It was in the Malay Peninsula that a traveler named Pringle joined in an elephant hunt on a large scale. During the hunt he became separated from his companions, and was pursued by a large female elephant. Seeing that he was unable to escape by flight, he turned and took aim with his gun. It, however, missed fire for a moment, and when it at length exploded the bullet only grazed the huge creature’s shoulder. She at once charged upon him, and began to trample him under her feet. He remained sufficiently conscious to be able to shift his position slightly, so that her weight did not come directly on his chest; but he would certainly have succumbed to her had not his friends, who had become aware of his danger, fired at and wounded her so severely that she was obliged reluctantly to leave her foes, and flee to the forest for shelter from their guns.
Now just as Pringle was powerless to save himself, so are you and I. We are “without strength,” and have no might or ability of our own. He needed to be saved by another, and friends were at hand to help. But who could save us? Who could deliver us from the power of Satan, self, and sin? Who could set us free in the presence of God, or from the fear of judgment? There was but One—the Son of God—and He came into the world to save sinners, and laid down His life for us at Calvary, so that we, set free from all that was against us, and knowing our sins blotted out by His precious blood, might be able to live unto God, and be for His pleasure and service here. Surely such a Saviour calls for our sweetest, fullest praise now and forever.
Thus Pringle was saved by his friends, one of whom, Lieutenant Chishold, hazarded his life to do so, for he approached near to the savage elephant in order to take the better aim and insure, if possible, her death.
ML 10/03/1965