still live. The present is ours. Let us seek to make such a response to the call of divine providence as shall demonstrate that we have not received his gospel in vain. F. M. W.