Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-08-13
THE TERRORS OF SIN AND
THE JOY OF SALVATION.

The Mommoth Cave of Kentucky is
a vast limestone cavern, extending for
many miles into the heart Of the earth,
and consisting of a labyrinth of passages
and chambers, in tracing which an in
experienced person would soon become
hopelessIy lost. Many miles from its
entrance a river pursues its dark and So
litary course, which the adventurous vi
sitor is compelled to navigate in boat.
On one occasion party of young men,
under the conduct of a guide, and suita-
bly, provided with torches, spent some
hours in exploring this cavern, and while
floating on this subterTaneous stream in
their frail beat, gave loose to their ex-
uberant spirits, and laughed and sung
until they made the overhanging arches
echo with the merriment. In thought
Iessness they rocked the boat from side
to side, when in moment it was capsiz-
ed, and they were thrown into the dark
water, The boat foated from them,
their torches were extinguished, they
were in impenetrable darkness, and far
from human aid. Although regaining
their feet, they were submerged nearly |
to their necks, and alarmed and chilled, /
they felt that their exertions could avail
nothing for their rescue. The guide,
with ready presence Of mind, swan
round them, encouraged them to retain
| their selfpossession, and warning them
of the certain peril of moving single
step. They were told that their only
hope was in remaining still until the 9th
er guide, after the lapse of hours, might
become alarmed at their long absence
and come to their rescue. Can magma
ton picture a more frightful scene than
was here presented; midnight darkness
enveloped them, the cold water chilled
their blood, no cries for aid could be
heard by those without, they might have
to wait for many hours before the alarm
ed fears of their friends would stimulate
them to send help, their strength in the
meantime might fail, and they be foated
away on the dark river of death without
leaving vestige totell their fate What
could they do? Lately gay and joyous,
how sad and terrible their situation now?
What! could they not make one effort
for their safety? Not one. They could
e only pray, and pray they did, with deep
earnestness as men doomed to death from
which an Almighty power alone could
deliver them. They were heard and
sustained. At length, after a weary
waiting, they descry a distant glimmer-
ing light, and then they hear the faint
strokes of distant oars. They almost
fear to trust their senses; they doubt
they fear, but they are not deceived
their deliverer appears; they are receiv.
ed into his boat exhausted with terror
and fatigue, and soon they are conveyed
to place of safety. The sudden revuI
sion of feeling overpowers them. They
alternately weep, and are transported
with joy. They are saved.
Have we no companion for this pic
ture? Yes, it is but a resemblance o
another still more thrilling. The sin
ner in his gayety and thoughtlessnes
dreams not Of danger. He laughs viii
the merry. He is enchanted with tn
scenes around him. Suddenly he find
himself in deep waters and surrounde
by thick darkness. His struggles to extri
cate himself only involve him in create
danger. Horror overspreads his minC
Each moment threatens to plunge hir
into ruin. He cries aloud, but hear
only the frightful echo of his own de
spairing shout. He feels his utter nell
lessness, and in his extremity pours OIL
his tears and prayers. How horribI
:. thus to perish! But no, a small voic
~ whispers in his ear, there is yet hope
~ He waits, but how tedious are the pas
. ing hours Each moment seems an az
l.
He is ready to abandon hope, when
lo cheering light strikes upon his eye, al
''0 the voice Of encouragement is heard; b
heart is treasured; One mighty to sa,
''I appears and soon he is rescued from IL
'''e deep waters. The light of glorior
~ day shines upon his soul, he feels-ar
~ he is transported at the feeling-he fee
ny, that he is saved. Sinner, have you e
the no such terrors ? You have cause
owe feel them. The danger is just as INN
TO nent whether you are sensible of it
not and if you are not driven to IL
Aer extremity here, you may expect to f.
"yS it in that world where there is no Saw,