He was a taciturn, sullen young boy, this Tamezo. Rarely did he speak even to friends. Stubborn and independent, he would yield to no one. His father left him to his own devices, and his chief pleasure after school hours was to ramble alone along the seashore. At high school he learned to deceive his parents to get money from them to spend in pleasure. They soon found this out, and remonstrated gently with him, but in vain. One day his father asked him: "Who do you think supports you?”
"Nobody," he replied.
This angered his father, and he said: "If you are not supported by me, why do you not earn your own living?”
This gave Tamezo an excuse to leave home. For a few days he sold newspapers for a meager living. Soon his parents began to worry about him, and took him back home; but Tamezo was still unhappy, discontented and discouraged. Again he ran away, this time to Tokyo, without telling his parents his plans. In their anxiety they soon traced him and took him home once more.
For about a year after this Tamezo worked hard in a drug store at Osaka, and carefully saved a little money. But, discontented, he went to Tokyo again and secured work as a laborer in the Honjo District. Still uncommunicative as he was, he had no friends or companions, and soon became lonesome.
One night a fellow-laborer persuaded Tamezo to go with him to a cafe. There he learned to drink saki, and soon the devil had ensnared another willing victim. More drinking and more evil friends followed. Soon he became a member of a wild gang, but their wild orgies of vice revolted the young man. One night after drinking and carousing with them, he slipped away to the banks of the River Sumida. There he listened to the whisperings of the dark, gently flowing stream. Above its murmur a voice seemed to call: "Why did you come to Tokyo? Did you intend to become a drunkard and a profligate?”
"No!" The answer came from his heart: "My intention was to study and make something of myself.”
Disgusted with himself, Tamezo sought a new environment. He gave up his work, and started again selling newspapers. But he did not give up drinking, nor did he renounce his evil friends. He sank lower and lower until, his own money gone, he spent in debauchery what he collected for his employer.
That good man guessed what was going on. Calling Tamezo into his private office, he warned him: "Young man, did you not come here to study and improve yourself? Stop your drinking! Be a man!”
Poor Tamezo refused to listen and again he ran away. This time he took with him his employer's money and went to Hokadate, a city in the far north. Here in a cheap hotel he took stock of himself. Why was he so wicked and degraded? Was he fated to be nothing but a disgrace and menace to those who would befriend him? Surely it would be best to put an end to himself and his sinful pathway. Yes, he decided, death was the only way out. In real sorrow of heart he wrote his parents and his employer, asking their forgiveness. Then he went down to the seashore intending to drown himself. There, standing and gazing at the sunset from a rock on Cape Tachimachi, he said to himself: "Death will end all for me.”
Bursting into tears the penitent young man cried: "Oh, my dear father and mother, forgive your unworthy son. Oh, my friends, forgive this unworthy wretch!”
In this state of mind and soul he plunged into the deep waters of the bay and sank. He remembered nothing more as he drifted unconsciously to and fro in the waves. But God had His eye upon him. Still unconscious, he was picked up by a fishing boat and was rushed to a hospital at Omori. This hospital was managed by Christian men who endeavored to save souls as well as lives.
Regaining consciousness in the hospital, Tamezo soon learned that the patients in his ward gathered together for the study of the Bible at stated times. He listened humbly, but took no part. One day a preacher came in and spoke from Luke 15:3-73And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:3‑7). It was the parable of the lost sheep. How like to this poor, wandering, wicked boy! He now learned that even a sinner such as he was dear to the heart of Jesus, the Shepherd, and could be saved through faith in Him who laid down His life for the sheep. He learned of the cleansing power of Christ's atoning blood shed on Calvary's cross, and he "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." (Rom. 4:33For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:3)).
The rebellion and gloom that had filled his heart all his life was dissipated, and it was now filled with joy and peace. Rejoicing in the love of God that could save such a wretch as he had been, Tamezo went forth in newness of life in Christ to tell others of such wondrous love.
Dear reader, is there any parallel in the story of this young Japanese boy to the condition of your own heart? If so, the love of the God that saved him can save you too. Will you believe?