Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-08-06


ing. The clouds shut out the hot rays
of the sun and the men can loll about
deck with much comfort and ease. We
shall have but little military service
to-day, only such as is absolutely re-
quired by the exigencies of the service.
We have passed the regions of trade
winds and are now sailing in smooth,
| pleasant waters.
At 1890 to-day we had public service
in the dining saloon OF the steamer. 1t
was crowded to the stairways. The
service was very impressive. IL was
opened with the song: Nearer My
God to Thee" the other songs were:
Rock OF Ages Cleft for me-" and
Jesus, Lover of My Soul" The chap
lain delivered brief but forceful dis
course. Tonight we will have a re-
ligious concert on deck, at which the
band will play and the mandolin and
guitar clubs will sing. Our space will
not accommodate those who desire to
attend the meetings. The chaplain
gave away to-day 100 testaments, the
gift of Red Cross ladies in San Fran
cisco. The men sought them eagerly.
To-day at noon, the atmosphere seems
close and sultry. 1t is growing very
hot. but l mention the fact not in
complaining way, but as fact to be re-
ported. You know, hot weather suits
me best. Marvin Gallagher is much
improved to-day and is out OF the hos
pital and on deck. We have but very
few who are sick, number complain
and crave little nick-nacks to eat, but
really only one case of serious sickness
and that one reports himself very much
better to-day. No boat has approached
in sight to-day. We still have the sea
to ourselves and the right of way over
the trackless course to the islands.
The "blue" OF the sea is beautiful and
there are only enough little white crests
to break. monotony of the one color.
The Sabbath reflections OF day of
rest at sea should be comforting to all
who believe in the love and mercy of
a kind and loving Saviour The way to
heaven is as smooth and short by sea
as by land. A grave at sea covers the
dead as effectually from sight as a
mound OF mother earth. In the one
case you can always locate the resting
place OF the dead; but in the other you
can never do so. To those Who have
faith In the resurrection and who be-
lieved in the immortality of the soul
there need be no special choice in our
burial place. Either place will be a
gateway through which all must 90 to
enter the Rest prepared for the finally
faithful. We are as near heaven at sea
as on the land. At noon to-day, Tues
day, the captains report shows: Lati-
tude, p degrees, 81 minutes N: longi-
tude, 146 degrees, AZ minutes w:
course, s. CT W.; distance, $50 miles,:
total distance out from San Francisco.
1861 miles.
We made gain of four miles to-day
over yesterday. The steamer seems to
De running at its best speed, almost ten
miles and fraction over is abou. all
it can run in given hour. The skv at
this hour is q beautiful blue, the sea
below is equally as lovely in its ''blue-
ness" and yet there are men aboard
ship who are blue but not in harmony
with the sky or water. There Ia very
little OF beauty, cheerfulness, or of
gopd company In "blue" man.
All the day the clouds have hung
low over our masthead, but there has
been no rainfall since early morning.
To be cut off from all communication
with the outside world. TO see nobody
and nothing, to hear no news is trying
to Americans who are accustomed IN
the freedom Of the range and to receive
The news OF events within a few min
utes after they happen. We know
nothing new and have heard nothing
since we left San Francisco.
! have much time during my sea life
To think OF you all at home. trust
everything is moving on nicely with
yop. shall believe it to be working
That way: When we return land | trust
1t VIII be sooner than is generally ex-
pected) | viii have much to tell Won
that Will interest you. My two months
experience have been a strange one to
me IN many respects. My life at San
Francisco, and my life on the boat have
had many new phases which | never
dreamed OF when enjoying life quietly
at bone. But | would not have nissed
them; | am glad came.
MONDAY, July day broke cloudy,
as other days since leaving San Fran.