A MISSIONARY, who had been for many years in the East, and had travelled much in Egypt and Syria, was once making a tour in a little boat, laden with Arabic Bibles, which he distributed among the people living in small villages scattered here and there along the banks of the river, and one Saturday afternoon he found himself on the eastern bank of the Nile, in Upper Egypt. He knew that there was a village on the opposite bank, where the people were not Muslims, but professed the Christian faith, and that they would be willing to hear him speak to them, and to receive his Bibles. “I will cross over,” said he, “and spend Sunday there.”
It seemed but a short distance to the other side of the river, but the wind was adverse, and, after trying several times to bring the little Nile-boat round, the captain said, “It is of no use: we must stay here.”
“This is very disappointing,” said the missionary. He felt disheartened. for it seemed as if the contrary wind would spoil all his plans: but presently he remembered that he was Christ’s servant, and that nothing could happen to him by chance, or without any reason for it. “What if there should be people here!” he thought.
But no: the shore, as far as his eye could reach, was as bare and desolate as the desert.
“Surely no one can dwell here,” said he. “Yet I will go a little way inland, and look about me.”
Taking one of his large Bibles in his hand, he began to scramble over the rocky ground. After walking for about half an hour, he saw, far away, a little village. You may think what joy it gave him to find in that lonely village one of his Master’s sheep—one who had heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, and was following Him, and wished much to know more of Him.
After they had talked a little while, the missionary discovered there was one thing which his newfound friend greatly desired.
“If only I had a Bible!” said he earnestly.
“Our Lord sends you one; see, this book is for you,” said the missionary, showing the Bible he had brought with him.
Imagine with what thankfulness the gift was received, and what a glad surprise it was for this lonely child of God to have the book for which he had so longed thus brought to his very door!
A little more talk, and then the missionary took his way back to the boat, his heart light and glad, and full of praise to God for allowing him thus to be His messenger. But a fresh surprise was awaiting him.
“I have been watching for you,” said the captain. “We can sail now, for the wind has changed.”
As the missionary crossed to the opposite shore in the little Nile-boat he thought, “How good God has been to me! Now I can see why the wind was contrary two hours ago. Once God used His mighty angels to bring words of comfort to His children, now He is pleased to use men, and He has graciously used me this day as His messenger.” How happy that thought made him!
C. P.