p. 171 | OUT OF THE FIRE by Mrs. A. W. Heald

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 17, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 11.

“OUT OF THE FIRE.”

By Mrs. A. W. Heald

IN the recent terrible catastrophe near Hartford, Vt., it would seem that all circumstances combined to add horror to the occasion. It was in the dead of night that the frightful plunge was made from the bridge to the frozen river full fifty feet below, and the train with its precious freight of human life lay a crushed and shapeless wreck.

One who was rescued with broken limbs said: “Following the terrible noise of the crash came one instant of dead silence, and then arose most agonizing cries from wounded and dying. Should I live a thousand years I can never forget that awful moment.”

Almost immediately the whole mass was enveloped in flames. The scene seems too fearful to contemplate. Let the charred and blackened remains of thirty-five victims, and as many more maimed or wounded, tell the sad tale.

It is most affecting to read of the almost superhuman exertions made by those escaped from the wreck, towards rescuing others less fortunate. Men almost destitute of clothing, with bare feet, bruised, bleeding, and freezing, worked with frantic eagerness to extricate perishing victims, until, faint from exhaustion and driven back by the scorching flames, they were obliged to desist and drag themselves away to a place of shelter.

But this event, appalling though it is, must sink into comparative insignificance when that great catastrophe, the dreadful day of God’s wrath, shall burst upon a guilty world; when men shall call on the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us . . . from the wrath of the Lamb;” when “the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Pet. 3:10.

We believe that day is close at hand, but thanks be to our God, there are some among us who, “according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness;” but are we using all our powers to rescue the ungodly from a dreadful doom, and point them to the Lamb of God who alone can save from eternal death?

Perhaps we may say we have warned them, but is that enough? Let us remember righteous Abraham pleading with God for guilty Sodom. Remember also how the heavenly messengers sent to rescue Lot “laid hold upon his hand . . . and they brought him forth, and set him without the city,” lest he should be consumed. We are admonished in Jude 22, 23, “Of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Oh, may God help us to arouse from our sinful indifference, lest in that dread day we hear his voice saying to us, as to guilty Cain, “Where is thy brother?”

MRS. A. W. HEALD.

Windham, N. H.