When I was a boy at school I was often troubled about my soul, but I would not accept Christ, for I did not see how I could be a Christian in the school. I was a leader in all kinds of mischief, and to stop all at once and say I was converted was more than I could do.
By-and-by I got very indifferent, and on leaving home for college, I left all my convictions behind me. After school I went home to begin business, professing to be a Christian, but knowing well I was just a hypocrite. Often my conscience would be uncomfortable, but fear and pride kept me away from Christ. At last God brought me to a deciding point.
I loved boating, and kept a skiff on the river near my home. The river was in high flood on the morning of February 7, and a strong wind blowing against it. It was madness to go out in the skiff in such weather, but when someone suggested it, we all caught up the idea. In a few minutes we were in our places ready to pull away. My cousin was steering, my brother was stroke and I had the bow oar.
We had only got about 200 yards up the current when I saw it was getting too much for us, but to turn was a certain upset, so we pulled on. All of a sudden I felt the water rushing past my feet. The bow had gone under the water and my cousin, who was facing the bow and saw what was happening, dived into the water and made for the bank. His leaving caused the bow—and me in it—to go down, and the boat capsized.
At first I was not beyond my depth, and tried to reach the boat, now going down the river keel up. But as I was carried down it got deeper and deeper, till at last I was under the water and had to spring up to get a breath. Soon I could not even do that, and down with the current I went.
How long I was under water I cannot say, but it seemed an age. My past life, and thoughts of eternity, flashed confusedly through my mind. Was I now going to die, and to be lost forever? It was what I surely deserved. But God was going to give me one more chance.
I was thrown against a bank, and got my head out of the water, and now the others were able to help. They drew me out, and I lay on the bank. I was nearly unconscious, but soon came around a little. I got home and went to my room, undressed and dried myself, and was partly dressed again when the thought struck me that God had given me my last warning, and I must get saved now. I had escaped death by a hair’s breadth.
I shook like a leaf. I got down on my knees, and for the first time in my life I prayed. I confessed to God what a wretched sinner I had been, and how I had rejected His Christ. I thanked Him for giving me another opportunity of salvation and then and there, as a poor lost sinner, I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my own, my only Saviour. Before rising, I thanked Him for having saved me.
I had often heard the gospel—I now believed it, and received everlasting life.