A Christian traveling by ship had as fellow-passengers a company of Seaforth Highlanders. A number of them had spent the day on shore drinking, and most of the regiment were impaired. As the evening wore on it was decided to have a concert. As there was no piano, they prevailed upon the Christian to provide the music with his violin. To this he finally consented, but with reluctance in his heart.
Since the day of his conversion he had not accompanied a secular song; but after asking God for guidance he felt powerless to refuse. He prayed earnestly that in some way God would enable him to glorify Christ in the midst of that crowd that night.
When the concert hour arrived, the chairman called for order by tapping vigorously on the table with his swagger stick. He introduced the program by stating that they would all part tomorrow— some for Fort George, some for India— and that in all probability they would never meet together again. All that could sing were requested to render solos and thereby contribute to the pleasure of the evening. He concluded his remarks by announcing that a gentleman present had kindly consented to supply the music with his violin.
Several were called upon to sing, but all declined. Whereupon the chairman asked the Christian if he could sing. He answered:
"Yes."
"Will you sing?"
"Yes."
Absolute silence was requested for his song and all complied. Raising his heart to God, the singer then raised his fiddle and sang:
"In tenderness He sought me,
Weary and sick with sin,
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again,
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang.
"Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold;
Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold.
The solemn hush produced by the Savior's Name was marvelous. As he sang the second verse and chorus, tears stood in many eyes, while some of the baser sort slipped out of the hall. Some sobbed aloud as he sang the third verse:
"He pointed to His nail-prints,
For me His blood was shed;
A mocking crown so thorny
Was placed upon His head.
I wonder what He saw in me
To suffer such deep agony?"
When the song was over it was two or three minutes before the chairman proposed another; but none would volunteer. Eventually one of the company asked for "Annie Laurie" and sang the first verse. But he had forgotten the rest, and no one else seemed to remember.
Five or ten minutes elapsed while the chairman endeavored to coax someone else to perform, but without success. Then, not wishing an abrupt end to the concert, he asked the Christian if he would oblige once more. He agreed and sang:
"Since Christ my soul from sin set free,
This world has been a heaven to me;
Amid earth's sorrow and life's woe,
'Tis heaven my Savior here to know.
"Oh, hallelujah! Yes, 'tis heaven,
'Tis heaven to know my sins forgiven;
On land or sea, what matter where—
Where Jesus is, 'tis heaven there."
With the conclusion of this song, the concert came to a close, for no other singers could be found. Then the Christian stood up and preached. For two hours he held the whole audience captive while he declared the Gospel. The pre-arranged concert consisted of one verse of "Annie Laurie," two gospel hymns and one gospel address which lasted till midnight. Eternity alone will disclose the full results.