Shipwrecked, but not lost

“We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service.  Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.” —Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892.

The year was 1831, an English Captain and his crew were setting sail on the Juno, in the seaport of Archangel, Russia, bound for the North Pole via the Northwest passage.  With the small window of opportunity coming to a close, the timing was of poor choice as many a sailor had perished in its icy waters during the winter months.

Well, through a series of events and a massive storm, three of the crew members became stranded on the desolate island of Spitzbergen.  Polar bears, wolves, and the constant bone-chilling blasts of sea storms were certain to constitute their demise.  What would they do?

Nothing short of a miracle, the three men stumbled onto a deserted cave and dwelling.  The dwelling had previously been occupied by eleven crewmen of a lost whaling ship; the whole party had perished on that island many years before.  Saddened at the death of those men, the three new occupants buried the only remaining body, that of the Captain.

Later, upon examining their new dwelling, the men discovered the old Captain’s journal.  He explained in detail their voyage, and shipwreck.  Upon further examination, and to their surprise, the men found gun powder, lead shot, furs, salt, dried fish, and bear meat; all preserved by a heavy coating of tar, sealed in barrels.  Oh, what a blessing!  Although still in very grave danger, these provisions were of utmost importance for their survival until rescue – if there was to be one.

Strong in faith, the elder of the three constantly reminded the younger men of the Father’s unseen Hand in all that had taken place thus far.  Would God deliver them, and see to their rescue, or was it His will for them to perish also?

The name of the book is “Shipwrecked But Not Lost”, and it is one of a whole library of old books that can be found in the LampLighter Collection.  Aside from the Bible as foremost, and old hymns second, I cannot recommend the LampLighter books enough.  “Christie’s Old Organ,” “A Peep Behind the Scenes,” “Stepping Heavenward,” “The Wide, Wide World” and “Buried in the Snow” are but a few that the Mrs. and I have read together of the evenings, and none have been a disappointment.

We should make no apology for carrying a strong Lamp to discern truth from false among this current dark age (Psalm 119:105).  In saying that, when holding up that Lamp to examine the LampLighter Collection, it grips me how strongly they adhere to sound Biblical Doctrine.  Doctrine simply means instruction, and what jewels to find sound instruction still very prevalent in the time of the writing of these old LampLighters; most from the 1800s.

Would you like to read how a devout grandpa should instruct his grandchildren in matters of life; all while facing perils and even death?  Written in 1879, “Buried in the Snow”, by Franz Hoffman is the true story of one such man and his grandson.

Jesus said that he who overcometh shall inherit all things (Rev. 21:7).  So, how do strong-willed children overcome the sin nature all of us are born with?  “Teddy’s Button”, written in 1890, by Amy Le Feuvre will provide the reader with sound instruction afforded a fatherless child with a hot temper.

Scriptures teach us how our ladies are to mirror the holy women of old.  Likewise, we men are to be sober-minded, sound in the faith, and to love our wives as Christ loves the Church.  What a blessing to see it still being taught in 1869, via the book “Stepping Heavenward”, by Elizabeth Prentiss.  A sound testament that God’s grace and holiness always parallel one another.

Yes, as one would open an old trunk in an abandoned attic, and discover hidden treasure, surely the dust must be blown from these treasure-filled books, and examined with a careful eye all the more (Matt. 6:22, Prov. 16:16).

I tell a truth when I say that I would rather hand a person one of these LampLighter books, sealed with prayer, than anything this world has to offer.  That being said, while in prayer one night, it occurred to me that their preserved pages are akin to the provisions the men found on that desolate island of Spitzbergen.  Consider this, the Bible states very clearly that the true follower of Christ is a stranger on this earth (Heb. 11:13 & 1Peter 2:9-11).  In my own thoughts: certainly not spiritually, but, rather physically shipwrecked on earth (so to speak); a peculiar stranger to the world.  And just like the eleven crew members who perished, many Christians have already passed their time here.  But before departing, led by the Hand of Christ, they wrote these lamplighters.  Books that would be provisions, food for the soul, and spiritual weapons to assist in combating self, and the world, for those following after who must endure (Matt. 10:22).

Yes, what a blessing that we can make use of the provisions that others who went before us have left behind.  Provisions that are rooted in sound Biblical instruction for those who are indeed shipwrecked here, for a time…but not lost.

Lord willing, until next time

Michael Everett Jones is a Texas County native, old fashioned historian and purveyor of traditional Christian values. Email ozarksgrandpajones@gmail.com.

The post Shipwrecked, but not lost appeared first on Houston Herald .