The religious change is the great object. If this is secured,
there is no fear but that knowledge of things of the world will come
in fast enough. With the sailor, as with all other men in fact, the
cultivation of the intellect, and the spread of what is commonly
called useful knowledge, while religious instruction is neglected,
is little else than changing an ignorant sinner into an intelligent
and powerful one. That sailor upon whom, of all others, the
preaching of the Cross is least likely to have effect, is the one
whose understanding has been cultivated, while his heart has been left
to its own devices. I fully believe that those efforts which have
their end in the intellectual cultivation of the sailor; in giving him
scientific knowledge; putting it in his power to read everything,
without securing, first of all, a right heart which shall guide him in
judgment; in giving him political information, and interesting him
in newspapers;- an end in the furtherance of which he is exhibited at
ladies' fairs and public meetings, and complimented for his
gallantry and generosity,- are all doing a harm which the labors of
many faithful men cannot undo.
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