The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-31
Letter From Rev. A. N. KeigwIn.


Letter From Rev. A. N. Keigwin.
The following letter from Rev. A. N.
Keigwin was read by Charles Baird,
Esq, at meeting of the members in
West Presbyterian Church, on We'd
nesday evening.
FRIEsLAND, MID OCEAN, July6th, 81.
My DEAR FRIENDs;--We are to-day
Just half way across the broad Allan
tic. In using that term am reminded
that never before have / used 1t intelli-
gently. For five days, 100 hours, the
great screw has been revolving rapidly
and constantly, reminding me of the
Ipulsations OF the human heart, and yet
we are only half way across this vast
desert of waters. have great many
Thoughts that are unspoken, but i will
lgive you fresh one. This morning
when came on deck, the sun shining
brightly, the thought came to me how
absolutely lost one would DO to be
alone out here, however strong the
craft he might be In. And / thought
that 80 is one in human life without
the presence OF God and the compan-
lionship OF good people. Night before
last our captain was on the bridge all
night because ii had turned quite cold
and he was afraid that we might DO in
the neighborhood OF icebergs. 1t
makes one feel comfortable when he
goes down to his state-room at night
to see the watch" out Oh the PROV OF
the ship and look up on the bridge and
See the captain, or first officer, looking
all around to see that everything is
safe. One can 20 to sleep feeling that
SO far as human skill and care can
make 1t, all is safe. And yet that is
the case with Gods children at all
times. God is watching. He never
lslumbers or sleeps, his mighty hand
supports us and He guides us with
His eye. So that although we are all
travellers, sailing over the vast ocean of
life, we can lay us down in peace aud
sleep, because we known His hand
leads US and His right hand upholds
luS.
We are greatly favored In our jorr-
lney; so far the sea has been quiet and
the winds at rest. No tempest has
dashed the waters into fury, and
when sit on deck to-day there
lis as little motion OF the ship as
there is In an exclusion to Cape May
on the steamer Republic. Beside me
on tho left is Rev. Mr.. Thompson and
his dear wife, and on the right another
of our Wilmington party / hear Mr..
l3rady's voice behind me, for We sit in
three ranks. Mrs. Keigwin Is writing
in the ladies' parlor, where some young
people are playing on fine Steinway
lpiano, and other familiar faces pass
land repuss, as they are getting up an
appetite for noon lunch by pedestrian
exercise. Little children play about
the deck OF the steamer with as much
Trn ag IN -
Humphrey is sitting near reading, and
every one seems well and happy.
Our ships company is delightful
|Ont of one hundred and sixty | have
made the acquaintance of about
ninety.
IA itc are seventeen ministers aboard,
and not q Jonah among them, there
ore the whales and sharks keen at a
respectful distance. Five miles away
we have seen several spouts which We
suppose to be whales, but I will tell
you no fish stories, / have seen a num-
GER OF those pink little fish sailers, the
|nautalus. with canvas spread. riding
the waves, We see a great dead of sea
weed, but how little variety of scenery,
So fur we have caught sight of but
few ships, and all are far away. But toI
return to our companions du voyage.
Ministers are plenty, but they are not
all OF the Lords people. A noble
/ Christian elder, from my old
friend Hollitields Church, in Newark,
y, j., with his family, wife. son and
are charming people. Al
mem Der of Mr.. Brownson's church inl
Detroit, with his two daughters, and
fullya hundred people more that wear
tine badge of our dear Lord, are with
us. One Is always at home among
good Christian people. We have many
going over Tor the first time, like our
selves, and there are loyety people,
who go every year. A jUVial, round
face gentleman from Brooklyn, and
his wife, have been married seven
years, and have gone abroad eYeryI
year since their marriage. One GENTLE
man, retired from business. tells mel
this is The 4ftll time lie has crossed thei
Atlantic. There ure few romances de-
Nelbned as yet, but others are in n |
hopeful state. The ocean voyage not
only produces sea sickness, but veryI
heHrt sickness. just us II
went to my statG-room last night, hHv.
ing been driven from the deck
by the stewards gathering up the
chairs in preparation for Swabing thel
deck, passed bevy OF girls with al
party OF young collegians, who we're
too deeply engrossed in each others
to take the hint sol broadly
given. In d day or two the bevy OIL
young ladies will no doubt be broken
up, and u collegiGu and Young ladvI
will be seen sitting side by side, as far
away as possible from the dear girls I
they, a few days before, were insepaI 4
able from, and with whom they walk \
ed with arms entwlned. ! saynothingI
Of other arms taking the place OF the
irst. But SO II goes. Necelebrated
the fourth IN magnificent style. A .
program OF music and speeellPs In the /
morning. Judge Arnold, OF one of the /,
Philadelphia courts. made the first nd. /,
dress. Judge of one of the courts,
IN Newark, N, j., presided. young
from Boston made another
address, and Captain Randall, one OIL
The most genial OF gentlemen, as well
rs competent captains. made neatly
woideu speech, and added to his other
aufels, that OF an orator.
SABBATH was a delightful day in |,
avery sense. The weather WAS charm.
Ing. Cold enough to make all who
nave no love for church seek the dir,
where religious services
we're held, and quiet, enough not to pro.
luce the dreaded maldemere which isl
llways worse in the cabin than on
leck. DR.. Wright, OF Germantown,
thoughtful sermon on Heb.
HI. Faith. Showing how unreal
he things OF sense and how real the
hings OF faith. In the afternoon we
lad an hour of song on deck. 1t was !
rood to be there. Our steamer, though
lot one of the greyhounds OF the sea, !
8, believe, the steadiest vessel afloat. ,
/ was built with powerful machinery
Intended for fast sailing. But it was
llso built with large carrying capac-
ty and SO the lines were NOT made q