The next thing that happened in John’s life may surprise you. Remember, he was not yet saved but was still trying to gain salvation by doing good things.
It was suggested to John and his brother Charles that they go from England to America to preach to the Indians! They thought this would be a most easy job, never considering that they themselves were still stained with sin.
They sailed for America and on the same boat John met some simple German people that he considered to be most unusual. He could not understand their language but they seemed to be people who loved and feared God. They were always cheerful and happy and never even seemed to get cross. These dear people were simply sinners saved by the grace of God. John learned that they also were going to America to preach. There was, however, something about the Germans that made John feel uncomfortable. They had a joy and peace that he had never known and could not understand.
Maybe it was for this reason that John began to try even harder to please God by staying away from things that are nice. One night a wave rolled in his cabin window and soaked his bed. He had to sleep on the floor that night. Having slept there once, he began to think a bed was not necessary, and he would try to gain God’s favor by sleeping on the floor from now on. Poor John! He still had not learned that the Bible says that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8).
Before John’s ship reached America, he was again surprised at the German people. A great storm came up on the sea and the ship was in terrible danger. John and his brother were frightened, especially since they thought they might at any moment find themselves in the presence of God.
These German Christians had been singing before the storm began and John thought that now their peace and happiness would end. He was greatly surprised to see that they simply went on singing as though nothing had happened!
John was not having good success in his efforts to make his own peace with God and could not understand it when he saw others who had learned that it was not poor sinners who tried to make peace but rather that the Lord Jesus “made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20).
It would be good for all boys and girls who read this little book to learn this too!