Divine Interposition
The following incident is taken from a recent work entitled, “Narratives of Remarkable Conversions,” and which opens with the following announcement of an unqualified belief in the continuation of miraculous manifestations from the days of Christ to the present: “The history of the gospel is the real record of the Supernatural in this world. We deny that ‘the age of miracles is past;’ and this humble volume—humble, yet of transcendent contents—shall sustain the denial.”MIRP 137.3
The incident here narrated is found on page 123:MIRP 137.4
“A native of Sweden, residing in the south of France, had occasion to go from one port to another in the Baltic Sea. When he came to the place whence he expected to sail, the vessel was gone. On inquiring, he found a fishing-boat going the same way, in which he embarked. After being for some time out to sea, the men observing that he had several trunks and chests on board, concluded he must be very rich, and therefore agreed among themselves to throw him overboard. This he heard them express, which gave him great uneasiness. However, he took occasion to open one of his trunks which contained some books. Observing this, they remarked among themselves that it was not worth while to throw him into the sea, as they did not want any books, which they supposed was all the trunks contained. They asked him if he were a priest. Hardly knowing what reply to make, he told them he was; at which they seemed much pleased, and said they would have a sermon on the next day, as it was the Sabbath.MIRP 137.5
“This increased the anxiety and distress of his mind, for he knew himself to be as incapable of such an undertaking as it was possible for any one to be, as he knew very little of the Scriptures; neither did he believe in the inspiration of the Bible.MIRP 138.1
“At length they came to a small rocky island, perhaps a quarter of a mile in circumference, where was a company of pirates, who had chosen this little sequestered spot to deposit their treasures. He was taken to a cave, and introduced to an old woman, to whom they remarked that they were to have a sermon preached the next day. She said she was very glad of it, for she had not heard the word of God for a great while. His was a trying case, for preach he must, still he knew nothing about preaching. If he refused, or undertook to preach and did not please, he expected it would be his death. With these thoughts he passed a sleepless night. In the morning his mind was not settled upon any thing. To call upon God, whom he believed to be inaccessible, was altogether vain. He could devise no way whereby he might be saved. He walked to and fro, still shut up in darkness, striving to collect something to say to them, but could not think of even a single sentence.MIRP 138.2
“When the appointed time for the meeting arrived, he entered the cave where he found the men assembled. There was a seat prepared for him, and a table with a Bible on it. They sat for the space of half an hour in profound silence; and even then, the anguish of his soul was as great as human nature was capable of enduring. At length these words came to his mind—“Verily, there is a reward for the righteous: verily, there is a God that judgeth in the earth!” He arose and delivered them; then other words presented themselves, and so on till his understanding became opened—his heart enlarged, in a manner astonishing to himself. He spoke upon subjects suited to their condition: the rewards of the righteous, the judgments of the wicked, the necessity of repentance, and the importance of a change of life. The matchless love of God to the children of men had such a powerful effect upon the minds of these wretched beings, that they were melted into tears. Nor was he less astonished at the unbounded goodness of the Great Supreme, in thus interposing to save his spiritual as well as his natural life, and well might he exclaim—“This is the Lord’s doings, and marvelous in our eyes.” Under a deep sense of God’s goodness, his heart became filled with such thankfulness that it was out of his power to express. What marvelous change was thus suddenly brought about by divine interposition! He who a little before disbelieved in communion with God and the soul, became as humble as a little child; and they who were so lately meditating on his death, now were filled with love and good will toward each other, particularly toward him; manifesting affectionate kindness, and willing to render him all the assistance in their power.MIRP 139.1
“The next morning they fitted out one of their vessels, and conveyed him where he desired. From that time he became a changed man. From sentiments of infidelity, he became a sincere believer in the power and efficacy of the truth as it is in Jesus.”MIRP 140.1