It was late in the evening when a missionary, tired from his long day’s journey through the jungle, was approaching an African village. As far as he knew, no one had ever been there with the gospel.
In the distance he could see the village fires. But then cries and shrieks of terror broke through the African night. The screaming grew louder as he neared the village; all was in confusion and tumult.
The missionary was not long in finding out the cause. He was told that a great lion had leaped over the wall and had made off with two of their men. They were all getting ready to pursue after the great enemy, and even the women and children were going along.
However, before they got started a storm came on and they could not go before morning. The wailing of the natives went on all night, for in their superstition they believed that the spirits of their ancestors would punish them for their delay and failure to avenge the loss of their two men.
Amidst the cries and tumult, the missionary was surprised as his ear caught the strains of a familiar hymn. He could scarcely believe it. Tracing the singing to its source, he came to a little group of natives with their heads bowed in prayer. He heard the voice of one saying, “Lord, we thank Thee for Thy peace. We thank Thee that Thou art peace.” Here was a little band of Christians who had found in God a haven of rest and were enjoying His peace in the midst of all the turmoil and confusion on every hand.
Inquiring as to how it all came about, the missionary was told that some years before the chief of the village had sent one of the native boys to a town about 160 miles distant to buy salt. He could not return because floods had closed the roads and he had to remain in that town for six weeks. It was there that he came in contact with some of the Lord’s servants and heard the blessed gospel message. It was the first time he had heard about Jesus, and the dear boy had accepted Him as his Saviour and was baptized.
While he was there he had learned some scripture portions, and the missionaries had rewarded him with a piece of paper on which was written that wonderful text, John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24): “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
The boy returned to his own village with the salt, but also with his more wonderful treasure. Wherever he went the little African Christian told of Jesus the Saviour of sinners. Many in that village were saved and that little band was a witness of the marvelous power of the Word of God.
How wonderful is the grace of Him who seeks the lost, and brings them out of darkness into His marvelous light through the power of the gospel. Does not the faith of the little African boy and of that little band of natives put many of us to shame in this favored land where we hear the gospel proclaimed far and wide? How many have heard it often yet have not believed it, or received it into their hearts by faith. God grant that the reader may not be among the number who will have to stand before God in the day of judgment and hear the dread sentence, “I never knew you; depart from Me.” Matt. 7:2323And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23).
— Missionary Stories
ML 04/23/1967