One day Hudson Taylor the missionary was traveling up the river in a Chinese junk. On board was a Chinese friend named Peter who had visited Europe and many other lands. Peter had often heard the gospel preached, but he had never surrendered to the Lord Jesus. Hudson often encouraged him to put his trust in the Saviour. Peter was greatly moved, even to tears, by what he heard, but made no decision.
Hudson had gone into the cabin for a few minutes when suddenly he was startled by a splash and a loud cry. Running upon deck he saw that Peter had fallen overboard.
In an instant Hudson sprang to the mast, let down the sail and leaped overboard in hopes of finding his friend. But alas, the water had closed over poor Peter.
Looking around in an agony of suspense Hudson saw a fishing boat nearby with a drag net. It would be just the thing to save Peter.
“Come,” he cried, hope rising in his heart; “come and drag here; a man is drowning.”
“It is not convenient” was the callous reply.
“Don’t talk of convenience,” cried Hudson in agony. “A man is drowning.”
“We are busy fishing, and can’t come.”
“Never mind your fishing; I’ll give you more money than many days fishing will bring; only 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 $5.00.”
“We wouldn’t do it for that; give us $20.00 and we will come.”
“I don’t have that much, but I’ll give you all I have,” said Hudson. “How much may that be?” “About $14.00.”
At last, but ever so slowly, the fishing boat was paddled over and they let down the net. In less than a minute the body of Peter was found and brought on board. However, all efforts to revive him were without success. It was too late; poor Peter had drowned. But even while Hudson and others worked over him to try and restore breathing, the callous fishermen actually clamored for their money and became indignant at the delay.
How vast the difference between those fishermen and that of our blessed Saviour. He alone knows the value of a soul. 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).
How sad to think of poor Peter dying perhaps unsaved. Dear unsaved reader, do not put off the salvation of your soul for one moment. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML-07/11/1976