The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-07-11
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Sabbath on Board the scytbia.

STEAMER SCYTHIA Friday. June % III
As we approach the coast of Ireland after very
prosperous voyage my mind is reVolving the events
of the passage, and my thoughts rest for moment
on the pleasant hours of last Sabbath. Perhaps it
may be interesting TO some of your readers to hear
about that Sabbath on board the Scythia, as the
thoughts and prayers of many Of them we're then
with their pastor, DR.. Hoge, who had hidden them
farewell only the week before. A Sabbath on board
ship is often one on which many distractions and
discomorts combine to disturb, and to Christian,
separated from the surroundings of home. and
Sabbath habits and work, there is little of holy
resting, and spending the tins in the public and
private exercises of Gods worship"
Since the establishment Of the Cunsrd line, the
rule has been that public worship should be main
tanned every Sunday at 10 A. NJ, when passengers
and crew are gathered by the sound of the bell,
the service of the Church of England is read by
the captain or some other officer hymns are sung,
and sometimes sermon is read or preached. On
this trip of the Scythia, there are great many
ministers on board Among them are some well
known Names such as those Of DIR. Phillips Brooks,
o u.
ton, of New York. Dr. Hoge of Richmond has
been already referred to- He was invited to preach
By an arrangement made by committee of two
gentlemen appointed by the captain. DR.. @. K.
Agnew an elder in DR.. Halls church and Mr.. A.
B. Belknap, one of DR.. Paxton church, composed
the committee.
>Tbc dsy vas Gae, sua tho sea sresoth. - The
I. 4 u 4.
capacity. Captain Hsines read the service with a
clear voice and pleasant manner. DIR. Brookes
pronounced the absolution. The first lesson was
Isa w. the second lesson Luke XIV. DR.. Hoge an
nounced The 10Th verse of that chapter his text
Verify say unto you there is Joy in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth." His first remark was
that there were only three times mentioned in the
Bible when angels rejoiced, at the creation of the
world, at the birth of Christ, and when sinner re-
pented but what angels rejoiced over, men regard.
and some men stigmatze, as something gnoble and
mean. He proceeded to show that the grace of re-
pentance is consistent with mans highest dignity
and nobility of character, because it indicates that
man perceves and bewais the fact that sin has
marred, and almost destroyed the image Of God in
man, and that sin is the ranseression Of and tramp
ling upon the law Of God, and that it involves man
in the basest ingrattude TO God in his character Of
father. These thoughts we're brought before the
mind of his audience with great power, and were
listened to with interest and attention. Some Of
the steerage passengers attempted oget into the
loon to attend the service, but were prevented by
the crowd At their request and with the captain S
permission, DR.. Hoge preached to them in the
afternoon from Luke xiv: 1922, showing that we
all need at some time or other friend, and that
Jesus was the friend above all others. There was
enjoyment in the services, and enjoyment in the
rapt attention Of the people as the words of gospel
truth were proclaimed, and the fragrance of these
services made the whole afternoon delight. We
are nearing the harbor of Queenstown, and l must
close in order to send it in the letter bag for the
White Star line. w. p. G.