Warning Unheeded: The Niagara Rapids
Story★★★★There is a story told of two men upon the Niagara River, a few years ago. They were going on toward the Rapids. The oars were lying in the boat, and they were drinking, and talking, and having a jolly time. Some one on the shore saw their danger, and shouted to them to turn back; but they laughed at his fears and went on.
A little farther down some one else saw them and warned them; but one of them held up his bottle and shook it at him, and told him what a grand time they were having. They didn’t believe the warning; they didn’t believe the Rapids were anywhere near them. They had drunk too much and were intoxicated with liquor. Ah! many a soul is intoxicated with this world’s affairs and his plans here below.
Well, it wasn’t long before some one else saw their danger, and he warned them. But the men went on.
And at last one of them said, “I hear the Rapids!” And they seized the oars and pulled against the current; but it was too late.
They pulled and pulled; but it was too late. They could not pull against that awful current; and in a few minutes they went over the cataract and into the jaws of death, and lost their lives because they would not take the warning. So God calls upon you to seek His kingdom; and tells you if you will seek Him with all your heart you will find Him.
The point
Two intoxicated men on the Niagara River ignore repeated warnings about the rapids and perish, a cautionary tale of spiritual indifference to God's call.