A poor native on the coast of Africa became greatly troubled about his sins. One church official gave him various instructions in what to do; but it gave no relief. In deep distress he wandered from place to place, groping for something to comfort his soul.
As he sat alone on the beach one day, a squad of English sailors came ashore for a barrel of fresh water. As they rolled the cask along, the sighs and groans of the poor native reached them. Going to him one of the party said: "Hallo, shipmate! What's the matter with you?"
The distressed African began in broken language to tell his tale of woe, but was interrupted.
"Oh, I see what's the matter with you!" exclaimed the sailor. "You must go to England, and there you will hear of the Christian's God who paid the debt."
The words, spoken in a moment, in a careless, thoughtless manner, made an indelible impression on the poor native's mind, and he at once resolved to make his way to England.
His first step was to get to the English settlement; and after traveling many weary miles on foot he arrived at a port. Here he was granted leave to work his passage over in a ship bound for England.
During the voyage he frequently approached one or another of the sailors and asked: "Please, suh, you tell me where Christian's God dat pay de debt?"
But they were a godless crew and only laughed at his vagaries, concluding that he was mad.
When the ship reached London, he was put ashore at Wapping. Having received no pay, the poor man wandered penniless from street to street. But the burden of his sins remained his crowning misery. When he could catch a single passerby he would stop him and say in the most melancholy manner: "Please, suh, you please tell poor black man where Christian's God dat pay de debt?"
But, alas! in so-called Christian England he was still as one beating the air. Some told him to go about his business, forgetting that there is no business so important than the salvation of a soul. Some gave him money, as though the conscience could be bribed into silence. Some passed on in silence, supposing him to be mentally deranged; but how far from the truth were these! The brightest Christian that ever trod the earth was accounted mad― and that when he "spoke forth the words of truth and soberness" (Acts 26:2424And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. (Acts 26:24)) before the world's dignitaries.
Where was the Englishman's God? As well might the poor black stranger seek him on the burning sands of Africa as in "Christian" England.
One day he observed many people flocking into a large, impressive building. This he concluded must be the temple of the Christian's God. He listened intently to all that was said. But when he emerged with the rest of the congregation, his soul was as barren as before. What he had heard gave no relief. He had heard a sermon, but had heard nothing of Christ.
Despair was rapidly overtaking the poor man, and frequently he would steal down some remote alley and give vent to his afflicted spirit in similar strains to these: "Ah, me no hear of Christian's God dat pay de debt; me walk, walk, day, day, but me no hear. White man tell me in Africa go to England, but me no find. Me go back to Africa, me die dere!"
Thus he was overheard one day by a gentleman who stopped to listen and talk to him. In the conversation which ensued, he was directed to a certain place that evening when, he was assured, he would hear of the Christian's God.
At the appointed hour he was there, and the gentleman himself preached on the suretyship of Christ for believers. He spoke of the terrible debt that we as sinners had incurred. And how Christ had come into the world and cleared that dreadful score that stood against us― by His death on the cross. And He says: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Into the sin-wounded heart of the negro the Spirit of God sent His Word. It was like the precious oil and wine to his soul― as healing balm to his long troubled spirit. Very quietly he arose from his seat, clasped his hands, and with tears trickling down his black cheeks, said with the deepest pathos: "Me have found Him! Me have found Him! de Christian's God dat paid de debt!"
Only one word more, dear reader: Have you found Him?
Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.