A CHRISTIAN MAN tells the story of how years ago he was sailing on a ship from the West Indies to England. A sailor on board, named Williams, became very ill. He had led a wicked life, but now that he was apparently nearing death he was in great anxiety about his soul. The captain and crew were very indifferent and paid little attention to the poor man’s great distress. But there was on board a little boy who was known among the crew as “Pious Jack.” He bore the sneers and scoffs of the seamen with meekness and patience.
When Williams was ill, nobody showed him any kindness except little Jack and a negro woman named Cleo, who ministered to his wants. Jack read to both of them from his Bible, and they listened to every word. Later the message was blessed to both of them.
“Poor Williams,” said Jack; “He says he is in agony of soul; he says he is lost, that he is a ruined sinner, that God will cast him into hell. I have told him of God’s love in sending Jesus to die for his sins, but he says he cannot believe it.”
Later, Jack and Cleo were both on their knees beside the sick man’s berth. “Oh, Lord,” prayed Jack, “Thou who desires pardon and forgiveness, wilt Thou open Thine eye of mercy.”
“Oh,” earnestly exclaimed the dying man.
“For Christ’s sake, O Lord,” continued Jack, “who died to put away sin on the cross, show thy pity to Harry Williams. He has no hope, oh Lord, but in Thy mercy!”
“I have no hope!” added the dying man, and falling back on his pillow he wept.
Every moment Jack could spare from his duties he read the Scriptures to Williams, who was growing weaker all the time.
Soon Afterward, Jack had the joy of leading poor Williams to Christ. He was happy now, and death, though near, was no more an object of fear, but something he even looked forward to. “I am a conqueror through Him that loved me,” he exclaimed. “Oh, that wonderful love!”
Two or three times that night he said to Jack, “It is calm now, Jack, all calm. Is this peace?”
“Yes,” Jack replied, “I trust it is peace — the peace of God which, the Bible says, ‘passeth all understanding.’ Christ is our peace; He has made peace for us.”
“Yes,” answered Williams, “by the blood of His cross!” That night he passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour.
Poor Jack felt greatly the loss of his friend. When Williams’ body was lowered into the sea, the boy’s grief knew no bounds. Little did he know that soon he himself would be in that happy land where Williams had gone.
Not far from Land’s End a storm came on, and the vessel struck a rock. Cleo, Jack, and a few others got into a lifeboat but it was overturned in the raging sea and was seen no more. The writer along with others who rained aboard the wreck, were rescued, but the bodies of Cleo and Jack were found the next evening. Jack’s face wore a sweet and heavenly expression, and near him lay a little leather purse which contained his Bible, his chief treasure. Engraved on its brass clasps were these words of his Sunday school teacher: “The gift of Robert Riggs to Jack Rogers.”
Now it is our hope that our dear reader might also know that peace “which passeth all understanding.” For “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).
ML-09/15/1963