Ransom of Love (19 page)

“Oh. Now I understand. When are you going out West?”

“I’m not exactly sure. But it will probably be within a couple of months.”

Benjamin nodded, feeling the pricking of disappointment again. “Where in the West are you going?”

“Texas.”

“How far is that from here?”

“Well, it depends on where in Texas. It’s a huge state. I’ll be going near the city of Austin. So from here, it’s about thirteen hundred miles or so.”

“That is a long way.”

“Yes.”

“So this is definite?”

“Well, almost. I’ve been praying about it for some time, but the Lord hasn’t given me the ‘go’ sign, yet.”

A blank look captured Benjamin’s face.

They discussed ranching in general for a while, during which they each caught another fish.

“Benjamin,” Dan said, as he was stringing his latest catch on the line, “you really know a lot about cattle and horses. I envy you.”

“You will learn it quickly when you begin ranching in Texas, Mr. Dan. I only know what I do because ranching is all I have known as far back as I can remember.”

Dan was quiet as he baited his hook again and tossed it in the water. Suddenly, he said, “Benjamin, how much do you know about the Bible?”

“The Bible? I have heard some of the Britishers talk about it, sir. It is a book from white man’s God, right?”

“No. It is the book from the God who created this universe, Benjamin. He is not just white man’s God. He created people with black skin, brown skin, yellow skin, and red skin, too.”

“Mmm. I have not heard this.”

“Do you know who Jesus Christ is?”

Benjamin thought on it a moment, then said, “I was about to say that He was the Son of white man’s God. But apparently I should say He was the Son of everybody’s God.”

“Not was,” Dan said. “He
is
the Son of God.”

“I do not understand. He died a long time ago, Mr. Dan. My parents only died a few weeks ago, but I have to speak of them in the past now.”

“You mean you haven’t heard that God’s Son died on the cross of Calvary, but He rose from the dead three days later?”

Benjamin frowned thoughtfully. “It … it seems that I have heard that, now that you mention it. So if this is true, Jesus Christ is alive today?”

“It is true, Benjamin. And Jesus Christ is alive today.”

Benjamin snapped his fingers. “Oh, yes! I do remember hearing some of the British people talk about Him. He is not on earth but is somewhere above the sky, they said.”

“Right. In a beautiful and wonderful place called heaven.”

“Heaven. This is in the sky, but they said He can see us and hear us here on earth.”

“That’s right.”

“So when you said the Lord hadn’t given you the ‘go’ sign about your move to Texas, you meant Jesus Christ?”

“Right.”

“He has some way of talking to you from above the sky?”

Dan smiled. “Yes, Benjamin. He does.”

“He shouts down at you?”

“No. He has a way of speaking to you in your heart.”

“I do not understand.”

“Well, I would like for you to understand. We get our understanding of Him from His Book, the Bible. Since it is all so strange to you, it is best to take it a little at a time. For now, just think about this: The God who made this world loves you, Benjamin. And He wants you to come to know Him through His Son. Will you think about that?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Now, let me tell you about a friend of mine who is a cattle rancher in Texas.”

Benjamin listened intently as Dan told him about Bill Wickburg, and of Bill’s encouraging him to come to Texas and get started in the cattle ranching business. He told Benjamin of the newspaper articles he had read on the subject, and how the desire to become a part of it had grown on him over a period of time.

Benjamin pulled his hook from the water to make sure it still had bait. Satisfied that the worm was still intact, he cast it back in and said, “I can see, Mr. Dan, that you are really intent on going to Texas. I know it will be a wonderful life for you. But when you go, I am going to miss you very much.”

“I’ll miss you, too, Benjamin. But I’ll come back now and then to see my family, of which you have become a part. When I come to see family, I’ll see you along with the rest of them.”

Dan’s words had a powerful effect on the young black man. “Mr. Dan, in my entire life, no friend has ever said anything to me that meant as much as what you just said. You good people look at me as part of your family. What a happy man I am!”

While they were driving home, Dan turned to Benjamin and said, “Has anyone told you about the church services our plantation preacher, Zebulun, holds for the slaves on Sundays?”

“Yes, sir. Preacher Zebulun and some others have asked me to come this Sunday. They were so nice about it. I told them I will come.”

“Good. I’d really like to take you to our church in town, but it’s nearly all white people. You might feel uncomfortable. A few Negroes attend, but very few. They are free Negroes, of course. Well, except for the personal slave of our neighbors’ daughter.”

“I understand, Mr. Dan. I know how white people here in the South feel about mixing with black people, even those who are not slaves.”

“I’m sorry, Benjamin. I hope someday it will change.”

“Don’t be sorry. I am a very happy man. It doesn’t bother me what other white folks think, as long as the Johnson family wants me as their servant.”

Dan chuckled. “And as part of the family, don’t forget.”

“Oh yes, sir! I won’t forget that!”

“Let me tell you, Benjamin, my parents and brother and sister are appreciating you more every day. Especially Mom, I might add. She is thrilled with the way you have made things run smoother than ever in the house. Of course, I agree with the rest of the family.”

Benjamin grinned. “That’s what a servant is supposed to do, Mr. Dan.”

“Well, you’re sure doing a good job.”

“Thank you. I mean to always do a good job for the people who have given me a new life.”

As the days passed, the friendship between Dan and Benjamin grew stronger and deeper. They went fishing together often, and Dan found many other reasons to spend time with his new friend, which pleased Benjamin exceedingly.

One day at midmorning, Zack was in his den doing some paperwork and heard a light tap at his door. “Yes?”

“It is Benjamin, Mr. Johnson.”

“Please come in.”

Benjamin stepped into the room and closed the door.

“What can I do for you?”

“Sir, I have all the work finished that you and Mrs. Johnson have assigned me for today.”

Zack’s eyebrows arched. “Already?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hmm. It looks like you can take the rest of the day off. Maybe if Dan isn’t too busy, the two of you can go fishing again.”

“Well, sir, if you will allow it, there is something else I would like to do.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Sir, I would like your permission to go to the fields and work with the slaves. I … I want them to know that I do not look down on them just because I am your hired servant.”

Zack eased back in his chair. “Benjamin, this pleases me very much. I appreciate your attitude toward the slaves. It is very commendable.”

“Mr. Johnson, it hasn’t been so long since I was a slave. You treat them wonderfully, but they are still slaves. I want to work with them whenever my assignments are caught up, if you will allow it.”

“I sure will. This makes me think more of you than ever.” Rising to his feet, he said, “Let’s go find Dan. I’ll let him assign you to the work crew that needs you the most.”

A few days later, Dan and Benjamin were riding horses together, heading for town. As they trotted along, Dan said, “I like the way you handle yourself with a horse, Benjamin. You seem so at home in the saddle.”

“I should, Mr. Dan. I learned to ride almost before I learned to walk. I can handle a cow pony, too. You know, riding herd at roundup time and having to keep the strays with the herd.”

“Oh yes. That’s something I’ll have to learn when I get to Texas.”

“You will learn it real fast once you are herding cattle.”

Dan was quiet for a moment, then said, “Benjamin, I want to tell you what an impact your volunteering to work in the fields with
the slaves has had on them. You have captured their hearts.”

Benjamin smiled. “That makes me very happy, Mr. Dan. I’m really getting to love your slaves. They are fine people.”

They rode into Charleston, completed their errands, and headed back toward the plantation. After trotting the horses for a while, they slowed to a walk.

Dan spoke up. “You’ve been in church services for two Sundays now. What do you think about what you’ve been hearing?”

“Mr. Dan, Preacher Zebulun is such a loving man. His sermons are very heart touching. He certainly has a deep love for people and a powerful love for Jesus Christ. But there is so much I do not understand yet.”

“That’s to be expected. It is all so new to you. When a person has been raised without ever hearing the Bible preached and the gospel made plain, it takes time. In the Bible, God likens it to sowing seed, watering it, and finally reaping the harvest. You will keep attending the services, won’t you?”

“Oh yes, sir. I will do that.”

“And you’ve been thinking on what I told you before?”

“I sure have. I am glad that God loves me. And I am glad He wants me to come to know Him through His Son.”

“Good. Have you come to understand about heaven and hell, and that every human being goes to one of those two places when they die?”

“Yes. That place called hell sounds awful. Preacher Zebulun preached about it last Sunday morning. I am having a hard time believing that when Jesus died on that cross, He did it for me.”

Dan took a few minutes to elaborate on the Lord’s death at Calvary but found that the light of the gospel still had not broken through Benjamin’s darkness. He told him the gospel story from another angle, and it seemed to help, but he could see that Benjamin needed more time.

In the days that followed, whenever they were alone together, Dan lovingly and tactfully witnessed to Benjamin about Jesus Christ
and Benjamin’s need of salvation. Each time, Benjamin showed more interest and seemed to grasp it better.

Dan kept his family abreast of his progress with Benjamin, and at family altar time they prayed earnestly for Benjamin to be saved.

T
HE FOLLOWING
S
ATURDAY
, D
AN AND
B
ENJAMIN
were fishing together at Dan’s favorite spot. He went over the gospel again, pointing out to Benjamin that when Jesus died on the cross, He was dying for Benjamin personally.

“Mr. Dan, it is not that I do not believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all sinners. I do believe that.”

“Good. Then are you ready to repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus to save you?”

“Well, sir, I am still in the dark on something.”

“What is that?”

“I cannot quite understand how the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary could give me salvation. Please … I am not trying to be difficult about it. Really I am not. It is just that I cannot see how it works.”

Dan nodded. “Let me think about it. I’ve got to come up with the right way to explain it to you.”

Dan prayed silently, asking the Lord for help. Suddenly it came to him.

“Tell you what, Benjamin …”

“Yes, sir?”

“I know how to make it clear to you, but we’ll need more time than we have left here at the river. I’d like to talk to you in your quarters tonight after supper. Would that be all right?”

“Certainly. I would like that.”

When Benjamin answered the knock at his door that evening, he found Dan bearing a beautifully wrapped package in one hand and his Bible in the other.

“Ready?” Dan said.

“Yes, sir. Come in.”

When Benjamin closed the door, Dan turned and extended the package. “This is for you from me.”

Benjamin took the package and said, “Am I to unwrap it right now?”

“Yes. You’re going to need it this evening.”

He broke the ribbon on the package and tore away the bright-colored paper to find a new Bible with a black leather cover. “It is beautiful, Mr. Dan. Thank you!”

“My pleasure. Let’s sit down at the table. I want to show you some things in Scripture. It will help if you have your own Bible to read as I use mine.”

They sat down at the small table, facing each other. “All right,” Dan said, “let’s read a couple of Scripture passages together. When you’ve seen them, then I’m going to tell you something that will shed light on them.”

Benjamin smiled at him. “Where do we start?”

“In the Gospel of John. Can you find it?”

“Probably, but it will be faster if you show me where it is.”

Dan took Benjamin’s Bible from him, opened it to John chapter 8, and said, “I would like to have you read a verse to me.”

Benjamin nodded as Dan opened his own Bible to the same chapter.

“Okay, Benjamin, what you are about to read came from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have already shown you that all human beings are born sinners and are held captive by sin and Satan, and that because Satan is going to spend eternity in the lake of fire, he wants company. He wants to keep you his captive and take you to hell with him. Remember?”