Titanic Saviour

Woodrow Turner was a teenage passenger on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic. When the cracked ship plunged under the icy Atlantic waters that dreadful Sunday morning in April 1912, Woodrow found himself bobbing alone in the frigid water. He looked around and saw a lifeboat a little way off. Hoping someone would help him, he swam for the vessel and called for help, but no one in the small craft moved. For a moment, Woodrow worried that he would be left to die in the freezing water, but soon a middle-aged man bent over and helped the shivering boy into the boat. Woodrow thanked the man profusely. As the boat drifted aimlessly, a few of the survivors spoke quietly, sharing their names and ambitions with one another. A few passengers told where they were going, including Woodrow's rescuer. Others sang quietly to the tune of a music box someone had brought along. By the time the R.M.S. Carpathia found the lifeboat and picked up its few passengers, it was nearly dawn. Woodrow didn't see his rescuer for the rest of the voyage, nor did he recognize his face among the many that swarmed the dock when they disembarked; but he knew he would never forget the man's name: James Carter.

In 1916, Woodrow began to search for the man who had saved his life. He had something important he wanted to tell him, about something that had happened after that fateful day in 1912. He searched across Connecticut, James Carter's eventual destination, with no luck. By the time two years had passed, with no sign of his rescuer, Woodrow had nearly given up hope; however, he decided not to end his search quite yet. A recent lead from an apparent relative of Carter's had caused him to believe that he was in the old town of Wethersfield. It seemed that there was a James Rowan Carter, Jr. living in a small house on the edge of the town. Energized by his discovery, Woodrow hurried to the address and raised the heavy brass knocker. A moment later, a young man who looked to be in his twenties opened the door.

"May I help you?" the man questioned.

"Yes, sir," responded Woodrow promptly. "My name is Woodrow Turner, and I am searching for a man named James Carter, who was on the Titanic when it sank. Do you know him?"

"Well, my name is James Carter, but I wasn't on the Titanic," began the man, before adding, "My father was on the ship, though-- I'm named after him, although I go by Jim."

Woodrow could hardly contain his excitement. "Is he here? May I speak to him, please? It's very important!"

Jim paused sadly for a moment before speaking. "Sir, my father died three days ago. I'm sorry." The man's voice cracked as he finished the statement.

Woodrow was distraught. He offered his condolences before asking if he could come in. Jim smiled sadly, then opened the door wider and beckoned Woodrow to enter.

The two men conversed for nearly an hour, Woodrow describing how James Sr. had saved his life fifteen years ago, Jim reminiscing of the time he had shared with his father through the years.

After they had spoken for a while, Woodrow told of an incident that had taken place some months after the sinking.

At nineteen years of age, Woodrow was wandering around the town in which he lived. He came to a stop in front of a church building. Not having grown up in a God-fearing home, Woodrow was unfamiliar with the idea of  "church." As the strains of "Amazing Grace" poured out of the building, he felt a desire to go inside. Throughout the service, the pastor spoke on the subject of salvation. Woodrow walked the aisle that day and was born again. Had it not been for James Carter, Sr., Woodrow Turner would have died that day in the Atlantic Ocean, not knowing Christ as his Saviour.

As Woodrow told his story, Jim's eyes started welling with tears. When Woodrow finished, Jim began to speak.

"Woodrow, my father was an atheist for most of his life. He hated the idea of God and Christianity. When I got saved seven years ago, he broke contact with me. I hadn't spoken to my father since. But last month, he showed up at my door. He told me he had gotten saved. We talked for the first time in years; he met my wife and his grandchildren for the first time. It was the best time of my life."

Confused, Woodrow asked him, "Didn't you say your father died?"

Crying freely now, Jim nodded. "He died of a seizure-- it was so sudden. We didn't know what to do. We couldn't get him to the hospital in enough time. He passed within minutes."

"I'm so sorry, Jim," began Woodrow, but he was interrupted.

"Don't be. He died, yes, but I know he was saved; and now I even know that he rescued you. I really couldn't have asked for a better way for my dad to have passed: surrounded by family and headed to Heaven. It's difficult, knowing I won't see him again here on Earth-- but I know he isn't gone forever."

Jim and Woodrow sat on the couch, speaking for nearly two more hours. Finally, Woodrow rose to leave, promising to stay in touch. After the door closed behind him, he smiled. He had met the son of his rescuer and discovered that God had broken his hard heart. And now he knew that he would see his rescuer again someday, as well; not only James Carter, Sr., but also his eternal Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The best was yet to come.