22 INTRODUCTION. 



he has gone to sea. Let the owners distinctly 

 and unequivocally express their will in the case. 

 Then captain, officers, and crew will be shipped 

 with this stipulation : No fishing on Sabbath. 



Many captains and others now engaged in the 

 whaling fleet will welcome such an arrange- 

 ment. The effect of it on the whole ship's com- 

 pany will be salutary. As the business is now 

 conducted, ^here are doubtless many uneasy con- 

 sciences. Some are glad when no fish is seen on 

 Sabbath. But when the cry is raised, " There 

 she blows ! " what a struggle takes place in the 

 mind of the pious and God-fearing men ! But 

 the rest think, if the boats are not lowered, that 

 their rights and interests are infringed ; and even 

 the owners might afterwards complain that, when 

 fish were seen, they were not taken. So the 

 order is given, " Lower away the boats." But this 

 does not settle the question, for the captain feels 

 his moral power diminished. He cannot next 

 day with a clear conscience read and pray with 

 his officers, nor call all hands together next Sab- 

 bath to hear the word of God read. 



Thus nearly all that is done for the moral im- 

 provement of sailors in port is neutralized by 

 one act of disobedience to God. 



In New Bedford, something is attempted for 

 the good of the sailor. " The Sailor's Home " is 



