I was much distressed, and taxed my
memory for a long time. At last a text did flash into my mind, and I
wondered much that I had not thought of it before.
"Bill," said I in a low voice, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved.'"
"Ay, Ralph, I've heard the missionaries say that before now, but what
good can it do me? It's not for me, that; it's not for the likes o'
me."
I knew not now what to say, for although I felt sure that that word was
for him as well as for me, I could not remember any other word whereby
I could prove it.
After a short pause, Bill raised his eyes to mine and said, "Ralph,
I've led a terrible life. I've been a sailor since I was a boy, and
I've gone from bad to worse ever since I left my father's roof. I've
been a pirate three years now. It is true I did not choose the trade,
but I was inveigled aboard this schooner and kept here by force till I
became reckless and at last joined them. Since that time my hand has
been steeped in human blood again and again. Your young heart would
grow cold if I--But why should I go on? 'Tis of no use, Ralph; my doom
is fixed."
"Bill," said I, "'Though your sins be red like crimson, they shall be
white as snow.' Only believe."
"Only believe!" cried Bill, starting up on his elbow. "I've heard men
talk o' believing as if it was easy. Ha! 'tis easy enough for a man to
point to a rope and my, 'I believe that would bear my weight;' but 'tis
another thing for a man to catch hold o' that rope and swing himself by
it over the edge of a precipice!"
The energy with which he said this, and the action with which it was
accompanied, were too much for Bill.
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