Acts 27:27-29 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria… I. MEN POSSESS THAT WHICH TELLS THEM THERE IS LAND AHEAD. "The shipmen deemed," etc. There is, universally, a consciousness in man, that beyond this there is "some country." What that country may be we may not be able to define, and our feelings, in prospect of the landing, may widely differ; but to those who are sailing in the Gospel ship, and are being guided by the inspired chart, under the direction of the Heavenly Pilot, the land beyond is a glorious reality, and the prospect of the landing is a source of daily comfort. Let us, standing on the deck of the grand old ship, look out across the wide watery waste for some sign of the country to which we are bound, and make use of the helps to that discovery which our Heavenly Pilot has provided. 1. By the telescope land is discovered when the unaided eye sees nothing but water. As the Bible is a chart, so is it a telescope by which we discover what otherwise would be unseen. Sailors, use your telescopes! Don't use them for looking at the waves, as many do, to magnify their troubles; but for looking beyond the waters, that the sight of the land may assuage your sorrows, and fill your souls with joy. And what a blessed contrast there is between this definiteness and the hazy uncertainty which pervades all human theories and infidel fancies! Yes, there is a country beyond, and the prospect of standing on its shore helps us to rejoice in spite of "our light affliction, which is but for a moment." 2. By the telescope the land is defined, when without it its character would be uncertain. Men feel that there must be "another shore"; but revelation discovers to us much of what that shore is. As soon as the captain, by the aid of his telescope, has discovered the distant hills, every glass in the ship is brought into requisition. Little by little, as the vessel approaches the shore, the dim outline develops into hills and dales; the haven itself is sighted, the tall masts of the ships which lie in the harbour are plainly discerned, while here and there the very people are distinguished who are waiting on the shore. And so, by the aid of our telescope, much may be discovered concerning the Land of Best. By it we discover that it is "a better country, that is, an heavenly"; that there are "many mansions" for weary voyagers. And here lies the great difference between natural and revealed religion. The one makes us feel that there is "some country"; while the other reveals to us where and what that country is. The two may be seen illustrated on board that very ship; for while the sailors "deemed that they drew near to some country," Paul could speak most positively and say, "We must be cast upon a certain island." To make these discoveries, the telescope must be properly used. You are not to look at it, nor merely to look into it, nor to take it to pieces and criticise it, nor to strut about with it under your arm merely to display it. The Bible is the most ill-used book in the world, With its gilt edges it is admired by those who never look into it; thumbed to death, it is looked into by those who never look through it; it is pulled to pieces by the would be critic; and the would be pious carry it in their hands, while it never reaches their hearts. Now, by such use of the Bible as this no glimpse of the "better country" will ever be obtained. If the sailor wouldn't look through his telescope until he understood the laws of light, and all the various relations of the lenses which constitute that work of art, he would never see the land at all. To take out one glass and look through it, and then, because he couldn't make wonderful discoveries, throw it and all the rest into the sea, would be an act of supreme folly. But thus many treat the Bible! If you would see the country, take up the glass, just as it is, put it, not to the blind eye of prejudice, as Nelson, when he did not want to see a signal; but to the clear eye of living faith, and you shall see that "life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel." II. MEN ARE DAILY REMINDED THAT THEY ARE NEARING THE "LAND AHEAD." The sailors had a terrible conviction that they were drawing very near to "some country." And without the aid of revelation we are not ignorant of the fact that the end of our voyage will soon be reached. The sailor knows when he is nearing land. 1. By soundings (ver. 28). As long as men are out on the wide ocean, no line carried by ordinary ships is long enough to reach the deep sea bottom, and therefore they never trouble themselves to take soundings; but as they draw near the land, and are able to take the depth of the water by the ordinary lead lines, they take soundings day by day, as they go. (1) Look around you. (a) Can you not see how shallow the water is becoming? Look at those who were boys and girls with you. What havoc time has wrought with them! So-and-So is getting old. Do you not see in all this that you yourselves are nearing the shallows? Time has not spared you. (b) See what death has done! Go to the churchyard and take soundings there! Be honest with your own souls! You may die at twenty, thirty, or forty years of age; but at whatever age the call may come, you are nearing the shore, and you ought to be prepared for the landing. (2) Consider yourself. Is it not true that each year finds you weaker, and leaves you weaker still? We hear people say, "The winters — they try me more than they did." That means that the waters are becoming shallow. 2. By observation. It was this that helped Columbus to persevere in his westward course till he had sighted the Western World. The sea bird is not an unwelcome visitor; but should a songster from the land fly for refuge towards his vessel, the sailor hails it with delight, and listens to its welcome song as to that of the "cherub that sits up aloft." And thus many an aching heart has been cheered in the voyage over the sea of life. Often, like some bright bird of paradise, thoughts of heaven, and music as of eternal love, have cheered the Christian soul, and told him that land was very near. Keep you the vessel's head towards the golden sunset. Land is ahead, and near! 3. By experience. As people know, by its influence on the atmosphere, when they are near to the sea; so men may sometimes know, on the sea, when they are drawing near to the land. As the land breeze comes out across the waters, the Christian turns his face towards his rest. Though he cannot see it, he seems to feel the influences of a "better country." Much of heaven may be known before we reach the harbour. As the sailors, long before they have sighted America, actually drink of the fresh streams which flow from the western mountains; so, before we reach the haven of rest, we may drink rich, deep draughts of bliss from the eternal hills of life. III. MEN HAVE SPECIAL SEASONS WHICH REMIND THEM OF THE "LAND AHEAD." "About midnight the shipmen," etc. Times of midnight make us think of "home," and all men have such times. "Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God." Midnight times are needful. "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you." It is necessary to make us think of home. If God had not stirred up their nests in Egypt, the Israelites would never have longed for Canaan. It was when on the brink of starvation in a far-off land that the prodigal thought of his father's house, and wished to be there. Your business fails, to make you think of your heavenly treasure; your beloved ones are taken away, that you may look forward to the time when the family circle, eternally complete, can ne'er be broken; and pain and sickness lay you low, to remind you that "this is not your rest." Then think of home always! Lay up your treasure there! IV. MEN HAVE OVERWHELMING INDUCEMENTS TO PREPARE FOR THE "LAND AHEAD." It is an awfully solemn fact that millions of our fellow men are living utterly regardless of these things. (W. H. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; |
    |