WEE Jamie had gone out fishing with his uncle and five men, off the north coast of Scotland. When returning, with their barque laden with fish a sudden squall burst upon them, overturning their boat, so that all the crew were struggling in the angry billows.
As the seven clung for support to the upturned keel of the boat, the boy Jamie was supported by Sandy, his uncle. Again and again he was almost washed off, but Sandy always caught him. In this terrible plight they prayed to their God and Father in heaven, that it might please Him to send them help and deliverance.
Soon, as if in direct answer to their earnest prayers, a large fishing boat was seen coming their way and, after desperate efforts, was able to take four of the drowning men on board but left the other three. They were filled with disappointment and anguish, for their strength was fast failing. But God was caring for them!
Although the waves were mercilessly beating upon them, Sandy was able to sing a hymn, after which one of the men repeated the verse:
"My Jesus, I love Thee, I know thou art mine,
For me all the glory Thou didst resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."
They then prayed again, and while they were engaged in this the boy Jamie suddenly cried, “Oh, Uncle Sandy, I'm nae saved."
The warm, noble-hearted Sandy said, "Weel, Jamie, my laddie, ye ha'e the same chance as the deein' thief." He then told him of the' thief who was dying IN his sins on the cross by the side of the Son of God who was dying FOR sinners, and how he turned his eyes to the suffering Savior, crying, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom"; and that Jesus at once replied, " To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise."
In this manner Sandy encouraged the boy to put his trust in Jesus, and receive Him as his Savior, telling him that if he trusted Jesus, they would all go to heaven together. Again Sandy lifted his voice to thank God, saying, " Oh, my Father, I thank Thee for the salvation I am enjoying, through my Savior's precious blood, for my sure hope and sweet home beyond this watery grave. But, Father, the boy's nae saved—wee Jamie's nae ready to die. Ye saved the deein' thief; oh, save the drooning laddie for Jesus' sake! "
Never was prayer more earnestly offered, and never more quickly answered, for soon the boy cried out: “Oh, Uncle Sandy, I'm saved, I'm saved! I've trusted Jesus and I know I'm saved," and with tears of joy and hearts full of gratitude, they praised God for hearing and answering their prayers in saving "the drooning laddie."
Happy to relate, however, a ship bore down upon them almost immediately after this, and soon the men found themselves on board, rapidly making for Findochty Harbor, and home.
Such is the true story of how wee Jamie was saved twice that day, for his soul was saved for eternity and he was rescued from a watery grave. He was saved, too, to live for Christ, his Savior, for he grew up to be a living witness for Him.
Can you say, as he did, “I’ve trusted Jesus and I know I'm saved! "?
F. S. M.