IN MANY countries where the gospel is not preached and the Lord Jesus is unknown, people in general are indifferent and callous to the sufferings of others. Human life is of little value in the eyes of many. So it was in China, when Hudson Taylor, the well-known missionary went there years ago, and so it is today. How thankful we should be for the coming of the Lord Jesus into this world, and for His precious Word which in the gospel tells of His love toward us.
One day Hudson Taylor was traveling in a Chinese junk up the river from Shanghai to Ningpo. On board was a Chinese fellow-traveler who had visited Europe and other lands. In England he was known by the name of Peter. He had often heard the gospel preached, though he had never given his heart to God. Hudson Taylor did all he could to encourage him to put his trust in the Lord and become a Christian. Peter was greatly moved, even to tears, by what he heard, but apparently had made no decision.
When the junk had nearly reached the large city to which they were going, Hudson Taylor went into the cabin to get some tracts and gospel books to pass out to people in the streets. Suddenly he was startled by a splash and a loud cry. Springing on deck he saw at once that Peter had fallen overboard, while everyone else looked on helplessly and did nothing.
A strong wind was carrying the junk upstream and there were no trees or buildings on the bank to show how far behind the drowning man was. In an instant Hudson Taylor sprang to the mast, let down the sail and then leaped overboard in hopes of finding his friend. But alas, he was without success, for the water had closed over poor Peter. Looking around in an agony of suspense Huon saw a fishing boat close by with a drag net furnished with hooks. He knew at once that this would be just the thing to save the man.
“Come,” he cried, with hope rising in his heart, “Come and drag here; a man is drowning.”
“It’s not convenient,” was the callous response.
“Don’t talk of convenience,” he cried again in an agony; “a man is drowning.” “We are busy fishing,” they replied, “and cannot come.”
“Never mind your fishing; I’ll give you more money than many days fishing will bring; only come — come at once!”
“How much money will you give us?”
“Oh, don’t stop to discuss that now,” cried Hudson in exasperation. “Come at once, or it will be too late. I will give you five dollars [worth perhaps twenty dollars now].”
“We won’t do it for that,” they replied. “Give us twenty dollars and we will come.”
“I don’t possess so much, but come quickly and I will give you all I have,” said Hudson. “How much may that be,” they asked.
“I don’t know exactly, but about fourteen dollars.”
At last, but ever so slowly, the fishing boat paddled over and let down its net. In less than a minute the body of the missing man was found and brought on board. However, all efforts to revive him were without success. It was too late; he was drowned. But even while Hudson Taylor and others worked over him to try and restore breathing, these callous fishermen actually clamored for their money and became indignant at the delay.
How vast the difference between the hearts of those Chinese fishermen and that of the blessed Lord Jesus, Saviour of sinners. He alone knows the value of a soul. “None... can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: [for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever].” Psa. 49:7, 87None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) (Psalm 49:7‑8). Not all the gold in all the world can redeem a lost soul. “Without the shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).
No, the Son of God must come from the glory and shed His precious blood upon the cross of Calvary to reem our lost souls. And so St. Peter tells us we are not redeemed “with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:1818Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Peter 1:18). Dear reader, have you been redeemed? Is it well with your soul?
How sad to think of that poor Peter dying perhaps unsaved, But may it be a fresh warning to any unsaved reader not to put off the salvation of your soul. Turn to the Lord now, while you have the opportunity, Tomorrow may be too late.
And may we who know the Lord not be like those Chinese fishermen—indifferent to those who are perishing all around us; but rather let us go and press on souls the urgency of being saved while it is yet the day of grace.
ML-02/03/1963