I never knew but one sailor who
doubted its being the inspired word of God; and he was one who had
received an uncommonly good education, except that he had been brought
up without any early religious influence. The most abandoned man of
our crew, one Sunday morning, asked one of the boys to lend him his
Bible. The boy said he would, but was afraid he would make sport of
it. "No!" said the man, "I don't make sport of God Almighty." This
is a feeling general among sailors, and is a good foundation for
religious influence.
A still greater gain is made whenever, by means of a captain who
is interested in the eternal welfare of those under his command, there
can be secured the performance of regular religious exercises, and the
exertion, on the side of religion, of that mighty influence which a
captain possesses for good, or for evil. There are occurrences at
sea which he may turn to great account,- a sudden death, the
apprehension of danger, or the escape from it, and the like; and all
the calls for gratitude and faith. Besides, this state of thing alters
the whole current of feeling between the crew and their commander.
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