The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1905-07-29
W. F. ROBERTS IN LONDON.
Writes The Sentinel Interestingly OF his
Trip Across the Pond.

London, England, July Il, 1908.
Editor Sentinel
: According to promise made you be
) fore leaving Grenada, / will give yol
something of our experience in cross
ing the great ocean, and OF what
have seen since touching land this side
of the seas.
!, | came over from New York on the
steam ship Celtic. She is an immense
vessel, seven hundred feet long, with
accommodations for 2444 passengers
She has her own electric light plant
her own system of water works anG
sewerage, her own ice plant and
Everything for complete city life on
high Seas. She is twin screw. OF
course, and a remarkably steady ves-
sci; so we had firm foundation on
the rolling biilowS.
When we were starting out the sail
ors said we were to have rough voy-
age, because there were SO many
preachers on board, but when we were
across we were told that it was the
finest voyage i'm the history of the
Ship-no one was sick at all. We had
the sea just little choppy part of the
time, and aeoluS, the spOrtive god of
the winds, sent us winds brisk enough
to make flags and streamers of all the
ribbons and loose ends of wells that the
ladies wore on deck, but no storm
came. The sunsets at sea were some-
times what the poets tell about, but
never can tell. The moon also took
on a new beauty, not seen on land.
sat on deck one evening to see her
go down. AS she neared the horizon
she spread herself out into an immense
crescent of glowing gold and slowly
descended to careSs the trembling
waves; and suddenly the enraptured
pillows flung liquid arms about her
radiant form and hurried away to
rock her TO sleep in the bosom Of the
quiet deep.
We had lots of fun on board. Our
party of congress delegates numbered
about two hundred, and gave tone and
bent to the cabin. All were happy
and free. and all were pleasant and
kind. We got acquainted readily,
played games and told each other Of
our respective countries or states. We
had concert each night and religious
services each day. The first Sunday
out. we held several services. AS the
pastors prayed Gods blessing upon the
loved ones at home aud upon the
churches whose love and kindness
made it possible for us TO come. felt
a soft spot in my heart oyerfowng
My dear little girlie'S little hand seem
ed to be waving her little good byeS
again to papa, and my good people at
Grenada seemed again to be greeting
me with loving words of well-wiShing |
and prayers for my safety and profit |
in things spiritual. [ prayed for them.
July 4th found US on mid-ocean |
aboard an English vessel. We had an |
Independence Day program. 1t re-
suited in a little friction with the
English officers and sailors, but moth
ing serious. ! heard men wishing the |
might reach the Ameri-
can Congress and result in the removal
of tariffs and subsidies which prevent |
money from building ships |
for American travel.
After a little more than week of
delightful associations and inspiring
seven OF US left the ship,
Celtic, at Queenstown, Ireland, and
went for a tour across Ireland and
Wales, to London. While our party
made its way around to Liverpool. we
we're rejoicing in the beauties Of the
green Island Empire. We went to
Cork. thence to the famous Blarney
Castle, where we kissed the Barney
stone and proceeded across the Island.
1t is surprisingly pretty-lO0kS like
happy combination Of truck-farming
md landscape gardening. At Water
'ord we reluctantly quilted this fairy
and and took a steamer across st.
Georges Channel, and next morning
'ound us in South Wales. We went
10 to Cardiff, town Of a hundred and
eighty thousand, in the center of the
,reat Welch revival We attended
services both morning and night, and
1t the latter service we were taken on
o the platform, all seven of us. and
,hree of the number, Bruner, OF Wash
ngton City; Owen, of Baltimore, and
myself spoke in the meeting. The
Welch brethren treated US royalty.
Now / am in London at the Bap
list World Congress. Americans are
20 numerous and so prominent in the
that / feel more at home
han abroad in the meeting.
shall not now say anything more
lbout the Congress, for this is the first
time | was ever a Congressman, and |
am very busy representing my constit-
lency, the members of the Southern
Baptist Convention.
Wishing The Sentinel and its read
ers quiet, good rest while | am so
good as to remain abroad, / am,
Yours most truly,
VIM. f. ROBERTS.