with driving gales, or with baffling winds and calms. It has been put into the present Editor's hands to revise and correct for the press, and introduce to public notice; because while intended for readers at large, it was thought to be especially suitable for a contemplated series of volumes, constituting a Library for the Sea. Hence the pertinence of its name. The Editor takes the liberty to say, whether it pleases the Author or not, that the Old Salt is no mere crabbed fellow that has lived on salt junk all his days, till his juices are all dried out of him. But his humour is rich and generous, and he seems to be well skilled in the Nautical Almanac used in the navigation here taught, while the language and imagery of the Sailor's EPITOME, spiritually at least, seem as familiar to him as the images of things that lay about the home of our childhood. He has also kept the eye of his Christian voyagers on all passing events to windward, while themselves steering steadily by Compass and Chart, and looking at all things from their own standpoint in their Heavenly EPITOME, the Living Word their only rule. Hence the value of their comments upon the various crafts found launched upon these tides, and the practical wisdom of their own maxims of navigation. All the meaning couched under the various names and allusions may not be apprehended by every reader at a single perusal, but a second reading through the glass of the Word will make it clear. To all the King's Sailors, on the Land or Sea, of the Old World and the New, with earnest wishes for their good, the book is now DEDICATED by the Editor. HENRY T. CHEEVER. NEW YORK, Feby. 1852. INCIDENTS AND MEMORIES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, CHAPTER I. BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION. IT happened on a time that the King of the Celestial Country, moved with compassion for the people of this earth, resolved to establish a connection between the Celestial Empire and our world, whereby any that chose might lay up their treasures in that heavenly region, and at an appointed time go thither to enjoy them. To this end a grand ship was prepared to take passengers across the great sea that lies between us and the Celestial Country. While the vessel was a building, the people far and near had warning of it, and many looked on curiously, and some inquired into it with deep interest, for there were many communications from the King continually in regard to it, and holy men of old spake about it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.1 The multitude were very indifferent and unconcerned, but some would now and then talk with the workmen; and though it took many generations to finish the ship, yet from the time when the first orders were given in regard to it, and the first beam laid for it, all who chose might have an interest in it, might have their names set down as passengers, and might be just as sure of all the benefits of it, as any of those who should be alive upon the earth when the ship was launched and sailing. 1 2 Peter, i, 21. The Master Builder had all his plans perfect, and gave them for execution into the hands of persons in whom he could confide, and the vessel was a noble craft, as beautiful and grand to see as ever swam the waters. When the time drew near for the completion of the ship, the King said to some of his faithful seamen then living, "I tell you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them."1 And after the ship was under sailing orders, a record was drawn up of a great cloud of witnesses that had before obtained an interest in her by faith, whose hearts were fixed upon the Celestial Country, and it was said that they were even as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable. It was added that these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, yea, they desire a better, that is a heavenly country; FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY.? Now the example of these believing and happy persons was not followed by as many as might have been supposed would take passage, when the glory of the ship and the full blessedness of the voyage were seen no longer as through a glass darkly, but as it were face to face. For the hardness of men's hearts was exceeding great, and most of them were feasting and revelling just as when Noah entered into the ark, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and neither believing nor caring concerning the Celestial Country. And the god of this world was every where at work in great power, blinding the minds of them who believed not, lest at any time the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should come to their notice, and the offers of salvation should persuade them to embark. And as when the deluge came upon the Old World the people 1 Matt. xiii, 17. 2 Heb. xi, 12, 16. 81 Cor. xiii, 12. 42 Cor. iv, 4. |