One afternoon in November, I went for a walk along the coast. The weather was foggy, and I had no compass. I went on until I thought it was time to return, and then I knew I had lost my way. I could see only a few yards round about; but hearing a bell tolling, and thinking it was at the church, I walked in the direction from which the sound came.
After going several miles, I was met by the approaching tide, which was coming rapidly in. The ringing I heard came from a bell on a buoy, which was floating over a sandbank, where it was placed to warn sailors of danger. I then hurried off another way, not knowing where I was going, for the tide, when coming in, flows in many directions.
I thought my end was near, and my evil life came up before me. I shouted as loudly as I could.
“Lost! lost!” And then an answer came,
“I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” Eccles. 1:26.
I was afraid to look up, or even to pray, for I knew I was a lost sinner. At length I came upon a target-frame, used for floating targets; and I thought I would cut some cords from it, and bind myself to it until morning, for it was getting dark. I then resolved that if God would deliver me I would lead a new life. I continued to call aloud, being then afraid to leave the target-frame, and the seagulls that flew around seemed to mock me with their cries.
Still I called for help, but it was not until I had almost sunk from exhaustion that at last I heard a fog-horn blow, and a voice call,
“Come this way.” Hurrying forward as fast as I was able, I met the man who had come to my rescue, and together we reached the shore.
Those awful hours were the means a loving God used to bring me to Himself.
The agony of soul I then passed through made a lasting impression upon me, and I was miserable until I found peace through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
ML 01/24/1943