A man was one day amusing hielf with his retriever, near the Southwark bridge, by throwing a stick into the water for the dog to fetch. At the same time, a little boy was playing on the steps of the bridge. Somehow he slipped and tumbled into the river. It was twelve feet deep where the poor little fellow fell in, and he was unable to swim. Nobody saw him, and no help was near, but just at that moment this gentleman threw his stick into the water again, and the dog plunged after it.
Neither the dog nor his master had seen the boy tumble, but as the dog was going after the stick he happened to catch sight of the boy struggling for his life in the deep river. Without a moment’s hesitation, quite of his own accord, he left the stick and hurried to the rescue of the drowning child. He struck out with all his might, panting and striving to reach the poor boy in time before he should sink for the last time. Just as the little fellow came up once more, the dog seized him by the collar of his jacket, and, keeping his head above water, swam away with him to the steps where he dragged, and pulled, and hauled until he got him ashore in safety.
Now, was he not a kind and noble dog? No one told him to save the boy, nor did the boy ask him to do so. It was all done of his own good will, just because he loved little children, I suppose, who opened the door was not his sister. Tired and disappointed he was retring his steps, when he met a man with some books under his arm, and asked him if he knew some Rawlingsons.
“Yes,” he answered, “I do. If you will walk on with me I can direct you.”
After some general conversation, the stranger said, “My work is tiring, but delightful. I find that people in, the scattered suburbs of the town get few opportunities of attending Bible meetings, so I call on any who will allow me, and read to them, and also lend them books. We long to do something for Christ, when our heart is full of His love to us, don’t we?”
“You alarm me,” said Duncan; “I only came ashore this morning, and this is the second time today I’ve had this kind of thing said to me. And no one ever spoke to me of such things before.”
“Perhaps God brought you here to hear them,” said his companion. “It will be well worth losing your way, if you find Christ through doing so.”
“I’m none too good,” said Duncan, “but I’m not so bad as you seem to think.”
“In this book in my pocket,” said the stranger, “it says, ‘All have sinned,’ and it tells how the very best of us need the atoning blood of Jesus. Oh, do not rest till you have true peace in Him. He longs to give it to you. Now we must part, for yonder is the cottage.”
Duncan found himself at the right door this time, and most hearty was his sister’s welcome. She told him that their mother was staying with her, and would very soon be in. Before long the old woman returned, and great was her joy on seeing her son. And when Duncan’s brother-in-law joined them, they were indeed a happy party.
“We have something to tell you, Duncan,” said his sister. “John and I are Christians. We are so happy to be serving the Lord Jesus, and grateful to the one who pointed us to Him.” Then she told him all about it and added, “We long to lead others to Him. Won’t you join us, brother? Oh, don’t let us have to leave you out in the cold. Won’t you decide for Christ and become one of His followers?”
“Well,” answered her brother, “how strange this is. It is the third time today I’ve had like words said to me. I lost my bearings looking for your house, and two people I inquired of spoke to me of the Saviour. Here I fancied myself safe, and now you begin! Give me time, and I promise to think about it.”
That night and the whole of the next day Duncan’s mind was full of strange new thoughts. To his amazement, he discovered that he was questioning himself about the safety of his soul. And the result of the inquiry was far from satisfactory. He saw that he was all wrong — in fact, that he was a sinner — and that he needed a Saviour.
Several days passed, but no human eye saw the deep repentance that the Holy Spirit was working in his heart.
One afternoon he was alone in the little garden. His sister came up unobserved, and said, quietly, “Where are your thoughts, Duncan?”
“With Christ,” he answered, earnesy, “for, praise God, I’ve come to Him. Oh, I shall always thank the Lord that I had to hunt for your house the day I landed, for it is through His blessing on words spoken to me during the search that my soul has been led to the Saviour of sinners.”
Never had Duncan had such a true holiday; he was full of joy in his newfound Saviour.
When Duncan rejoined his ship all noticed the difference in him. He had “passed from death unto life.” No wonder then that his mates found him a nobler, braver, and happier man.
ML 11/29/1959