Amazing Grace Darling
Colin Melbourne
© 03-08 Born-Again-Christian.info
"May God raise up some spiritual Grace Darlings, who, even if they have to row alone in the boat they manage, may bring salvation to thousands who, through the mismanagement, carelessness, and stupidity of men, are ready to perish.
Grace Darling, wherever you are, for you are many, come forward in spite of earth and Hell, and usurp authority to save!"
General William Booth, Co-Founder of the Salvation Army
Who was Grace Darling, and what did she do to earn such an accolade from Booth?
Grace Horsley Darling was an ordinary young woman who lived with her parents at Longstone lighthouse in the Farne Islands off the English Northumberland coast. Their mission was to light the beacon warning steamships plying between Scotland and England of the dangerous rocks in their North Sea locality.
Picture a lighthouse on a rock in early nineteenth century England. A lonely environment for a teenage girl to mature in, surrounded by sea, with only her parents, puffins, and seals, for company. She must have yearned for adventure, and by the time she was twenty-two, Grace was ready for the defining day of her brief life.
The steamship S.S. Forfarshire, ploughing the Hull to Dundee route, developed boiler problems and the underpowered vessel was swept onto Big Harcar Rock during the stormy night of September 6th 1838. Dozens of passengers drowned in their bunks as they slept-off their seasickness. The solitary lifeboat carried nine of the crew and one passenger to safety. The remaining living souls clung to the shipwreck as it floundered in the stormy darkness. By first light of September 7th these nine souls were in a desperate state, and the storm still raged.
This was in the days when there were no flares, and no radio communications. I don't know if any of the characters in this story were genuine Christians (I doubt that Grace was. Most likely a nominal Christian of the sort common in the UK), but I am certain that all those stranded souls prayed their hearts out on Farne's black rocks. You won't find an atheist during an earthquake or any mortal crisis.
Bill Darling was a conscientious lighthouse keeper, and he rose at dawn to scour the storm for signs of trouble. But it was Grace's sharper eyes that first caught sight of the shipwreck almost a mile away. When she squinted through the murk using a telescope, Grace could discern the survivors clinging to the wreckage.
Victorian embellishment at this point has Grace persuading her reluctant Dad to venture into the foaming waters, however there is no evidence that he needed any such goading. But there's no question he had a daughter with a heart after his own, and both of them launched their wooden rowing boat into the storm to try to save the stricken victims.
The special boat, called a coble, had a flat-bottom to make it more manageable, but the swift tidal current combined with the howling storm pushed them away from their goal. It took mighty courage, strength, and determination to ultimately reach the wreck of the Forfarshire.
Imagine the surprise and relief of the survivors to see a dainty young woman arriving through the gale and sea-spray to rescue them. Wonderfully humbling for macho sailors, and the proud in heart.
The coble was so small, it took two trips to take the drenched, bruised, shivering and coughing, people back to the Longstone lighthouse. Grace volunteered to stay on the rock with four of the victims whilst five were ferried to safety.
Once all were in the lighthouse, Grace and her Mother bandaged and fed the, no doubt tearful and grateful, survivors for three days before they could be returned to the mainland.
Victorian Superstardom
Initially, Bill and Grace's heroism was ignored because of the tragic loss of life, and scandal of the unseaworthy ship setting sail. But soon news broke of their courageous deed, and much to her dismay, Grace in particular was feted as a Victorian heroine. Sensational articles were published, melodramatic images created, sonnets, and poems penned, and myths grew around the true events. Streams of visitors came to see the demure 'angel' who saved nine souls from certain death. She sat for portraits, and sensibly turned down proposals of marriage. A public contribution fund was created and hundreds of pounds collected for the family. (A hundred pounds would buy several houses in those days). They received gold medals of honour, and a silver tea-service in recognition of their bravery.
Grace was a level-headed Geordie, and remained at Longstone lighthouse, no doubt preferring the company of puffins and seals to the adulation of greasy Victorian 'gentlemen' and poets. I can well imagine her giggling with her Mum and Dad, as her disappointed suitors stumbled back into their ferry-boats.
'Worth a pretty penny or two Grace lass, are y'sure y'din tha' right thang?'
'Wayaye Ma! Cud na'understan' a ward he said. And diya no see his 'ands, as soft as lard. Ner' touched an oar in his life!'
With tragic irony, it was during a brief trip to the mainland town of Bamburgh (pronounced Bam-burrah, not Bam-berg or Bam-boro) to visit her sister and invest the financial rewards that poor Grace contracted Tuberculosis. She died of consumption aged twenty six, barely four years after her heroic act. (1815 - 1841)
In death her fame increased, and a huge monument, 'so large passing ships could see it' was erected over her grave, (for which Queen Victoria herself contributed twenty pounds). To this day her name is synonymous in the English tongue with a courageous woman. Almost as well known and admired as Florence Nightingale, the gusty English nurse of the Crimean war. You can visit her grave and the Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh, and still see the actual rowing boat used in the rescue, together with many artefacts from the Forfarshire wreck and personal mementoes of the Darling family. Take a hanky; you'll need it.
Hype or Heroine?
In describing Grace's exploit, I've deliberately downplayed her heroism in reaction to the 'hype' that has gone before. To my mind, there's no need to embellish what she did, just tell the facts, and they will speak for themselves.
I know Northumberland well, I worked there as a farm vet; Bamburgh, Seahouses, Embleton, and Bamburgh Castle are familiar landmarks to me, as is the North Sea. It's not fearsome Cape Horn, or the Roaring Forties, but believe me, you don't want to be there rowing a storm-thrashed boat, or slithering over seaweed-strewn rocks at dawn.
I also know what it's like to row alone against a tidal sea current in a storm. If you slacken your stroke for breath, you're immediately swept backwards. The cold grip of panic encircles your gut while the boat fills with water from the waves, you can't stop rowing to bail out. In that situation you need a clear head, strong arms, and raw courage. Grace had all of those, and she used them unselfishly to save doomed souls.
The woman is a genuine heroine, no question about it. More self-centred ladies would have been tucked-up in bed worrying about their figure or spots. What? Venture into the eye of a storm, risk her neck, and ruin her hair, just to save a few losers? No chance!
Inspiration For Christian Women
But for me, the real example in this true story is for Christian women today. I see what William Booth saw in Grace's example, don't you?
I hope I'm wrong, but my estimation is that Grace was probably a sinner, unsaved, a nominal Christian like most of Victorian England. They had lots of Christian religion in her day, but few knew the reality of Christ's Life. The Gospel was smothered by human tradition; unbiblical rituals and ceremonies such as 'Christening', 'Confirmation' and other demonic corruptions. Nearby Lindisfarne Island had been a stronghold of Roman Catholic idolatry for centuries, which today is thankfully in ruins.
Queen Victoria paid lip service to Christ, whilst denying Him by her actions. Ruling an oppressive decadent empire with an iron rod, butchering 'natives' who dared defend themselves from the invading British conquerors, who'd come to bring 'civilization', and rape their resources.
So it's unlikely Grace ever heard the Gospel of Christ in her short time on earth, and probably died in her sins. I lived the first 34 years of my life, mostly in the UK, and nobody told me the Gospel once, neither in church (Anglican), outside it, or during 'Religious Instruction' classes at school. It was in New Zealand that I first heard Christ's message, and that was thanks to a real Christian woman. What about you? Have you been born again? Are your sins under the Blood? You can be certain today of a place in Heaven.
Christian women can draw powerful inspiration from Grace Darling's heroism
In Victorian Britain, as is still the case in most of the world, women were regarded as substandard humans; weak, feeble, inconsistent, unreliable, untrustworthy, and all the rest. A woman, Queen Victoria, ruled the world's greatest empire, and not merely the titular role the English monarch plays today. Yet within that empire women could not; govern, judge, or vote, and certainly not proclaim Christ's message. They were expected to be dainty subservient housewives raising babies, making pies, and most definitely silent in church, until they shuffled off to the Judgement.
You can see why Catherine Booth created such a stir when she shattered Victorian religious taboos by daring to stand in a pulpit and proclaim Christ to men. She also raised children, and cooked meals, but her life's priority was to obey her Lord, who told all believers to 'Go and preach the Good News to every creature.' You can do that too.
Chip Off The Ol'Block
When the North Sea storm howled, Grace didn't snuggle under her blankets, she was up, dressed, looking for souls to save, alongside her father. She was about her father's business. No doubt he'd wished for a strong-armed son to follow in his steps as lighthouse keeper, not some 'frail wimp of a woman'. But on that September morning she was as eager as him to launch their boat into the storm to save the doomed.
Pulling his oars and seeing the bent back of his own dear daughter straining with him. Feeling the surge of the seat, and bob of the prow when she leaned against the tide with all her might, his heart must have swelled with astonishment and joy. What father wouldn't rejoice to see the same heart, the same spirit, and same devotion in his daughter, as he had in himself?
Women of God, does your Heavenly Father thrill to see your back bent straining with all your heart to reach the lost with His love? Does His Spirit rejoice to see you share the same Spirit, same purpose, and the same devotion?
Flesh or Superpower?
No doubt Bill Darling was tempted to fear his efforts were in vain, as his arms grew tired, and his strength was sapped. Perhaps he had thoughts of panic seeing waves pour over the gunwales. But the sight of his daughter's resolute face framed with wet stringy hair would have injected him with fresh resolve and strength.
You already understand that your Father's Kingdom is not built by flesh, you know flesh counts for nothing in your business don't you? Christ has given you a mission to build His church, and He supplies the power and strength through His Spirit. When you have Christ in you, and depend upon His Word and His Spirit alone, you have what it takes.
Another Crazy Christian
Onlookers would scoff to see Grace push her little craft into the crashing waves. 'That'll be the last we see of her! Only an idiot would dare do what she's doing.' They will say the same about you when you pack your bags and give up your well-paid job to set up an inner city mission to prostitutes, junkies, winos or street-kids. 'What a waste of talent! Waste of time and money.'
Ignore scoffers. Instead listen to your Father. 'Come on Daughter, I'll lead you, provide all you need, and I will protect you. Just go and tell them what I've done for them, and love them with my love. We cannot fail. They are so precious to me. I gave my Best for them. If we save only one it'll be worth it.'
Those scoffer's jaws will drop to their knees when they see you rowing back to the shore beaming carrying a boatload of rejoicing souls rescued from damnation and eternal death. But your Father won't be the least bit surprised. He knew you could do it, didn't He? After all, He told you to.
Practice Makes Perfect
Grace had never saved anyone before; perhaps you've never led a single soul to Christ. But she had learned to row by practice, and as she ventured in the crisis, she discovered new ability, new courage, new strength. She did it; she came though the trial with flying colours.
You will too as you practice loving sinners, leading them to Christ. Every day is a crisis in these last days. Discover your new ability through living faith in God's Word.
Love for God is to obey Him, and as you love the unlovely you will be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Satan urges you to destroy and kill your enemies. But you practice the Love Way and give them Life. It works.
Faith Overcomes Fear
Ever afterwards I think Grace's heart probably buzzed with excitement whenever storm clouds descended, and lightning thundered. Whilst others took fright, she drew confidence from knowing she had battled for the saving of souls: and won. She had the medals to prove it. You have something better than medals; you have God's unfailing Promise. 'Go, and I will be with you!'
Earth and Hell will mock, and pull you back from launching out, but remember Christ's final command is also a Promise.
What did He say? To whom?
Love's Duty
No doubt Grace was chuffed to receive the financial reward and honour, but that wasn't why she risked her life. Neither do you obey God looking for any reward, you obey because you love Him, and love sinners as He does. Saving them is the only reward you seek.
Usurp Authority To Save
Perhaps there are more able people around who could accomplish the task. After all Grace's father was the legally authorised lighthouse officer. Grace had no official credentials, no authority to do what she did. Her father was trained, equipped and ordained by the Government to fulfil his role. Grace was just a woman. But like her, you don't need man's authority to save souls, you have God's, and it is enough. Some petty government official may grumble that Grace should not have used Her Majesty's equipment without proper authorization. There will be religious people attempting to restrain you along the same line, distorting Scriptures to snare you.
Do what Grace did.
Usurp authority to save souls!
You can do it because God told you to do it.
Will you?
God's Battledress
Listen; Grace's Dad had a splendid uniform, navy-blue, covered with insignia and badges of authority. She had none. She went to the rescue wearing just what she had.
Oh Glory!
Elijah had a mantle, Elisha coveted it for the glory of God, and God gave it to him when Elijah was promoted. Elisha got twice what Elijah had, and when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you'll have more than Elisha ever dreamt of. You'll be clothed with Almightiness. God's Battledress.
Come on you Women of God! You don't need any special clothes or signification to go and save souls. Only the robe of righteousness your Father gave you through Christ. It's right to go, it's right for all women believers to proclaim Christ to all creatures. Father's Spirit said to go wearing His armour.
There Is A River
Perhaps you're already alone in your boat ploughing through the storm to reach the lost. Are your arms weary, your shins bruised and bloody, your stomach gripped by fear of failure, your vessel awash? Turn your head, look who is in the boat with you. Stop doubting and believe!
He did tell you to go. He did tell you to proclaim His Message to the ends of the earth. He did promise He would never leave you. You can't see Him, but there is a River that flows from the Throne of God, that makes glad the people of God. Let the refreshing Breath of His Spirit fill you with new strength for your mission. Look, turn and just look.
He is with you always!
Greatest Day
And as she drew near to death, Grace would have cherished the joy of the struggle and victory of that day. I'm sure it was the greatest day of her life. But as your time to go to glory approaches, I guarantee you'll have no greater remembrance than the joy on the faces of those you've led to Christ and saved from Hell.
But unlike Grace you won't be looking backward, because your Greatest Day lies ahead. It will be seeing The Carpenter smile and say. 'Well done my good and faithful servant!'
Then being embraced in those Blessed Arms.
But first you've got work to do, and souls to save. Can you see them floundering, can you hear their pleas for help?
Your Lord is calling ...
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