On a stormy night a middle-aged man staggered into the Bowery Mission. He was intoxicated, his face unwashed and unshaven, and his clothes soiled and torn. He sank into a seat and, gazing around, seemed to wonder what kind of a place he had come into. "Rescue the Perishing" and other gospel hymns were sung and seemed to interest him, and to recall some memory of his youth long since forgotten.
As the leader of the meeting rose and told the simple story of the gospel, and how the Lord had come to seek and save sinners, the man listened intently. The speaker in his younger days had been a soldier and had seen hard and active service. In the course of his remarks he mentioned several incidents which had occurred in his experience during the war, and he gave the name of the company in which he served.
At the close of the meeting the man staggered up to the leader and in a broken voice said: "When were you in that company you spoke of?"
"Why, all through the war," said the leader.
"Do you remember the battle of ?” "Perfectly."
"Do you remember the name of the captain of your company at that time?"
"Yes; his name was—.”
"You are right! I am that man. I was your captain. Look at me now and see what a wreck I am. Can you save your old captain? I have lost everything I had in the world through drink, and I don't know what to do nor where to go."
Through the grace of God and faith in His Son the old derelict was saved that night. Ere long he was helped by some of his former friends to get back his old business position. He delighted to tell the story of how a soldier was used of God to save his captain. What a joy it was to hear him sing "Rescue the Perishing."
"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to save.
"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
"Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving hand, weakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
"Rescue the perishing—Jesus is with you;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide!
Back to the narrow way patiently win them,
Tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died."