EARLY one morning in the autumn of 1878 the inhabitants of a quiet village on the Solway Frith were thrown into a state of excitement by the intelligence that David W. had perished in the waters of the Frith the night before.
David's fishing tackle had been found on the shore in the early morning by some of the fishermen belonging to the village, and at once their worst fears were aroused as to his safety. A few of the less experienced, or the more sanguine, expressed a hope that he might still be safe along the shore, but the older fishermen shook their heads, and said, “If David ventured into the tide last night he's gone forever, for no human power could save him.”
The forebodings of the old fishermen were soon justified—the lifeless body of David was found on the shore some distance from the village.
With hearts big with grief, those stalwart Cumbrian fishermen bore the body of their late companion to the humble cottage which he had so lately left, in the full possession of health and strength, where the grief-stricken wife and the five helpless children were waiting to receive it.
Sometime before the morning on which this narrative opens, the village in which David lived had been the scene of a remarkable energy of the Holy Spirit, and a great many sinners had been brought to the Lord Jesus Christ, David amongst the number.
When David heard of first one and then another of his acquaintances believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and finding “peace in believing" (Rom. 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)), he began to scoff and to ridicule the idea of anyone knowing his sins forgiven in this life. However, whilst some special services were being conducted at the little mission house, David went one night, not so much to hear the gospel as to scoff. The preacher, who had been apprised of his intention, said afterward to the writer, "I saw him enter the room, and take his seat upon one of the benches. On his face there was a hard, scornful smile, which he maintained during the whole of the meeting." But the next night, to the surprise of all, David went again, and took his seat as before; the smile of scorn was gone, and in its place was a look of deep anxiety, which betrayed a heart ill at ease.
The Holy Spirit had been doing His work in David's heart, convicting him of sin; he was wretched and burdened with the sense of his guilt. He remained to the prayer-meeting, but found no rest. During that night, however, David found rest from the burden of sin in Jesus, who says, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).)
David's first desire was to speak to others of the joy he had found in Jesus. He called upon several families in the village, to tell them how great things God had done for him. As the missionary entered one house, the inmates said, "We have just had David here, telling us he has found peace in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; and he was so full of it that he ran off, leaving his hat behind him." Thus he at once began to testify of the Lord who had washed him from his sins in His own blood. Several of his former friends, Festus like, said he was mad, but he in effect replied, with the apostle Paul, "I am not mad... but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." (Acts 26:2525But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. (Acts 26:25).) He also began to exhort, entreat, and warn his fellow servants; but this made him many enemies, and cost him his place.
On the morning of his leaving his place a few friends presented him with fishing tackle and garments, to enable him to obtain a livelihood in another way for himself and family. He had been engaged in his new occupation but four days when the melancholy event described above occurred. He attended a meeting in the mission-house before going to his new occupation for the last time, he was full of joy, and joined heartily in a hymn he loved—
“I am resting so sweetly in Jesus now!
I sail the wide sea no more;
The tempests may sweep o'er the wild stormy deep,
I am safe where the storms come no more.
“Oh! long on the ocean my bark was tossed,
Where tempests and storms ne'er cease!
My heart was in fear, and no refuge was near,
Till in Jesus my soul found her peace.
“Oh! how sweet in a haven of rest to hide—
No billows of doubt or fear!
The ocean may roll, but there's rest for the soul
When the voice of my Saviour I hear.
“I have anchored my soul in the haven of rest;
I sail the wide sea no more, no more;
The tempests may sweep o'er the wild stormy deep,
But in Jesus I am safe evermore, evermore.”
When David left home, he intended to fish in the midnight tide, which, had he been more experienced, he would probably not have attempted, and the rapid current carried him away.
Dear reader, let me ask you one question: If it had been your fate to have perished that night in the waters of the Frith, whither would your soul have taken its flight?
J. H. I—g.