October 7. Daniel James Draper. On this date in 1835, Draper was ordained a minister, and after a few years pastoring at a local church, for the next thirty years, he served in Australia.
At various places in Australia, Draper built churches and schools and worked to make sure the people were cared for. When he was in charge of the South Australian district, he built 30 new chapels and increased church membership by 1,300 and Sunday school attendance by 2,000. The number of people at public worship increased by 7,000.
In 1855, when a lot of the men were gone to goldfields, Draper arranged for them to have pastoral care there. He visited the goldfields and rural communities often and encouraged them to build chapels. Today’s story takes place after Draper and his wife had gone back to England for a short visit.
Desperation can defeat you or drive you to a decision.
On January 5, 1865, after a brief visit to England, Pastor Draper, his wife, and more than 200 other passengers boarded the London steamer on a return trip to Australia. The uncertainty of what lay ahead and the heartache of leaving his father and mother again caused Draper to seriously consider the cost of traveling to a foreign country to share the gospel. But he was convinced this was what God had called him to do.
A day after they set sail, fierce winds howled throughout the night. Two days into the voyage, mountainous waves engulfed the ship, and some of the passengers got severely anxious.
The captain frantically fought against the waves, but the ship thrust forward, and the waves crashed against the deck.
The following night, in deep distress, Draper realized how serious the situation was. Now more than ever, he understood what Jesus had said: “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4 NIV).
Draper might not get the chance to share the gospel again.
As the storm raged on, he led the passengers in prayer and comforted them throughout the night. They read the Scriptures together.
Early the next morning, the captain tried to navigate back to Plymouth, but the storm increased in fury. Sea gales angrily erupted and stripped the lifeboat from the ship. The masts were frozen, and the deck pulled apart.
Three days into the voyage, water flooded the engine room. The passengers and crew worked incessantly to remove the water. But it rapidly rose and put out the engine fires—and the engine died.
All that could have been done had been done. The captain said, “You may now say your prayers, boys.” Then he headed to the saloon, where the women and children had gathered. “Ladies, there is no hope for us.”
It was then Draper resolved, “Happy if with my latest breath I may but gasp His name; Preach Him to all, and cry in death, ‘Behold, behold, the Lamb!’”
Draper stood stern on the deck with his wife by his side and calmly said, “My friends, our captain tells us there is no hope, but the great Captain above tells us that there is hope, and that we may all get safe to heaven.” In response many cried out, “Pray for me, Mr. Draper; pray for me!”
Draper urged them all to flee for refuge and take hold of the hope set before them. On January 11, 1865, Draper lived out his soul’s deepest longing. With his last breath, he spoke of Jesus and pleaded with the passengers and crew to prepare to “Behold, behold, the Lamb of God!” As Draper’s prayers ascended to heaven, a peaceful resignation filled the air, and the vessel sank into the murky sea. A nearby boat rescued nineteen passengers left alive to tell the story.
Are you hesitant to go where God is calling? If you obey, He may use you to provide hope for others who have lost all hope. Desperation can defeat you or drive you to a decision.
Symons, John C. The Life of Daniel James Draper. Melbourne: Wesleyan Book Depot, 1870.
Blacket, Rev. John. “A Thrilling Story.” Trove. Published May 23, 1924. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214084209?searchTerm=Rev%20John%20Blacket%2C%20Daniel%20Draper.
Story read by: Peter R Warren, https://www.peterwarrenministries.com/
Introduction read by: Daniel Carpenter
Audio production: Joel Carpenter
Story written by: Paula Moldenhauer, http://paulamoldenhauer.com/
Editor: Teresa Crumpton, https://authorspark.org/
Project manager: Blake Mattocks
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