Lock Heng was a young man of up-to-date interests. Prior to the advent of war to the Malay Peninsula, he was a member of the Penang Flying Club. He was also ahead of his contemporaries in this: he had left the religion of his ancestors; he was a Christian.
On the outbreak of war, with others of his companions, he was mobilized in an Auxiliary Flying Corps, and in this saw service against the Japanese. When Singapore fell, these native airmen were sent back to their own home; but information given to the invaders led later to their arrest, which was followed by torture and imprisonment.
It was not long before Lock Heng made the discovery that he was confined in a neighboring cell to that occupied by one of his Chinese friends. They also discovered that at certain times they could tap close to the keyhole of the door separating their cells, and using the Morse Code could hold short conversations together.
It was the other man who evolved this system of communication, and suggested they have a daily chat when it was deemed safe. One day he tapped to the effect that he was feeling depressed and didn't want to "talk." Lock Heng replied, "If you are depressed, pray to God."
"I don't know what you mean—how can I pray in this place? To whom shall I pray?"
"Pray to the God of heaven in the Name of Jesus Christ—just tell Him what you feel. He will understand."
"I do not know how to do this. Please teach me to pray."
So the young Christian taught his friend a simple prayer, and told him little by little, tapping it out with his fingers by the keyhole of that cell door, when no sentry was near, the only way of salvation.
One day the man accepted Christ; the light dawned into his soul; he had found the Savior "through the keyhole."
After some months, release came in answer to many prayers. The day preceding their liberation was a day when a native preacher had addressed the congregation from these lines found in the Book of Joshua: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:55And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5).
The parents of the young men claimed this promise, and true enough, on the morrow their sons were restored to them from all the horror of a Japanese prison.
The new convert's wife and family soon followed the head of the house in receiving Christ into their hearts and lives, as Savior and Lord.
Thus does the evangel spread. Not always by the eloquence of preaching, sometimes by methods hitherto unheard of, is the message of truth proclaimed. The channels vary, the truth never alters: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3).