William was an open-hearted young man, with plenty of courage and determination. He had the advantage of having Christian parents, and an early instruction in the great truths of salvation. This good seed, early sown, sprang up after many days, and bore the welcome fruits of peace and joy in his heart.
The Lord's Day evening that William first said he was converted was during a time when many Christians were stirred to pray for the conversion of souls to God, and their prayers were abundantly answered. William told us that he knew he was now all right for heaven. However, some of us could not refrain from a little misgiving at William's confession, since distrust of self and his own strength seemed lacking.
For a few months William bore the jeers of his companions, and listened patiently to the advice of Christian friends. But after awhile his professions broke down, and like many young people, he turned his back upon Christianity and his face toward the world.
After a time William set his heart upon going to sea. His mother's tears and his father's entreaties availed nothing, for though he was an affectionate son, the love of adventure drew him irresistibly from home.
Seafaring life agreed well with his health—he grew to be a fine upstanding young man. And William was as confident of making his way up in the world as he had been of making his way up to heaven. But there was a power pulling the other way all this time. The prayers of his parents: "O God, bless our boy, save his soul—wash away all his sins in the blood of Thy Son—for Thine honor and glory"—was heard on high.
William had many solemn warnings at sea, but he heeded them not. "God speaketh once, yea, twice." At one time, during an awful storm a vessel was foundering, and William's ship lay close beside her—as close as a ship dare in a tremendous sea. They witnessed the vessel's distress yet could render no assistance lest they also should founder. Many a strange, inquiring look passed from sailor to sailor that night. Death was there on that neighboring ship, but William only blasphemed his parents' God as he stuck to his work. When the morning came, the vessel was gone, and the cry of her company was swallowed up in the deep. They had heard their last sermon, they had attended their last prayer meeting, their spirits were gone into eternity. But William thought it was "good luck" his ship had survived.
Being an active young fellow, if there was a sail to be reefed in when the gale blew strong, he was sure to be one of the first aloft. One day, as his ship was running into a storm, William had climbed aloft. As he stood high upon the ropes, the wind swung a spar against his head, half stunning him, and down he fell through the rigging.
Had God forgotten the cry of Williams' parents? Had He cast off the youth who had turned his back upon His love? Oh, no! Instead of his being plunged overboard, the ship lurched and William fell upon the deck. He was picked up insensible and carried to his berth. His life was saved, but his arm had been badly crushed and broken.
William was sent home an invalid, his arm in a sling, and he badly cast down. Would the arm have to come off, or could it be saved? The doctors tried splints, bandages and lotions, and month after month rolled on; but the arm grew stiff and withered. At last, to his severe disappointment, William had to give up all hopes of again following the seafaring life.
His brave buoyant spirit, however, led him to one plan after another for earning a livelihood. With the energy of youth and its fearlessness of danger, he tried one bright scheme, then another. But he was baffled on every hand; each plan was fruitless, each expectation disappointed.
Now the loving counsels of his parents began to bear fruit, and William began to see that God was speaking to him. His eyes were opened to the concerns of his soul. He could no longer resist, as once he had done, the solemn warnings God gave him. He realized his sinfulness, and his need of a Savior; and the burden of un-forgiven sins weighed heavily upon his soul.
"What must I do to be saved?"—the cry which thousands have uttered—came in real earnestness from William's heart. No boasting now—no self-assurance, just a broken and a contrite heart.
God heard his cry, and the prayers of his parents were answered. Their boy owned God's love in permitting his poor arm to be crippled, for by this,, he told us, God had found the way to his heart. The love of the Savior in dying for sinners now occupied his thoughts, and daily the light shone brighter and brighter within him.