Joe had a dear Christian mother who prayed every day that her boy might be brought to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But Joe would have nothing of that kind of thing and left home to join the Navy.
One day when his ship was off the coast of Africa, he was found guilty of an act of rebellion and was given a very heavy sentence according to the strict discipline of the time. He was tied to the mast and heavy lashes were laid across his bare back. Sad to say, this punishment did not break Joe’s proud spirit, nor did he ever give a thought to his mother’s wise counsel to lift his heart to God in times of trial and danger. Rather he prepared to add to his guilt the crime of self-destruction.
With one wild yell, he leaped overboard and would soon have sunk into a watery grave if a strange thing had not happened.
The captain was a merciful man and really felt sorry for the poor boy whom he had been obliged to punish so severely according to the rules. He at once gave orders that a boat should be lowered to try and save Joe’s life. However, the wind was so strong that the frail craft seemed like it would perish in the heavy seas.
Now what do you think were young Joe’s feelings when he found himself face to face with death? How graciously God works, and in ways that we should never expect! The fear of drowning aroused Joe to a sense of still greater danger, that of his immortal soul. In that moment of extremity, he sought and found the Saviour who never cast out one soul who turned to Him for mercy.
Almost at the same moment a huge albatross flew over the water close to the surface. The albatross is perhaps the largest seabird known; it is very strong, but quite harmless. Reaching out his hand Joe caught hold of the great bird’s leg. It struggled to get free, but Joe managed to hang on until the brave sailors reached him and dragged him into their boat. Then he fainted from exhaustion; but in the Lord’s mercy they all reached the ship in safety. The albatross, rejoicing to be free again, soared away across the waves and was seen no more.
From that day on Joe had a special affection for every albatross he saw. In his old age he had one of those birds stuffed, and when his little granddaughter would come to visit him, she would stroke the bird, saying in her little baby talk, “Dood Albatross, you saved Grampa’s life!”
ML-04/16/1978