Installment Four

Yesterday our story was cut off at the moment when Harold Wilson is
sent to fetch the ship's captain to help with an emergency in the midst
of a dangerous fire on board.
_________________________________________________
Installment Four:

Pale with fear, the young man hastened to the captain's room. The
door stood ajar. He was about to call out his message when he heard
a voice from within. It was the voice of prayer!
To make certain, he pushed the door a bit farther open, and lo, there
was the captain on his knees, his Bible open before him and his face
turned upward.
The throbbing of the engines and the general uproar aboard had
caused Harold's coming to be unnoticed. So the captain continued
his prayer, while Harold seemed spellbound.
The prayer touched a responsive chord. Why not? It was a prayer
that the God of the Bible should fulfill His promise, and save the
lives of the crew; and Harold Wilson was one whose life was on
the balance. For the first time in his career he was glad to see a
praying man.
Captain Mann's Bible refuge was Psalm 107:23-31. This assurance
was his comfort now. Whether storm or fire, it mattered not; God
would bring them "out of their distresses," "unto their desired
heaven." This was the promise which Harold Wilson heard the
captain claim.
But strange to say, Psalm 107:23-31 was one of the passages Mrs.
Wilson had marked in the Bible she gave him.
Was the captain's prayer to be answered?
Harold had only a moment to wait, for captain Mann was soon on
his feet and hastening back to his perilous duty. Harold made
known his message, and also rushed again to his post.
The fire had been gaining headway rapidly despite heroic
resistance. The vessel seemed doomed. In a few minutes the
vast cargo of oil could ignite and blow up the ship.
But now a great explosion took place. The closed hatches were
almost blown from the deck. The crew were terror stricken,
not knowing if the kerosene was now in flames.
What had happened? Ah! One of those providential things
which only a Christian could understand. A large steam pipe had
now burst and was now pouring an immense volume of super-
heated steam and water into the hold at the point of the
greatest danger. An unseen hand had assumed control. Soon
the volumes of black smoke gave place to clouds of white steam.
The fighters knew that the salvation of the ship was assured.
So wonderful did it all seem. The crew were quick to express
their astonishment and gratitude.
"Do you believe, captain, that the "Big Man" had something
to do with it?' inquired a rough Irishman.
Captain Mann now for the first time talked openly to his crew
about his Christian faith.
"Men," said he, "that steam pipe was broken by the hand of the
Almighty. It did not 'merely' happen.' There is a God who hears
and answers prayer. He has promised to help men who go to
sea and today He has kept His word."
Harold's marked Bible, like an unwelcome spirit, seemed to
haunt him as he listened.
"But, Captain, do you really believe what you're saying?"
asked Pat.
"Ah, my boy. I have believed for many long years."
"But where did you get that idea? Did the "Big Man" tell
you He would take care of us sailors?"
"Pat, I had a good mother, who taught me to pray to God
up in heaven. She taught me also to read the Bible. God
says in the Bible that He will save men who are in trouble
in the high seas. Did you ever see a Bible, Pat?"
"I never did," said Pat. "But believe me, I'd like to get a
hold of one now."
Again Harold Wilson was ill at ease. A good mother, a God,
a Bible, an answered prayer - all these thoughts were as
goads that hurt and hurt deeply. Had he not a good mother?
had she not taught him to believe in God and pray? Had she
not often appeal to him to read the Bible? Yes. All this and
much more.
Pat Moran and others at this time off duty, accepted Captain
Mann's invitation to go to his room and look at the promise
which that day had saved the lives of all on board. Harold
went with them.
The Bible lay open on the table near the door.
"there is the book my mother taught me to love. And right
there is the promise which put out the fire and saved the
lives of all on board." He read to them as he spoke, the
scripture which for a long time had been his refuge.
Harold looked into the captain's face! How clean looking
and how free from coarseness!! Honesty, sincerity, and
nobility were to be traced in every furrow. And this was
a man of the Bible, a practical, helpful, wholehearted sea
captain.
Quickly filling his mouth with a chew of plug tobacco,
Harold hastened from the room to his own part of the
vessel. Nervously throwing open his box, he snatched
up the Bible his mother had given him and tried to find
the verses that the captain had just read. He finally
found them.
In the margin he read these words from his mother's
pen: "I shall ever pray that this promise may be your
refuge at sea, to save you from storm or accident."
He closed the book and angrily threw it down - angry
to think that he had not succeeded in getting beyond
the reach of his mother's influence. The entire experience
was like a nightmare.
No sooner, therefore, did he see this text and its
accompanying statement, than he felt within him all
the old-time antagonism and bitternes. Giving way to
all his pent-up wrath, he sprang to his feet with a curse
on his lips. He took the Bible to the open door and
impetuously threw it far out into the sea.
"There, that ends this whole cursed business," he
muttered; and then, imagining that he had performed
a praiseworthy act, he sauntered on deck.
_____________________________________
The story will continue tomorrow....