SAVED by V. A. M.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1874

SAVED

By V. A. M.

“Black and sullen the ocean, Black and sullen the sky, Drifting fast to the leeward, Never a harbor nigh. Rent the sail and the cordage, Torn and shattered the deck; Alas, alas! for the ship, Drifting so fast to wreck.”

“Ah! but the loss of the ship Is only so much gold; Alas! for the perishing souls, Whose price can ne’er be told. Hark! o’er the whelming waters Cometh their pleading cry— Help, Jesus, or we perish! O Christ! O Christ! we die.”

Not long since, we saw a picture of a stone cross, resting upon a solid rock in the ocean. The waves were beating against it as though they would tear it from its foundation; but, baffled in their attempt, rolled back, angry at their defeat. The sky was black and lowering. In the distance was a ship which had labored with the elements, till, with rent sails and torn and shattered deck, she lay at the mercy of the waves. Some of the passengers had abandoned the ship, “drifting so fast to wreck,” to reach, if possible, the cross which offered them succor. As they floated near it, some one, retaining a firm hold of the cross, caught them by their garments, and drew them up to it.

Dear reader, do you understand what this picture, which we have tried to describe to you, represents? The dark, lowering clouds represent the things which come between us and God, and shut out the light. The dark, angry waves represent the temptations which surround and almost overwhelm us. The stone cross represents the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.

As we looked upon this picture, we were sad and yet glad. We were sad as we thought of the enemy of all good, who is ever ready to prompt to evil, and the many temptations all along the way, to lead the youth and children down to death. We were glad as we looked at the cross; for, if we only plant our feet firmly upon the Rock, and cling to the cross, we are safe. No matter if the way does seem dark, and the waves of temptation sweep over us, the cry for help will surely be heard by One whose ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, nor his arm shortened that it cannot save. The light will surely pierce the thick clouds of darkness, and shine upon the Rock of Ages, and, hope springing up, we can cling to the cross and be saved.

Saved! Saved from what? Saved from sin and eternal death. People are glad and thankful when they are saved from some danger which has threatened them. We will here relate a little incident which will illustrate this; but the happiness and gratitude which will fill the hearts of the redeemed when they are safe in Heaven, no mortal tongue can tell:—

Our readers will perhaps remember the fearful shipwreck of the steamer Atlantis which took place some time ago on the coast of Halifax. Hundreds of lives were lost on that occasion, and dreadful scenes were witnessed. “There was a merchant from Detroit, who was a Christian man, among the passengers on board that steamer. When his family heard of the wreck, they were in great distress. How eagerly they read over the list of the dead, in the newspaper, to see if his name was among them. But God so ordered it that this gentleman was permitted to get safe to shore. As soon as he reached the telegraph office, he sent a telegram home to his family. There was just one, single word in that telegram; but oh! it was worth more than all the money in the world to them. It was the word saved! And when that merchant returned home, he had that telegram framed and hung up in his counting-house, with that one word, saved, in it, so that he could see it every day, and that all who came in might see it too, and be reminded of God’s great goodness in sparing his life.”

But it was only the merchant’s present life that was saved; and this is nothing compared to the future life. But when we come to Christ, he engages to save our souls in Heaven forever. And the time is not far distant when the redeemed shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and instead of treading streets which are paved with the gross things of earth, they will walk the streets of gold in the New Jerusalem; and instead of plucking sin-cursed flowers, they will gather the never-fading flowers of the new earth; and instead of hearing discordant music, the silvery notes of the redeemed will fall upon their ears. What a glorious salvation! Saved by the Rock of Ages.

Remember, dear reader, in time of temptation, to cling to the cross of Christ. Not only cling to it yourself, but lend a helping hand to others.

“Try to catch their garments, As they float sadly past; Fear not the storm or danger, Count not the gain or loss; So you can help the drowning, On to the Rock of the Cross.” V. A. M.