Ted was a Russian living in south-east Poland. His wife was a true believer and faithful witness for Christ. But although Ted saw her rejoicing daily in God's "great salvation," he refused to accept it for himself, insisting that he was "only an enquirer."
Subsequently, he emigrated with his family to South America, where they settled as farmers in a Slav colony, many of whom were Christians.
Through his wife's gentle influence he attended the gospel meetings with her there. He got to like mixing with believers, although remaining "only an enquirer" himself. He was like many who lived in Noah's day before the flood — standing at the door of the ark, perhaps, but not entering in. To be so near to Jesus and yet not in Him is truly one of the saddest sights in the world today.
But with the outbreak of World War 2 Ted, attracted by glowing promises of advancement, joined the Polish Army. Visions of better living conditions for his family, and a modernization program for his farm when the war was over, helped persuade him.
Not long after he had enlisted he was obliged to bid his family goodbye and board a troop ship bound for Britain. In a few days they were far out on the Atlantic.
Ted's ship was one of a convoy, heavily escorted on account of enemy submarines. But despite the protecting cover a dreaded sub succeeded in torpedoing the two troop-laden vessels sailing before and behind the one in which Ted sailed.
In that dreadful encounter it seemed that everyone prayed. Certainly Ted did! In deepest sincerity he told God that if He would but save him from drowning this once, he would grasp the first opportunity to find spiritual help, and put his full trust in the Savior whose love he had so long spurned.
God in mercy answered his prayer—and Ted remembered his promise. In a few days he found himself safe from the sea, stationed in a Polish military camp in Scotland.
On his first Sunday there he was off-duty, so free to leave camp, he traveled on foot to the nearest town. Later he could be seen proceeding slowly along the main street as if searching for something. He was looking for a church.
He soon found one. It was a large imposing building, much more grand than he was used to, but he timidly entered and sat down. Acquainted only with the Polish language, and not even able to recognize the Scottish tunes of the hymns sung, he again returned to the street and resumed his walk.
Before long he came to a simple gospel hall and paused outside to listen to the singing. This time to his great delight he recognized the familiar strains of,
"O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God."
The music was irresistible, so he entered the hall and sat down. To his amazement a gentleman handed him a New Testament printed in Polish. The gentleman had immediately recognized him as a Polish soldier.
After the service, Ted soon made the Christians present understand what his chief desire was by pointing first to the Testament and then to his heart.
Three evenings later, along with several more of his Polish comrades, he again entered the hall. A Polish gospel meeting had been arranged specially for the soldiers. Afterward, the Polish speaker entered into an earnest conversation with Ted and listened to all his story. Finally the preacher asked: "Ted, from tonight, are you going to be a brother in Christ Jesus, or remain 'only an enquirer'?"
Ted at last faced the issue, and acknowledging the overwhelming claims of Christ he replied: "From tonight I am going to be a brother in Jesus Christ." Whereupon he broke into tears of repentance.
That night he walked back to camp, rejoicing in the knowledge of a full and free salvation through the finished work of Christ for him upon the cross.
With the first opportunity he sent the good news of his salvation to his wife. Through the grace of God, at the close of the war he was once more reunited with his family on their farm in South America.
How wonderful was the mercy of God to this poor soldier—first in saving him from what seemed certain death in the ocean; then in saving him from his sins and the second death—to a living faith in Christ Jesus.