Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/54

44 class had resolved itself into a prayer-meeting; and there, in his arm-chair, sat our captain. Two or three had spoken or led in prayer, when, suddenly and unexpectedly, his voice was heard in broken tones of earnest supplication. It was deeply affecting to see the proud man humbled and become as a little child. He praised God for his mercy, besought the forgiveness of his sins, and prayed that all on board might fear God. Nor was his confession general; it was not our sins, but “my sins," that he confessed and bewailed.

Permission to have public worship on deck, which had been heretofore steadily refused, was now given unasked, and no one was so busy as our captain in preparing suitable accommodations. Both watches were invited to attend, and three only (all foreigners) were absent. The men, with the officers and passengers, were seated about the preacher, and earnestly listened to the word of God; while the helmsman stood reverently at his post with his head uncovered during the whole service. Rarely have I been one of so solemn an assembly. The sermon was on the folly of delaying repentance, from the text, “Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider