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Sinking of the Queen of the North Ferry |
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A passenger described what it felt like when the Queen of the North hit a
submerged rock shortly after midnight while cruising at 17 knots an hour
through Canadas Inside Passage. He said it felt like a bump, not a crash,
nor a terrific jolt, but simply a bump. The seemingly insignificant
encounter put a large hole in the hull of the 115 meter long ferry boat
which spelled its disaster.
Immediately after the impact the ships alarm bell rang. The bell was loud,
long and discordant signifying something dreadful had taken place. The
captain quickly appraised the situation and gave the order to abandon the
ship. He sent out a S.O.S message over the radio urgently requesting aid.
Many small fishing boats from a nearby aboriginal village responded quickly
providing invaluable assistance.
Efficiently, the well-trained crew helped passengers over the side of the
ferry into waiting small crafts. As a final precaution, to ensure no one was
being left behind, the captain ordered one of his crew to knock on the door
of every sleeping compartment. Quickly the crew member went through the
corridors of the ship pounding with his fist on every door. At last,
satisfied, the captain with the last of the crew left the ship.
For those who become alarmed over the danger of their sinful condition, the
Bible has good news. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
(1Tim.1.15) |
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Sinking of the Queen of the North Ferry |
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He came to this earth to die and rise again to
reclaim sinners to God. I came not call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance. (Lk. 5.32) The blood he shed on the cross has such an infinite
merit before God that it can wash away the darkest stains of sin. The blood
of Jesus Christ, Gods Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1Jn. 1.7) He invites
all men to receive cleansing and to be saved. The Lord is not willing
that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Pet.3.9)
One of the last things the captain did before abandoning the ship was to
order a crewmember to knock on the doors throughout the ship. A verse in
Revelations presents the Lord Jesus as knocking too. Behold I stand at the
door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into
him, and sup with him and he with me. (Rev. 3.20)
Have you heard him knocking at the door of your heart? No matter what your
past may have been, he wants you to open it and let him in. He wants to be
your Lord and Savior and bless you for time and eternity. You may take him
as your Savior by placing your faith in him, and then confessing him before
men. If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine
heart that God has raised him from the grave thou shalt be saved.
(Rom.10.9)
Isnt the fact that you are reading this gospel paper proof the Lord Jesus
is knocking on the door of your heart? A songwriter wrote:
Behold the Savior at the door
He gently knocks, has knocked before
He has waited long, and is waiting still
You use no other friend so ill
Dont let his knocking on your heart go unanswered. Dont keep him waiting
but believe on his name that the gift of eternal life might be yours. And
this is the record that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is
in his Son. (1Jn. 5.11) |
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