THE SHIP OF TRUTH by M. O. WILCOX

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 22, 1879

THE SHIP OF TRUTH.

By M. O. WILCOX

A NOBLE vessel has started out on the stream of Time under canvas and steam. How majestically she sails! How well she is manned! How efficient her crew! Every thing is in its place; every one on board has his work; for there are no idlers among the crew. All is harmony and peace. Some of the faces look sad, but it is the sadness that makes the heart better. In the faces of all are hope, and a fixed determination to resist storm and tempest, and all enemies, and to reach the harbor of rest on the shore of the promised land. Their eyes are on their Captain, and he is ever faithful.

Many foes this vessel meets; many contrary winds and currents; many rocks, shoals, and whirlpools in and around her course: but, despite all adverse influences, her course is ever onward; her speed constantly increases. Every battle won gives her new strength and zeal, and unseen hands are assisting to guide her. Her chart is true, and all dangerous places are shown, and her course marked out.

There are many other vessels on this broad stream, bound in a contrary direction. Their captains wear a shining cloak; but the truth shows it to be a borrowed one, underneath which are corruption and darkness. Still, the greater multitude embark in those vessels. One after another is wrecked. The chart of truth shows their true character; but still the crowd rush on to ruin.

Some are driven by despair, by pride, by love of the world, by the cares of this life; some, by the phantom of pleasure whose motto is, “Out on the fool who mars to-day with thoughts of a hereafter.”

Once in a while an earnest inquirer leaves the sinking vessels, and is taken aboard the noble

ship whose chart is truth. He is scoffed at, jeered at by the maddened crowd; but he heeds it not. If wounded, it only urges him on to greater effort.

There is one strange thing occurs now and then that attracts our attention. We see individuals leave this noble ship, and, seating themselves in small boats of their own manufacture, float behind, with nothing but one or two frail cords to hold them to the parent vessel. Their arms are folded, and their time is employed in watching and finding fault with the workers and the leaders in the ship, while the bird of evil (Doubt) is pecking at the cord, the only hold they have of life. The complainer sees it not. His thoughts are engrossed in the mistakes of the vessel, until at last the cord—the life-cord—is severed, and he is left adrift. It is not too late then, if he will implore mercy of the Captain; but it is seldom done. He is picked up by some of the enemy's crews and is lost forever.

The name of these lost ones is—murmurers. The name of the noble ship they have left is—The Present Truth. The Captain of this ship is Jesus our Saviour. The chart is God's word.

Reader, where are you? Are you in the service of the everlasting King? Are you bound for the city of Zion? or do you wish to remain in that of Destruction? The noble vessel will soon enter the harbor of rest. The King will welcome the voyagers there. The shining garments and victor's crown will be put upon the faithful ones. The inheritance will be given them, and they shall reign with their King forever.

Let us not murmur, brethren. The ark may seem to be tipping, but do not put forth your hand. We are finite, God is infinite. It will all be right sometime. When the log-book shall be thrown open to all, when the voyage is over, we shall see that God's plans, and the progress of his work, were all right. Then let us not murmur, for our souls’ sake and for Christ’s sake. “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things . . . are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:10, 11. God help us to heed the warning. M. O. WILCOX.