Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/45

Rh all things. Even the winds and waves seemed to respond to our morning song—

In the afternoon our services had commenced, when the captain came in and took his armchair in the corner. The sermon was full of plain earnest truths; and when, at its close, the speaker called upon a brother missionary to add a word of exhortation, all felt that it was a solemn season. The truth was plainly brought home to all, that no effort was needed to ruin the soul of man; that he was on the road to death; and that to make his destruction sure, it was only needful that he should do nothing. A ship is under sail, the wind blows fresh, and she is bearing down upon a rock: let her alone, and her destruction is certain. Or a squall suddenly arises: let her alone, shorten no sail, do not put the vessel before the wind, and no effort is needed to insure her ruin. Or she springs a leak: the water gains upon her; only do nothing, and she will soon sink to the bottom of the sea, and carry with her to destruction her rich freight of souls. So, sinner, is it with you. Do nothing, and your