A BRITISH merchant ship was once attacked by a pirate vessel, while cruising in the Indian Ocean. The attack was so sudden and unlooked-for, that the merchant vessel fell an easy prey into the hands of the pirates. The captain and seral of the crew were slain in the conflict, and the rest were bound in chains and put into the pirates’ boats, to be taken to their vessel. Then the pirate captain and some of his men went down into the cabin to see what treasures they could find before setting the ship afire.
Going down the companionway, they heard a soft, low voice in prayer. The captain motioned to his men to remain on deck while he went quietly down the stairs to find out where the voice came from. Stooping down he peeped into a room, the door of which was ajar, and there he saw a fair young mother kneeling with a beautiful boy at her side. One arm was clasped fondly around her child, and the other was lifted up in earnest supplication. And these were the words which the pirate heard her utter in a voice of melting agony, as he saw the tears rolling down her cheeks: “O God of all mercy, save the life of my dear boy, if such be thy holy will; but rather let him perish now than fall alive into the hands of the pirates, to be trained to a life of sin and shame. Let him die now, if such be Thy will; but oh! let him not live to dishonor Thee and perish at last eternally.”
The voice ceased, choked with tears of agony. And there stood the pirate, perfectly overwhelmed by the tumult of his own feelings. His thoughts went back to the scenes of his childhood. He had had a Christian mother. Her prayers and instructions, for so many years forgotten, rose up before him then. God’s Spirit sent such an arrow of conviction to his heart, that instead of carrying out his murderous designs, he sank upon his knees, and with heart-breaking agony cried out, “God be merciful to me, a sinner!”
Rising from his knees he assured the lady that no harm should be done to her. Then he went on deck, unbound the captive crew, and restoring them to their ship, he returned with his men to their own vessel.
Shortly after this he surrendered himself to the British Government.
The Government appointed a trial for him; but before the time for the trial came he was taken with fever, from which he died after a few days’ sickness. Before his death he made a full confession of the crimes of his past life, with the deepest penitence, and he died humbly trusting in Jesus for the pardon of his sins and for entrance into heaven.
ML-02/01/1970