“Mother! I won a prize!” exclaimed John, and running in the door he showed her his new Bible. It had a black cover, gold-edged pages and inside was written,
John Harrison
A prize for good conduct and
attention to learning
From Langford Sunday School
John and his mother lived more than 100 years ago in England, near the ocean. His father had been a fisherman but lost his life when John was very small. John and his mother were so poor that at the age of 12 he had to look for a job. Because there was no work near home, he decided to look for a job on a ship. So his mother packed up his clothes in a bundle, and he put his Bible in his pocket. “Be sure to read a chapter every morning and night as you have always done with me,” his mother said. “Do not let your shipmates’ example or scoffs keep you from doing this. Good-bye and God bless you.”
John promised to obey, and after a prayer that God would guard him and help him keep the promise, he started on the 12mile walk to the ocean-port town.
John soon found work on board a ship, and being a quick learner he did a good job. The ship had a kind captain who encouraged John to obey his mother’s request to read his Bible every morning and night. But things were not pleasant for long, for many of his shipmates made fun of him when they saw him reading his Bible and praying.
James Evans, one of the sailors, did all he could to disturb John, and one day while John was busy working, James found John’s Bible and hid it. When John reached for his Bible that night to read, it was gone from under his pillow!
When the captain heard about it, he said, “One of your mates has played a bad trick, but you shall not disobey your mother’s wishes. I have a Bible which my good mother gave me when I first went out to sea, but, sadly, I was not like you. I put it aside and never read it. But now, by God’s blessing, I will change that. I want you to come down to my cabin every morning and every night and read a chapter to me.”
When the ship reached England again, John had a month at home before going back on board ship. During that time the captain came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. One of the first things he said to John when he saw him again was, “My lad, we must still have our daily readings together. And what is more, I mean to have prayers morning and evening on board my ship!”
The ship had not gone far out to sea when a violent storm came up, and James Evans was badly hurt by a falling mast. He slowly got worse and called for the captain and John. He said, “John, in trying to hurt you I have done myself good. Do you know what this is?” Then he pulled out John’s treasured Bible from under his pillow. John was so surprised, for he had not known who had it all that time! Then James told John and the captain that one day, out of curiosity, he picked up the Bible to read it and it opened to Luke chapter 15 where he read of the prodigal son. He remembered what his own mother had taught him as a boy and realized what a bad sinner he had been. But he also read about God’s love and willingness to forgive sinners because of the Lord Jesus’ death on the cross. James believed what God said about forgiving sinners and got peace and joy. He asked John to forgive him for stealing the Bible and later died thanking God for the gift of His Son. He died a sinner saved by grace!
John worked for his kind captain for many years, and when the captain retired John became the captain of the ship. He always took his Bible with him and read it morning and night to his sailors. Only God knows how many more were saved through John and his Bible!
Let this little story make you think about your sins and come to the Saviour who loves you and died for you and can forgive them right now. If you have already been forgiven, read the Bible daily and don’t be afraid to let others see that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. You may lead others to our forgiving Saviour. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)).
ML-06/07/1998