Franklin Expedition into the Northwest Passage

On May 5, 1845, John Franklin received his official instructions to map the remaining 500 kilometers of the Arctic coastline to hopefully achieve a Northwest Passage. A crew of 129 left in two sailships with a three year’s supply of food, a 1200 volume library, fine china, crystal goblets and sterling silverware but only a 12 day supply of coal for the auxiliary steam engines. The ships became trapped in vast frozen plains of ice. After several months, Lord Franklin died. It is likely that improperly lead-sealed cans of food became poisoned. The men decided to trek to safety in small groups but none of them survived.

After not hearing from them for 2 years Lady Franklin appealed for a search party but the Admiralty delayed because they had a 3 year supply of food. Later, many search parties went out to find them due to the lure of financial rewards but more people died in the search than in the expedition. A particularly heart-breaking story tells of finding the remains of two officers who had pulled a large sled for 65 miles. The sled was filled with silverware. When the situation became desperate the men realized they had with them many things that were of no help and the essentials they had counted on were fatally contaminated.

In the year 2016 will we be found to burden ourselves with treasures that are of no help and resources that fail to meet our needs? When life is over and we stand before God we will realize that if we have invested our lives in temporal treasures or chosen to depend on our own merits to see us through, those ideas will fail. “All have sinned and fall short…” Romans 3:23. Having paid the price, Jesus offers lasting and fulfilling provision for those who in this life have admitted their need of a Savior who forgives sin and trusted Him with the problem. That offer of grace can be yours too. It is the real deal!
Keep on the sunny side,
Henry Wiebe