Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-06-22
Reli9ions department.
AN INCIDENT OF A TRIP BY
SEA

AN INCIDENT OF A TRIP BY
We were off Cape Hatteras. The
night was dark and stormy. But the
sea was not high, and cheerful
group was gathered in the saloon
about the piano. 1t was Sunday,
and as we sang the familiar hymns
of our faith, our thoughts were with
the loved ones we had left behind.
AS our service of song drew to a
close, | noticed pale-faced man sit
ting near the door. He was evident
lv much moved. Was it the hallowed
words, the familiar music, or the as
sociations they both called up, which
so stirred the fountains of feeling !!
In moment he had disappeared.
Time passed. We were nearing AS
pinwall. | was seated on the upper
deck. 1t was clear, starry night.
We were again singing the old hymns
when lady approached me, inquired
my name, and said there was a man
diving in the main saloon. Fastening
below / sought the sick stranger.
Nearly all the sofas were occupied by
bright, cheerful parties, engaged in
various light occupations. On CEN
tire sofa, his attendant beside him,
sat the man | had noticed off the
Cape. He was evidently in the last
stages of consumption. introduced
myself, and found he was from Cana
ola, on his way to California, seeking
health. But his enemy had found
him. The end was near. Gently
but honestly talked with him of it's
approach-then asked him regarding
his plans for that life, alone absolute
and real. He had none. This life
had occupied his whole field of Wis
ION. l unfolded Gods plan of re-
demption spoke of his love; of
grace to the uttermOst; babe him
look and live. He said in feeble
whispers, 81 have been a moral man,
[ have been honest, | have never
been guilty of gross sim" "But my
4
you? Dare you plead that before an
infinitely holy and just God?' ''No |
do not feel it is enough" "Then now
believe, lift your heart in prayer to
your Father, God Cry, Lord save
me If you cannot speak, in thought
look up to Gods all-sufficient and
present Savior" Never will / for
get his answer. Precipitation stood
on his forehead and his breath came
in quick gasps. Lifting his hand to
his head he said; "You must ledUe
me! / can't thinks! I can't think
Come to me in the morning."
In the morning the sun shone
brightly. The ship rolled along.
There was no sign of crisis come
to a soul; of spiritual tragedy; Of
the victory of death. But before l
was out of my berth l heard the
sailors saying, "We bury that man
at ten o'clock" AT the hour named,
his body, sewed in canvas, a cannon
ball at the feet, was placed on a
board covered with the national flag
and the words of prayer uttered, was
slid off and sank from our sight.
The saddest funeral but one / ever
attended! Did he "think" in that
awful night? Did he lift his dying
eyes and live? Or is he thinking,
thinking now past the pale of mercy ?
We hope! And the dying thief re-
deemed bids us ever hope. But we
do not know. nor shall we until the
sea gives up its dead. Alas that
some shall awake to "shame and
everlasting contempt" Reader have
you ever thought-thought of this
problem of destiny; of human guilt
and heIplessness of Gods love and
grace? These things demand your
best thought. God invites you to
careful thought. "Come now and
let us reason together, saith the
Lord though your sins be as scarlet.
they shall be as snow; though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool"
And this fact stands firm, the cen.
tire fact of history and of human eX.
perience "God so loved the worlC
that he gave his only begotten Son
that whatsoever believeth in Hin
should not perish. but have cverlast
ing life. Fol God sent not his sol
into the world to condemn the world
but that the world through Hin
might he saved. "-ChriStidn O.
Work.