Next morning when he entered the captain’s cabin, the boy was astonished with the extraordinary change in his master’s face. The gloomy horror which had so long added to the natural ferocity of his weather-beaten face, was gone. His affections had softened and on his face there was a pleasant, calm and resigned appearance. Bob had scarcely time to notice the change when the captain with great humility began to speak.
“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. Suddenly, I could see Jesus Christ hanging, bleeding on His cross. Struck with the sight I cast myself down bore His feet in the greatest agony of soul. I cried out ‘Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.’
“At length, it was as if He looked at me, your poor wicked captain, and, oh, what a look it was! I shall never forget it. My soul thrilled as I heard Him say to me, ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee.’ My heart burst with joy. I could not utter a word but ‘Glory, glory, glory!’
“Oh, Bob, this was no dream. Now I know that Jesus bled and died for me. I can believe the promises you have read to me out of the Bible. The blood of Jesus can cleanse even me. Now I am not afraid to die. No, Bob, my sins are pardoned through Jesus. I need nothing more! I am now ready to die. I feel I cannot be many days longer on this side of eternity. I shall soon breathe my last.”
The boy who had shed many tears now burst into a flood of sorrow and cried out, “No, my dear master, don’t leave me.”
“Bob,” said he, calmly, “comfort your mind; I am happy and I am going to be happy forever. I feel for you; my heart yearns over you as if you were my own son. I am sorry to leave you in such a wicked world and with such wicked men. Oh may you ever be kept from those sins into which I have fallen.”
“I owe everything to you. You were the Lord’s instrument for me. Surely He sent you to me. God bless you, my dear boy. Tell my crew to forgive me as I have forgiven them and pray for them.”
Bob spent as much time as he could with his captain, closing the day with the reading of the Bible. Then he retired for the night.
At daybreak on the following morning, Bob arose and hurried to the captain’s cabin. As he opened the door he saw him kneeling in prayer. The boy paused respectfully, hesitating to intrude. At length he whispered, “Master!” There was no reply. He went forward a little and again said, “Master!” All was silent.
Now he spoke aloud, “Captain!” and tenderly touched his shoulder. The captain’s body moved as Bob touched him and then the boy realized that his captain was dead. During the night he had risen from his bed, gotten down on his knees to pray and just then the Lord took his spirit to heaven. Later the crew buried Captain Johnson at sea.
ML-01/27/1963