Part 2.
EARLY next morning he got up, and after reading and prayer, set out on his search. At last he met a captain whose name was Layton, and asked him if he could give him employment on board his ship. He said he could, but he should like to know something about him.
John, encouraged by his kind manner, told him in a few words his history, and showed him his Bible.
“Ah! my lad,” said the captain, “this will do for me. You have been a good boy at your Sunday-School, and I have no doubt you will be a good lad on board my ship. At any rate, I will try you.”
So John went on board, and after depositing, his bundle close to his hammock, went to his work. That evening he again read a chapter, and afterwards offered up a prayer, thanking the Lord for all His goodness to him. Thus did John Harrison begin in the world. For some time John got on well in his new calling. Being a sharp, quick boy, and very willing, he soon learned his work.
He had a kind captain, who always gave him good advice, and encouraged him to obey his mother’s last request. But all things were not so pleasant for the fry, as many of his fellow-sailors laughed and jeered at him on account of his religion. Amongst the sailors was one called James Evans, who always called him “Methodist” when he spoke to him, and did all he could to annoy him. John was often near losing his temper, but he prayed to God to help him keep it, and his prayers were always heard.
The ship was bound for Melbourne, and on reaching their destination, Captain Layton took John on shore, which he enjoyed very much; but this favor did not please the other sailors, who became jealous, and shortly after the ship set sail on her. homeward voyage, they began to show it. They first of all annoyed him in little ways, such as calling him names, etc., and when they found they could not disturb him in that way they plotted something worse. After some talking, James Evans proposed to get hold, of the Bible he was always reading and hide it. This was done the next day while John was busy at his work, and when John went at night as usual to read his Bible, he was in great distress to find it gone from under his pillow. Sorely troubled, both for the loss of his Bible, and also because of the promise he had made his mother to read a chapter every night and morning, he knew not what to do. But remembering that he had learned the Fourteenth Chapter of John at Sunday-School, he repeated the whole of it to himself as if he were reading, and then, comforted at having been able to keep his promise, at least in the spirit of it, he lay down to rest. On the following morning, after prayer, the Twenty-third Psalm came to his mind, and this also he was able to repeat from beginning to end. Thus the purpose of his enemies was so far defeated, and John went on deck to his work, though still sad at heart for the loss of his Bible. The captain noticed his sorrowful look and soon learned the cause.
“Ah, my lad,” he said, “one of your comrades has been playing you this mean trick, but you shall not disobey your good mother’s wishes after all. I have a Bible which my good mother, who is now in heaven, gave me when I first went out to sea, but alas! I was not like you. I put it aside and never read it. I have been a sad, reckless man, but now, by God’s blessing, I will talk about. And mind you come down to my cabin every night before you go to bed, and every morning when you get up, and read a chapter aloud to me.”
Thus the Lord brought good out of evil, and the enemy was doubly defeated. The ship soon reached England, and directly John had been paid off he started for his home. His mother was now servant at the rectory, and Mr. Davison kindly asked John to come and stay at his house whilst he was on shore.
After spending a month with his dear mother, he started once more to rejoin his ship. His captain was now a believer. Through the Lord’s blessing on the reading of the word morning and night in the cabin Captain Layton had been brought to Christ, and almost the first words he spoke on seeing John again were: “Mind, my lad, we must still have our daily reading together; and what is more, I mean to have prayers morning and evening on board my ship.”
That evening he called his men together, and after telling them his purpose, read aloud a Psalm and offered prayer. Henceforth this was always the custom on board his ship. He had also brought with him a good stock of books, which he loaned among the men and encouraged them to read.
ML 01/14/1917