The danger of fire on the great transatlantic steamship is no
longer to be dreaded. Fire in a compartment can be isolated
by the closing of the bulkhead doors, and the flames may then
be fought by forcing into the burning section of the hull
carbonic-acid gas, steam and water. Fires occur from time to
time on liners but they are extinguished so readily, and are
so easily confined, that the passengers seldom know anything
about them. Should an explosion take place in the engine-room
of a modern steamship, the doors would close automatically,
preventing the escape of steam and fire.
No such devices avail with the human soul. A man can not allow the fire
of lust or sin in one compartment of his being and then keep it out of
the remainder. The old doctrine of total depravity was based on this
unity and totality of character, such that a taint at one point was
believed to be a taint of the whole nature.
(659)
=Danger, Rushing Into=--See WILFULNESS.