Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-07-26

encouragement to all who are making Ell
forts for the salvation OF souls, and to none
does it apply with more force, than to the
seaman's friend How often have your
most sanguine hopes been blasted, by the
counteracting Influences thrown around the
object of your PRAYERS and efforts. You
succeed, by kind and perseverlng aiten-
ton, in bringing the mariner to the chapel
opened for his instruction. lie IS told oil
the iile-boat provided to rescue him from
an ocean Of eternal misery; and, as he
listens ID the story of a Saviour's love, his
heat is melted, and an eager desire excl
ted, to learn more perfectly the plan of sal
vaton. But he is hurried to the ship about
to launch forth in the wide ocean, and in
the hustle and confusion of leaving port
all thoughts of his souls destiny are dissi-
pated. The "proud ship slowly swings
from her mornings, and as the mariner
casts lingering look towards his native
shore, the Bethel flag fixes his attention,
and renews his desire to be sheltered in
the ark of safety. But the same breeze
that gives motion to the flag, fills the sails
of the ocean-house; and as it gldes rapid
ly over the mountan-wave, the sneer-
ING lest, or the light-hearted laugh of his
merry companions, remove every vestige Of
serious thought He has broken loose from
all the moral influences brought to bear
on his heart, and you trace his progress
from one scene of dissipation to another
with heavy hearted dependency. But he
has not escaped from the power of a pray
er-hearlng God. Go to the mercy-seat,
| IL II &C. bo a far
the wanderer; and in answer to your petit
ton, some little warbler may be commits
stoned to him in tones so sweet and thrill
inc. that his heart will be subdued by his
resistless eloquence. There is no cause
for responding while the object Of your
anxious wish is on probationary ground,
and YOU have access to the God of nature,
whose agents for accomplishing his designs
of mercy are as numerous as the works of
his hands.
Perhaps this little story may reach the
eve of some widowed christian mother,
who has long mourned over the wandering
sailor boy, and felt that a mothers prayers
and tears were unavailing to rescue. him
from destruction. Remember "the pirate
and the dove"-and while you acknowl
edge that your efforts are powerless, let
! faith maintain an unyielding grasp on the
promises of jehovah Plead them with an
| importantly that admits Of no denial; and
remember that you are pleading with your
Father-and that one who has condescend-
ed to style himself your "elder brother,
sits at his right hand to nterceds for you,
and render your petitions effectual.
Christian reader, do you love the king
dom of Christ and desire to witness its
triumphs in every portion of the globc9
PRAY for the conversion ofseamen. Their
influence, like their own floating home, is
borne over the wide world of waters, from
one kingdom to another, and from one isle
to another. until the whole world is witness
to its controlling power. Let this infu-
ence be conseCrated to the service of Je-
hoyah, and who can tellthe amount of good
that will be accomplished!
( When the wind bowls wildly around
your dwellings, think Of the tempestuous
ocean, and them pray for the sailor. Are
the uxures of a foreign cline spread upon
YOUR board? Think of the skill that guild
ed them over the pillows, and then, pray
for the sailor Is your heart warmed with
bqnevolence and your hand open to pre-
sent free-will offering to the treasury Of
the rd?-give literally TO the Seaman s
Friend Society, and then you will pray ior
the sailor. And when the sea shall be
called to give up its dead, many who
have found watery grave beneath It's
wild pillows, may rise to newness of life +,
f and as they Join the hosts of glory, recog-
Mise Won as the means of their salvation
And then you will rejoice ..wilh JOY un
speakable," that you laboured and prayed
for the conversion of the sailor.
STEAM NAVIGATION In 1886, it ap'