The night had been very stormy and most of the passengers had been quite sick. We were glad to see the shore of Trinidad, and to sail into smoother waters. As we neared the island a boat came alongside, and an officer in uniform came on board and asked to see our papers.
With a loud voice, which told the strain of the rough night, the captain called us all together and ordered us to have our papers ready. One by one we passed by the Immigration officer, answered the questions put to us, and had our papers stamped by his seal. Then the trouble began. One poor boy had the wrong papers! I really think the officer felt sorry for him, and questioned him again and again, but it was no use. His papers were not in order. He turned to the captain and said,
“Captain, we can’t let this young man land. He is in your care and must be taken back to St. Vincent.”
The captain’s face grew dark with anger, and he shouted and swore at the frightened young man and threatened him with all kinds of violence. The lad had nothing to say for himself, and although I felt sorry for him, there was nothing I could do either. The captain phoned ashore and called the police to come out and take him away.
“Lock him up!” he shouted. “Lock him up! I can’t be bothered with him at all.”
Sadly I turned away from the young lad’s worried face. I thought of my own guilt, of my condemnation, and of God’s wondrous love. The captain’s hard heart was filled with anger for the trouble that had been caused, and he showed no mercy.
But my pages of life were stained with many sins, and I was not fit to enter heaven. I deserved to be banished in hell forever. But oh, the love of God! He punished His own dear Son instead of me, and now He has given to me pardon and forgiveness, and free entrance into His glorious home above.
What about you? What is your pasort to glory? The Lord Jesus is the One who died that your record might be cleansed by His precious blood. But His death will profit you nothing unless you accept Him as your Saviour. Do come to Him now, telling Him just what you are, as His holy eye sees you, and accept Him as your own.
ML 11/07/1954