A POOR sailor lay dying in his bed, whilst the vessel in which he served was far out at sea. “Bring a Bible and read to me,” he asked one of the crew; but, alas! no Bible was to be found. “We, have none,” was the confession of all. The poor man was in despair; he was thirsting for the water of life, and could not obtain it.
Suddenly, however, a little cabin boy, hearing what was wanted, said he had a Bible in his chest, and producing it offered to read to the dying man, and turning to John 3 read it slowly and distinctly.
The sick man listened eagerly, but said nothing till the boy came to the 16th verse, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Read that verse again,” he said. The boy obeyed. Slowly it was repeated again. “Read it once again!” he asked; over and over he repeated the words—he had got all he wanted—he saw God’s way of salvation, and at once accepted Christ as his Saviour.
Dear young reader, do you? This verse makes it very plain. God has given His only Son; and whosoever believeth on Him bath everlasting life; and because Christ has died, we shall live.
You remember the doves in the Jewish law. The one was killed, and the other passed through its shed blood and was allowed to go free—its freedom purchased by the death of a substitute. Beautiful symbol of Christ and His ransomed people! Will you think it out for yourselves, and see to it that you accept Christ as your Saviour; then say, Can I do enough to show my love and gratitude to Him who has done so much for me?
ML 09/02/1906