GEORGE D—was returning to Australia to his wife and children, from whom he had been absent nearly twelve months, and was working his passage in the capacity of a steward. On, board was a passenger, William J—, who from the first had felt a keen interest in him.
One of George D—’s many failings was a propensity to drink, by which, during the voyage, he was often placed in great peril. Upon one occasion, after drinking to excess, he was descending from the upper deck, when the ship gave a lurch, as sailors call it, which threw him forward, so that he fell the whole distance. Through mercy he was not seriously hurt, but was able to appear the following day, when he was gently remonstrated with by William J—. George, however, smiled, saying carelessly, “Oh, I was only keeping up my birthday, sir.” Then pleading urgent duty as an excuse to get away, he went to another part of the ship. From that moment he more than ever avoided Willliam J—, thus proving the truth of the words of the Lord Jesus, “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:20. Nevertheless, his Christian friend lost no opportunity of speaking to him.
William J— loved the Saviour, and he had a yearning desire that George D— might know and love Him too; and it was for this object that he sought to speak with him. Sometimes, when being spoken to, George would manifest considerable feeling, the Spirit of God applying the word; but shortly after, the motions of sin within him, and the love of drink, got the upper hand again, so that he would go on as bad as before. This was often repeated, and many were the “birthdays” he “kept up.”
But William J— would not be altogether discouraged; he felt drawn towards the poor fellow in a way which surprised even himself. The truth was, God had marked out George D— for Himself. He had purposed to make Himself and His wondrous love known to him; and the way in which He brought it about, I will endeavor to relate.
Among the passengers was a young missionary, who was proceeding to the Samoan Islands. Twice weekly he preached on board the vessel, each Sunday and Wednesday evening, and it was a most pleasing and refreshing sight to see among the listeners, rough seamen, some apparently drinking in his words. More than once after the meeting had broken up, they would remark in their gruff way, “Ah, Jack! that man believes what he talks about. I like to hear such men.”
One Lord’s Day afternoon, he preached in his usual earnest, simple manner, taking for his text 1 John 4:16, “We have known and believed the love that God hath to us.” George D— was present, and the Spirit of God was taking the word home to his soul. At the close William J—, who was sitting near, spoke to him upon what he had just heard. He replied, with evident sincerity, “Do you really believe that we may know on earth our sins forgiven?” His Christian friend had often borne testimony to this precious truth, and now emphatically affirmed the same.
After conversing a short time, preparations were made for tea, so that, George D—’s services being required, they had to separate. But later on in the evening, unable to, rest, he sought on deck for William J—, and, not seeing him there, he went below to his cabin. Perceiving a light, he knocked. Being admitted, he at once began to question William J— upon that blessed truth, present forgiveness. I may here remark that it is for want of the knowledge of this, that many who are really saved, are not happy, not able to joy in God, and therefore not able to bear testimony for God. They together looked into the Scriptures, George D— himself drawing a Bible from his pocket.
Among the many passages they considered were the following: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” 1 John 3:2. “He that hath the Son hath life.” “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:12, 13. “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 judgment; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24. “Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things.” “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 13:39; 10:43.
It was, indeed, a blessed time, as George afterwards testified. The Holy Spirit used the Scriptures to the opening of his eyes; and by whose further gracious aid he was enabled firmly to hold the truth which set him free. It was not, however, until a subsequent evening that this became manifest, when, seeking once more the quietness of William J— ‘s cabin, he opened his heart, revealing what God had done for his soul.
Eight weeks had passed since Old England’s white cliffs had been lost to view, and the ship was on the great southern ocean. There yet remained four weeks more ere it was expected that Melbourne would be reached, during which time, George D— was enabled, through grace, to glorify Him who had called him out of darkness into His marvelous light. The progress he made in the knowledge of the word of God, and the beautiful consistency he manifested, were alike remarkable. The company of his Christian friend was now as eagerly sought as before it was avoided. John 3:21. But his daily life became most trying, for he was subjected to the scoffs and sneers of the ungodly passengers, and the, severe practical jokes of the ship’s servants.
None but those who have been in like circumstances can form an adequate idea of what is involved in being a marked man on board ship. The change in George was so great, that while most mocked, some marveled.
A strong wind was blowing the noble vessel swiftly to her destination, and often would he look over the ship’s side marking with gladness the speed she was making, earnestly longing to see his wife and loved ones again. For was he not a “new creature” now? 2 Cor. 5:17. As he thought thereon, his heart was filled with praise and thankfulness at the prospects of the joy which he knew it would give to his dear wife.
With such thoughts, and his heart thus full, he one day entered William J—’s cabin, saying, “Oh, how thankful I am that we have such a wind behind us! My wife will all the sooner know the joy that awaits her. No more ‘birthdays’ now; no more home misery caused by my wickedness. My heart is indeed full.”
In due time land once more appeared, and shortly after they were safely anchored in Hobson’s Bay, Melbourne. George D—’s wife and three sweet children came on board, to their mutual joy. On reaching land again, and once more resuming his ordinary occupation, he was enabled to bear the same testimony which he had so faithfully borne on the water.
ML 04/24/1904