Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-31
gelisiuus department.
Conducted by REV. c. NJ. sourHeArE.
HOW 1T TURNED OUT.

will just mention one instance as
specimen of many; first observing that when
clear views of divine truth were first impart-
ed to me, often prayed that, whenever God
called me to embark in man-of-war THAT
dreadful abode for Christian, which l had
long inhabited), might even there find some
serious person to converse with, who, by
good advice aud Christian example, might
be the means Of keeping me from falling.
But this prayer had for some time neglect
ed to offer up, and indeed had entirely for
gotten; though God had not, as will BIO seen
in what l am going to relate. About forty
years ago, when | was an officer 10 tho
Royal Marines, two other officers aud my
self were ordered 10 embark, ole in each Of
the three guard-ships then stationed in the
river Midway. Two of them lay close to
the dockyard at Chatham, afording at all
times easy access TO the shore; but the 9TH
or, the Resolution, of seventy-fo guns, lay
halfway down the river toward Sheerness,
from whence 10 winter and bad weather it
was troublesome to land, and sometimes i'm.
possible. For this reason, II was natural for
each Of US 10 wish for one Of the Chatham
ships; and strong interest was uade by each
Of US with the commanding officer for this
purpose. But he, finding he must needs
disoblige one of the three, ordered US to at
tend parade next morning, and draw lots for
our ships. This Of course drove me 10 my
stronghold. If l ever prayed with fervenoy
in my life, il was now. / pleaded bard
with the Searcher Of hearts, that Ho knew
my chief motive for desiring one Of the
Chatham ships was that might constantly
attend the means Of grace and the ordinances
of His house; and felt confident that, if
really was child of God, He would grant
my request, since tho "lOt thus cast into
the lap" was wholly at his disposal. The
important morning came, aud l drew the
dreaded ship down the river! Had drawn
my death warrant hardly think it would
have affected me more.
My prayer was now, as | thought, reject.
ed aud the enemy Of souls taking the adj
vantage Of the troubled state Of my depraved
heart, easily made me conclude, either that
l was no Christian or that God paid no At
tention to those who proiessed to be such.
In this gloomy, responding state, like a
criminal going to the gallows, embarked
the same forenoon in his Majesty's ship Res
olution, lying in dreary part Of the Med
way, about two or three miles from Sheer
ness. had just time to be introduced to
the officers in the wardroom when dinner
came in. The third lieutenant, happening
to be the person whose duty it was to pre-
side that week, stood up at the head Of the
table aud asked blessing and in so serious
a manner as quite surprised mel for, while
knowing the customs Of the wardroom Of a
kings ship, had never heard anything Of
the kind so solemnly pronounced there be-
fore, and | resolved to mark every word
that came from his lips, in the hope Of hear
ing something that might enable me to make
out his character.
Nothing decisive occurred during dinner
but no sooner was the wine placed upon the
table than he was attacked by several OF
his messmates on his religion, and l soon
found that he bore the genuine marks of q
true Christian, by his judieiOus reproof, aud