Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-05-26
An INTERESTING rScrpExr.

native of Sweden, residing in the soutl
OF France, had occasion to 20 from one por
to another in the Baltic Sea. When he can't
to the place whence he expected to SAIL thu
vessel was gone. On enquiring, he found {
fishing boat going the same way, in which ht
| embarked After being some time out to sea
the men observed that he had several trunks
and chests on board, concluded that he mus
be very rch and therefore agreed among
themselves to throw him overheard. Thishc
heard them express, which gave him great
uneasincss. However, he took occasion &c
open one of his trunks, which contained some
books. Observing this, they said among them
| selves 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 trunk
contained. They asked him if he was a
! preacher. Hardly knowing what reply to
make, he told them he was at which they
seemed much pleased, and said they would
have sermon on the next day, as it was the
Sabbath.
This increased the anxiety and distress oi
his mind. for he knew himself to be as incapa.
ble of such an undertaking as it was possible
, for any one to be- us he knew very little Of the
scriptures neither did he believe in the in
spiration OF the Bible.
At length they came to q small rocky is
land, perhaps quarter Of mile in crcum-
| terence, where was company OF pirates who
had chosen this little scquestered spot TO de-
poait their treasures lie was taken to q cave
and introduced TO an old woman, to whom
they remaRked that they were TO have SER
mon preached the next day. She said she
was very glad Of it, for she had not heard the
word OF God for great while. His was a
trying case, for preach he must, still he knew
nothing about preaching. II he refused, or
undertook to preach and did not please, he
expected it would be his death. With these
thoughts he passed sleepless night. Iu the
morning his mind was not settled on any
thing. To call upon God whom he believed
10 be inaccessible, was altogether vain. He
could devise no way whereby he might be
saved. He walked to aud fro, still shut up
in darkness, striving to collect something to
say to them. but could not think OF even
single sentence.
When the appointed time for the preach
ing arrived, he entered the cave, where he
found the men assembled There was seat
prepared for him. and 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 US human nature was
capable OF enduring. At length the words
came to-hs mind-"V there is reward
for the righteous verify there is a God that
judgeth in the earth" lie arose and deliver
ed them: then other words presented them
selves and so on until his understanding be-
came opened-his heart enlarged astonishing
to himself He spoke upon subjects suited
to their condition the rewards Of the right
cOus-tLc Judgments Of the wicked-the ne
cesSty of repentance, and the importance of
change Of life. The matchless love of God
to the children Of men, had such powerful
effect upon the minds of the wretchcd beings.
that they were melted into tears Nor was
he less astonshcd at the unb0undod goodness
Of the Almighty God, in thus interposiug 10
save his spiritual as well as natural life. and
well might he eXclaim-"'This is the Lords
doings, and marvellous in onr eyes" Under
a deep sense Of Gods goodness, his heart be-
came filed with such thanklulness that it was
out ot his power TO express. What u.arve-
lous change was thus brought about by divine
interpuSitlon, lie who a little before disbe-
lieved in communion with God and the soul.
became rs humble as q little child. And they
who We're SO lately meditating on his death,
now are filed with love and good will towards
each other, particularly towards him; mani
Testing uliectionate kindness, aud willing to
render him all the assistance in their power.
The next morning they fitted out one of
their vessels and conveyed him where he de-
sired. Fromthat time he became q changed
man. From sentiments Of inlidclity he be-
came sinsere believer in the power and eff
cacy OF the truth as it is IN Jesus.