Many a newfangled notion is quite pretty to look at—as pretty as some of those flimsy fabrics made to catch the eye. Like those fabrics, however, they are very disappointing in actual use, being simply no good at all when it is a question of facing the rough wear of everyday life.
For downright hard wear there is nothing like the sweet old gospel of the Grace of God. It stands alone, without a rival.
Beyond the rough and tumble of this world there stretches eternity with its vast issues for weal or woe, and into that eternity we, men and women, must enter, since we are immortal in our spirits and not like to beasts that die and are done with. Where will you find a clue to lead you through the labyrinth; where the peace and joy that cannot be quenched by the sorrows of this world or the pangs of death itself The men who go down to the sea in ships see as much of the rough side of life and death as most of us, and in many cases a good deal more. Listen to the testimony of two who experienced the gospel's power.
Years ago a sailor lad, John G., found the Savior one Sunday morning. On the following Tuesday he sailed for the River Platte on board the "Bombing Argian." The voyage was safely completed, though John had all the way to put up with a great deal of persecution from the mate, David by name, who fiercely assailed him for his "religious cant and psalm singing," as he termed it.
The cargo being discharged, the ship reloaded but only two days afterward a violent storm caught them in its grip. The sails were blown to ribbons and the ship was not far from foundering. A great sea finally struck them on the starboard quarter while John and the mate David were hoisting in the boom sheet. Both were washed away, but David caught the rigging and was saved, whilst John was swept clean out to sea on the crest of the wave. Without the least hope of being saved, and with nothing but death before him, the dear lad shouted out, "David! David! I'm going through the seas to glory!”
Another instant and he was gone, never to be seen again. But those last words, "I'm going through the seas to glory," rang so effectually in David's ears, that the old persecutor said to himself; "A man with death staring him in the face never yet told a lie with his last breath.”
He was a convicted man, and ere he reached home, a converted man too. He found the peace that John enjoyed by believing in Christ Jesus.
Some years before the above event a Swedish sailor, who had signed on in an English ship, went ashore with a mate of his for a stroll. Returning, the wharf watchman had a chat with them about salvation and the grace of God, saying, "Since I trusted the Lord, I have been so happy.”
This greatly struck the young Swede, and he thought to himself,
"I would like to share your happiness."
Still, he knew not the way. A few days afterward, having put out to sea, but lying anchored off Gun fleet Sand owing to contrary winds, he picked up a leaflet on the forecastle floor, on which was printed the first Psalm.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly" was what he read.
He asked his mate for an explanation, but all he got was, "Well, you are not godly, therefore you must be ungodly.”
This was only too true. He felt it, and became very anxious. At 10:00 o'clock that night he was called on deck to keep anchor watch, and whilst praying and meditating on God's Word in the dark it was as though a heavy burden fell from his heart. The words of Scripture flashed into his mind:
He trusted in Christ, and said to himself, "Yes, that's it! I'm saved! Hallelujah!”
Next morning he told his shipmates. They said, "Oh, religion, that's only for old women." And again, "Ah, we will give him twelve months." This did not damp out the fire that the Lord's hand had lit. Shortly afterward, he declared in public what the Lord had done for his soul.
' The years have rolled by and the Swedish sailor still lives in L—. The twelve months they gave him would now have to be multiplied many times. No seas have swept him out to glory, but it has been his to prove the good wearing qualities of the gospel, its intense reality in life rather than in a sudden death. If you meet him, he will still tell you what the Lord has done for his soul, with the added weight of nearly fifty years' experience.
Is there reality in it? Why, yes, thank God, indeed there is. Would you be persuaded of it? Then come to the Savior yourself. Theorize no longer! Try the experiment! Rest your guilty soul on the value of the blood that cleanses from all sin.
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him”