A man who spurns the guidance of others or of God is like this
self-confident sea captain:
A bright boy went to sea; he loved it and rose to quick
promotion. While quite a young man he became master of a ship.
One day a passenger spoke to him upon the voyage, and asked if
he should anchor off a certain headland, supposing he would
anchor there, and telegraph for a pilot to take the vessel into
port.
“Anchor! no, not I. I mean to be in dock with the morning tide.”
“I thought perhaps you would signal for a pilot.”
“I am my own pilot,” was the curt reply.
Intent upon reaching port by morning he took a narrow channel
to save distance. Experienced sailors on board shook their
heads dubiously, while cautious passengers besought the young
captain to take a wider course. He only laughed at their fears
and declared he would be in dock by daybreak. A sudden squall
swooped down upon them; wild alarm spread throughout the vessel.
Enough to say that the captain was ashore earlier than he
promised--tossed sportively upon the weedy beach, a dead thing
that the waves were weary of, and his ship and freight were
scattered over the angry sea. The glory of that young man was
strength; but he was his own pilot.
(2375)
See CHRIST OUR PILOT.