ONE cold gray morning a steamer set out from Liverpool, England, bound for New York. Captain Stirling watched his men as they busied themselves with their different tasks and thought of the cargo now safely stowed in the hold below. But he did not know of a boy hidden among the goods, for in the hold was a stowaway named Peter.
Peter was a boy about ten years of age, who some time ago had lost both his father and his mother. Left alone in the world, he had no one to care for him. At last he decided that perhaps if he could steal aboard some ship, and sail away to another land, he might find someone who would care for him. So early one morning he crept aboard the steamer, the “Polly Perkins,” and hid himself bind some large cases in the hold.
All went well until a terrible gale arose as the ship was sailing down the west coast of Wales. Huge waves dashed against the helpless steamer, tossing it about like a cork. Rain fell on the decks, and the wind howled through the broken rigging. Suddenly, when the storm was at its height, there was a crash. The boat had struck a rock.
As the water began to pour into the ship, Captain Stirling ordered his men to put on their lifebelts. Soon all the crew stood ready, and the order was given to jump overboard and swim for the shore as well as they could. Then having done all he could to make sure the men were safe, the captain put on his lifebelt and prepared to jump into the sea and swim to land. But he was amazed when he saw Peter, who, realizing his danger, had climbed up onto the deck. Peter was fearful and terrified as he looked into the captain’s face.
Without asking any questions, for no time could be lost, the brave captain unfastened his lifebelt and put it over the shoulders of the boy. “Never mind,” he said, “jump into the water and the waves will soon carry you to shore. I shall try to swim.” Then, squeezing Peter’s hand, the captain helped him to the side of the ship, and soon Peter was in the icy water.
Peter reached the shore in a very exhausted condition, but a loving fisherman and his wife took the boy home and cared for him as their own son. Captain Stirling was never heard of again. He had perished in the waters so that Peter might be saved. When Peter was told the sad message about the captain, his eyes filled with tears, as he said: “I love him so much — he gave his life for me.”
And I know of One, the Lord Jesus, who gave His life to save sinners from death and from eternal judgment. Have you ever told Him you love Him? He died as the Sin-bearer on that cruel cross of Calvary that we might be forgiven. Tell Him you are a sinner, and want to be saved. He will wash your sins away, and one day He will take you to heaven to be with Him forever.
ML-03/21/1971