244 THE WHALE AND 



Main reason for Sabbath Whaling. Lucre above Law. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



A PLEA IN BEHALF OF THE SABBATH FOR WHALEMEN. 



What says the prophet? let that day be bless'd 



With holiness and consecrated rest. 



Pastime and business both it should exclude, 



And bar the door the moment they intrude ; 



Nobly distinguished above all the six, 



By deeds in which the world must never mix. 



Hear him again ! he calls it a delight, 



A day of luxury, observed aright ; 



When the glad soul, made heaven's own willing guest, 



Sits banqueting, and God provides the feast. COWPEK. 



THE all-inclusive cause which perpetuates 

 and lies at the bottom of Sabbath whaling, 

 is that which upholds and furnishes the stimu- 

 lus to almost all other forms of Sabbath break- 

 ing, the odious slave-trade, &c. I mean the lust 

 of lucre, that deified greedy Devil of gain that 

 in the end troubleth his own house. Whaling 

 captains and owners are seldom willing, for the 

 honor of GOD or regard to his law, to forego 

 the profits which they think accrue from Sab- 

 bath whaling; and therefore, once at sea on 

 whaling ground, they are unwilling to stop and 

 take breath for a long Lord's day. 



