The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-06-25


more than Two days and two nights in this
awful situation.in almost entire darkness, with
hardly any thing answering for food, and at
no time with more than two feet OF air above
the water. During all this time they ceased
not to pray in agony eff spirit, and never
closed a PRAYER without remembering their
poor widowed mother But on the third
day, when nature seemed almost exhausted,
they saw something shine in the water. One
olthem went under the water and brought it
up. II was an axe. With this theirstrength
seemed TO return. They succeeded in cut
tinp a hole. and once more regained the deck.
Nothing was tobe seen but the angry waves.
They looked into the cabin and saw it full OF
water, with the dead bodies Of the passen-
gers floating about They returned thanks
10 God for this delverance from most hor
rid death, and again renewed their vows.
With their axe they now went 10 work, and
by the next day had raft constructed, con-
sisting of spars tied together, Il few pieces Of
sail, their flower and lard for food, few iron
weights which they found on deck and which
they placed in the middle of their raft for bal
last. together with the two chests, which
they at last succeeded in finding. and placing
on the raft To this frail vessel they COM
StiH tAAtit tiiS
could continue above water but q few hours
longer, at The utmost.
They were almost exhausted, and could
do little more than spread their tattered sail
and let the wind carry them wherever it
would. On the third day after leaving the
wreck, John gave out. He could do no more.
He lay down, and slept through weakness.
But Just at nightwhen The waves began 10
whilcn, and dark, heavy bank Of clouds
settled down in the distant horizon, through
which, here and there, CLEAN oil sunshine
was seen, James saw ship liz the Citing at
a distance. He reused up John: who had
Just strength enough left TO sit down upon his
chest. The wind was taking them away
from the ship, and james eXerted all his
strength TO take in the sail, and hoist Il stripe
rs a signal of distress, in hopes Of attracting
the notice of the ship. On how they pray
ed Heaven TO give them deliverance. But
the sky was threatening, the ship was toe
busy and too distant TO see them. She pass
ed away, and seemed TO carry with her al
hopes for The brothers. James sat down ana
wept-John was beyond that, and felt thai
his day was nearly closed.
They laid down side by side that evening
for John said he wanted James TO be near
llIi ICl DTdNCu OilCC III
a weak voice, but calmly, distinctly and ten
derby.
James, do you think you will ever reach
home? / seem TO feel that you will, though
know not why feel so. But shall never
see another day. But letme ask one ques.
ton. James, do we now really and fully for.
give each other every fault2 Do you for
give me, JemY
Yes, from my heart, if had any thing tc
forgive. DoYoU, John, forgive me every
lauI2
From my soul do. And now, James,
want, when am dead you should wind mG
up in piece ofsail, with one or two of thosC
/ iron weights, that may sink directly TO tn,
bottom of the ocean. Before you thus pu
me in, want you TO kneel down and make
one prayer over ire, asking God 10 forgive
me that ever lett our poor mother, and ask
| ing him TO take care OF her. Cut off a bit o
my hair, and put with that curl in my pocket
book in the till OF my chest. Keep them to
gether. II ever youget home, oh, James
stay there and never leave mother again
Give her my best love, and my dyingprayers
ask her 10 forgive me that | ever left her
See if old Rover will get up and 90 10 tht
| door as lie used TO do when you mentioned
my name, when was gone. When you %
over the river, see if the same s.ones arr
there which we placed there, aud on which
we used 10 cross. Don't cut down that grea
bultcrnut tree under which we used TO swing
and then, when we were older, sit and read
/ Help YOUR mother 10 get 10 meeting every
( Sunday and 60 yourself Jem. And wheI
you see Laura-that shawl is spoiled sup
pose, by the salt waier-tell her that talkeC
about her the last evening that lived, ant
on this raft. Perhaps she would like 10 see
| the hair together in the same pocket book
One tlingmore, dear Jem; when you Ge
home, and pray God you may, and wher
you and mother go 10 meeting on Sunday
and have prayer read from the pulpit Civ
ing thanks TO God that he spared YoU, and
let you come home, don't forget TO ask Oul
good minister TO give thanks that |, who died
here and was buried in the ocean, did moi
die in despair nor fear. No; have been a
great sinner and AM great sinner but
the Lord Jesus Christ, who once walked on
the waters has seemed 10 come TO me, and
seem TO hear his voice, saying, Itis |, be moi
afraid Icommit our mother, and you, and
Laura, and my body and my soul all TO Him,
and die full of peace We shall meet again,
dear James. where there are no winds to
blow, no oceans 10 roll, no DEATH TO die, no
sin to lament. Come, now. let me take your
hand, your right hand, once morer
They lay down hand in hand, and wept
till both fell asleep. When James awoke,
the hand ofhis brother was still within his,
but cold and stiff. The angel OF death had
found them on their little raft. and the spirit
of his brother was gone. He fulfilled his prom
Use he did kneel over the corpse and pray,
with many tears, that God would remember
the widowed mother, that He would pardon
their sins, and especially that he would for
give him, and make him fit 10 follow his broth
er into the eternal world. The morning sun
rose as fair and as beautiful as il t were 10
look upon no scene of sorrow.-But no sail
was within sight The day passed away,
and James ielt that ifhe did not fulfill his
next promise 10 his brother now, it would
soon be too late, as his strength was fast
going from him. AT the close Of the day
the solitary mourner had his brother wrap
ped in his winding-sheet and ready Tor the
burial. He had cut off a large lock of his
hair. had kissed his lifeless lips, had placed
the weights at his feet, and all was ready.
He once more knelt over the dead. and pray
ed and wept over one from whom he had
never been separated before. With Iinger-