Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER III.

PROVISIONS FOR THE VOYAGE.-CHARTS, INSTRUMENTS, AND NOTES OF INSTRUCTION, PROMISE, AND WARNING. -SETTING SAIL ON FRIDAY.

THEY two were the only ones at that time, for the place where they were was then very low in respect to knowledge and interest in the King's commerce; and though the people were willing to hear the King's messengers, yet they were so full of business, clearing and discharging vessels of their own, and having great warehouses full of merchandise, which they were busy selling, and a great many manufacturing establishments going on, and in fine, a great press of business of all kinds, that there was no heart to attend to anything else, and it was never convenient for them to put their own effects by, or to settle them up, so as to start upon the voyage. These two, therefore, were the only ones at that time, and so the vessel was put under their care, just as if they had chartered her for themselves alone.

They had all the provisions and instruments of navigation, a perfect and infallible chart, a chronometer that only needed care in winding, and a barometer that foretold all changes of the weather. They had instruments to take their reckoning by the sun, and also for lunar observations; and they had their log-books, and the best of spy-glasses, and besides all this, they had means by the faithful use of which, though it needed no little skill and attention, they might detect the direction and strength of unseen tides and undercurrents. They were indeed provided with everything that could help to make their voyage prosperous, sure, and successful. Besides this, there were some private stores with which they were cautioned to supply themselves, though for these also they must draw upon the King's storehouses by personal drafts from him; and also some things for private adventure, which they were to make the most of, and to increase as far as possible during the voyage.

A note was put into their hands in regard to these matters, that they might be neither idle nor unfruit ful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,1 running after this manner: Besides this, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to

1 2 Pet. i. 8.

temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

There was no quarantine for the Celestial City, because, if these things were on board, it proved that the vessel was one of the King's ships; and as to any plague, or danger of it, in the Celestial Country, there was no such possibility, for one of the laws of that country was this, The inhabitant shall no more say, I am sick,3 and nothing that defileth was ever permitted to enter into it. Moreover, in the King's ship, and upon every sailor, there was the King's own seal, with a private mark read by himself in heaven, indicated by this inscription, The Lord knoweth them that are his; and also a more visible and common mark, read upon earth, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." It was well known that every one having this earthly inscription visible as in fulfilment, had his name in God's book with the other seal in heaven. Yet many persons hoped for the last in heaven, without having the first on earth, without any anxious effort after the first; and such persons were very sure to be disap

2 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7-11.

4 Rev. xxi. 27.

3 Isa. xxxiii. 24.

5 2 Tim. ii. 19.

pointed, since God's seal never left one side of the impression without the other, and either of them being entirely alone, was proved to be a forgery.

Now it so happened, in the good providence of God, that when the time came for them to set sail, everything was favorable, and the weather delightful. It was Friday, and according to the superstitions of many of the coasting vessels and seacraft of their native land, they ought not to have set sail on that day; for there were many who did not scruple at all to work in their own ships, and sail them out of port on the Lord's day, that would not have sailed on Friday on any consideration. However there were orders from the King of the Celestial Country to disregard all such foolish superstitions, but to keep the Sabbath holy; so it being Friday was no reason to them for not sailing, but it being a fine day, they put out to sea with a strong breeze, which carried them speedily some hundreds of miles away from the coast of their native land.

At this they were much elated, for it was a good thing at the beginning to get such an impulse, and they thought they should make the voyage, perhaps, without encountering any of the dangers and difficulties they had heard described, as almost always met with. Added to this, by a mistake in their reckoning, before they had got accustomed to practical navi

gation, they several days put down in their log-book a much greater advance than they had made in reality, and as all their calculations were based accordingly, this mistake might have been attended with very serious consequences, for it made them remarkably confident and secure. They carried all sail, put on the top-gallant royals and skysails, and even got out their studding-sails, for indeed it was most inviting weather, and a most delightful breeze, and they felt animated to make the most of it, and a beautiful sight it was to see the rig of the vessel, and how grandly she ploughed the deep.

« PreviousContinue »