You take your Christian faith far too much for granted, you know," said a friend to the Christian captain of a steamship. "Have you ever read any of the great opponents of Christianity — Voltaire, Ingersoll, Paine?"
"No," replied the captain.
"Well, you should. You can't fairly turn down their argument until you have thoroughly investigated for yourself," argued the captain's boyhood friend.
"I've been captain of this ship for a long time, John," returned the captain. "The chart that was given me pointed out the deep water that would carry the ship safely into port. As a young captain, I never considered it advisable to investigate the rocks; the experience I've known other chaps to have with the rocks has been sufficient warning for me. So the Bible I learned at my mother's knee, in my Sunday school, and from a faithful teacher, is my chart for the sea of life.
"The Bible brings me a knowledge of the fathomless sea of God's love and mercy, which, if I cast myself upon it, will carry me safely into the heavenly port.
"Look at our classmates, John. There's poor Harry, with every prospect; no finer specimen of manhood could be found anywhere, until he threw away the chart — his faith in the Bible. Then, little by little he lost his grip on the finer things of life, dying at last in a gambling hall.
"No, John, others have tampered with the rocks of infidelity to their sorrow; the shores of time are strewn with such wrecks. I shall continue to steer my boat for the 'deep water' that has landed millions upon the heavenly shore. I shall hide in my heart the Holy Scriptures. For as David said, `By them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.' As an experienced sea-captain, I know that it is more important for me to know where the rocks are not, and to keep my ship in the clear channel."
Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1958