When France and England were at war once a French vessel had gone off
on a long whaling voyage. When they came back, the crew were short of
water, and being near an English port, they wanted to get water; but
they were afraid that they would be taken prisoners if they went into
that port. Some people in the port saw their signal of distress, and
sent word that they need not be afraid, that the war was over, and
peace had been declared. But they couldn't make those sailors believe
it, and they didn't dare to go into port, although they were out of
water. At last they made up their minds that they had better go in and
surrender their cargo and their lives to their enemies rather than
perish at sea without water; and when they got in, they found out that
what had been told them was true, that peace had been declared.
There are a great many people who don't believe the glad tidings that
peace has been made by Jesus Christ between God and man, but it is
true.