The Titanic's Last Hero

As the dark, freezing waters of the Atlantic crept slowly up the decks of the Titanic, John Harper shouted, "Let the women, children and the unsaved into the lifeboats." Harper took his lifejacket the final hope of survival and gave it to another man.After the ship had disappeared beneath the dark water, leaving Harper floundering in the icy waters, he was heard urging those about him to put their faith in Jesus Christ.It was the night of April 14, 1912, a night for heroes, and John Harper met the challenge. Through the waters swallowing him was bitterly cold and the sea about him was dark, John Harper left this world in a blaze of glory.This is the story of John Harper, a Baptist minister traveling with his daughter and niece on the ill-fated Titanic. His final moments were the basis of the scene of the pastor holding onto a piece of the ship while giving absolution as depicted in the James Cameron movie "Titanic." Harper was one of the many unsung heroes that night and the book is a fascinating read about a quiet man who rose to the occasion at a time of great tragedy.