The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-03
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SEAMAN.
Rev. j. M. Hughes at the Olive Street
Presbyterian Church.


Presbyterian Church.
Rev. J. NJ. Hughes, pastor of the Olive street
Presbyterian church. preached yesterday morn
ing upon the theme of "The Christian and the
Seaman" taking for his text:
Psalm evil :23-24-"Theyt that 20 down to the
sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
these see the works of the Lord and His wondss
in the deep"
"The thoughtful seaman" said Mr. Hughes,
"realizss the vastness of the ocean by his voy-
ages over it; likewise also does the Christian
realize the extent Of Gods love towards sinners
by meditating upon its vast volume.
"Ihe Christian, like the seaman, follows the
sun What the sun il to the seaman Christ is to
the Christian. The sun. TO the seaman, is an in
failible guide. He looks for it and watches its
teachings and guidance daily. The Christian
also has guide. and his guide is a sun, and this
sun Is the sun OF righteousness. 1t is always
safe to follow and always visible. The seaman's
sun Is some times obscured by the mist and
hidden by the clouds, but the sun of righteous
ness cannot be hidden, although somewhat OBJ
scured at times by worldly cares and religious
indifference
'The Christian. like the seaman has his COM
pass and bis chart. His conscience is his COM
pass and his Bible il his chart. These twain are
his companions. He devotes q great deal of his
time to study them, snd to compare them
together and with the sun. How delightful it is
ocean, when the high waves and the turbulent
sss are tossing his vessel about In their study
be gains the assurance that the fair haven is
before him. The Christian also In devoted
student OF trinity OF subjects viz: Himself, his
Bible and his God-the compass, the chart and
the sun. How delightful il is to listen to the
Christian relating his experiences aud trials in
many storm on the sea of life, always looking
to Jesus The Christian also delights to hear
the chart explained, the gospel preached; Il
was glad when they said unto me let US 60 into
the house of the Lord
"The seaman's compass Is his guide. While at
the wheel or at the helm, in the darkness of the
night, he keeps his eye on his compass and
guides his vessel safely by following its direc-
tons. Likewise also we find the Christian,
sometimes In the darkest of despair, tossed by
the mysterious winds of Gods providence; tried
by the equinoctial gales of affection and sick
ness, yet.studying the chart and following the
guidance of the compass, and with Wesley pray
ing that beautiful hymn:
Jesus lover OF my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly.
"The Christians compass, like that Of the sea-
man, needs diligent care or it may be deranged.
The seaman tests his compass daily by the sun
to watch against any possible arrangement. I
read once of a captains little boy, playing with
his fathers penknife on the pilot house of his
fathers vessel on the high seas. The penknife
was lost, and q diligent search failed to dis
cover il. number OF dark days followed, the
sun could not be seen and the compass could
not be tested. But when the sun became visi-
BILE, and the usual test was made, it was dis
covered that the compass was incorrect, and
that the vessel had been carried further from in
stead Of nearer to its destination. The Christian
sometimes tribes with temptation and as q re-
suit his conscience becomes deranged, and he
loses his most faithful guide.
"a ships cargo sometimes affects the compass,
and draws the needle from its pole Christian
friend. you and may take a dangerous cargo
aboard OF worldly cares, questionable pleasures,
doubtful resorts and recreationA What are
they? They are dangerous cargoes. They will
draw your affections from the sun of righteous
ness They will draw your mind from the chart
They will derange your compass by following
them. Watch and pray"