A WILD HUNTER CAPTURED

Or God’s Great Mercy Related on a Particular Occasion in the Life of Titus Klose

Translated from the Holland edition by WILLIAM PETERS

“Well, how is that possible,” you may ask, reader! “how can a lion become a lamb?”

We must agree, it is strange and wonderful, but strange and wonderful things happen so frequently, what we wish to relate, is not impossible. At least it is not a fairy tale or mystery story, which the world is full of and is read to pass away the time speedily, but is a true happening.

You have probably read this story before but that does not matter, we hope that this old story may become new to you, and that the time spent in reading may not be regretted.

Regret! have you ever regretted spending time idly, reader? Do you know that you will have to give an account of every hour of your life and what will your answer be as these hours become days, the days weeks, the weeks months and the months years?

It is a long time ago, we were still young and lived without God in the world when a certain German poem made an unusual impression on us. The author sang the praises of an old man, and after he had named a number of prominent persons whose praises he would not mention, he again referred to the old man. And what do you suppose he had to say about him ? It was all gathered in one line. “He lived, took a wife and died.”

Aimless, useless and fruitless was his life passed away and then came eternity. There he will experience the end of a life trifled away.

Now then, observe for a few moments this roaring lion, who not only opposed man, but also fought against the High and Holy God. The time spent in reading this narrative will not be lost, may it be a blessing to all of us.

The Story of Titus Klose

On the l0th of June 1833, the famous missionary, TITUS KLOSE died, of whom the following particulars regarding his conversion are written in his biography.

Although Klose was a child of pious elders, nevertheless he foliowed the path of sin in his youth. This was mostly the result of having been sent to a boarding school by his elders, where the fear of God was not taught.

As he became older, he was well learned in evildoing and stood in the foremost ranks of Satan. In as much as he did not serve God, he could not bear that others did and was a pursuer of God’s children.

His greatest pleasure was to disturb the gatherings of God’s children and interfere with the public worship in the churches, so that his name became a byword in the community through his unrighteous and riotous living.

One day he and his comrades took a pleasure ride on the sea. It can be understood that there was plenty of drinking and card playing and at times it seemed as if the devil and his army was aboard.

While this evil gathering was busy laughing, singing and cursing, a storm suddenly came up accompanied by terrible thunder and lightning, which broke above their heads, so that the frail craft was in danger of sinking any minute.

Many of the party who only a short time previous had blasphemed the name of God, were now as sailors aboard Jonas ship, falling on their knees and praying for mercy.

In the midst of this terrible scene, stood Klose with a scornful grin on his face.

“Come, Jack,” he called to one of the frightened men, “Shame on you, do you wish to become pious for fear of a few raindrops and a shot out of the heavenly cannon? Here, take a good heart stimulant out of this bottle and go with me to the cabin and play another hand of cards. I will play a game with you for heaven or hell!”

Terrible language, my readers, whereof the Psalmist says: They set their mouth against the heavens. The listeners were astonished at this awful language during the raging storm, in which God’s majesty was seen.

Whether he really was made ashamed by Klose or whether he was still drunk—he finally persuaded him, and they both sat down to card playing while the boat was in great danger of sinking any minute.

“I tell you, Jack,” shouted Klose, while he dealt the cards and raised his voice to overcome the din of the storm, “I tell you, as true as I am a servant of the devil, and we come through this storm safely, the coming Sunday I will visit the preacher at Stamfoxe, where I will blow a storm, which will make this one seem like a breath. Come, play on, it is your chance!”

“By all the evil spirits, Titus,” answered the other, laying the cards on the table and staring at him in surprise, “as sure as we are sailing straight into the jaws of death, you are now going too far. I thought myself to be quite a man, but you are as the devil himself. I will not play anymore, no matter what you say, it is now no time for card playing.”

We shall no longer follow the conversation of these wicked men for fear our readers would witness a scène which every pious mind would despise with horror. The Lord in heaven also witnessed this gathering of unrighteous men, which took place amdist the wrestling of the elements and above the fathomless pit to try His patience. But it was resolved by His counsel to show this sinner that Heaven is stronger than Hell and that the patience of the God of grace can endure longer than the provoking of the most wicked sinner.

After several hours, the storm calmed and the evil party came to shore.

“Now, friends,” shouted Klose, while they separated from each other, “the forthcoming Sunday morning we will all gather at my house on horseback and proceed to Stamfoxe. There we will chase the ‘pious storehouse’ helter skelter.”

About a half hours’ distance from the village of Stamfoxe, stands a simple home. The way leading thereto is ordinarily one of the most charming in the whole of England, but at the moment wherein we find ourselves, it is almost impassible, as a heavy rain is falling and the wind fills the dale with a dreadful noise.

In the house lives the preacher Samuel Annear.

The poor man! It is Sunday morning and he must go to Stamfoxe to preach the Word of God. It is no wonder he is pacing the floor of his room with a depressed look on his face. Twice he left his home to go to church, but had to return because of the weather. It was no weather for a man to travel through and preach for a few hours in wet clothes.

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