Evening star., 1915-02-15
DR.. VAN SCHA|CK TELLS
Of NORTH SEA PER|LS
Describes, in Letter Read to Congre-
cation Here, How Travellers Pre-
pare for Dangerous Trip.

The thrills incident to the crossing
Of the North Sta during the presen'
hostilities are brought home In let
ter recently received here from Rev Dr
John Van Schaick, jr., and read yester-
day before his congregation, IN Inc
Church of Our Father. Universailst
18th and L streets northwest, teiilne
how passengers prepare themselves Tor
that perilous journey.
Dr. Van Schaick some weeks ago
rendered his resignation from his pas
torate to go abroad and participate IN
relief work in Belgium At the sohcl-
tation of the governing body OF MS
church he was persuaded to change
his request to one for leave of absence
merely
During his a absence. brother ministers
are occupying his pulpit. Rev wafer
S Cnord having preached yesteruas
The letter was written on the s'ean
ship Nieuw Amsterdam. eight Gays % oue
from New York, with postscript from
Dover. England. and is dated January
"a. 1t is. in part. as follows;
Trip Across Atlantic.
After four days OF fog the sun
shines again. The hoarse whistle is
still, the slippery decks are dry the
people are out. and never did one LOOK
on a January sea IN the north Atiantic
more peaceful and beautiful. Eight
DAYS have passed, and we are nearins
the SciIIy Islands. Tomorrow come the
channel and the English warshlps- one
Door fellow is sure to go ashore|a
German reservist stowaway. FOUND IN
some cornmeal down in the hoid.
Nearly a week he had been there win
his jug of water and long loaVes OF
dc in
Iish prison. He won't die on the battle
field Mrs. Van Schaick and are both
well. Every one seems calm and braced
for the North sea. Every passenger
has been assigned to his place IN tne
boats. We are down for boat No. IL.
The North sea is only attempted by
day, and If the weather is good the
danger is not great, as hoating mines
can be seen. However, every passenger
Is expected to stay on. deck with life
preserver in his lap ready to get out
quickly in an emergency. The Moor
dam of the line struck mine In
August, but fortunately was not sunk.
She is still out of commission.
with Tertius Van Dyke. son OF the
American minister at The Hague. |
conducted services for both Jews and
Christians. AS I was in charge. / had
Mr.. Van Dyke preach and Mrs van
Schaick played for the service.
II have been deeply touched by the
letters received before our departure and
on the steamer. 1 tried to answer all re-
ceived before We left, and worked away
happily at il until the last moment. but
when we got on board We found almost
a hundred more. They all said. Don't
try to answer. so I will not, but Mrs.
Van Schaick and I have passed our hap
piest hours on board reading them to-
gether. For all we send back our thanks.
and none need apologize for opening their
hearts and telling about the things for
which they care the most. Into how many
homes have we looked with theses letters
Nears English Coast.
.'Plunging into the dense fog banks,
with the unending horn going and with
distant horns sometimes replying. and
keeping everybody up. these familiar
voices have sounded for US as one or the
other has read the letters from the parish.
1t is a memorable voyage. People with
US are in earnest. 1t is business that calls
them to the old world in this sixth month
of the new era Old ways are closed
old routes are blocked; old pleasures
ended old motives lost We are going
into a new, strange Europe. but we go
with confidence and JOY. We are doing
what we want to do. and the great thing
about it is that you also want us to do it.
Dover. England. January 26.
Held up here for examination by war
ships Expect to proceed tomorrow by
daylight over the North sea- Getting this
letter off unsealed."