The day had run its course, and was fading into that hour of decline, which those that do business in deep waters call “Sundown,” when two sailors sat conversing on general topics.
One, Thomas E-, was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ; and the other, John C-, was as yet unconverted, but not regardless of his soul and its eternal concerns.
The scene before them was a fair one; sinking to rest in the west, flooding the landscape with such glories of red, purple, and golden light as is only to be seen in the tropics- the setting sun was gradually disappearing beneath the distant outline of horizon. Thomas said suddenly to his companion,
“Is not that grand beyond description; if it is so beautiful this side of heaven, what must it be on the other side?”
John started, and appeared much surprised at the remark; he hardly knew what to say; at last replied,
“I have no idea!”
“No more can I approach it in idea,” replied his friend.
“What made you ask me that question then?” queried John.
“Ah!” replied the other, “I have been thinking much about it myself, and I shall know one day, perhaps very shortly.”
John said he did not think anyone could know anything about such subjects until after death.
“Of a verity they can, for we find the account of new heavens and a new earth in the Scriptures,” gently responded Thomas, and then he spoke earnestly to the listener about his soul, and asked him if he was a Christian.
“Of course I am, we are all that,” came the evasive answer.
“No!” firmly repeated Thomas, “No! not unless we have had our sins washed away in the precious blood of Christ; not unless we are believers and followers of the Lord Jesus – we are not Christians except we belong to Christ – we are eternally lost.” He then went on to speak of the love of God in giving His only Son to die for us, so that all who believe in Him, “should not perish, but have everlasting life;” be saved, and that at once, then and there eternally saved. But John could not comprehend it, he thought he must do something to pave his way to Christ; something to reconcile God, and win His forgiveness, for he was, and had been such a great sinner.
Thomas told him, No! that was an error, it was he, himself, a wretched, hard-hearted, ignorant sinner that had to be reconciled to God, for God was a God of love and pity, yearning to save him – it was for such as he, that Christ had died, yea, rose again – His death had met God’s, justice, for He had died in his stead; His resurrection was God’s acknowledgment that the debt was paid, and the work of substitution accepted and well pleasing in the Father’s eyes: it was a finished work; Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and died to make peace by the blood of His cross – and if John were lost it was himself alone who was responsible.
For some time both sat silent, and Thomas lifted up his heart in earnest pleading to his Father for his friend, that He would draw this precious soul to Himself. The Holy Spirit was pleased to apply the Word affectionately spoken, with power to John’s conscience, who still remained silent; while the other poured out his soul in prayer to the Lord that He would open his eyes; and a speedy answer was vouchsafed, for John suddenly exclaimed,
“I think I see it all now! Christ died that I might live! and I can have eternal life now, for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin!” he turned his countenance, lively with emotion, towards his friend, who could scarcely speak for joy, and at first found no words to express his delight and happiness at witnessing the dawn of a new birth in his shipmate’s heart.
Then with earnest words, Thomas still spoke on, of the freeness of that salvation, and the beseeching tenderness of God coming down to meet the sinner’s need, and deliver him from the power of sin, judgment and the law – which could only condemn, not heal; how Christ by one offering of Himself to God, had forever perfected them that are sanctified (Heb. 10:12-1412But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:12‑14)): and how the believer is sanctified, or set apart at once when he takes his place as helpless and lost, and accepts Christ. Finally they rejoiced together; and the two shipmates became close friends, spending every spare moment talking over the Word of God.
Since that hour, the Lord has been graciously pleased to sustain John in bearing a testimony for Him amid the taunts and scoffings of some of his former companions; but his consolation in Christ has been greater than Satan’s malice.
When Thomas told me this anecdote, he informed me, that when he was drafted, he left behind him a loving wife who was also a fellow pilgrim to the better land, and the separation had been a bitter pang to them; but both Mary and he, could now see the Lord’s hand in sending him to the West Indies, as He had John’s precious soul to be won, and Thomas was to be the instrument to do it.
That prayerful conversation at Sundown, on the distant waters of the tropics, witnessed the entrance of the light of God’s salvation into a soul, which will rejoice with us in the presence of the Lord.