"May I help you?" The question, asked by a saleslady, was addressed to a sailor who had just entered a Bible House in Singapore one hot sultry afternoon.
"No," he replied, "I only want to make a selection of books and am pleased to help myself."
When he had chosen several volumes and brought them to the sales desk, he said, "These books are for our ship's library. Up until a few months ago I would have had no interest in such reading. But now, through God's mercy, my chief enjoyment and delight is in good Christian literature.
"I am an American seaman. Our ship is in port for several days. When I came ashore I saw your book display in the window.
"Some months ago," he continued, "we were on a round trip from New York via the South Pacific ports, north again through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic ocean. The trip takes about three months.
"On the way out on our last trip, however, I, of all the ship's company, contracted the measles. I was so ill the captain put into a port in India and left me ashore in a hospital, while the ship continued its voyage.
"It was a sad day for me when I saw my buddies embark for home while I had to stay— a complete stranger in a foreign port.
"Time passed very slowly. As I was in isolation, I had no contact with anyone but the hospital staff. It was then I discovered an English Bible in my room. It had been placed there by some godly men who have made it their business to circulate the Word of God in this way.
"It was the only Book of any description available, so I began to read it. There was nothing else to do.
"But as I continued to read I felt the Spirit of God speaking to my soul. I read: " 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)); and I felt myself a poor lost sinner in the presence of a holy God. Thank God, the message did not stop there. I also read: " 'Christ died for our sins,' and 'the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
"This living Word of God brought life, light and liberty to my poor dark heart, and I am now through grace a new man in Christ Jesus.
"In due course our ship came around again and picked me up. We are now on our way home."
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform! Who would have guessed that a case of measles would result in eternal blessing to a soul?
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