A Mother's Prayers Answered
Mrs. Walter Thomas Prideaux Wolston
Table of Contents
A Mother’s Prayer Answered
His Word Won’t Return Void
The following letter was written by one who, till the age of thirty-five, served Satan well, as his own words show.
“Dear Friend, — I received your welcome letter, and was so happy to hear from you again. Many times have I sat by the sea beach and wondered, as each steamer passed up to Brisbane, if there was any word from you to me in her, and I asked the Lord to let me know whether you were gone home to Him, and now your letter has come. I want, by God’s help, to give you an account of God’s wonderful dealings with me. I thought it my duty to tell you what I had been, and I prayed to the Lord for strength to write it to you. I know you will not turn from me on account of my former evil ways, but, like our forgiving Lord, will freely forgive me too, and help me to praise Him for His grace to such a vile sinner.
A Sailor’s Youth
“As you know, I was born in Edinburgh. I was the youngest of five children. My father I can just remember; he was a printer and died when I was very young, but my dear mother’s image is as fresh as though I had but just lost her, the little lessons and prayers she taught me I could never get rid of through all my wicked career. She was one of God’s humble servants, ever impressing upon her children’s minds Bible truths. I can remember how anxiously she would have me repeat my prayers after her and tell me of our Lord, how He suffered to save us. Many a time my heart has ached to think how much I have caused her to suffer through my wickedness. When I was at home last, my aunt told me that my mother was ever praying for me, that the Lord, in His own good time, would bring me home and make me one of His children. Yes, with her last breath she pleaded for me. She died in the Edinburgh Infirmary; there, where she pleaded so earnestly for me, did it please the Lord to answer her dying cry, in His own time and way. All the glory to Him!
“A few years after the death of my father I was placed in the Orphan Asylum, as my poor dear mother could do nothing with me. I would not remain at school, and she had to work hard to sustain me and my sisters. I had every opportunity to learn, for I was placed under a God-fearing teacher, a man whose memory is dear to me now. In after-years his words often came to my mind and convicted me of my evil ways. Oh! had I been guided by him or my dear mother, what miseries should I have avoided! but I was prone to evil. I would not learn, so the committee ordered me to be sent to learn a trade. Here, again, the Lord cared for me, for I was placed with a godly family, near Glasgow, to learn the weaving trade. My master sent me to a night-school, but I showed such wicked temper that the teacher sent me away in disgrace. My good master tried to teach me at home to no purpose. Many times I ran away, and he followed me to Edinburgh and would take me back; but after three years’ struggling this good man let me go my own road, writing and telling my mother he feared the Lord had given me over to follow my own evil ways. My poor mother knew where to carry her sorrows, to Him who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and earnestly she cried to the Lord by my bedside that I might be made one of His own flock.
“About this time, passing down the High Street, my eldest brother saw me in company with some wicked boys. He saw enough to convince him I was getting money by some unlawful means. He said nothing to me then, but sent me home. The next morning, before I was awake, he came into the bedroom, and dragging me out of bed lashed me with the buckle end of a belt that butchers usually wear to carry their steel. My poor mother tried in vain to interfere, but he would not leave off till a neighbour came in and took me from him. I was bruised and bleeding, he no doubt meant it for my good, but such an unmerciful beating was the cause of driving me from my home altogether, for, as soon as my wounds got well, I turned on the streets, choosing for my companions thieves and pickpockets, and would never go near my mother’s house, and if I met my sisters I avoided them. Soon I was taken before a magistrate for theft, and sentenced to some months’ imprisonment. At the end of the time the good chaplain took me kindly by the hand and walked with me from the jail, with the intention of taking me to my mother’s house, but behind us some of my former companions were following and making signs for me to come back. Satan prevailed, I broke away from the man of God, and went back to my evil ways. I went on now from bad to worse, till I was taken with two young lads in a robbery, and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. This was a severe blow to all my friends. My poor mother never recovered from the shock, her health failed from this time. She visited me in prison, and never can I forget the expression on her dear face, as she begged me to repent, and seek the Lord while He was to be found, and to promise to write to her. She parted from me confident that the Lord would answer her prayers in His own good time and way. I was very sorrowful for some time after this, but it was not the godly sorrow that worketh repentance.
“I with many others was sent to Wakefield to undergo the first period of our sentence. One of the two boys convicted with me died there, the other I never saw again.
“In my lonely cell at Wakefield, I had every opportunity to consider my ways, and a letter I received from my poor mother, with a small lock of hair from my youngest sister, who always loved me, set me to think. I betook myself to pray, but there was no sincere cry from the heart. I thought as long as I made an outward show of godliness I would be saved. I was like the foolish virgins, with no oil in my vessel, I had not the grace of God in my heart. Thus I spent the first part of my sentence, and after eighteen months of separate confinement I was removed to Portland. Here I was allowed to mix with the other prisoners when at work in the quarries. Here I met with a young man from Edinburgh, a professed infidel. He laughed and sneered at all my good resolutions, and instead of avoiding him, I drank in all his wicked notions respecting the Word of God. I was ever at his side when not at work.
“Oh, should these lines ever come before any young man who has left a parent’s roof, take heed whom you choose for a companion. If he is given to speak of God’s Holy Word lightly, or to ridicule or sneer at it, avoid him as you would a poisonous snake. You cannot put fire in your bosom and not be burned; sit not in the scorner’s seat. By the time I was to leave Portland for a foreign country, I was hardened in wickedness. I took every opportunity to scoff at the children of God and to speak against His Holy Word. After three years spent at Wakefield and Portland, I, with many more, was conveyed on board the ship that was to take us to Van Diemen’s Land. That young man was among the number, and now I was as bold and wicked as he. I said in my heart, ‘There is no God!’ I tried to convince my mind that His Word was only a cunningly devised fable.
“After five months we arrived at Hobart Town. Here, I was taken to the police, and put in the water police boat. Now I had my freedom again, though not free to leave my situation or leave the country, unless I received a free pardon from Government. Here I had every opportunity to cease to do evil and learn to do well, but my heart was hardened, Oh, how easily might God have cut me off as a cumberer of the ground, without hope and without mercy, but all glory to Him, He spared me. Oh! should an unconverted soul read these lines, I implore you value your privileges. Go where God’s grace is preached, let nothing but illness prevent you. There you will be in the way, like the little man in Luke’s Gospel, of seeing Jesus as He passes, and there He may speak to your soul.
“All my spare time after this I spent with my infidel companion, and trusted to his advice in every way. He had been well educated so far as worldly learning went, and I looked up to him. After two years, I, with two more, was recommended to the governor for our free pardon on account of some little merit we showed in the execution of our duty, and we regained our liberty. How happy I felt, but there was no gratitude to Him who had preserved me from death, when so many had been cut off in their sins, but rarely one so wicked as I. I was now about twenty-two years of age, and there being a great demand for sailors, I chose this for my future calling. Hobart Town being a great place for fitting out vessels for the sperm whaling trade, I joined one of those vessels for eighteen months. We had a mixed crew, and I was soon one of the most forward in wickedness, having no sense of shame when I dared to blaspheme God’s holy name. I was soon heartily tired of this whaling life. We were paid off, and after running through my money, I determined to go in the coasting trade, and for some years I continued at this.
Preserved by God
“I need not pain you with the details of the next fifteen years. I made two more whaling voyages, and the rest of the time was in coasters, or ashore. Many a time during those years the Lord delivered me from death. Two instances I will give you, and though at the time I felt no gratitude to Him for prolonging my life, and not cutting me off in my sins, yet now will I praise Him forever, and I will tell of His wonderful mercy to others.
I joined a small schooner, trading between New Zealand and Tasmania, and after being some months in her, we got a cargo in Hobart Town for New Zealand. Having got all ready for sea, the crew were allowed the last night on shore, with strict orders to be on board by daylight. In the morning my messmates all went aboard, but I would not go. Rather than be persuaded to go I would risk losing the wages coming to me. I had no fault to find with the captain or mate. I was not dissatisfied with the vessel, and liked my shipmates, but there was something in my mind telling me not to go. The vessel sailed, taking another man in my place, and a few days after, the news came that the vessel was lost and all hands. But even this did not soften my heart; instead of thanking God, I put it all down to chance, little thinking that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without His leave.
“But again He saved me wonderfully. It was the time of the Maori war, and I was in a barque going on a whaling voyage. We were to trade among some of the South-Sea Islands. We had a large quantity of drink on board, and the captain took to drinking to such a degree that he was never sober, or on deck; at last he went out of his mind, and in this awful state he went before his Maker. We buried him on a small island, far from his loving wife and family, and the chief mate took command. He too took to drinking, and soon left the vessel to the care of the second mate, who was a sober steady man. Many of the men found some means of getting at the drink, and disregarding the second mate’s orders, brought it on deck and made those drink who were not inclined even. Thus we went on, till the Lord sent a storm upon us. We were driven on a lee shore, and though we let go both anchors, yet the cables were snapped asunder as threads. Some of the men went to lower one of the boats, and I, in a state of drink, was going into the boat to fend her off from the vessel’s side, when I missed my footing and fell overboard. In falling I struck against some broken spar, or against the vessel’s side, for I lost all consciousness, and but for God’s mercy to my poor soul I must have been lost.
“When I came to my senses, I found myself lying in a Maori hut, very much bruised and hurt on the left side. The men in bringing me to this hut had carried me through a deep stream of fresh water, and thus lying before a fire, and the clothes drying on me, I caught a cold, and have never been rid of a cough again. Still I had no gratitude to God who preserved me, and left me where there was still hope of mercy, but I was grateful to the young man who was the means of saving me at the risk of his own life. Two of my shipmates were drowned, and several severely injured. I left soon for New Zealand, to get medical aid. Arrived at Port Lyttleton, I was soon able to take a situation as cook in a gentleman’s family. He was a minister of the gospel, and I can never forget how that man of God prayed for me, and how he would tell me of the great love of Christ for sinners. But all to no purpose; I was in darkness, and I hated the light; and soon I yearned to get away from this servant of God. I told him as I was not fit to go to sea I would go on a sheep station. He tried to persuade me not to go away, but I would not listen, so pressing a book into my hand, he committed me to the care of the Lord.
“I went up the country with some shipmates, and stayed through the season, and returned to the seaport, still poorly in health, but I thought a long sea voyage would recover me. I went to Sydney and joined a vessel going to China, but before we arrived at Shanghai I was confined to my hammock with, as I thought, cold; the doctor ordered me to hospital there, and in a few weeks the vessel left me, as I was not fit for my work. The cough got worse, accompanied with pain in my left side. Here I read part of the book that I got in New Zealand, and it made me feel most miserable in my mind,—the thought would strike me, what if it should all be true? I would cast the book aside, and try to drown thought, but I found that more difficult to do there in a sick ward than in the midst of my former companions.
A Conscience Awakened
“After some time the English consul sent me, with some more invalids, aboard a mail boat going home. When I arrived at Greenock, I took the train for the little town where I had learned to weave in my boyhood. There I hoped to see those good people whom I grieved so much in my youth, but the Lord had taken them home. I went to look at the church which they tried so hard to make me attend, but all seemed changed; the minister had gone, and another taken his place; there was no one to welcome me. My former playmates were all scattered; the railway now ran through the house we lived in. I was very much cast down, and I left for Edinburgh, hoping to find a friend there, but no, there was not the friend I looked for. I inquired of a butcher if he knew either of my brothers, who belonged to the same trade; he said they were both dead years since. I tried to find my aunt, with no better success. I walked down the High Street, quite broken down in health and spirits. I felt alone, with a heavy burden of guilt pressing me down. Everywhere I went there were painful recollections of early life. Oh, dear friend, I thought there was no hope for me. I went into the Infirmary, my side was so bad I had to sit up most of my time. Here my mind was ever brooding over my wicked life; turn where I would, there was no peace for me. Conscience was now awake. I feared to die, and meet Him whose name I had so often ridiculed.
“The doctor examined my side, and after leaving with his students, he came back and told me to set my mind on things more lasting than this life, as he thought my time was very short. I thanked him, and now I ask the Lord to make many of our doctors like this Christian man—faithful to the souls as well as giving medicine to the bodies of their patients. I was greatly alarmed; I dared not look up; I thought there could be no mercy for such as me. I tried to remember His Word, but I could not think it meant me—though one verse of it hung on the wall opposite my bed, that verse from the 3rd of John, ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ I turned over and over in my mind, could this ‘whosoever’ include me? but I could not see it. Then one of the young gentlemen going round with the students came up to me, and asked me if I would like to see a friend of his. I said I would be very glad, and I have ever firmly believed that the Lord Himself sent you to me through that gentleman. You will remember that you read to me and spoke of Jesus. It was the 14th chapter of John. It seemed as though the Lord were speaking to me personally. I got this word, ‘If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ And though, as you know, I could not get out of bed, I cried to Him there in bed to blot out my sins for His great name’s sake, and to teach me by His Spirit. And the Lord heard, and answered, and sent His peace into my heart, instead of the dark despair, and then I felt no more fear of death and judgment, for the Lord had removed the sting from death, and taken the judgment for me.
A Sinner Saved
“Here my mother had gone home to Him, praying for me to the last, and here for the first time did I pray to the Lord. Oh, should any doubting soul ever read these lines, I would beg of you to take the Lord’s own word for it. He means mercy for you, no matter how great a sinner you have been; it is our unbelief only that stands in the way. Oh, then, do taste and see that He is good. The Lord Jesus would never have suffered all through His life, and have died such a hard death, if His power to save us was to be limited. No; He says He came to call sinners. If you have not tasted the love of Jesus yet, do not put it off as I did till sickness overtakes you. His word says, ‘Now is the accepted time.’ How many of my companions I have seen taken away suddenly without a moment’s warning. Do not put it off till a more convenient season. Only think what a comfort it is to know, that whenever the Lord is pleased to call us we are ready to go. Notice the end of the child of God, how happy he is at going home.
“How well if you would only take the word of one who long tried the service of Satan, that his wages are hard—that as sure as holiness and happiness go together, so misery is linked with sin. There was no pleasure in the things whereof I am now ashamed, but I have found constant happiness in the love of Christ, in His peace, that the world can neither give nor take away. You go to Him, He will not refuse you; He will not turn you away empty. You may not be able to say a long prayer, or make use of big words; the Lord wants none of that; only ask Him in your own heart; he hears the least cry of faith.
“And now, dear friend, I need tell you no more, for you are aware of all that has happened to me since the first time you came to me in Edinburgh Infirmary (more than five years since). I will only add, what has struck my mind very forcibly, how wonderful are the ways of the Lord and His love. I came home to my native city after so many years a complete wreck, weary and heavy laden with sin. He sent me away clothed with the riches of His grace. May He bless these lines to some other poor weary soul, is the prayer of—Yours truly in Christ, J. B.”
To J. B’s. own account of God’s way of grace with him, I will only add, that against all human hope the Lord raised him up, and has kept him a bright witness for Himself for five years, using him for blessing to many souls, and enabling him to speak boldly for Christ to many of his former companions in sin. The doctor advised his going to Australia. There he is occupied in carrying the Bible far into the bush. If men will buy it of him, well; if not, he leaves it with them. His faith in the Word of God, that it shall not return to Him void, but shall accomplish that which He pleases, is boundless. His knowledge of the Bible is often surprising to me, remembering that five years since he did not know where to find a single passage, nor had opened it even for five-and-twenty years. But he hungered and thirsted after His Word, and at each visit to him, I saw he had found out some fresh beauty in it.
Often his first question was, “Have you got some new subject for me to look up?”
The word that met his soul’s need at first, has seemed to be the key-note of his life ever since; and the Lord honors his simple faith, so that, to those who know him, it is always refreshing to hear him say, or rather write, that he is “asking the Lord” about anything in which our hearts are interested.
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