Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-03-20
"PRALSE TIE L0RD. {"

/ F0HSG tUG ACnDs
The following interesting letter Is the
first installment Of series written by Rev.
George o. Bsrner, while at sea, as the
spirit moved him. IL was mailed al
Queenstown, England, March 30, and was
consequently IA days getting here, having
arrived on the 18th.
SIS. "PAvoNA;" AtsEA. Fen. 22l, 's2.
Dear Interior:
On the first day, OF the first month,
Of the seventh year Of our erdngei, I begin,
in the name of the LORD, the "Foreign
Correspondence" which will, hope, prove
as pleasant and profitable to all, as the
domestic" l will trust HIM for this.
While at sea will simply keep jour.
nal, "as best cam, which phrase includes
great deal just now, seeing the great
ocean hath a way Of upsetting the best
laid plans Of men and mice" This morn.
ing we are all not only "glsd we are alive"
but rejoice in the fact that we are two
square meals ahead Of the Atlantic, what
ever the subsequent record may be. Our
noble steamer is very steady and the sea is
smooth thus fsr-that is, smooth for her,
for every once in while she draws a long
breath, which reminds US steadily that we
are landmen and not sailors.
But will go back to yesterdays doings
and bring all up squarely. dropped
hasty note by the pilot of "Saudy Hook"
and the parting scenes deserve fuller no.
tice. 1t was an ovation our beloved friends
gave us, and such loving "sendo6 that
we can never forget it. Pier 40, North
River. lies good way of from the business
centre, but many business men, up to their
ears in work, tore themselves away for a
couple Of hours in the very busiest part Of
the day, to see us of. Thoughtful love
sent 100 selected Florida oranges to our
state-room; two loungiug chairs, with three
elegant lap rugs, for the deck; three lovely
knit, worsted shawls with hoods to match;
and "lsst, not least" two immense baskets
Of rarest flowers, costly, fragrant and
beautiful, one Of which will adorn the
end Of the table where we eat, and the
other a convenient stand between our
two state-rooms. When the steamers
hoarse whistle gave the signal "visitors
ashore" all ceremony and formality van.
ished by common consent in a moment and
every body kissed everybody. l generally
do not kiss men, and very few women-re-
serving such caressing in later years for the
not because do not enjoy kiss
ing as much now as ever, but that no oc
casion may be given to such as seek coca
sion" against the gospel Ipreash. But
yesterday the rule was relaxed or rather
swept away for the time -"Greet all the
brethren with a holy kiss" is the scripture
/ understood better yesterday than ever be-
fore. 1t seemed as natural then to embrace
those of my sex, as if had been born
German or Frenchman Then they crowd
ed the end Of the pier and we stood on the
stern Of the ship, until first faces vanished,
then forms aud then nothing but Auttering
white hsndkerchiets could be identified.
At last We turned to look around upon the
glorious beauty Of New York Harbor at its
best How good in the dear LORD to give
u such day 10 take such departure. 1t
was the closing day Of the sixth year of
work for HIM The next morning would
begin the Sabbatical year of service
hedrenliest Of the years thus spent; and il
was meet the closing day like LIES close,
should be without a cloud and full OF Joy
and peace. need not attempt a descrip-
lion of New York Bay. Those who have
seen it in favorable circumstances would
only exclsim, show tame the picture" and
hose who have not, would have such a
faint conception Of its loveliness that il
would almost be a caricature. But that
'ail over the ripping winter waters Of the
Bay Of New York, with stately steamer;
graceful sailing ships; ofiicious tugs; steam
ng and screaming around in search Of a
OBJ; ferry boats coming and going on North
md East Rivers; pilot schooners, with great
numbers on their white sails; the PEERLESS
East hiNer Suspension pIAuBo III tue JUS
.ance, with grAcefullest lines Of beauty; I
Governors Island with forts and residences
md parade grounds; the heights Of Staten
Island villa.crowned and golden with the (
citing sun; Coney Island and Manhattan
Beach, paradise Of sea bathers; the Mar
'ows and Fort lafayette, dread name to
many poor Confederate prisoner Sandy I
look and It's light houses; and then grand
at Of ell, the open Ocean, with crested
waves rolling easily and gracefully, with no
ign visible Of their awful power. just as :
he sun sci, the full moon arose, sight !
ever to be forgotten. II really seemed as
the good LORD were sending His chill !
rem OIL on their new mission laden with d
very thing Of beauty and grandeur In
ir, earth and sky that His LOVE and q
could furnish. l doubt wheih- =
! We shall ever behold lovelier combi- 1
alton Of glOries.