I THEE we adore, O unseen SAVIOUR! Thee, 2 Oh, blest Memorial of our dying Lord, 3 Fountain of goodness! JESU, LORD and GOD! Cleanse us, unclean, with Thy most cleansing Blood; Increase our faith and love, that we may know The hope and peace which from Thy Presence flow. 4 O CHRIST! whom now beneath a veil we see, 1 WE pray Thee, heavenly FATHER, The unction from above; From all defilement free, 2 Be Thou our Guide and Helper, Food of the weary pilgrim, Eternal Source of Life. Amen. IV. The Sailor's Life of Sorrow. THE season of sickness which seems to be such a waste of time is really one which may prove to be of the greatest value to the Seaman. The noise of the mess and lower deck is exchanged for the comparative quiet of the Sick Bay. The routine of the ship goes on without him, and he is relieved, not only from all duty, but from all anxiety connected with it. His time and his occupations are for the most part now his own. The opportunities which he has looked for in vain in the season of health are now presented to him-the opportunities of regular prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures, self-examination, repentance, resolutions to serve GOD, preparations for Holy Communion, and the like. But some have not sought these opportunities in their health and so do not welcome them to in sickness. The season of sickness, therefore, is not only one of opportunity, but one of warning. Sickness and sorrow are the means by which GOD tests us-as metals are tested. According as we are true men, therefore, we shall use this means purify ourselves even as He is pure." And when sickness or sorrow comes through our own fault ; through courses which we can trace, and in which we have been to blame; then all the more it comes to purify us-first, by warning us of the consequences of sin; and afterwards by shewing us, amidst pain and desolation, how the Blood of JESUS cleanses us from sin, and restores to us the Life which by sin we have lost. Let no one, therefore, be discouraged at the presence of sickness and sorrow. But let no one either refuse to listen to the stern but healthful message which they bring. Many a man has learnt for the first time in the Sick Bay, his own need and the preciousness of GOD's love. And yet how many a man has passed through his sickness safely; has been healed by the surgeon of his bodily plague, but has returned to his duty with his heart still hardened, and the disease of his soul nothing bettered, but rather grown worse! To such an one, sickness and sorrow-however and wherever they have come-have been indeed a sad waste of time. The following prayers and suggestions are intended to prevent this, and to provide the Seaman with something which will enable him to understand better the reason of the Chaplain's visits to the Sick Bay; or, if there be no Chaplain, something which will speak in his ear a word for GOD, at a time when he ought to be most inclined to listen. If a man has been brought into the Sick List through intemperance or impurity of life, or if he neglects private prayer, let him read the following words of GOD : 66 Seek ye the LORD, while He may be found : Call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: Let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him ; And to our GOD, for He will abundantly pardon.”—Ísaiah lv. 6, 7. "Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."-Revelation iii. 20. PRAYERS TO BE SAID DAILY AFTER THOSE ON Pp. 12, etc. Psalm cxxx. De profundis. Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O LORD ; LORD, hear my voice. O let Thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. If Thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss; O LORD, who may abide it? For there is mercy with Thee, therefore shalt Thou be feared. I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for Him; in His word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the LORD; before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. |