ONE evening onboard a ship in one of our southern ports, an earnest address was being given by a servant of God, who, with another, had rowed off to where the ship lay anchored, and finding the captain a Christian, had obtained his permission to speak to the crew. The meeting was nearly over, and most had listened with considerable attention to the old yet ever new, story of Jesus and His love, when the attention of the speaker was drawn to two men who were evidently there only to mock. One especially, a great big burly sailor, showed plainly that he cared for none of these things, and that apparently, all the seed had been sown in vain as far as he was concerned. Seeing this, when the meeting was closed, and the speaker asked the men to stay for one moment while he told a short anecdote, and they accordingly resumed their seats. “A friend of mine,” he began, “went some time ago a long distance by rail to see an old acquaintance. He arrived late at night, and was shown up to his room. Early next morning he was out walking in the garden, when his host met him, and hoped he felt rested. ‘Yes, thank you,’ was the reply, given in a tone, however, that showed there was something more that might be said. ‘Was your bed quite comfortable? ‘asked his friend. ‘Well, to tell the truth,’ replied the other, ‘I never tried it.’ ‘What!’ exclaimed the gentleman amazed, ‘have you not slept after your long and fatiguing journey last night, and out so early, too this morning?’
‘No,’ was the reply, ‘I never tried the bed at all, for I was up all night praying for you.’ This reply so struck his friend with a sense of the importance of the question of salvation, that it led him direct to Christ, there to find peace and joy, and life.
“And now,” said the speaker, “during my address tonight I have observed with pain some here appearing quite careless about their souls, and I ask you (turning to his friend) to spend one hour tonight in prayer to God for these men.” Then, turning to the captain, he made the same request, which was heartily granted, promising to do the same himself.
On returning home, he shut himself up for one hour, crying to God for the scoffers on that ship, and feeling assured that God would in His own way, hear and answer the prayers. The other two did the same. On the following Tuesday (three or four days after) the two friends met again. “I have something good to tell you,” began the one who had accompanied the other to the preaching. “I prayed as you asked me, and felt very happy in doing so, and this morning being near the ship, I was hailed when passing in the boat by one of the crew. I went on board, and there found one of the scoffers in an agony of soul. He had seen me passing, and called me to speak to him about Christ. I need hardly tell you how gladly I did it, and before I left the man was a rejoicing believer.” The ship has just sailed for the north, but she has on board of her at least one witness that God hears prayer.
ML 04/27/1902