NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 233 



for seamen. The benevolent and the religious, 

 if so disposed, may find here an ample field for 

 the exercise of their liberality. While something 

 is being done for seamen with reference to their 

 moral and spiritual improvement, yet, when we 

 take into consideration the scores of thousands 

 that yearly leave seaport places in our country, 

 the thousands that are now traversing seas and 

 oceans both near and remote, and visiting almost 

 every part of the earth's surface, how limited are 

 the means employed in behalf of their religious 

 welfare, that Christ may become the pole star of 

 hope to the wandering and tempest-tossed ! 



The American seaman, in a certain sense, is 

 our representative abroad; and, wherever the stars 

 and stripes are given to the wind and fly from 

 the mast head, there he leaves the impress of his 

 influence. How important it is, then, as he de- 

 parts from the land of his birth and from the 

 scenes of his early associations, and goes out 

 upon the ocean to meet its dangers and perils, 

 as he is assailed by temptations, or mingles with 

 foreigners in other ports, how immensely impor- 

 tant it is, that he should be a true representative 

 of Christian institutions and principles at home, 

 and bear about in his own bosom, amid the 

 vicissitudes of ocean life, the "witness of the 

 Spirit" as his true and lasting treasure! 



