Many years ago after a long illness I was ordered a sea voyage. Sailing from New Zealand in a large liner, I felt sad at leaving very dear Christian friends. I walked up and down the deck until tired out; and then went below, being a steerage passenger, and turned in.
There were about thirty or more men in the single men’s department, and my bunk was in the center. The men were playing cards and other games and I felt very much alone. As I prepared for my bunk I realized that I must kneel and pray, and I felt very weak and afraid. Satan whispred,
“You can easily pray in your bunk.”
I knew it was a test. In fear and dread I knelt before them all seeking the strength I needed so much.
My fear had been of ridicule and interruption, but nothing happened. I crept into my bunk, grateful for the Lord’s protection, yet feeling very weak in testimony and courage.
I awoke early next morning and went on deck. My mind reverted to the struggle of the previous evening, and my heart went up to the Lord. Suddenly a young man stopped me and said,
“Excuse me, you are a Christian?”
“Yes” I said, “through mercy I am but how did you know?”
May I tell you,” he replied, “that I have been a very wild young man, and have caused my parents much distress. Three weeks ago the Lord met me and saved my soul. Now I am returning to my parents to make amends, as far as I can, for the pain I have caused them. Last night I stood by my bunk, wondering what a Christian ought to do, when I saw, you kneel down. Then I knew, and knelt down also. The Lord gave me to do what was right, using your act to teach.
I bowed my head humbled. While we were talking, a little Italian came up to me and in broken English, said,
“Excuse me, sir, you are a Christian.”
“Thank God I am.” He went on, “Well, I was converted on the gold fields by reading a Testament. There I learned that I was dead in trespasses and sins, and the Lord saved me, and how I am going home to tell my friends of Jesus, now the Lord saved my soul! I came to my bunk, and looked around, and I said like Elijah,
‘I, even I only, am left!’
Just as I was thinking this, you knelt down, and then this young man followed, and I knew the Lord had reserved those that had not bowed the knee to Baal.”
What could I say? I felt more and more humbled. A man who had a berth with his family, came up to us as we spoke of the Lord, and said,
Young fellow, shake hands. I am a Christian. I was standing at my cabin door, looking into the single men’s depart when I saw your act of testimony for the Lord. I thanked Him for giving a frail little chap like you the courage so to act.”
I could tell you of others on that ship, and of how we had preaching, Sunday school and reading of God’s Word, but I have told sufficient to show my young readers (and old ones, too) how important it is not to be afraid to testify of the Lord, no matter how difficult it may seem to be. He has said,
Though I was timid, and weak in body, yet He knew my desire, and by His strength enabled me to be true to Him. By that one simple act He brought together at least a dozen believers. He uses the weak ones, the babes and sucklings, to perfect His praise. May He give us always to be ready to shine for Him.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt, 5:16.
ML 01/26/1941