Lie By Till Morning
Historical Account★★★★It happened a good many years ago aboard the steamship Central America. The Central America was steaming from New York to San Francisco, where she encountered difficulty in the high seas and became disabled. She sent out her distress signals, and another vessel close enough began to move and became disabled. She sent out her distress signals, and another vessel close enough began to move in her direction.
It was nightfall when the would-be rescue ship arrived nearby and sent a message: “What is wrong?” The captain of the Central America sent back word: “We are in bad repair. We may go down. Please lie by till morning.”
And the would-be rescue ship sent another message back. The captain said, “Let me take your passengers on board now.” The captain of the Central America did not want to do that. It was nighttime.
He feared some might be lost in all the confusion, and he simply replied, “Lie by till morning.” The captain of the would-be rescue ship sent word another time. “You had better let me take them now.” And a third time came the reply, “Lie by till morning.”
Less than two hours later the lights disappeared because the Central America went down with loss of the total onboard count. Because it was thought that there was ample time later for a rescue. That points out the danger of delay. There was good news brought to the folks on the Central America, both crew and passengers, as a rescue vessel appeared and then said, “Can we take you on board?”
And there was no doubt shouting and joy. Good news. But the good news delayed became tragedy. –David Meschke, “Good News,” College Church in Wheaton, 28 October 1990.
David Meschke, Good News.
The point
The steamship Central America, in distress, refuses rescue offers to wait until morning; within two hours it sinks with all aboard—a tragic illustration of the danger of delay in responding to grace.