Yesterday, April 15th, marked the 100th anniversery of the sinking of the Titanic. Since then there have been numerous articles out commemorating this event, two of which I'd like to mention here. The first deals with preacher John Harper whose soul was claimed that day by a watery grave...
"When pastor and preacher John Harper and six year old daughter boarded the Titanic it was for the privilege of preaching at one of the greatest churches in America, Moody Church in Chicago, named for its famous founder Dwight L. Moody. The church was anxiously awaiting his arrival not only because of the pending services, but to meet their next pastor, as Harper planned to accept their invitation. Harper was known as an engaging preacher and had pastored two churches in Glasgow and London. His preaching style was suited for an evangelist as testified by the words of another local pastor. "He was a great open-air preacher and could always command large and appreciative audiences. ... He could deal with all kinds of interrupters, his great and intelligent grasp of Bible truths enabling him to successfully combat all assailants."
When the Titanic hit the iceberg, Harper successfully led his daughter to a lifeboat. Being a widower he may have been allowed to join her but instead forsook his own rescue, choosing to provide the masses with one more chance to know Christ. Harper ran person to person, passionately telling others about Christ. As the water began to submerge the "unsinkable" ship, Harper was heard shouting, "women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats." Rebuffed by a certain man at the offer of salvation Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, "you need this more than I do." Up until the last moment on the ship Harper pleaded with people to give their lives to Jesus.
The ship disappeared beneath the deep frigid waters leaving hundreds floundering in its wake with no realistic chance for rescue. Harper struggled through hyperthermia to swim to as many people as he could, still sharing the Gospel. Harper evidentially would lose his battle with hypothermia but not before giving many people one last glorious Gospel witness."
When the Titanic hit the iceberg, Harper successfully led his daughter to a lifeboat. Being a widower he may have been allowed to join her but instead forsook his own rescue, choosing to provide the masses with one more chance to know Christ. Harper ran person to person, passionately telling others about Christ. As the water began to submerge the "unsinkable" ship, Harper was heard shouting, "women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats." Rebuffed by a certain man at the offer of salvation Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, "you need this more than I do." Up until the last moment on the ship Harper pleaded with people to give their lives to Jesus.
The ship disappeared beneath the deep frigid waters leaving hundreds floundering in its wake with no realistic chance for rescue. Harper struggled through hyperthermia to swim to as many people as he could, still sharing the Gospel. Harper evidentially would lose his battle with hypothermia but not before giving many people one last glorious Gospel witness."
The entire article is a great read and I encourage you to click on the above link if you have the time.
The second article I'd like to link to here is by Dr Jerry Newcombe and it asks the question, Do you know who christened the Titanic? Dr Newcombe provides the answer and it also is a great read.
Should anyone reading this who is putting their faith in something temporal for their eteranl destiny and would like to consider an alternative, simply click here.
4 comments:
I had no idea about that story until now.
Wow! As much as I have learned about the Titanic over the years, I did not know this man nor his story. I did not know he was going to take over Moody Church. What a testimony. Thanks for sharing this.
Should anyone reading this who is putting their faith in something temporal for their eteranl destiny and would like to consider an alternative…
Consider putting your faith in ugly PowerPoint slides?
Well it came to pass I was going to a birthday party of a friend and I had not had a chance to get her a present. As I rummaged through my sock drawer I found a red cloth bag, inside was a piece of coal and a cert.
Coal from the sea bed from HMS Titanic. She still raves about the fantastic present.I bought it at a Titanic exhabition a few years ago.
Man colliding with destany.
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