The sea captain lay near death in his cabin in mid-ocean. He knew he had little time left, and he feared the thought of death and the eternity ahead.
Captain John Coutts sent for his first mate and said, “Williams, I need you to pray for me. You know I’ve been a godless and harsh man, and I know I’m not going to make it this time.”
“I’m not a praying man, Captain. I don’t know how to pray...I would if I could.”
“Well bring a Bible and find something to read to me. I’m not going to last much longer.”
“I don’t have one, Captain. I’m not religious.”
“Then send for Palmer...maybe he knows how to pray.”
The second mate was soon in the dying captain’s cabin. Captain Coutts said to him, “Palmer, I’m not going to get better, and I’m not going to last until we reach port. I want you to pray for me. Ask God to have mercy on my sinful soul.”
“I would if I could, Captain, but I haven’t prayed since I was a boy.”
“Well then, do you have a Bible you could read to me?”
“No, sir, I don’t own a Bible.”
Clearly Captain Coutts knew he was a dying sinner and about to enter an eternity without Christ. He was shaken and fearful, and with good reason.
They searched the ship for a man who could pray, or a Bible, but none could be found. Finally one of the sailors told the captain he had seen a book that looked like a Bible in the hands of the cook’s helper, a youth named Willie Platt.
“Go find the boy and see if he has a Bible,” ordered Captain Coutts.
The sailor hurried off to find Willie and asked him, “Willie, do you have a Bible?”
“Yes, sir, but I only read it on my own time.”
“Don’t worry. Just get the Bible and go to the captain’s cabin. He’s dying and wants a Bible.”
Willie got his Bible and reported to the captain.
The captain ordered, “Sit down and find something in it that will help me...I’m not going to live much longer. Find something about God having mercy on a sinner, and read it to me.”