The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-12

seat He Knocked our worldly hopes
He refused to listen to our arguments
And with IL all he offered us no sure
salvation, but left us TO face eternal
condemnation should our election not
be made sure by divine grace I sun
pose that he taught us the sternest
dogma OF a stern sect But in those
shadowy, murky days the religion he
lived appealed to US. 1t was strong
on a stormy sea, with little real hope
or living to set foot on land, we faced
with eQuanimity the prospect that we
righteously wrathful Deity. We gained
(but transientlv. l fear) a glimpse OF
that enduring hardihood that smiles az
God even when He smites
i fear / weary you. So I pass on,
merely rebiH say saying that during those mis-
the Will OF two men, the immediately
dressed, steady-eyed captain, ALWAYS
gaunt. crooked handed missionary with
ms merry spirit and ceaseless impor-
tunlty to mend our wicked ways.
''On the I'd OF December, the Parthia
then riding out the end of a severe gale
at O'Clock in the afternoon. Captain
Myers stepped inside the saloon door
tie has answered our signals and will
tow Us into Puget sound On the 18th
warped into her berth in Seattle and
we went ashore.
But But I have sim something to tell.
Possibly II explains more than one
would think. At least 1 like TO suppose
that, at the very last. I caught a
ultimate base of authority which we
nave oeen discussing here while the en-
Slneers plug that boiler tube.
I'VE had entered the sound and two
large tugs made fast on either quarter
Of the Parthia. booted and water
PROCEED pilot lolled on the bridge. All
through the steamer we were packing
up our belongings, writing letters
chatting eXcitedly over the past AS
night fell ! walked out on the dripping
deck CfnFad a hn fcNw~
Washington, starred here and there
by glowing lights. In my tramping /
times, and my ear caught the sound
OF Jonas Hampstead's voice. When
had made the round of the deck and
passed again 1 saw through the partly
opened shutter the missionary and the
captain facing each other. 1 heard the
captain say, in a curiousIy modulated
voice. There was nothing else to do
II l did not kill the mutineers should
have failed in my duty. But I am a
my souls salvation
Blame me for listening If you will.
but this is what I overheard Hampstead
answer, IN harsh, untuneful voice:
My brother, we are both miserable sin
ners and unworthy OF any saving grace
there. opposite that partly opened Shut
ter ana looked in upon the Two old
men. Myers, his gray head Dared and
ed his scanned meager Visage to the IN
visible SKY and said in q firm voice
~ s CRU, we Two miserable sinners stand
peIore Thee tonight knowing that Thou
hast out of Thine own good pIeasura
CHOSEN some to everlasting life and
10y with Thee and others Thou hast in
my Just wrath elected to eternal de-
81 dSIlon I'M We are blood guilty, for the
burden Ehou hast. laid upos US has
gift of Thy saving grace. But we know
that Thou art sure foundation for our
and Thou hast Judged us unwortbv ~
salvation, we are content. But, o Ora
clous Lord, grant us strength TO save
when this extraordinary petition
had been offered there ensued a silence
1t was broken by Captain Myers. ne
right. must answer for my own acts
One must do ones duty without refer
all what do / matter-compared to a
shipload OF people? He opened the door
ana ana passed out with a brisk. assured,
after him saw the missionary raise an
agonized face and heard him mutter
ciaSping crooked hand in crooked hand,
Lord, Thy will be DONE not mine
You understand" said the Judge
that I'm not defending their theology
old men saved 800 lives by virtue OF
their belief and reliance in an impreg-
ma Die and answering authority. After
all, II we. are to do anything quite
worth while we have to believe In
wel?-possibly even in our own dam
deck we heard a woman's- rapid wall,
Captain, If anything should happen
remember I have my babyP'
The captain OF the Gae1ic's quiet
mind OF much responsibility. I shall
intrust the baby to you. I know you
in quarter of an hour" The woman
passed the open door with face alight,
calling TO a companion. Were ali
right The captain says we're going
10 start in quarter OF an hourP'
The judge nodded his head "Yeu
hear III The voice OF authorityF'