JOHN S. was a native of Devon. He had been a gunner in the royal navy, and had served a long sea-term, having been all over the world, and consequently having seen a good deal of what was passing “under the sun.” He had been brought up to respect religion and morality, but when he entered the navy he was not a converted lad. It pleased the Lord at various times during his long sea cruises to throw him into the society of Christian shipmates, amongst them his own brothers. He desired to become a Christian, and like many others began very diligently the work of self-reform, and of turning over the new leaf.
The coasts of Africa, China, and other stations were successively visited by him, and to his duties as sailor he added the perilous and adventurous occupation of the diver, once almost losing his life while thus doing business in the great waters. But the eyes of a watchful and loving God were over him, and He was drawing him by unseen bands and cords to Himself.
While at a foreign station he became intimately associated with Christians who were rejoicing in being “accepted in the Beloved,” and was much concerned about the truths of salvation. The epistle to the Ephesians was especially brought before his notice, and the beautiful teaching set forth in it, showing the believer as seated with Christ in heavenly places, made a deep impression on his mind. While under these influences he had a remarkable dream. The scene was a land of balmy air, golden sunshine, shady foliage, and customs different from those of our English homes. He thought he walked in company with some Ephesian believers who had realized and entered into the position set forth in Paul’s letter to them. Feeling shy and constrained, as if he were not “up to the mark,” he dropped behind the rest, and chose the youngest member of the group, a little lad, for his companion. The walk led to a cool place, where he saw a table spread and couches placed for reclining. He was invited to partake of the meal, and seated himself at the table, but “ere he had tasted what was thereon” a large snake glided from beneath and suddenly sprang upon the table close to his elbow. He was startled and shocked at this sudden interruption, and exclaimed, “Why, what is the meaning of this?” None of the guests replied; but a voice as from One unseen pronounced these words, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?” (Job 14:44Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. (Job 14:4).)
Troubled and anxious, he awoke. He felt the words come with power to his soul, and owned his state before God as “unclean.” He saw things in a different light from what he had hitherto done, and became aware that no efforts at self-reformation could make him clean. He must take his place as a lost sinner before God, and be washed clean in that blood which cleanseth from all sin, the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb appointed to be slain before the foundation of the world.
The impression made by this dream did not pass away, his anxiety increased, but He who had begun a good work in him, led him graciously on, until at last he found peace and joy, through those precious words of divine assurance (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)), “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”
Dear reader, have you ever felt the words, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean,” pierce your inmost soul? Have you ever seen your utterly lost and ruined state as a child of fallen Adam, in the light of Divine holiness and justice, so that you were ready to exclaim, with the chastened one of old, “Behold, He putteth no trust in His saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight; how much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water” (Job 15:15, 1615Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. 16How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? (Job 15:15‑16))? If so, you are one to whom the Divine message is sent, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).) K. B. K.