Or, “Ask, and it Shall be Given You.”
How wild is the storm, how dark is the night,
The boldest of spirits it well may affright;
Behold, those poor sailors are tossed to and fro,
They’re driven before it, and where will they go?
Amongst that rough crew are two sailor boys,
The waves that dash o’er them they deem but as toys;
Now, hark at the thunder; what lightnings do play,
One moment is night, the next bright as day.
The lightning’s terrific; oh, how it appalls!
As it gleams on one boy, his countenance falls;
He says to the other, while pallid with fear,
“I no more shall see my own mother dear.”
“Oh, do not say so, Charlie boy, but be brave,
I know there’s a God, who is able to save;
Besides, at the Bethel there’s prayer held tonight,
They’ll remember us boys, and all will be right.
“For mother, I know, and aunt will be there,
And mother has told ‘me that God answers prayer;
And so, my dear Charlie, we shall not be lost,
Although at this time we’re awfully toss’d!”
Thus speaks the poor boy, when crash goes the mast,
The ship gives a lurch, they think ‘tis the last;
When Willie calls out, “Charlie boy, don’t you fear,
There’s a God who can save, I feel he is near.”
And that God does now prove he’s the hearer of prayer;
The ship goes to pieces, each heart quakes with fear!
But the two sailor boys, for whom prayer has been made
Are brought to the arms of those who had prayed.
A. Z.
[The incident above described occurred off the coast of Northumberland.]