Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-03-06
mIs cElLAnEo Us.
STORY OF A SAILORS PRAYER.

&ORTY years ego JGo Rutsdge sailed from
* BuflO rs first mate 1t Lake Erie vessel
engaged IA the Cau4da trade. The owners
were ambitious to ne fore most in enterprise
aud gains aud cleared tho vessel from port
before spring navigation was fairly open, or
at least before the AXE Was clear OF dangerous
ice Unprepared Tor any wlutry encounter.
aud expecting the wind to break aud scatter
the tluattuc fees, the captain steered west
ward, under orders to make the upper end OF
the lake a. soon as possible. More than two
thirds Of the voyage was accomplished. when,
to the astCnshmeBt aud dIsmny of all on
board. they found themselves running in 4
furrow of wafer between two immense masses
of ice, which were gradually closing together
t. crush them in Ou one side the ice field
was stationary, aud seemed to extend away to
tie GSnsds shore ou the other side the mass
Was moving slowly towards them before the
south west wind.
Their fears would soon be turned to GER
tainty. The ship would be locked in ice, and
though she might not be stove at once. her
captain and crew would be prisoners, with a
prospect Of starvation unless some new way
TO escape opened. John Rutedge, the mate,
volunteered to recounoitre on the ice, hoping
20 lind communication with the shore, but
after periIous expedition and search, he re-
turned only to report "open water" on tho
Canada side.
"Abaudou the ship and put out in tho
boats % said some; but it appeared certain
that the moving ice must close upon them be-
fore they could reach open water, and, in
small boats. the chances of destruction would
be immensely multiplied. n" way of deliv-
ersnce appeared Forward as far as the eye
could see, ran that ever narrowing channel,
their only way to safety; but the wind was
against them. aud sails would not serve to get
them through in time While officers, crew,
and passengers stood hopeless and helpless,
the Thought of God came to each heart. an
made men tremble who were not used TO fssr.
The captain. not himself religious man.
impressed by the fearful emergency of The
moment. called all into the cabin who were
not needed on deck. and told them plainly.
that if they would be saved they must ask
God to inierpoSe, for no. human effort could
avail then now.
After n moments silence John Rutledge
said softly, Let US pray and immediately
every one in the cabin kDelt down with him
With childlike words he told in the ears o
the Father on high the peril and distress
his ship, aud the fears and anguish of the
men at the thought of leaving their wives and
children forever, confessed his sins and the
ain. of all in tbs most humble msnnsr, and
tesriully besough, divine mercy aud deliver
nnce for the sske of Christ. the Redsemer.
They rome from their knees and went on deck
Judge oi their feelings when the man at the
wheel sang out 'All right, cap'n It's blow
ing no by nor'-esst now" While the Dsts
was at prayer in the cabin the wind had
changed. The ship vas moving forward.
and the same power thAt waiting them
thrnngh the channel nov pushed tie great
ice-fne hack 70 rhst it could not crush them.
"Shsll pu, on NOR. canvass. cartsip Z" said
John Rutledpe. "No" .rid the captain.
don't touch her. Some "ne else is
seing this ship" And, led by The uD.sen
Hand. the ship did reach the open water.
snd come to her port in safely The Cum
puniOn.