Put Your Captain's Name In It
Author unknown
An ungodly sea-captain lay dying in his cabin in mid-ocean, death staring
him in the face. He shrank back in the presence of "the King
of Terrors", and the dread of Eternity took fast hold upon him.
Captain Coutts sent for his first mate, and said: "Williams,
please get down on your knees and pray for a fellow. I have been
very wicked, as you know, and I expect I shall go this time".
"I am not a praying man, Captain; so I can't pray. I would if I
could".
"Well, then, bring a Bible and read me a bit, for my rope is
about run out".
"I have no Bible, Captain, you know, I am not a religious man".
"Then send for Thomas, the second mate", said the Captain –
perhaps he can pray a bit".
The second mate was soon in the presence of his dying Captain,
who said to Him: "I say, Thomas, I am afraid I am bound for
Eternity this trip; get down and pray for me. Ask God to have
mercy on my poor soul".
"I would gladly do it to oblige you, Captain – if I could; but I
have not prayed since I was a lad".
"Have you a Bible, then, to read to me"?
"No, Captain, I have no Bible".
Alas! for the poor Captain. How awful his condition –
on the brink of Eternity and without Christ. They searched the ship
over for a man who could pray, but they searched in vain:
and for a Bible, but one could not be found until one of the sailors
told the Captain he had seen a book that looked like a Bible in
the hands of the cook's boy, a little fellow named Willie Platt.
"Send at once", said the Captain, "and see if the boy has a Bible".
The sailor hurried off to find Willie, and said to him – "Sonny,
have you a Bible"?
"Yes, sir, but I only read it in my own time".
"Oh, that's all right, my lad; take the Bible and go to the
Captain's cabin. He is very sick and wants a Bible –
thinks he is going to die".
Away went Willie with his Bible to the Captain's cabin.
"Have you a Bible, my boy"?
"Yes, Captain".
"Then sit down, and find something in it that will help me, for
I am afraid I am going to die. Find something about God having
mercy on a sinner like me – and read it to me".
Well, there was one chapter he and his mother loved – Isaiah 53
– and often had they read it together. So Willie turned
to that blessed chapter that so fully sets forth the love and mercy of
the Lord Jesus Christ, in dying for such as John Coutts; and
began to read.
When he got to the fifth verse – "He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we
are healed" – the Captain, who was listening intently, said,
"Stop, my boy, that sounds like it; read it again".
Once more the boy read over the blessed words, "He was wounded
for our transgressions".
"Ay, my lad, that's good – that's it for sure".
These words from the Captain encouraged Willie, and he said,
"Captain, when I was reading that verse at home, mother made me
put my name in it. May I put it in now"?
"Certainly, sonny; put your name in it just as your mother told
you, and read it again".
Reverently and slowly the boy read the verse: "He – Jesus
– was wounded for Willie Platt's transgressions –
He was bruised for Willie Platt's iniquities" – and so on.
When Willie had finished, the Captain was half-way over the side
of the bed, and reaching toward the lad he said, "My boy, put
your Captain's name in the verse and read it again".
Then the lad slowly read the verse again: "He was wounded for
John Coutts' transgressions"; "He was bruised for John Coutts'
iniquities", "The chastisement of John Coutts' peace was upon
Him", "and by His stripes John Coutts is healed".
When Willie had finished, the Captain said, "That will do, my
lad, you may go now". Then the Captain lay back on his pillow
and repeated over and over again those precious words of Isaiah
53:5, putting in his own name each time, and as he did so, the
joy of heaven filled his soul – he was saved!
Yes, praise the Lord, he was saved!
Another poor sinner saved, for whom Jesus died.
The soul of Captain Coutts soon passed away. His body was
rolled in canvas, placed upon a plank, and allowed to slide
overboard into the water, to be seen no more until Jesus comes
and the sea gives up its dead.
Before John Coutts fell asleep in Jesus, he had witnessed to every one
on his vessel that the Christ of God – the Man of Calvary –
was wounded for his transgressions, was bruised for his iniquities,
and the chastisement that he so richly deserved had fallen
on his Blessed Substitute – and by His stripes – the stripes
that fell on Jesus – he, John Coutts, had been healed.
Can you, my reader, say the same?
Paid the great debt, and my soul He set free
Oh, it was wonderful – how could it be?
Dying for me – for me.
You too, dear reader, can do as John Coutts did, and be saved. Simply turn to God, confessing your sins, and believing in your heart that His Son, Jesus Christ, died for you and shed His precious blood to wash away your sins. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior.
If you have truly prayed in this way, you will be saved
and have life eternal.
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from among the dead, you will be saved".
Romans 10, verse 9. "For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved". Romans 10, verse 13.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son,
that whosoever believes on Him may not perish,
but have life eternal". John 3, verse 16.