AND PUT TO SEA.

9

in each case, as the eager eye failed in again securing its object, and I was compelled to exclaim, "She is gone!" I found relief from the oppression within only by fervent prayer to that Being, who not only "commands the winds and the waves and they obey", but who guards and sanctifies by His grace all who put their trust in Him. The rapid and involuntary ejaculation has been,-" Almighty and most merciful God, let Thy Spirit be with him! Preserve him from the power of the tempest and from the destruction of the deep! Keep him, O keep him from the evil there is in the world, and in the world to come crown him with life everlasting! while "God bless him!" "God bless him!" were the long echoings of the heart. And now, as I stood, gazing still on the west, while nothing but the undulating line of a watery horizon was marked against its clear blue sky, I insensibly looked—at thoughts of those I love best-to the same consolatory and sure refuge; and in prayer and in tears left for them. a memorial before God.

It is at times such as this, that the imagination delights to be busy, and at which she often plays the tyrant over the affections, by throwing the charm of a double fascination around the objects and scenes from which we are torn. As with rapid pencil she sketches in vivid colouring all I have left behind, I keenly feel the reality of my departure, and am almost ready to wonder that I could voluntarily have undertaken, at such a sacrifice, a voyage attended with much uncertainty, and necessarily involving many a hazard. But in my better judgement I can

10

SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.

not and do not regret it. The duty has been pointed out too plainly by the dispensations of Him who directs the destinies alike of angels and of men, not to be followed with unshaken confidence and good cheer.

You are aware of my firm belief in a particular providence-in that governance of the world which regulates, not only the larger affairs of men and of nations, but which extends to the minutest concerns of the creatures of God-till, "without Him not even a sparrow falleth to the ground." Next to those truths which assure us of the remission of sin through the shedding of blood, and which bring the life and immortality of the Gospel to light, the Bible unfolds no one in my view more precious or more consolatory than this. I delight to believe, not only that a particular guidance, by providential dispensations, is granted to all who sincerely wish to do the will of their Maker, but that special paths of duty are often made so plain, that there can scarce be a mistake in entering upon and pursuing them.

This belief, with the persuasion-from a chain of circumstances well known to you that my present situation is one of unquestioned duty, keeps my mind in perfect peace; and even emboldens me to appropriate to myself the assurance, "Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again to this land, for I will not leave thee nor forsake thee."

An additional cause of quietude springs from another truth of inspiration, to which I yield the most implicit credence the declaration that "the fervent

EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

11

effectual prayer of the righteous man availeth much." Sensible of the responsibility of the station I hold, and aware of all that is needful for a right discharge of its duties, I sought and received a pledge of constant remembrance before a throne of grace, from many whom I know to be no strangers there; and now, as my thoughts hasten through the numerous circles of my best and most loved friends, a vision of light and blessedness-a vision which, I am persuaded, is no "fancy's sketch,"-rises sweetly on the sight. Instead of the clouds and sadness of an uncheered separation, light and peace encircle every brow, while supplications for all needed grace to myself and the ship in which I sail, like accepted offerings, ascend gloriously unto God. Presented on the altar of a living faith, they cannot-they will not— ascend in vain. And as we are hurried away on the very wings of the wind, the persuasion steals cheeringly upon my soul, that high and holy influences, like the dews of Hermon, are already returning and resting upon us.

O, my dear H—, what a glorious religion is that which the Christian possesses-how unsearchable are its riches of wisdom and of grace! A religion rescuing us not only from the guilt and condemnation. of sin-cheering us with hope and fitting us for immortality—but guiding and guarding us also in all our ways, and yielding consolation and joy in every circumstance in which we can be placed. If the religion of the Cross be a cunning fable, as some would persuade us to believe, O how wise the intellect that devised it, and how happy the heart that is deceived!

12

BOISTEROUS WEATHER.

If all its promises and its hopes-its fears and its joys-its impressions and its prayers are but a dream -it is a dream of enchantment from which I would most devoutly plead never to be awakened; and of which, to all who sleep, I would most importunately say—“ Sleep—O, sleep on !"

LETTER III.

OCCUPATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS.

Night Scene.-Ship Library.-Amusements.-Punishment by

the Lash.

U. S. Ship Guerriere, at Sea,

March 16th, 1829.

THE North Atlantic proved rude and boisterous as usual in the wintry season, and for more than a fortnight we suffered much from the coldness of the temperature, the wetness of every part of the ship, and an unceasingly rough sea. With wind constantly fair, we were so heavily rocked by it without a moment's respite from morning to night and from night to morning, that our heads seemed ready to drop from our shoulders in keeping the weary motion; while the ship, almost deluged with water, laboured excessively, and every timber creaked and groaned beneath the weight of her metal, till our sympathy and patience were alike nearly exhausted. The smooth waters, mild sky, and balmy air of the Tropics, however, to which we were rapidly transported, with open ports, dry decks, and every thing bright and comfortable, caused us soon to forget, in

the enjoyment of the present, all the discomfort and weariness of the past.

sea.

To a lover of nature, there was one redeeming circumstance in the varying beauty of the stormy The weather was such as, at most times, to keep the frigate under close reefed fore and main topsails and foresail. The St. Louis, an admirably modelled ship, and a noble sailer, under canvas still more reduced, was often within a quarter of a mile under our lee; and rolling and pitching at times so deeply as almost to show her keel, presented an object of constant interest in the scene around. You know my passion for the ocean, and will not be surprised to hear that I could scarce resist the temptation of spending half my time on deck.

At night, the scene was peculiarly fine; a full orbed moon brushed by cold and wintry clouds above, a troubled and roaring sea below-its dark surface illumined in a thousand points and lines of light, from the cresting and breaking of waves conflicting on every side. Our ships careering through and upon the heaving billows, dashing beds of snowy foam far around, and leaving a broad wake behind, as they sunk and rose with the swellings of the sea, and then plunged again furiously on their way-the bright gleaming in the moon-beams of the little sail out, while the naked spars above, in the deep rolls of the vessel, swept widely and swiftly in black and clearly defined lines against the sky-all combined in forming a glorious sight for the eye of an enthusiast, and one from which I could scarce tear myself for the oblivion of sleep.