THE EARLY LIFE OF E. J. PECK 7 



to his remembrance later and used by the Holy 

 Spirit for the guidance and moulding of his life. If 

 it be true 



That not a worm is cloven in vain, 

 That not a moth with vain desire 

 Is shrivel'd in a fruitless fire, 



Or but subserves another's gain, 



how much more the sudden death of one with whom 

 we are closely associated ! God's voice is always 

 to be heard by those who have ears to hear. 



It was, as a matter of fact, some time after this, 

 on board his next ship, the Excellent, that the pearl 

 of great price was found. Mr. Peck says, " One 

 evening, when reading i John v. 9-13, this glorious 

 passage was made the means of bringing peace, 

 perfect peace, to my troubled conscience. With 

 what power and force did these words of God speak 

 to my poor longing, trembling heart ! What a mine 

 of comfort they held for me, and still hold, not only 

 for myself, but for all those who will accept them ! " 



Truly, the spirit breatheth where He listeth. We 

 understand readily enough that the whispered 

 breath may be wafted to the weary soul in the hush 

 of the sanctuary; in the stillness of the prayer- 

 chamber ; in the solemn hours of the night. We 

 understand the louder message of God being heard 

 in the inspired voice from the Church pulpit or the 

 pleading tones of the Mission Room. We can under- 

 stand the awful call of God to repentance coming 



