Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/37

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12
DIVINE WORSHIP ON THE DEEP.

tions of the Litany, and especially the petition "That it may please Thee to preserve all who travel by land or by water," seemed to awaken a feeling response.

Our officiating clergyman was the Rev. John Williams, now Assistant Bishop of Connecticut, and his audience drawn from various nations and grades of society. Invalids, and those temporarily sick, were brought to the deck upon beds and sofas. All the sailors who could be spared from necessary duty, were present in their neatest costume, our captain always lending his influence to the services of religion.

A few of the passengers, who had trained themselves into a choir, at evening prayers in the cabin, lent us their choicest melodies. And there, on the open deck of that rushing vessel, thousands of miles form those dear ones, who had that morning, by "holy bell been knolled to church," we were with them in spirit before one common Father.

At the close of the services, a scientific singer poured forth, at our request, that sublime anthem: "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Glorious words! which, whoever can utter from the heart, it shall be well with him, whether in life, or in death.


While peaceful o'er the placid deep, as waked the Sabbath-day
With favouring breeze and swelling sails, a ship pursued her way,