Caesar was a large Newfoundland dog, and very clever. He once saved a child’s life.
A ship full of passengers had stopped for a few minutes at a dock along the river side. Aboard was a little child in the care of her nurse. As the nurse stood leaning against the railing on the deck, suddenly the little one gave a spring and fell from the nurse’s arm into the river.
At once the cry was raised, “Child overboard!” The passengers rushed to the side only to see the little one disappear beneath the waves.
It so happened that Caesar’s master was sitting on deck reading a book, and Caesar was stretched out alongside.
Quickly the man rose and asked the nurse for a piece of clothing that the child had worn. She handed him a tiny apron she had torn off in an attempt to save the child. Caesar was eagerly watching his master’s face. The man pointed first to the apron, and then to the spot where the child had gone down in the water. In a moment the dog had leaped overboard into the rushing stream. Everyone on board was much excited.
Some men on shore, who had seen the accident, had got a boat and rowed off to search for the child, though they hardly expected to find her alive. A few minutes later the black head of Caesar was seen to rise above the water, far away. He had something in his mouth. Bravely he struggled with the current, but it was evident that his strength was failing fast. The men in the boat pulled with all their might, and at last reached the dog. The noble fellow had found the child, and was holding her fast by her clothes. She was still alive, and soon both dog and child were safe in the boat. After a hard pull they reached the ship again, and the little girl and Caesar were put aboard.
It was here that the nurse rushed forward. Giving a quick glance to make sure that the little one was alive and safe, she sank on her knees beside big noble Ceasar, threw her arms around his wet shaggy neck, and burst into tears. How grateful she was to her brave helper and she thanked God too for being a present help in time of her great need.
It is good when we can trace all our mercies up to the hand of the Lord and to thank Him for His great kindness.
It is well for us to thank the Lord for present mercies, but how much more ought we as sinners to thank Him for His great salvation which He has wrought for us through His death upon the cross. And this is made known to our souls by the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus died for you, dear reader. May you too have this great salvation, through trusting in Him.
ML 10/17/1965