Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-04
The Storm-A PRAYER.

ride some, till you are tired, for we intetl 10
take a long journey, and by the time wtget
to the end OF it, riding in stages, omni4ses
and railroad cars on land, and travelin in
ship and steamboat by water. you viii be
Wiling TO rest for a while | am sure
| was very glad indeed, and for weeks
thought of nothing so much as the longkdes
| hoped to take, and often wondered if Ire
ally would get tired, as she thought. Tne
day We we're to start seemed a long time iom-
ine, but it did come at last, and to my Ireat
delight, we al went down to the what Tor
landing,) for We lived on the shore off the
deep blue sea, and were soon on board the
steamer which was to take Us from our lIme.
| thought The steamboat with its great W leels
and tail chimneys, the grandcst thing HAD
ever seen, but was not SO much pleasedKith
the dingy old ship which soon AFTERWARDS
carried us far out to sea, where we couls see
nothing all around US, but the deep, lark
waters and the clear blue sky.
That same vessel was our home for many
days, and would have been our grave, had
not our heavenly Father watched over us,
and kept US from harm. Several times the
sun seemed to rise out of the ocean and put
itself out by dipping again into its waters
but at length a change came, dark clouds .
covered Its face, the wind blew loud and
SLlIlI, anu lit dllol pIcpdIcO LOT u StOFu.-
Soon it ragged in fury, the thunder >roared,
lightnings flashed, the waves. dashed bigh.
and the ship reared and plunged like a bird
upon the wing. 1t seemed as though nothing
could keep US from sudden death, and when
the captain said, | can do nothing more, we
are lost there was a gloom and terror on
many a face, and anguish in many q heat
Earnest prayers went up to Heaven and SOL
ernn VOWS were then made by those who
were not ready for death, tina. if He who
holds the waters in the hollow of His hands,
would save them, they would serve Him all
their days. Several families were on board,
and as one mother with serious face and tear.
fui eyes vent to her children and told them
that the captain had given up the ship, and
thought it might go dow at any moment, a
little daughter looked up and cheerfully said,
" we'll mother, trust in God She did not
seem at all afraid, and the mothers heart
was cheered by being thus pointed to Him on
whom she had long leaned for comfort, help
and peace, and she felt that she could gladly
trust Him with herself and all she held dear
in life and in death. which seemed so near
But it came not. God saw that tossing ship,
He heard the prayers there uttered, and babe
the storm cease and the waves beAsti.pS all
again was calm, and we were saved
Perhaps you would ask, What OF the
promises made to the all seeing God who
wrote them in His book Were they full
filled? In not a single case some of those
who made them, are still living in sin, 9TH
ers have gone Town to the grave without
making Jesus their friend while still others,
since moved by the Holy Spirit, have rensem-
bered their broken vows, wept over them.
and their other sins, and found peace and
pardon through a Saviour's blood.
And here let me warn every one who may
read this, against putting off the great work
Of life, which is seeking a new heart and SO
getting ready for heaven, until the hoar OF
sickness or of danger. Let death come in
whatever form it may, you will have enough
to do without preparing then to meet it
: We were kept in safety through that fear
ful night, though our ship soon after tough
: its last battle with the wind and waves, ant
many other vessels were in that very storm
dashed to pieces. Again the sun Locke,
down in grandeur upon our lovely way, whel
, suddenly a speck appeared on the blue wa
; tiers in the distance, nearer and nearer it came
I, and at length all could see that it was a piec
! of ship, and upon it were living men. The
: were soon on board of our vessel, and yo
: can't think how happy they were to feel them
: selves safe again. One little boy was anon
. them, and as a lady asked HIM, did yo
J pray when you were on the wreck? He r.
! Llied, mo ma'am, l thought about it, bi
; the water was so deep, l couldn't pray Il
u supposed it would not be prayer unless b
:, was On his knees, and as he could not kne
81 down because there was so much waite
0 thought he could not pray. You have bet
: better taught than that poor boy you kno
'e that while you ought to kneel down and pr'
every day of your life, yet you can pray eve
listens to every thought of your heart Il
L if you really wish Him to bless you and NAL
;" you his own, you can ask Him often and c
erywhere, and He will hear.
" knew a little girl once who felt that
was wrong to go to bed at night withol