Delivered From the Executioner
By W. A. S.
HEAVEN is a real place, thronged with angels that excel in strength, able to fly in a moment of time from the very throne of God to the relief of human souls in need. The same angel that shut the mouths of the lions in Daniel’s time is a minister of heaven to the church on earth to-day. Paul’s cheery confidence and self-forgetfulness was based on recognition of the fact that in the greatest danger no weapon could cut short his privilege of witnessing until his work was done. The story of the Boxer rising in China supplies many an instance of the signal deliverance of Christian workers in peril from the heathen. One of the most striking of many similar experiences was that of a little company that fell into the hands of the Boxers after fleeing to the mountains of Chih-li. They were dragged mercilessly to and fro by their captors. “On seven successive occasions the Boxers determined to put them to death. But their time was not yet; each time it was prevented until at length their captors said, ‘These people live a charmed life; we can not kill them; we had better let them go.’” Finally it was determined that no further respite should be allowed. There was none to stay their hand, thought the blood-maddened mob, and why should7they be so held back from carrying out their purpose? Made weary and perhaps superstitious by the difficulty already experienced in trying to kill their victims, however it was determined to adopt a method that would insure success. The small party were sent on a boat down the river, with a guard, under secret orders that all were to be slain in a secluded spot where no blame could ever after be attached to any particular city or authority. As they floated down the stream, the callous soldiers sharpened their swords before the eyes of their victims. Remonstrance was useless. The boat was brought to anchor, and they were told to go ashore. Mr. Green, carrying baby John in his arms, left the boat first, in order to help the ladies ashore, and little five-year-old Vera and the ladies followed. When they reached the bank, Mr. Green turned and gave the captain of the boat a bow in Chinese style, saying, as he did so, “Thank you, sir.” Little Vera then crossed her hands, and making the captain a charming bow (like a little Chinese lady), repeated her father’s words, and said, “Thank you, sir.” All this was too much for the burly captain. He turned to his men, and said, “Look here, men, we can not kill these people; we had better leave them alone.” And he sprang on his boat, called off his followers, and again they were saved. At last God raised up a friend, in a Chinaman, who, after secretly conveying a message of sympathy to them announcing his plan and good wishes, went down to Tientsin and brought a rescue party, by whom, at last, they were escorted to the coast. Now that the storm has been followed by a lull, the way into China is the more open. And still the angels of God are hovering over the needy fields, ready to stand by the heralds of the cross until their work is done. The faith of the Christian is not a theory about God and heaven. It is an actual dealing with the Lord and the angels in carrying a message of deliverance to souls in the bondage of sin. And nowhere does heaven seem nearer than in the darkest fields, amid perils and adversities manifold. Where sin and need abound, there grace doth much more abound.