CHAPTER XVI.

"FOR SO IS THE WILL OF GOD, THAT WITH WELL DOING YE MAY PUT TO SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH MEN."-1 PET. ii. 15.

WHILE our blessed Lord, on all occasions, instructed his followers in the duties which would devolve on them in their various circumstances and situations of life, he warned them of those trials which must come, not merely from the open and bitter hostility of the carnal heart, but from the ignorance and prejudice of men's minds, as to the nature of gospel truths, and the real sentiments and character of his disciples. While the latter will feel and say, "The time past of our lives may suffice to have wrought the will of the Gentiles," the former will think it strange, that any alteration in our views, our taste, and practice, should have taken place; they will wonder how it is, that we no longer run with them to the same excess of riot and folly, speaking evil of us, as being either crazy, or on the point of becoming so. Of all this, I had much more experience, during the last three years I wore the naval uniform, than I have had during all the time I have been in the ministry. Religion on board a ship, and especially among the officers, was then far more un

common than I hope and trust it will ever be again, With my own shipmates things went on pretty well, because they had the means of knowing, that I was neither turned fool, nor gone mad, and they knew also, that I had reason and Scripture on my side to back my opinions and practice; while, at the same time, they could not but see and allow, that I could and did discharge my professional duties as ably as themselves. But with officers in other ships, and further from the scene of action, things were different. These men often heard many a strange tale at my expense; so that it was very evident, when our ship was in port, that they were anxious to come on board, and see and hear something which, as they thought, would furnish matter for future jokes and merry tales.

Hence, when they had any acquaintance with my messmates, they would invite themselves on board to dine and pass an evening. I saw clearly through all this, and at times was not a little diverted at their illdisguised disappointment, when having waited for an hour or two in expectation of something very ridiculous being said or done, they found me not very much unlike those around me. At length, perceiving that I was not likely to break in on the general conversation by beginning to preach, or exhibit any merry-andrew-like tricks, they themselves, though always ill prepared for such an undertaking, would introduce religion, and either attack, or pointedly refer all they advanced to me. On these occasions I ever felt that the discussion of such a topic was ill-timed, and often highly improper; but, as a gentleman at my own table, it behoved me to treat

these guests with every respect, to answer them with` kindness, and, if necessary, to confute them as briefly and christian-like as possible. In this way I soon got clear of my assailants; and although I ever regretted having to take a part in these contests, I scarcely ever found them end otherwise than in my opponents confessing themselves on the wrong side, and expressing at wish that they were different men. Generally, as they found themselves driven from one position to another, they would take refuge in excuses for their acknowledged faults, and particularly would they endeavour to justify the practice of swearing, as an evil that could not be dispensed with in commanding the active duties of a ship of war. Of course, I denied all such necessity, and reprobated the practice as ungentlemanly and unofficer-like, as well as contrary to the Scriptures, and to our own Articles of War, or Naval Code. Still they would hold by the necessity of doing it, and stoutly protest, that no one could carry on the duty without it, however much he might wish to refrain. Having allowed them for some time to enjoy this one supposed victory in our debate, I produced my reserved confutation, by referring them to my messmates present, whether, during all the time we had sailed together, they had ever heard me swear at the men? and whether the duties of the ship were not carried on as promptly under my orders as under any other officer on board? This appeal, of course, was conclusive, and the subject was given up, generally by their expressing their astonishment, and wish that they could do the same.

Sometimes out of the ship, these things partook, in

no small degree, of the ludicrous; while they exhibited enough to prove how easily, and, often, how mischievously the ignorance and prejudices of men may work in defaming religion, and in misrepresenting its advocates. I remember, on an occasion of our ship being in harbour, that it was my turn to attend the dock-yard duty with a large party of the crew at the sail loft. At noon the party went off to dinner, from which they returned again at one o'clock to their work. During this interval I remained at my post: and as the officer of that part of the arsenal was a pious man, and had two very snug rooms, or cabins, on the premises, I availed myself of his offer, and took possession of one of them for half an hour. Having no book in my pocket, I was glad to find a Bible on the table. This I was quietly reading, when Williams the proprietor of the cabin, opened the door, and ushered in a lieutenant of the Victory, then lying at Spithead; and having mere ly introduced us to each by name, he withdrew. Finding myself thus closeted with an entire stranger, and having very little, just then, to say, I observed, that I had taken a quiet seat there until my men returned, and that I could not but admire the way in which Williams's Bible appeared to have been read, from the numerous marks down its margins. A little common-place chitchat about our respective ships then followed, and in ten minutes' time my visitor left me again to myself. On my leaving the cabin, Williams enquired, "What I thought of Mr. N. ?" to which I answered, “I did not think him either a serious or an interesting character." "Nor do I, Sir," replied he, "but I thought

you might do him some good; I, however, fear that is not likely to be the case; for, on leaving you, he came to me and said, 'Mr. Williams, you may be assured Mr. M has carried his religion too far,' and tapping his forehead with the ends of his fingers, he continued, depend upon it, Mr. Williams, he is a little cracked here.' I told him, Sir, I had no such thought; but he went away declaring it was so; and that such are the consequences of people carrying religion too far." "And such," I replied, not a little vexed, "are the consequences, Mr. Williams, of well meaning men, like yourself, acting so injudiciously as you have done. I cannot but feel astonished and displeased at your thus intruding such a person on me. He will now return to his ship and report, that he has seen and can bear witness to my madness-thus considerable prejudice will be raised, and the cause of religion will suffer through his ignorance and your indiscretion." Poor Williams had nothing to say in his own defence, but that he had done it with a good intention of which I had no doubt, although that good intention would not ward off the ill consequences of a silly action.

In the course of the afternoon this same officer again made his appearance; and now was my time, if ever, to grapple with him in earnest, so as, if possible, to leave no doubt on his mind as to my sanity, and sobriety of judgment. But here I had some difficulty, for he evidently wished to shun my advances. At length, however, I fixed my man, and expended most of an hour in discussing professional and general topics, until I found I had dissipated all his fears of contagion, or