The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-01-31


has been pitched and tossed and rolled
and rocked aud the decks are AL
awash even up 10 the upper deck
Many Of our men arc heartily sick oi
the whole trip. Fortunately am still
among those who cat. As someone
says = have not yet missed q meal
or lost one"
They say that the storm is due "a
the fact that We are Off the banks
Of Newfoundland, but whether or no !
know not, the sea al looks like 10 me,
Saturday
A week today since | boarded the
steamer They say that we are not
half way across the ocean as yet, but
the time viii roll and we will all be
toethcr again in His own god time.
Weather mider and less stormy, but
the ship still rolls and pitches enough
TO spill food and shatter dishes, but
it's still lots of fun and ! am enjoying
every minute of it.
Sunday
Another Sabbath Day of quiet en-
joyment and helpfulness. A day OF
many changes as TO weather-nfe sun
shine and cold in the early morning,
turning to fog 50 heavy as to shut out
the view Of the other ships entirely
again changing about p. m. to clear
and warmer and tonight bright, beau
tiful moonlight and starlight. 1t is
wonderful.
We have had three or four very
helpful services today: a communion
at 8. m, the regular ships services at
II a. M, vesper at p. M, and at s
an address by Dr. Crawford Of our
party, on "Sayonarola, the Floren-
tine Reformer"-all good.
| have been thinking today of the
Dandy folks and wondering how they
are getting on. Tell me if you can
about the Christmas affairs up there.
How | do miss it all. 1t will seem
strange to them without US; we have
been with them ever since the fund
was established Perhaps next year
we will be back at home with them all,
with the Kaiser put where he belongs.
The Last Day of the Year
A year that has been so good to US
in so many ways and that has brought
US so many things new and strange.
The day has been warm and beauti-
full. The deck has been popular ex-
cept that on occasions the waves of an
unruly sea would sweep over and
souse someone. They say that we are
in the Gulf Stream. 1t certainly is
different. Tonight for the first time
The phosphorescent light has made its
appearance. The wake of the steamer
behind and at the sides of the screw
has been sparkling luminous with the
cur.oas phosphor fire.
We to have a watch service tonight
beginning at 10 p. m. with tea at II
p. m. and a full watch thereafter
Perhaps | can tell you more of it on
the morrow.
The First Day of the New Year.
| am realizing quite pointedly that
it is a New Year for us in very deed.
Our watch night service last night
was quite interesting. A score or
more of the men gave their testimony
as to how they had been led into the
I. NJ. &. A. work at this time. Ihen
knelt in silent prayer for a few min
utes until the ringing of the ships bell
announced the midnight hour when we
rose and clasping hands in complete
circle we sang "Blest be the Tie" af
ter which the meeting broke up and
some departed, but most fingered un-
til presently the ships purser came in
and joined US all in linked arms and
led US in singing "Auld Lang Syne,
then 'uod Save the King" America,
"MarseilIes," and the "Star Spangled
Banner" fol,owed-rather an allied
affair, and a very enjoyable one.
January 2, 1918.
A very warm, comfortable, and un-
eventful day. Have spent as much
timc>as possible on deck, without over
coat or undercoat part Of the time,
and have enjoyed it immensely. The
wireless bulletin posted this morning
reported Ia below zero In New York,
and we scarcely could believe it, so
warm as it is out here on the ocean
| hope that If the weather is as cold
rs reported the coal famine has been
broken and the people cam get fuel
enough to keep warm.
January 3, 1918.
Another warm, quiet day with the
good ship still p'owing is way Over
The great wild waters. Last night
3ent out on deck and away around toF
he stern Of tho beat and watched thc
light as it came bob