By the Severn Sea, there lived a clever young boy named Clement, gifted beyond most boys of his age, with the promise of a brilliant manhood. From a child his parents had sought to lead him to a full surrender to Christ first of all, and their prayers were abundantly answered. He gave himself to the Lord and began to serve Him while he was still just a boy.
Clement discovered that there was a lonely signalman on the railway on duty every night. The boy could be seen making his way to the spot, choosing a time when the signalman was free. There he read the Word of God to him and spoke to him about his soul’s salvation.
One stormy afternoon, Clement went for a walk along the seashore. Darkness set in, with a high tide and wild gale. At suppertime, Clement had not showed up; hours passed and still there was no news of him. Then, at 9:00, there came a ring at the door. Listening, those who loved him heard only the words:
“Drowned!”
Hurrying down to the shore, there they found him—their boy, his body washed ashore on the high tide. Oh, his face! There was seal of heaven upon it—peace, joy, anticipation. Looking upon it, they saw it as it had been the face of an angel.
It seemed that Clement had gone out while the tide was still very far out, climbed up on a rock to read his Bible, and meditate and pray. The afternoon passed, perhaps he fell asleep; none will ever know. Then the tide waters came in, cutting off all hope of escape. When Clement woke up, he found he was cut off by the swirling waves; in the gathering darkness there was no eye to see him and no arm to save!
Very calmly he took his Bible, and sitting on the rock with the waves rushing madly all around him, he wrote a few lines on the fly leaf. Then he slipped his Bible into his overcoat pocket, folded the coat and tied it carefully around with his scarf into a firm bundle. Then, face to face with death, he awaited its coming without fear. Unable to swim, he plunged into the sea, striving to reach the shore, yet knowing his task was in vain. A short struggle-a little while, and all was over.
Clement’s Last Letter:
“In danger, I now declare that I do trust in Jesus as my own Saviour, and have trusted Him for about five years....Now I do pray to God...to help me to do His will and receive me to safety and holiness with Himself. I ask God to bless my father and mother,...and to keep all my brothers and sisters in His faith and fear.” —Clement
Such is the mighty power of Christ’s salvation—the certainty of faith and peace; perfect calmness in the face of death.
Dear reader, the Lord Jesus is waiting and willing to save you; He is able—His love can save and guide and keep.
ML-07/30/1978