Many years ago, a boy who had been liberated from a captured slave vessel, was landed at Sierra Leone, and placed under the care of a schoolmaster named Thompson. On one, occasion, the boys not being in school, and the door being shut, Mr. Thompson, on passing, heard a murmuring noise; he listened, and discovered that this boy was engaged in prayer. His petitions were to the following effect,
“My Lord Jesus, I tank Thee that wicked men came and catch me, and that food King George’s big ship came and catch wicked men’s ship, and bring me here, and Massa Thompson teach me read, and teach me know Thee. Me one very great favor to ask, send more wicked men, catch father and mother, and send good King George’s big ship, catch wicked men’s ship, and bring father and mother here, and Massa Thompson teach them read, and teach them know Thee, and we al1 go to Heaven together.”
Mr. Thompson then went and asked him if he thought Jesus Christ would hear such a prayer? to which he replied that he (Mr. T.) had said Christ would hear all prayer. In the evening of that day, Mr. Thompson was walking on the beach, and there saw little Tom. On asking him what he was doing, he replied that he had come to see whether Christ had heard prayer.
He continued frequently to visit the beach, and one evening returned dancing and clapping his hands! Mr. Thompson inquired the reason and he answered,
“Prayer answered, “father and mother come!” and dragging Mr. Thompson to the beach, he pointed out two aged negroes, who had just been saved from a slaver by a man-of-war—his own parents!
Thus Tom not only exemplified the spirit of real prayer, but showed a waiting spirit looking for the blessing.
ML 01/21/1940