The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-11-26

pity Statistics show US how small are his
chances of becoming member OF any church.
In every community it is the better classes
that are closely allied with church activity.
This condition has caused much OF the persecu-
ton of the church through the mistaken idea
that only the well clothed md cultured are
welcome. This is not SO. The reason fer
their majority is that the best products OF cur
civilization have for generations been first
trained in the home to seek Gcd. Ihey go
naturally. to His House. Their natures re-
ouire worship as their bodies require proper
food and clothes. The habit of unity is also
vital matter in the home religion. Church re-
lationship should be discussed and agreed upon
before marriage The establishment OF a
for the most serious thought. Where 1t is
undertaken lightly there is seldom happiness
that endures Such homes are mere dwellings
and marriages without religion are mere civil
contracts Except the Lord build the house,
they labor in vain that build it." Those who
have been drawn together by affection will be
kept together by companionship in religious
thought Differences in temperament and edu-
cation can be overcome by patience and love;
but religious differences are the cause OF much
bitterness unless there is concession. Every
man may be king in his own little family
circle; let him also be priest. Make the
family Thanksgiving more than social feast.
Garry into it the family religion. "God of our
fathers, living still" help US to live in their
faith.
CAPTURE OF THE SEARSPoRT BARK ALENA.
The following clipping from the Boston Daily
Globe of the "War Day by Day Fifty Years
Ago" is very inte resting reading at the pres
ent time as the bark Alena was built in the
John Carver shipyard by the late Master Geo.
A. Carver for William McGilvery and was
commanded by Capt. Everett Staples of Sears
port. Capt j. F. Peterson of Searsport was
her first officer, and this was her first voyage.
The owners of the Alena were fully reim-
bursed under the award of the Geneva tribu-
nal which settled the Alabama claims.S
Fifty wears ago today the Confederate COM
merce DESTROYER Shenandoah, successor of the
Alabama, was on voyage from England to
the Pacific for the purpose OF destroying the
New England whaling fleet In that ocean.
Since leaving Madeira, where she had gone
into commission on Oct 18th, the Shenandoah
had taken seven prizes. OF these three had
been scuttled, two burned, and two ransomed
on bond. PAYABLE when the Confederate States
should secure their independence.
The Shenandoah was the last of the Confed-
crate cruisers. In damage to United Stftes
shipping and in its picturesque character her
career was second only to that of the Alaba-
ma. =,
Unlike the Alabama, the Shenandoah had
not been built as war vessel. She was
merchant ship, the Sea King, when purchased
by Capt James D. Bulioch, Naval agent OF the
Confederacy in England. She was HOO tons
register, had a large rig, and was equipped
with auxiliary steam power.
Having taken on board her armament and
war stores from a steamer that met her at the
Madeiras the Sea King went into commission
as the Shenandoah on Oct. 18th and laid her
course southwark
Seamen had been brought out from England
to form her crew, but a majority refused to
remain on learning the ships character. and
the Shenandoah began her voyaging with but
% men before the mast, three less than the
total of her officers.
The ship was also short of many needed sup
plies Her commander. Lieut.. j. l. Waddell,
blamed to secure both men and supplies from
his prizes
AS the vessel proceeded southwark under
sail, her crew labored day and night clearing
away a congestion of coal, ammunition and
stores that had choked her decks, and mounting
her guns. She had but one carpenter, and a
great deal of work was necessary to strengthen
her decks sufficiently to sustain the guns
Many needed fittings were lacking. while
her cabins were almost destitute of furniture.
Her commander noted in his journal that his
cabin contained zone broken plush-velvet bot
toned arm chair, no berth, no bureau, no lock-
ers for slowing my clothing in, no washstand,
pitcher or basin. The deck was covered with a
half worn carpet, which smelt of dogs or some
thing worse. 1t was the most cherries and
offensive spot that ever occupied"
In spite of these conditions on board the
officers of the Shenandoah began their cruising
in high spirits prompted by their love of adj
venture. Although they knew the cause OF
the Confederacy to be decaying, they hoped to
strike heavy blow to American shipping be.
fore the war ended. Unfortunately their zeal
was to carry them so far into the Pacific that
their operations were to be continued, to the
great loss of the American merchant marine,
for more than three months after the wal
came to a close.
Sailing steadily southwark the Shenandoah
took her first prize on Oct 30th, the bark
Alena, Capt Staples of Searsport, Me-. bound
from Newport, Wales, for Buenos Aires. with
iiroad iron.