Lock Heng was a young man of up-to-date interests. Prior to the advent of war in the Malay Peninsula, he was in the Penang Flying Club, Lock Heng had left the religion of his ancestors; and had become a Christian.
On the outbreak of World War II, he and other companions were in an Auxiliary Flying Corps, and when Singapore fell, these native airmen were imprisoned by their Japanese invaders.
It was not long before Lock Heng discovered that his cell was next to that occupied by one of his Chinese friends. They also discovered that at certain times they could tap close to the keyhole of the door separating their cells, and, using the Morse Code, could hold short conversations together.
It was the other man who evolved this system of communication, and suggested they have a daily chat when it was deemed safe. One day he tapped to the effect that he was feeling depressed and didn’t want to “talk.” Lock Heng replied, “If you are depressed, pray to God.”
“I don’t know what you mean; how can I pray in this place? To whom shall I pray?”
“Pray to the God of heaven in the name of Jesus Christ — just tell Him what you feel. He will understand.”
“I do not know how. Please teach me to pray.”
So the young Christian taught his friend a simple prayer, and told him little by little, tapping it out with his fingers by the keyhole of that cell door, when no sentry was near, the only way of salvation.
Then one day his friend accepted Christ; the light dawned into his soul; he had found the Saviour “through the keyhole.”
After some months, release came in answer to many prayers. The day before they were to be set free a native preacher had addressed the congregation from these lines found in the book of Joshua; “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Josh. 3:55And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5).
The parents of the young men claimed this promise, and true enough, on the morrow their sons were restored to them from all the horror of the prison.
The new convert’s wife and family soon followed the head of the house in receiving Christ into their hearts and lives, as Saviour and Lord.
Thus does the gospel spread. Not always by the eloquence of preaching; sometimes by methods hitherto unheard of is the message of truth proclaimed. The channels vary, the truth never alters: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)).
Dear reader, have you, with all your privileges, acknowledged Him as your Saviour?
ML 03/12/1961