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THE KING ’S BUSINESS
the kitchen and the cook’s sleeping quarters, but said, “It’s no use. I dealt with that man once for an hour. He knows the way and there are others who do not.” How ever, he could not leave the ship and so went to see why God had led him there. The cook, who always reads in bed, was gone and in the kitchen, standing on the stove was a boyish-looking fellow scrubbing the ceiling. “My friend, are you a Christian?” asked the worker. “I hope so, but I have not been to church for some time.” The* Word was given to the young man, whose heart had been prepared for the message. “Won’t you step down from the stove, so I can talk to you and show you the Book ?” He left his work and listened. Then the cook (an unsaved man) came in, asked the boy a question, and noticing me, said, “Go ahead, Mr. Z.” Finally the invitation was given from John 1:12. “If yoq mean T should join a church here, I cannot do it, I am going away,” said the young man. But as he was shown a crucified Christ, he said, “If that’s what you mean, I will accept Christ.” To-the friend near him, he said, “I have tonight received Jesus Christ as my personal"Saviour.” The worker, rejoicing, knew then why he had been “forbidden” to leave the ship. The next day he met this young fellow, who said that he knew he was saved, because God said so. It was learned, also, that he had only been engaged to scrub the ceiling of that ship the night before and was going away on another ship.
own sin and against every man, hoping to get to heaven by “chance.” He was tenderly dealt with, and the truth of God was fear lessly presented. Trembling and coughing, he presented a pitiable picture of a man in sin and looked to be eighty years of age. “No, I am only forty years of age,” he said, ‘‘but sin brought me where I am and I alone am to blame for it.” The truth of the wonderful love of God and gift of His Son was shown and he finally said, “I am willing to accept Christ, now.” His bitterness was gone then and he told the worker how glad he was to have met him. “Last night I was almost passing out to the beyond. Just a hand’s breadth further and I would have left this earth. I cried to God for mercy on my poor soul and asked him not to take me yet. I feel better today.” Shaking the worker’s hand firmly he left the bench, where they had been, saying as they parted that he felt led to come there though it was a foggy, damp night and no place for a sick man, as he was. We believe God led him there so he' could make the decision for God. Often the Holy Spirit “forbids” the worker to go. aboard or to leave a certain ship. On this particular night as the work ers approached a certain ship they found it was the same one visited a few weeks ago. Against their custom and will, the boarded, the ship again. A testimony was given to ,a number of men and an officer dealt with. Then, as they were ready to leave, one of the workers felt compelled to go down to
R EJOICE evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: fo r this is the will o f God concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. P rove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God o f peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blame less unto the coming o f our L ord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. —2 Thess. 5:16--24.
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