IT was a bright clear night in. December, many years ago, and the good ship Harriet, under reefed topsails, was coming up the Channel before a stiff breeze. Every heart on board was glad, for after a long and perilous voyage she was now "homeward bound.”
On the quarter-deck Capt. H., and Edward L., his first mate, were standing talking together.
“We shall be in dock before Christmas, if the wind holds," L. said." It is not well for a sailor to set his mind too much on anything, but I have set mine on being in the dear old home at Christmas this year. It is four years since we all met at home; and father and mother say it hasn't been half Christmas without me.”
Captain H. listened to the young sailor's eager words; then, laying his hand kindly on his shoulder, said gravely, “I do not wonder at your wish, Edward. It is a great pleasure to get home, especially to such a happy home as yours is at Christmas time. But there is something I should like you to wish for still more than that. I want you to be sure that when the voyage of life is passed, there remaineth for you a rest in the glorious home above—
‘Where all the ship's company meet,
Who sailed with their Saviour below.'”
L. was silent for a moment, and grasped the captain's hand in his. “Captain, you have been a kind friend to me ever since I can remember.
If all Christians were like you, I can only say I wish there were more of them. And more than that, what you have so often said to me about religion has made me think very seriously. I really intend to serve Christ, too, but not just vet.”
And why not note, L.?“ asked his friend.
"I am afraid you will think me cowardly, if I tell you, captain. The truth is that our people always give a ball at Christmas, and it would be a terrible disappointment to them if I were to hold aloof. They would say I had turned Puritan, and lost my spirits, and I don't know what else; and it would seem hard to give them pain just on first going home. So I have made up my mind to keep on as usual till after that. Besides," he added, with the frankness of a true English sailor, "expect it will be a downright jolly time, and I'm not inclined to give it up on my own account. Rut after Christmas, captain, I will turn over a new leaf; see if I don't.”
The captain felt that human pleading would have little power to overturn the young man's purpose. In his anxiety, he had recourse to prayer. Standing still, with uncovered head, on the heaving deck, he prayer earnestly, though silently, to his Father in heaven, who could convince his young friend that "now." was the only certain "day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). L. understood, and felt the unspoken prayer, the words of which he could not hear. His head was bowed, too, and his spirit deeply moved; but the tempter was at hand with the deadly suggestion that it was quite as safe, and far better, to wait awhile.
As the captain bade him "Good night," before turning in, he said gaily, “Now, don't be anxious about me, captain. Christmas will soon be here, and you have my promise after that.''
The captain went below, and left the brave young fellow on deck, bright and mirthful, and ready to quench, by lively anticipations of home, every feeling of misgiving that the captain's prayer had caused.
Not ten minutes had passed, when the captain heard hurried footsteps on the deck, then the sharp, clear cry, "Man overboard." In another instant he had clashed up the companion-ladder and looked around.
He scarcely needed to ask, "Who is it?" for had it not been Edward L. he would have seen him at once among the gallant fellows w he were lowering the boat, ready to peril their own lives to rescue the man in danger.
Yes, it was Edward L. Reaching over the quarter-deck to draw an entangled log-line he had lost his foothold, and fallen overboard, and the ship went on her rapid way without him.
Everything was done that stout arms and brave hearts could do; but all w as in vain. The men strained at the oars, only to see him throw up his arms, and sink.
Christmas with its mirth and festivity came to others, but not to him; and as he went down in the cold waters, leaving hope and life behind him forever, it would add a terrible keenness to his agony to remember that, not many minutes before, eternal life had been offered to him through Jesus, and that he had refused it.
Again, dear reader, we beseech you, in the name of the sinner-loving Jesus, to lay to heart this matter of eternal importance, namely, your own soul's salvation. God says "Now. “What” do you say? Do you at this moment bow before God to His judgment of your state, declaring you to be guilty before Him?
Edward L. did not believe that God meant what He said; but alas! alas! how soon, how very soon, he found himself in eternity! Oh! then dear reader, accept God's truth now; bow before-Him confessing Yourself a guilty sinner now; flee to the outstretched arms of Jesus now; rely on His precious blood now, yes, "to-day," "now." To-morrow may be too late! "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1)).