PROVIDENTIAL TESTIMONIES. 257 



in order, the more commodiously, to enjoy the 

 Sabbath day's repose. A ship from Peterhead, 

 which had for some days been accompanying us 

 in our progress through the western ices, fol- 

 lowed our example, and a considerable number 

 of her officers and crew joined us in our usual 

 Sabbath devotions. An evening service, de- 

 signed chiefly for the instruction and benefit of 

 the apprentices, had been concluded, the sacred 

 day of the Lord was drawing to a close, and our 

 visitors were preparing to return to their ship, 

 when a large whale was descried by one of our 

 own seamen in a situation very inviting for at- 

 tempting its capture. 



"No doubt it was contemplated by many 

 with an ardent and longing gaze ; but the orders 

 for sanctifying the Sabbath being quite peremp- 

 tory, no attempt, on the part of any of our 

 people, was made to pursue the tempting object. 

 Our fellow- worshippers, however, being less 

 scrupulous, instantly manned the boat which 

 had brought them on board of the Baffin, and set 

 forth, along with some others from their own 

 ship, in eager pursuit. Nor were their ardent 



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