NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 235 



are upon the ocean, and have been gone for 

 months and years ; others, perhaps, have just left 

 for long voyages, and others still on their home- 

 ward-bound passages. At such a meeting as 

 this, the absent ones are brought vividly before 

 the mind. The bare mention of the words hus- 

 band, son, brother, endeared friend, finds at once 

 a response in many hearts. It is, therefore, alike 

 the dictate of nature as well as the great law of 

 grace to look to Him " whose way is in the sea, 

 and whose path is in the great waters," that he 

 would be with the mariner in the storm and 

 tempest, and at the appointed time return him 

 to his native port and to the bosom of his 

 family. 



Temperance and other reforms have wrought, 

 and still are working, gradual and essential 

 changes and improvements among all classes of 

 seamen ; but the most important, and that which 

 stands higher than all others, is, that those who 

 behold the wonders of God in the deep may 

 become the friends and followers of the Sa- 

 viour. 



The following hymn, which, with others of 

 like character, is frequently sung, shows at once 

 the sentiments and spirit of the seamen's concert 

 of prayer. 



