“I SAY, Tom, what do you think of a I row and a bathe this afternoon, instead of going to the Young Men’s Bible Class? It’s such a jolly sort of day, and one hates to feel tied and bound to attend the class every Sunday.”
“Well, I don’t know, Alick, I don’t care about going, and besides I should hardly like anyone to find it out if we went.”
“Oh, dear me! you’ve not much to fear on that score. We will hire a boat from old D. the boatman, and tell him not to let anyone know. We can then row a mile or so up the shore, where nobody will see us, and have a good bathe. Won’t it be grand, on such a splendidly hot day as this?” And he danced with delight at the pleasing prospect. The qualms of Tom’s conscience were soon silenced, for he was dreadfully afraid lest Alick should think him too cowardly to stay away from his class for one Sunday.
A few moments later and they were bounding along towards the shore, where D., the old boatman, lent them their favorite boat, “The Mermaid.” If Tom had confessed the truth, he would have owned to feeling a little uncomfortable about the expedition; not that he was afraid of boating, but somehow or other it seemed a bad thing to do on the Lord’s Day. His parents had always kept that day very strictly, and perhaps, after all, they might get to know about it somehow or other. Yet, as he had promised Alick, he would not go back now, but would try and enjoy himself as much as possible. The prospect of a swim was certainly a very strong temptation in such sultry weather.
They were soon seated in “The Mermaid,” and, pulling with a long and a strong pull, their little craft bounded merrily over the water towards the spot where they had decided to bathe.
“Don’t you think, Tom, we had better go a little farther out from the shore? We can then have such good dives, and we shall be ever so much more private.”
“All right, Alick, anywhere you like, you know best.”
A few more pulls took them well from the shore into deep water. To undress and plunge in was but the work of a few minutes. How enjoyable it was! Like ducks they swam about, and dived, and plunged. They had been in the water some time, and were getting rather tired, when Alick said, “Come and rest a bit in the boat; we will then have another good dive before going home.” With a little effort, they got into the boat safely, and rested a while.
“Now, Tom, for another dive!” and Tom plunged into the water. Alick stood on the edge of the boat ready to follow. One, two, three, and away he went!
No sooner had he come up again than he shouted in dismay, “Oh! Tom, look what I have done! I’ve upset the boat, and she’s gone to the bottom!” And so it was. In springing off, his weight had capsized the light boat, and she had immediately filled and gone to the bottom, with their clothes, watches, and all their belongings. Their distress was great, for they were some distance from the shore, and there was no help at hand. There was nothing for them but to swim for it, and a long swim it was. Half tired to begin with, they struggled bravely to regain the shore. It seemed as though they would never get there. “I’m done for,” gasped Tom.
“A few more strokes,” said Alick, encouragingly, although he too was beginning to feel terribly exhausted, “and may God help us!”
“Lord, have mercy on us,” prayed Tom, as almost in despair they battled onwards, fighting for life. At last both reached the shore, utterly prostrate. Fortunately, a man, from a cottage close by, seeing their exhausted condition, helped them to his cottage, where they were revived and refreshed.
Through the mercy of God the lives of the lads were spared.
Dear reader, are sin and its pleasures keeping you from seeking the Saviour? Have you found greater attractions in the world than in Christ Jesus?
And yet how fleeting are earthly pleasures! and how unsatisfying, often leaving a terrible sting behind them. But the pleasure of living for Jesus and of being used for His glory is satisfying, and is as an overflowing stream of joy in the believer’s soul. If you would be ready for all emergencies, disease, suffering, death—if you would live a noble life, if you desire happiness of mind and peace of soul, come to the Lord Jesus Christ for cleansing and salvation, and you will receive in this world great blessing, and in the world to come everlasting life.
R. M.