The Mother's Bible

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 21, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 46.

The Mother's Bible

MATTHEW HALE SMITH, in his book "Marvels of Prayer," tells of a shipwreck and rescue by Captain Judkins and the crew of the Scotia. Among the rescued was a lad of about twelve years, who had lost everything. "Who are you, my boy?" said Captain Judkins. "I am a little Scotch boy; my father and mother are dead, and I am going to America to find my uncle, who lives in Illinois."

"What is this?" said the captain, as he took hold of a rope that was tied around the boy's breast. "It is a piece of cord, sir."

"What is that tied under your arm?" "My mother's Bible; she told me never to lose it."

"That's all you saved?" "Yes, sir."

"Couldn't you have saved something else?" "Not and save that."

"Didn't you expect to be lost?" "I meant, if I went down, to take my mother's Bible down with me."

"All right," said the captain, "I'll take care of you."

Having reached the port of New York, Captain Judkins took the boy to a Christian merchant to whom he told this story. "I'll take the lad," said the merchant. "I want no other recommendation; the boy that holds on to his mother's Bible in such perils will give a good account of himself."—Selected.