Mw\z2S" 1S34(J * 4, I N- Ihe First Methodist Episcopal Church, HOBOKEN, N. J. BY The Pastor, Rev. William Day, s^ / -ON- g*aBBat£ Qx>exvm%, g>ctoBer 12, 1884. Published by request. Boehm Brothers, Printers, Hoboken-, N. J. afes. ^>Mf^ -^[> Jin r !< „ " They that go down to the seas in ships, That do business in great waters : These see the works of the Lord, and his Wonders in the deep." Psalm« 107, 23 - 24 Verses. "I fain would be thy pupil, mighty sea ! ^et speak thou gently to me, for I fear Thy lifted terror, and I would not learn The lesson that doth make the- mariner So deadly pale. Mrs. L. H. Sigotjrney. "In every object here I see Something, 0 Lord, that leads to Thee. Firm as the rocks Thy promise stands, Thy mercies countless as the sands, Thy love a sea immensely wide, Thy grace an ever-flowing tide." Newton. For the Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods. In his hands are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry land. Psalms 95— -3 — 5. ¦ The Bible reveals God as the infinite author, rightful pro prietor, and supreme ruler of the great universe. This earth and sea, with their endless forms of life and beauty, are the offspring of his all creative energy, and the wonderous laws of nature are institutions of his wisdom, and expressions of his all pervad ng power. Difficult itwould be to determine, whether ''the footprints of Deity" are more visible on sea or on land. Both "declare the glory of God" and should lead our minds to him. Happy would it be for man were he to read nature by the li^ht of the Bible, the two books would help interpret each other, and when fully understood will harmoneously proclaim the one God. That is the true philosophy and the most needed, which connects earth with heaven, and man with God. For a few weeks it has been mine to " see his wonders in the deep " — a scene of never failing interest. As my mind is yet more under the influence of the sea than land I shall venture this evening to present you, as best I may be able, a few of the scattered thoughts which came to me from the billowy pages of old ocean. The good ship '* Bialto " on which I crossed and recrossed the Atlantic was built more for strength and security than for speed. The comparatively slow progress however gave the greater opportunity for observation and impression. Sometimes my thoughts turned to the origin of the ocean. With peculiar propriety it is called "old ocean," for its history runs back to the beginning of time. In the very morning of creation, before man was made, before animal, or bird, or vegetation existed, Godsaid, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together, unto one place, and let the dry land appear ; and it was so. And the gathering together of the waters called he seas; and God saw that it was good." From that distant period the mighty waters which at th« bidding of God, formed themselves into seas, have been fulfilling their great purposes. Centuries have come and gone, successive generations have lived and died, empires have risen, flourished, and disappeared, but the seas remain. Venerable as the ages, but fresh and vigorous as in the morning of their birth. "Yes, thou art almighty, Eternal, sublime, Unweakened, unwasted, Twin brother of Time !" What scenes these waters have been connected with. The rolling waves seem vocal with the associations of all nations and of all histories. And down through the centuries to come they shall ebb and flow — and roll on in undiminished grandeur, till the last purpose of creation is accomplished. "Beautiful, sublime, and glorious, Wild, majestic, foaming, free ; Over time itself victorious Image of Eternity." In crossing the ocean one becomes deeply impressed with its Immensity. Travelling day and night with the amazing rapidity of steam, and day after day looking out on the same broad expanse with no visible limits save the encircling horizon, the fact of its vastness grows upon the mind. A mighty world of water is that ocean ! — So far reaching in extent that thought grows weary in attempting to measure it, and so "deep" in places that no human skill has been able to fathom it. To trace the coast and bounderies of the Atlantic Ocean would require a journey of 62,000 miles and then you would have compassed only one eleventh part of the water which makes up the oceans of the world. Surely its immensity indicates divine origin. The souree must be Omnipotence — God alone is greater. Nor can a thinking mind fail to be impressed with the Might of the ocean. You listen to the thunder of the breakers on the beach — they speak of power. You look with interest on the great ship as it moves out to sea weighing with its cargo, many thousand tons, how little impression it makes on the water, how buoyantly the rolling waves bear it along. But to get a conception of the mightiness of the ocean you must look upon it when it rises into the majesty and awful wildness of the storm, like angry leaping mountains, foaming, rushing, thundering, causing the most powerful ship to quiver and tremble, like a reed, and taxing to the utmost the skill and energy of man. No force in nature is more powerful than a storm at sea. Could it be analyzed there would doubtless be found in it a combination and excitement of all the great elements of nature. Sometimes the sweep of the storm is awful, beyond the possibility of description. That our ships so generally survive, is a testimony to the skill and courage of the noble men who command them. And indeed, nowhere has human skill and power been more manifest, or more gloriously triumphant than on the mighty deep. Nowhere has science reached richer or grander results. Man has well nigh mastered the ocean. To a surprising extent he has explored its varied and wide spread bed, detecting the secret currents, marking the [sources of danger, revealing the highways of safety; and, ^by Charts, representing immense careful investi gation, has made the geography of the sea (almost) as complete as is the geography of the land. Light houses also, built on the most scientific principles, and as the result of courageous, persevering skill, stand as monuments of human genius, and as expressions of fraternal regard for the endangered, on nearly every coast. How welcome their far reach ing light to the temptest tossed wearied mariner ! How invalu able their savings of life and property ! By the sub-marine telegraph man has annihilated the inter vening space between continents and brought the most distant nations into daily communication. The calculations of navigation have become so refined and exact that they have about reached perfection. Give the expe rienced navigator a point in latitude and longitude on any ocean of the globe, and over the trackless waters he will take his ship, as directly to the point, as you can go to any designated place on land. A sublime science, sublimely worked and applied ! And how much of the skill and power of man one of our modern steam ships represents; — in its strong magnificent archi tecture, powerful rudder, mighty engine and wonderful compass! As it moves- out ready for its stormy mission, it exhibits many of the highest efforts of human genius, one of the proudest monu ments of all human progress! " She walks the water like a thing of li^e, And seems to dare the elements to stride." He who takes the supreme command of that ship, grasps in his hands, probably more of the results of science than can be reached in any other position, results too, which in these days, are controlled with amazing success. But present achievements grand as they are, predict greater things to come. Human progress has not reached its limits, in deed has only begun its course. For the bold daring inventive genius of man there remain brighter discoveries, and higher de velopments. To his scientific investigations old ocean shall yield her profoundest secrets. He shall grasp the laws of storms, and — 4 — control them. Magnetic currents, and atmospheric influences, thoroughly analyzed, shall do his bidding. Electricity, or some organized force, shall scatter the fogs which now impede his course, and which remain the chief cause of danger. The wonderous power of sun, moon and stars on the sea, now but imperfectly understood, shall be measured and made a propelling, or an attractive force to a transit, from shore to shore, from continent to continent, as far in advance of tbe present (which justly excites our admiration), as the present is superior to that which existed fifty years ago. Man, if true to God, shall solve all nature's problems, on land and sea, and control all her mighty laws as one vast machine in human interest; and nature with ten thousand voices shall acknowledge, with the voice of the Bible, "Thou has crowned him with glory and honor." Science separated from God and opposed to him runs wild, but inspired with his love and reverently recognizing him, shall rise higher and higher toward the Infinite. The relation of the ocean to the earth and its inhabitants is suggestive of thought. It forms the great highway of international commerce now so vast and important. Nature's great reservoir is it, supplying our springs, streams, lakes and rivers. Receiving the drainage of the earth which it filters into purity, returning fresh fish in abundance and sending the rain conducting cloud freighted with more than golden treasures. Its powerful breezes encircle the globe, improving every particle of atmosphere. It is one of God's gracious universal arrangements for the widely scattered family of man, reaching all shores, and blessing all peoples. The scenes of the ocean present to a mind not familiar with them much which is highly entertaining. In the serei ity of the wide spread calm, and in the sublime wildness of the storm. Then again "The sea appears all golden Beneath the sunlit sky." " Moon light on the lake," is beautiful, but moon light on sea is often brilliant beyond description. " For every wave, with dimpled face, That leaped upon the air, Had caught a star in its embrace And held it trembling there !" Tlie birds which with tireless wing follow in the wake of the ship, or perch on the crest of the rolling waves excite curiosity. Sometimes the whales seem to give an entertainment for tlie benefit of the passers by ; and the porpoises give pleasure, and — 5 — evidently find pleasure themselves, in racing with the ship. Gliding through the clear blue waters like a dart, they beat the swiftest steamer, leaping and diving in graceful triumph. Their motion, for ease and rapidity, is really surprising. Flying fish also awaken interest. One of this strange combination setteled on the deck of our ship and through the courtesy of the Captain was prepared for my evening meal, the purest, sweetest fish I have ever tasted. No impression remains with me more distinctly than a sense of the great obligation of those who live on tive land, to the men who do the business of the sea. The foreign commerce of the U. S. last year, in exports and imports, including merchandise and speeie, amounted to two billions, two hundred and thirty seven millions, seven hundred and thirty flee thousand, seven hundred and ninety nine dollars ! How invaluable the service which transfered this treasure. When the difficulties and dangers of the transfer are considered and the small loss sustained, the fidelity of the men in trusted with it challenges the highest commendation. Add to this the transfer accross the seas, in safety, during the year, of not less, native and alien, than two millions of passengers. To the seamen we are indebted for the sub-marine telegraph. The electrician invented the mighty cable, well trained mechanics made it and capitalists provided the funds for laying it, but with out the experienced navigator and the trusty hands of the sailor the cable had remained on the shore, and the throbbing bond of scientific intercourse and union had never been formed. Pioneers are they of civilization, opening avenues for the enter prise of man in all parts of the world. They form an essential agency in the evangelization of our race, without whose offices no foreign missionary could reach his distant field, nor could the gospel be preached in all the world. The sailor is one of the links in God's great providential chain to develop, unite, and save tbe nations of the earth. But let us not forget the cost to himself at which the sailor performs his work. How much of privation, discomfort and actual peril attends it. Work on the land is sweetened and in spired by intimate association with home, but in the precious joys of home the mariner can but seldom share. Observing in tbe Captain's chart-room many beautiful tokens of domestic affection, I inquired " How much time are you able to spend at your home?" He replied : "The average is about six weeks in a year, " and added "I married on a Tuesday and the next Thursday took ship, not seeing my wife or home again for three months." When in a few days after this conversation I — 6 — was favored to look in upon that home of christian refinement, and see the many pleasing associations which centered there, I did not wonder it was loved so well, and though "absent not for gotten." And yet, in less than a week the gallant Captain had turned his ship again toward the burning suns of India to be ab sent for months. Some think that home affection is scarcely known in the heart of a sailor. Such a judgment is almost cruel and does injustice to noble generous natures. By no men are the "loved ones at home" more tenderly cherished, to none has home a greater charm. The countenance of the proudest officer and of the most obscure seaman grows brighter as the prow of the ship is turned upon its homeward course, aud the joy with whicli they enter the home port exceeds the joy of harvest. " Long have they voyag'd on the distant seas ; And what a heart-delight they feel at last — So many toils, so many dangers past — To view the port desired, he only knows Who on the stormy deep for many a day Hath tossed, aweary of — his ocean way, And watched all anxious every wind that blows." I would that each faithful sailor had a good home to welcome him. and more time iu which to enjoy it! Observation has caused me to believe that few are mariners really from choice, but many from necessity and the force of early associations. To me the thought often came, if the owners of ships, and tb e merchants whose goods are intrusted, could see more of the dis comforts, severe labors, and perils of the sailor's life, the serv ices of these brave men would be more highly appreciated and more liberally remunerated. Truthfully hath Southey, written " Ye who dwell at home, ye do not know the terrors of the main." Not less frequently did I think "How important it is that sail ors be godly men." Often the first representatives of christian nations in pagan lands. In the isolation of life at sea, how comfort ing and inspiring it would be to realize the divine presence and fellowship ! The precious promise of Christ "Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world" might be the joy of the sailor on every sea. And are there not circumstances in the life of each sailor, in which he deeply feels "Only God can help me." How sweet to look above the foaming billows to the un disturbed eternal peace of Heaven, and think "I shall make that {>ort one day — welcomed by God and Angels. !" God has many aithful servants on the ocean; life is rising there in purity and true morality. It is grateful to know there is less of profane swearing, for nowhere does profanity sound so shocking as at sea. I was glad to be able to say to our Captain, and he was not less — 7 — pleased to hear the statement : "I have not heard one profane word from officers or men during the voyage of sixteen days from New York to Hull." The glorious cause of temperance is spreading on the sea, al most as rapidly as on the land. In one society in England last year 4,800 sailors took the pledge of total abstenance. The giant-men who talk with the sun, and control the storms, will conquer the demon-intemperance, and show that on the sea, man is governed not by depraved passion, or appetite, but by an en lightened reason. The influence of our Christian Churches, is felt on the sea — and on the holy Sabbath thousands of devout hearts turn in affectionate thought toward the home altars of God. On every sea may His name be hallowed, and his righteous authority be acknowledged ! "The sea is his and he made it." Pre-eminently is the sea God's realm. — No man can pnrchase it — no nation may claim it. Here the sovereignty of God is absolute and indisputable. He permits its use, and inspires the science which so wonderously controls it. Let his voice be heard in the stillness of the calm and in the thunder of the storm. " Do all thine echoing depths and tossing waves Make but one answer — of that One Dread Name Which he who deepest graves within his heart Is wisest, though the world may call him fool. Therefore I come, a listener to thy voice And bow me at thy feet, aDd touch my lip To thy cold billow — if perchance my soul, That fleeting wanderer on tlie shores of time, May, by thy lore instructed,, learn of God." Every ship should be a floating Bethel, in which God is wor shiped and his presence joyously realized. jailors — precious brothers — children of " Our Father who is in heaven" and redeemed by the death of his beloved Son— help us win this world to Christ, purity and heaven. The ancient promise is "The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee. Isaiah, 60— 5th. Much is being done in many ports for the protection, comfort and moral elevation of these sons of the sea. Much more needs to be done. In every port let there be friendly hands to welcome them, to defend them from the land sharks, waiting for their prey, and let kind voices invite these strangers to christian association and to the Church of God. " I love the sailor ; — his eventful life — His generous spirit — his contempt of danger — His firmness in the gale — wreck and strife; — And, though a wild and reckless ocean-ranger, God grant he make that port, when life is o'er, Where storms are hushed, and billows break no more !" P. s. ^5v*llvawv 'Rvyo'jA^v ©^ *dv^ \iwJ0t©, u^AA Uvt, ^5vWc \