Part 2.
In the evening he again read the Bible to the captain, who appeared to take in every word. Next morning, on entering the stateroom, the boy was struck with file extraordinary change visible in his master’s features. That gloomy horror, which had so long added to the natural ferocity of his weather-beaten countenance, was fled; and while his affections had softened, and more fully exhibited the various parts of his countenance, the circumstances of the past night had settled the whole arrangement of his features into a holy, pleasant, calm, and resigned state, that would seem to say—
“An heir of grace can find
Glory begun below.”
Bob had scarcely time to notice this pleasing change, when the master, in a low tone of voice, but with great humility, begun, “O my dear boy, I have had such a night! After you left me I fell into a sort of doze; my mind was full of the blessed things you have been reading to me from the precious Bible: all of a sudden, I thought I saw, in that corner of my bed-place, Jesus Christ hanging, bleeding on His cross. Struck with the sight, I arose and crawled to the place, and casting myself at His feet in the greatest agony of soul, I cried out for a long time, like the blind man you read of— ‘Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.’ At length, I thought He looked on me—yes, my dear boy, He looked at your poor wicked captain—and, O Bob, what a look it was! I shall never forget it: my blood rushed to my heart! my pulse beat high! but my soul thrilled with agitation, and, waiting for Him to speak, with fear not unmixed with hope, I saw Him smile. O my child, I saw Him smile—yes, and He smiled on me—on me, Bob! O my dear boy, He smiled on wretched, guilty me. Ah! what did I feel at that moment! my heart was too full to speak; but I waited, and ventured to look up, when I heard Him say, hanging as He did upon the cross, the blood streaming from His hands and feet and side—O what sounds were these! shall I ever hear His beloved voice again?—I heard Him say, in sounds that angels cannot reach, ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee.’ My heart burst with joy; I fell prostrate at His feet; I could not utter a word but glory, glory, glory! The vision vanished. I fell back on my pillow, I opened my eyes, I was covered with perspiration, I said, O, this cannot be a dream! No, Bob, this is no vision. Now I know that Jesus bled and died for me, I can believe the promises you have read to me out of the Bible, and I feel that the blood of the Cross can even cleanse me. I am not, now afraid to die; no, Bob, my sins are pardoned through Jesus. I want no more; I am now ready to die, I have no wish to live. I cannot, I feel I cannot be many days longer on this side of eternity. The extreme agitation of my mind has increased the fever of my body, and I shall soon breathe my last.”
The boy, who had silently shed many tears, now burst into a flood of sorrow, and involuntarily cried, “No, my dear master, don’t leave me.”
“Bob,” said he, calmly, “comfort your mind; I am happy, I am going to be happy forever. I feel for you; my bowels yearn over you as if you were my own child. I am sorry to leave you in such a wicked world, and with such wicked men as sailors are in general. O may you ever be kept from those crimes into which I have fallen. To you I owe everything as an instrument in the Lord’s hands! Surely He sent you to me! God bless you, my dear boy; tell my crew to forgive me, as I forgive and pray for them.” Thus passed the day: and Bob, after reading the Bible as usual, retired to his hammock, full of mercy and good fruit.
On the following morning, at daybreak, Bob arose, and opening the state-room door, saw that his master had risen from his pillow, and crawled to the corner of his bed-place where he beheld the cross. There he appeared to be kneeling in prayer, his hands clasped and raised, and his body leaning against the ship’s side. The boy paused, fearful of disturbing him. At length he whispered, “Master!” No reply. He ventured to creep forward a little, and then said, “Master!” All was silent. He called again, “Captain!” and tenderly shook his shoulder. The position of the body altered; it declined gently until it rested on the bed; but the spirit had fled some hours before, to be with Christ, which is far better.
Little reader, are you a sinner like Bob and his poor Captain found themselves to be? Then listen to this—
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Look to Christ, for He came to save such as you. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).)
ML 09/24/1916