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Themes: Law of God - It's Purpose and Character J.D.M. The men had to shout to be heard over the roar of the rapids. "Someone take my picture," Red Hill Jr. shouted. As he climbed into a something that looked like a barrel, he waved, and someone snapped his picture. It was the last picture he would ever pose for.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Red?" asked one of the men.
"Of course. I'll be famous when I'm through. You just wait and see." Red answered.
Red Hill was about to let the roaring rapids carry him over Niagara Falls. His protection against the jagged rocks under the falls? Fourteen inner tubes strapped together and tied with heavy netting. Did Red know the danger he was in? Oh, yes. No one had rescued more people from the falls than he had. The swirling waters and thundering falls were his world.
Why did he do it, then? Few people had survived the falls, and this would make him famous. The name "Red Hill" would be known all over the world. He would conquer the falls. His picture would be in newspapers everywhere, and each paper would want an interview with him. Yes, Red Hill would be very famous.
So it was that on August 5, 1951, his friends sealed the top inner tube over him, and fastened the netting down tight. They rolled the huge barrel of rubber into the water, where the strong current would carry it over the falls. They watched as the barrel carrying their friend bumped and jarred against the rocks, all the time closer to the falls. Finally, it dropped out of sight. Over the falls it went, a drop of 180 feet. Would he make it out alive?
Unfortunately, the rocks at the bottom ripped the rubber tubes and took Red Hill's life from him. Did he become famous? No. His name was added to the long list of those who had died trying to survive the falls.
Soon after, a law was passed that made it illegal to try to go over the falls in any contraption. Guards were posted to make sure none tried what Red Hill tried to do. Was this a good law? Of course. And who knew it better than Red Hill, who had pulled more dead bodies out of the water than live ones? The warning was for his own good, but he refused to listen. "I know this river better than anyone else," Red thought. But too late he realized he had been wrong.
God's command to adam and Eve was good, also. God knew that if they sinned, they would die. So He warned them out of love for them. We should remember Red Hill, and remember that God's commands are always good. "For by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.
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