"'Of course I shall. When a fellow has got his living to earn, it does not answer for him to let the grass grow under his feet. I shall be over the side and off as soon as possible after the vessel stops.'
"'But why take so much trouble? According to what you have told me, you think that whatever is to be will be. If you are to get employment, you will get it. Why not sit quietly down on deck here, and wait until some one comes to offer you a situation?'
"The young man stared for some moments without replying, as if he thought only a madman could have made such a suggestion. Then, breaking into a contemptuous laugh, he answered, 'Do you take me for a fool? I think I should prove myself to be one if I were to follow your advice. I might sit here until my hair grew grey, if I were allowed to do so, before anybody would seek me and offer me work. No, no. If I want a situation, I must bestir myself at once and look after it. I shall need all the help that a good written character can give, as well as a push from a friend in Dublin, who advised me to come here, if I am to succeed.'
"'Then, my friend,' I said, 'if it would be the height of folly to neglect the use of every means for the promotion of your temporal interests, how much more foolish to despise those which concern your everlasting welfare?'
"'You've caught me fairly,' returned my acquaintance, good-humouredly; 'beaten me with my own weapons, and I'm not sorry for it.'
"Encouraged by the spirit in which my words had been received, I ventured to use the little remaining time in what he called 'a bit of a preach out of church.' I urged him to use the means in his power, not to save his own soul, for that no man can do, but to lay hold of that salvation which is by Christ alone, 'who will have all men to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth.'
"'If you want to learn about worldly things,' I said, 'you obtain the best books written on the subject, or put yourself under a teacher. You try to get into the company of those who know more about it than yourself. Do the same; use like means in regard to spiritual knowledge. There is a Book in which God's grace, His infinite mercy, wisdom, truth—above all, His love for poor sinners, and his eternal plan for their redemption—are plainly set forth. There are places in which you may hear this Book explained. There are plenty of men and women who have experienced the loving-kindness of the Lord, who have known the burden and misery of sin, and can tell you how the dear Saviour, who said, 'Come unto Me,' has welcomed, pardoned, cleansed, comforted those who have accepted the invitation.
"'But if you want to know about these things, you must use the means. 'You shall have,' is the Saviour's promise but first He bids you 'ask.' You can no more expect to have an answer to prayer without praying, or to know about eternal things without the guide which God has given to teach you, than to obtain the situation you seek by sitting still on the deck of the vessel, and waiting for some one to bring you an offer of employment.'
"We were drawing near to our destination, and there was not time for more; but the young man gave me a hearty grasp of the hand, and promised not to forget our conversation.
"I added, 'You told me you had a friend here who had invited you to come, and promised to speak a good word for you. Do not forget that you have also a Friend in heaven, an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who bids you come, whose plea on your behalf is all-powerful, and who ever liveth to make intercession for you.'