The good which a single religious captain may do can hardly be
calculated. In the first place, as I have said, a kinder state of
feeling exists on board the ship. There is no profanity allowed; and
the men are not called by any opprobrious names, which is a great
thing with sailors. The Sabbath is observed. This gives the men a
day of rest, even if they pass it in no other way. Such a captain,
too, will not allow a sailor on board his ship to remain unable to
read his Bible and the books given to him; and will usually instruct
those whoneed it, in writing, arithmetic, and navigation; since he has
a good deal of time on his hands, which he can easily employ in such a
manner. He will also have regular religious services; and, in fact, by
the power of his example, and, where it can judiciously be done, by
the exercise of his authority, will give a character to the ship and
all on board. In foreign ports, a ship is known by her captain; for,
there being no general rules in the merchant service, each master
may adopt a plan of his own. It is to be remembered, too, that there
are, in most ships, boys of a tender age, whose characters for life
are forming, as well as old men, whose lives must be drawing toward
a close.
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