St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-10
ON the Wrong Side of the star.

!
raw Irish sailor, who was called to the
ships wheel one night to steer the YES
sci.
The captain was intending to take :
little rest. As the green sailor nigh
not be able to understand steering by tn,
compass, he pointed out to him the nortl
star, and told him to steer toward that
not to take his eye from it and to keer
the ship headed toward it all the time.
''Never you fear," said the confident
sailor, ''fll keep one eye on the little
darling, and steer right into her
With some anxiety the captain left
his man, with his eye fastened upon the
star, as if he never meant to look upon
anything else. and went down to hi.
BERTH
80 ye purity little thing, you needn't
keep winklng out of your bright eye to
me, for shan't let We out of my sight
for a mint" said our proud Irishman,
as he grasped the wheel and turned the
ship until it lay exactly under the ray of
the star.
All went on well for some time, Pat
rick talking to his ''littlc hearty" as he
atfectionately called the star, and keping
his eye steadily upon this beautiful light
house in the sky.
But, by and by, Patrick grew weary
at his post livery now and then he
nodded over the wheel, and when he re-
covered he would find his star at consd-
cradle distance either to his right or left
Finally he entirely lost himself i'll sleep,
and had quite nap before he awaken
ed. In the meantime, the wind had
changed and freshened, and the ship.
having no hindrance from the rudder, had
fairly swung around and was flying away
toward the Southern Cross instead of the
North star.
At length our Irish friend is reused by
the Tapping of the sails Rubbing his
eyes, he peers into the heavens for his
''bri hit, particular star. OF course, it
was nowhere TO be seen in the direction
they were then sailing.
Turning round, in his confusion. and
looking behind him, sure enough, there
it was, blazing away as brightly as ever:
Down into the cabin he hurried
Captain, captain ~ he shouted, at the
top of his voice, Come right up here,
this present mint
whats the matter now ~ said the
captain, leaping from his berth
''Why, yejest see said Patrick, ''that
I've sailed intirely by my star, and We
will have 10 pick me out another"
The star was all right, but the poor
sailor was turned around himself, and
moving in the wrong direction.
l am acquainted with many young
people who have sailed bevond their star.
| know Il Young man with religious par
ents, who has himself united with the
church, and had been aided by his friends
to secure good education. He entered
college. Here he fell into bad company:
and in thoughtless hours he took his eve
off from the star of Bethlehem toward
which he had been sailing. He does not
seem to he aware of it himself he is GER
!alnlv asleep as to eternal things, but he
has turned quite around in his course. and
II llN tllolI- llhS illc WlIlu III Tie Op-
posite direction. The star is still slim
ing, but it is behind him. | wonder if
he ever turns around to look upon it
There 60 company of lads into bill
lard saloon, laughing AS they 90. They
are members of Sabbath school, and on
Sunday. the star that hung over the place
where Jesus was, sheds its light upon
them. But | am sure they leave it be-
hind them as they close the door of that
saloon npon themselves. God have mer-
cy upon them and grant that they may
find its hallowed light again before the
night of death settles down upon them
When | see young people sailing or
walking for pleasure on the Sabbath,
while others are gathering in the house
of God, cannot help feeling and saying
to myself, ''those mistaken young people
have certainly sailed beyond their star ;
and a fearful voyage must be before them
without one cheering ray of light"
ZiOn'S Herald