Singing Peter was one of the many fishermen who had been brought to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and saved from his sins. Wild and careless before conversion, he afterwards became an enthusiastic follower of the Lamb of God, and was so fond of singing hymns in His praise that he became known in the fleet by the sobriquet of Singing Peter. His beaming face and wholly changed life bore testimony to what the Holy Spirit had wrought in him.
Peter had been home to Gorleston on his week of holiday, and had now returned to the fleet for his eight weeks’ fishing-cruise, carrying a flag to show that he had just arrived, bringing letters and clothes, etcetera, for some of the crews.
“I used to think Peter warn’t a bad feller,” said David Bright, as the new arrival drew near; “he was always good company, an’ ready for his glass, but now he’s taken to singin’ psalms, I can make nothin’ of ’im.”
“There’s them in the fleet that like him better since he took to that,” said Luke Trevor.
“It may be so, lad, but that’s not accordin’ to my taste,” retorted the skipper.
David was, however, by no means a surly fellow. When Peter’s vessel came within hail, he held up his hand and shouted—
“What cheer! what cheer, Peter!” as heartily as possible.
Singing Peter held up his hand in reply, and waved it as he shouted back—
“What cheer! All well, praise the Lord!”
“D’ye hear that Billy?” said Luke, in a low voice. “He never forgets to praise the Lord.”