Litchfield enquirer., 1843-11-30
From tie American Messenger.
ANECDOTES OF TRAVEL AT THE
WEST
A SABBATH AT MAcKINAW.

SABBATH
have been something OF a traveller in
nv day, and have bundle of facts clinging
to my memory which cannot be better used,
perhaps. than BY On occasional insertion in
the Messenger.
There are three rules for christian trav-
eller, to say nothing of others, which will
make rough roads smooth, long journeys
short, and idle time profitable. They are
the following: Always keep your temper,
and determine beforehand to be satisfied with
every thing but sin. Attempt something for
the good Of every fellow-traveller whom you
can influence. And never violate the Lords
day. If you don't observe the first rule, you
lose your power of carrying out the second
and if you neglect the second you will be
continually tempted to break the third
The only safe or right way is to shOaD your
eolors as a christian every where, and you
will every where find soldiers of tho cross to
join them. Some ofthese thoughts will il
lustrate from time to time: l have now to do
with the benefits Of keeping the Sabbath.
Early 10 August we left Chicago in the
splendid new steamboat Indiana, with the
promise that we should be landed in Detroit
on Saturday evening. On Saturday morn
ing we found ourselves at Mackinaw, which
used to regard in my boyish days as pref
~ near "the Jumping off place." with its long,
unpronounceable name. We were some
$50 miles from Detroit, and knew full we'll
that it was not in the power of steam to pro-
pei us thither before Sabbath noon. Our
passage was taken for Buffalo, and fair paid;
but we had taken the precaution to arrange
that we should be transferred to the next
boat without loss, in case we did not reach
our place of destination before the Sabbath.
After comforting with my friend. Rev. Mr..
B., of Boston, we addressed the cap
tain, requesting transfer of tickets to the
next boat; stating respectfully, that while
we were pleased in all respects with his
boat, we were constrained to keep the Sab
bath holy, and could not therefore, accompa-
nv him further; that it was a sacrifice of
time and a thwarting of plans which we
could i'll afford, but that there was no other
alternative. He replied, "My boat is a new
one have large number of passengers
who are going on; have never had preach
ing on board, and should like to have you
preach Tomorrow; besides," said he, "there
is no hotel here, and you will find no accom-.
modations. There is nothing to interest you
for more than an hour; and I should think
you conld do more good to accompany US
and instruct this large company" How
IS for me to preach q sermon ON the fourth COM
mandment ,Ohie in the act of violating M?"-
WE'LL" said the good-natured captain,
"that would be rather inconsistent; but
there is Unitarian minister on board who is
going on, and if he aoiU trauel he hall preach. :"
Some of our friends, professors of religion
too, endeavored to dissuade us from tarry-
ing; urging that it was delightfully."- smooth
on the lake then, and there might be terrible
storms by Monday, &c. But we had found
it safe to trust the Lord, feeling confident
that those who honored his day would be
cared for. Our luggage was thrown upon
the wharf and the boat departed.
Now what is to become of the travellers
On little garisoned island, inhabited by
Indians, half-breeis and a few whites with
outa tavern not an acquaintance for aught
they knew, not a christian man there-now
le: us see whether a Sabbath can be passed
probably under such circumstances. A
house is observed on the pebbly shore, and
towards that we proceeded. To our joy, we
found that pleasant room had just been
vacated, and we we're welcomed. Every
thing was neat and comfortable ; the table,
abundantly supplied with the renowned
wh;te.fi and salmon trout fresh from the
clear. cold, deep water of the lake, was all
an epicure could desire. As soon as we were
fairly settled in our quarters, gentleman
was introduced to us as merchant from
New York, whom we found an agreeable
companion and a fervent christian. 1t be.
ing known that strangers were there for the
Sabbath, we were called on by respectable
citizen, and invited TO visit the interesting
points of the island, the fori,old Fort Holmes,
the arched rock, &c,-objects of great his.
torical or natural interest and when this
was accomplished, we could stroll for hours
on the beach, gathering the beautiful peb.
bles. fine specimens of agate, crystals or
quartz, fossils, &c.; or philosophizing on
the origin of the granite boulders which
were here and there found along the shore.
Thus passed the time till the hour of dinner;
after which the excellent DR.. Rice, superin.
tcKdent of Indian affairs, paid US christian
visit, and, with other gentlemen, arranged
for the services of the Sabbath. The chap
lain had left the day previous to on. arrival
for Green Bay, and they considered itprov-
idential that two ministers of the Gospel had
been cast upon the island.
The Sabbath came, and blessed day it
was. We met in the morning in the old
mission church, which was pretty well filled
there being a large attendance of soldiers
and officers from the garrison. / endeavor.
to exhibit the truth, and at the close Of the
service passed to each individual in the
house with Tract, which all received. In
the afternoon my friend from Boston called
their attention TO the importance of estab.
fishing Sabbath. In the evening
we met at the courthouse, which was filled,
and excessively gave them such instruc.
tion as we thought adapted to their condition.
They determined to attempt the organiza-
tion of a Sabbath-school, and were laying
plans for having church organized, and a
minister invited to preach to them statedly.
1t was profitable Sabbath to US, and we
trust to the people.