Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-07

THE YOUNG SEA-CApTAIN.-During pas
sage from this country to the Old World, a few
wears ago, became deeply interested in a
young man whom many missionaries will :
member, if this article meets their eye, as Cap
tain Z. F. of B. He was one of ma
ture's noblemcn, tall, erect, of fine proportions,
pleasing countenance, and manly bearing; and
withal gentleman in his manners.
We had scarcely been with him day, before
it became painfully apparent that he had no
sympathy with our religious principles, or our
| errand as missionaries of Christ. Generally
| even cautious allusion to our Christian faith
evidently excited him, and in some instances
| led him to avOw his belief in Universalism with
| a degree of bitterness which he stroye in VAIN
| to conceal. Nothing, he declared, could ever
| shake his own faith, or induce him to embrace
ours. He was already at peace, he said, and
| had no need of anything more than he possess
ed. The missionaries rarely replied to such
| remarks, and when they did, they did it in the
| gontlest and kindest manner. AS week after
| week passed away, our interest in him con-
| stantly increased, till it ripened into a warm
| affection, which, we could easily see, was re-
| ciprocated. And it gladdened us to feel, that
| il we had not gained him over to our princi-
| Piles, we had at least won his heart and his con-
| iidence.
On reaching the port to which the vessel
was destined, our little company put into the
| captains hands, as a small memento of our uni
| ted interest in him, Bible while the writer
Of this, on behalf of the missionaries, address
ed to him parting letter, thanking him for his
attentions, and expressing in atfectionate, yei
| earnest terms, our solicitude for his eternal
welfare. As he came on board the steamer in
| which we had taken passage for distant port
and bade us farewell, il was manifest that {
tender spot in his heart had been reached.
can never forget the thrill of joy that blended
with my anxiety, when, as | lay sick in my
berth, / felt the warm and strong pressure o.
his hand, and saw the starting tear and culver
ing lip as he attempted to speak of the ietel
he had received, and to ute: his parting words
If that band of missionaries ever prayed, they
prayed then for that noble young man.
Nor did they pray in vain. But few month";
elapsed before our hearts were gladdened By
the intelligence that Capt F. had become
| decided Christian, bold and tirm in his adyo
cacy of evangelical doctrines, and consisten
and lovely in his spirit and character,
Several years after this change, Capt. F.
being again in that foreign port, heard that tn
writer was in the LaZaretto three miles distant
| He had not met with one of our little ban
since he parted with us there. And the onl
/ one he was destined ever to see on earth, h
lost no time though at much inconvenience, !
, visiting. 1t was meeting to be remembered
I With heart overhowing, he recounted tn
/ scenes OF thatmemorable passage, the struggle
' of his mind as his convictions of the truth graC
/ ually gained strength, and the great change
/ his views by which his struggles had at lengt
V been happily succeeded adding with gre
: emotion, 81 bless God that ever became a
n duainted with those missionaries.
:, Rarely has a master of vessel possessC
equal qualifications for usefulness rarely h
one been better fitted for a sudden summons
: u better world. never think of him exec
with mingled joy and sorrow, as my tancYaAi
= lures that fearful storm in which without
y moments warning, though not without preT
Z. ration, he was swept overheard, and ushurt
:, - INTO the presence of tho Judge.
!" The case of Capt. r illustrates imp
u tant lessons which Christians should bear
inind.-y4m. Mess.