The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-08
Pride and Destruction,

| ''cIlall YOU ancIlOr OH -- IOlllt, captain :.
. asked a passenger.
81 mean to be in dock with the mornin:
tide" was the captains briefrcply.
Il thought, perhaps, you would telegraph
for pilot" returned a passenger.
Il am my own pilot sir" and the captai!
whistlcd comtcmptuousy.
"IIe is in one of his daring humors ant
> I'll bet YOU anything YOU like that he take.
, the narrow channcl.' quietly remarked ;
"Is it dangerous ," asked the same pas
scngcr, uneasily.
"Vcry, n gale: and there's one coming
or I'm no sailor" replied the man; but if
any man can do it, it's himself: Only he
might boast once too often You know
Evening came, and the gale was becoming
what the sailors call ''prctty stiff" when tho
mate touched my arm, rouSing me from 1
pleasant rcvcric, in which smiling welcomes
home held prominent place.
I'VE are going i'll by the narrow channel
sir said he. "ant, with this wind increasing
we may be dashed to pieces on the sand
bank. 1t is foolhardiness, to say the least.
Cannot YOU passengers compel MIN to take
the safer course -
felt alarmed, and hastily communicated
with two or three gentlemen and proceed
ing together to the captain. we respectfully
urged our wishes, and promised to represent
any delay caused by the alteration Of his
course as Il condcsccnSion to our anxious ap-
prchcn>ion. But, as | anticipated, he was
immOvcablc.
I'VE shall be in dock Tomorrow morning.
gentlemen" said he. There is no danger.
whatever. Go to sleep. and Ill engage to
awaken YOU with land salute.
Then he laughed at our cowardicc. took
offence ut our presumption. and finally. >worc
that he would do as he chose that his lie
was as valuable ours. and he would rot be die
tatcd by a set Of cowarllv !an,lsmcn.
We retired. but not to rest : and in half
an hour the mate again approached. saving.
I'VE are in for it now and If the gale in
crraScs. We shall have work to do, that We
did not expect.
Night advanced, cold and chccrlcss. The
few who were apprchensivc of danger re-
manned on deck. holding ON by ropes to keep
ourselves from being washed ovcrboard.-
The captain came up equipped for night duty
and his hoarSc shout in the issue Of COM
mands was with difficulty heard in the wild
confusion of the elements; bu, he stood
calm and scli-po>>t>srd. sometimes snccrng
at our folly. and apparently enjoying himself
extremely. surrounded 10y tapping Sails
>tr;inny t!nbcr>, and the ccaSclc>s roar of
wind and waves. We wished We were able
to >vmpa,hizc i'll such amusement but we
Iva, !
cndcavorrd to take courage from his own
fearless d,mcanor. But presently there
arose a cry of "brcakcrs ahead - The cap
tain flew to the Wheel the sails were struck
but the Ni:1> lad the mastery low. md the
captain found will that could defy his OWN.
boats made ready was the next hurric,,
cry but Us too often occurs III The momrn,
of danger the ropes and chains were so cn-
tangled that some delay followed TIE attrnp;
to lower them, and in the mcan,me we were
hurrvny on to destruction. The passengers
from below came rushing on deck in terror
amidst crashing 'na>ts and cntanglcl rigging
and then came the thrilling shock. which
gave warning that We had touched the bank
and the next WAS the fatal plunge that struck
the forr,hip deep into the sand. and left us
to be shattered there at the wild waves
pleasure.
1t is needless to dwell upon the tcrrors Of
that fearful night. Wa, among the few VIII,
contri,cd to manage the only boat which
survived and scarcely had | land.d wit,
the morning light. surrounded by bodies of
the dead. and fragments of the wreck. born,
up by the rising tide, ere recognized tho
lifclc>s body Of our wltul sclfcunfdcnt cap
tain.
He was like one of those who. on tn,
voyage of life. refuse counsel and dc>pi>,
instruction who practically recognize II,
will bat their own who are wise in thril
own conccits. and satisfied with their owl
Judgement and trust III their own hearts
and if left to be filled with their own WAY,
: must make friyhtlul Shipwrcck Just when
they suppose themselves sure of port. And
as this man was accompanied into ctcrnit,
by those whose lives he had endangered and
destroyed, SO no man lives or dies unto him
self. but bears with him. when all scl:dc-
ccption ends. the aggravated guilt of others
ruin through the influence of his evil prcccpl
and cxample.-1i"d Nowtsine.
TIE SAvIoR's UsE.-Will YOU take my
masters house, on lease for all eternity, with
nothing to pay for it, nothing but the ground
rent of loving and serving Him forever Will
you take Jesus, and dwell in him Throughout,
eternity? or will You be content to be a house
less soul? Come inside, sir: sec. it is furn-
ishcd from top to bottom, with all You want
1t has cellars filled with gold, more than yo,
will spend as long as YOU live; it hatl, par
lor where you can entertain yourself with