Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-16

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of true religion over all the
earth Had a prayer meeting from ten
20 halfpast eleven, A. M. AT one, P. M.
preached in the after cabin from Hab- J
6a ,suk III. 2: 1" o Lord, reUiUe thy tOorE I
and in the evening we observed the usual
concert ofprayer. thrust the season was
not wholly lost to US. But, alas how
strongly are we reminded, at the close OF
u day so designated. that our righteous
npsses are as filthy rags" My throat
suffered less than it has hitherto from sim
liar exertions, tor which Iamtruly thank
full. We had slight breakfast and sup
per. but dispensed with dinner.
Wednesday, 6. Were visited yester-
dav bv an enormous shark. We were
going but at the rate Of two knots (miles)
an hour. and some men were at work over
the side whose feet occasionally dipped in
the water, and it is possible this may have
drawn hin. He was about thirty feet
long. and four or FIVE broad, the head fiat,
and nearly square across the snout AT
ter he had accompanied us some time,
within eight or ten feet Of the ship, the
captain had the harpoon thrown into him
1t entered near his head, and passed deep
w. For some moments he seemed I'M
conscious Of the wound, and then moved
of abeam. In vain the sailors held on 10
the rope; it passed irresistibly through
tleir hands, till ii came 10 the end where
it was made fast, and then, though an
inch in diameter, broke like a thread
The sailors call this the bone shark 1t
is, am pretty confident, the basking
shark (SeIachc narimH) Of the books, not
unfrequently seen on the American coast
lis flesh is said to be good eating, and a
valuable amount Of oil may be got flom
it. Around him, as usual, were pilot fish
(seomber d4etOr) shaped like perch, or
small fat herring and girdled beautifully
with alternate rings of blue and white.
Monday, IL. Preached in my turn
last evening, in the small cabin, and suf-
fertd still less than before. For several
Sabbaths we have he'd u separate meeting
for the seamen, at o'clock, held in the
forecastle, or on the forward deck. They
all attend and give respectful attention.
sometimes converse with them individual
ly at sunset They admit the Importance
Of personal piety, and one or two are Sc
rious, but their great objection to giving
themselves up Immediately to God is, that
they cannot maintain a devotional life,
situated as they are at sea. Alas there
are always some to scott at religious
messmate, and sailor can bear anything
better than scorn. Sad is the responsible
iry and danger Of the one sinner THAT
destroveM much good"
Friday, IS Are at length north ofthe
line again, and have been for day or two
within "a hours sail Of Sumatra. Six
teen thousand miles of our voyage are
now accomplished, in safety. 1t has beer
oppressiEely hot for a fortnight, with dai
" showers of rain. Some Of the gentle
men have refreshed themselves by swim
ming at the side Of the vessel, when il
was calm, and the captain has rugged up
nice bath, on deck, for the ladies, O
which they gladly avail themselves. W.
already see how necessary frequent bath
ing must be to Orientals.
1t is pleasing to have ocular evidence
in rock.weed, tropic birds, &C., of our ap
proach to that AureG Chersonemsis AM
ArgenIeG RcgiO, as the ancients calle'
Burmah and Siam. They knew littl
more ofthese regions, than that they ex
listed. and few OF the moderns know niue
more; but the eyes Of Christians are nov
turned on these lands with strong benev
oIence, and the world shall now know, nc
onlv Of their riches in gold and silver, il
ivory and spices, but the condition ofthei
teeming population. Soon we shall say
THY light is comeH
Monday, lS. Sailing today al only
miles from the Nicobar Islands, and bein
embayed among pagan countries, make
one feel already among the heather. o
and faithfully dispensed. and deliberateI
and finally rejected Mingled emotions
pity for these deluded pagans, and admir-,
ton of true missionary Zeal, force then
selves upon me, when | remember Ii
struggles and martyrdom Of the faithfl
Moravians, on these coasts. Eighty yea
ago they began by sending six men to col
rand-eisiiss theFsople. Others can
as disease made breaches in their numbe
Thirty years long, did these holy men e.
ert themselves. What hardships they e
counteredl Obliged. at night, in the
preaching tours, to sleep in trees, or bur
to avoid venomous insects often escspin
as by miracle, from alligators, serpent
andwili beasts; feeding on wretched she
fish; lodged in poor huts. and laborir
whh their own hands for a suhsistenC
they tainted not, nor grew weary or,
they did. ceased not their toll. Bot no e
gave heed to their heavenly message
heathsn lip began to adore the true God,
no idol was cast to the moles and the ba
Thirteen Of the brethren, with ruin
/ health. returned to Tranquebar and di,
while eleven more found graves in the