IN traveling from Londonderry to Penzance during the war, a Christian sailor was sitting quietly in the train nearing Taunton, reading some notes on the seventeenth chapter of John.
On arriving at the platform, there entered three young men into the compartment, bound for the Navy. On finding seats for two of their number, the third stood in the corridor within sight of his two mates.
A conversation ensued between the three concerning life in the Navy, and their future occupations and enjoyments. The two seated within jocularly referred to their companion in the corridor as one who was fond of a pint of beer; and then, turning to the old sailor, inquired what he thought was the best thing for men in the Navy.
The Christian sailor replied: “The best thing you can take in the Navy is to have the Lord Jesus Christ with you there.”
Upon this, silence followed for awhile, and then the old sailor began to speak of his Lord and Saviour. There was sitting alongside of the sailor an Army officer, who then joined in the conversation. The old sailor perceived that he was a well-educated man.
This officer scouted the remark made by the sailor to the three young men as nonsense, and, addressing him, said, “Look here! I am an atheist, and my father was an atheist, and died an atheist.”
The old sailor rejoined: “If that be true, your father has gone to hell, where hope can never come.”
"That's all nonsense," said the officer sneeringly. "I was present at my father's deathbed.”
The old sailor then quoted several scriptures, proving that the Bible was the word of God, and remarked, “You say that you are an atheist.
May I ask you one question?—and give me an answer if you can.”
The officer inquired, "What is it?”
The sailor replied, “You freely admit that there are millions of books written, some good and some bad?”
The officer replied, "Yes, of course!”
“Now tell me the reason," said the Christian sailor, “why none of these many writers could write another Bible.”
The officer was speechless.
There was sitting on the opposite side of the carriage a dear old gentleman, who had been a silent listener to the conversation. He now raised his hand, and said to the so-called atheist, "Ah, my friend, give in! You are floored! You cannot answer that question!”
The old sailor then replied, "The answer is, Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God; and the word of God is complete, and will endure forever.”
Upon this the sailor invited the officer to read the notes on the seventeenth of John.
The officer took and read them, remarking that they were very appropriate!
By this time the train had reached Plymouth, which proved to be the destination of the officer. On leaving the carriage he turned to the old Christian sailor, saying, "Good-bye, old man; I shan't forget you!”
T. B. N.