FUNESIAL AT SJ5A. 



81 



son of Islam been comniitted to the deep, be would 

 probably liave reached on© of the " dark un fathomed 

 eayes of ocean," before these instructions could have 

 been pronounced froju the iuneral rites of the Mahom- 

 etan, I have often watclied the ominoua-loDking 

 massj as it sunk slowly, witli a gentle swing from side to 

 side, down the transparent deptlis, until it diaaj)peared 

 in tho abyss, and left the most thoughtless of those 

 whose eyes had followed it solemnly — and not alwaya 

 transiently — fixed on the realities of that purer faith 

 which accompanies the Chrirtiax sailor roimd the world, 

 I believe that not a few may refer to a sailors funeral 

 for the time when they firat said, " God k my Lord/' in 

 truth ; and " The son of God is mt^ prophet," in veracity ; 

 and, taking Mu faith for tlieir religion, and I/is Book for 

 their " Book of direction/' have lived and died, so that 

 the devout Mahometan fihall not shame them on the day 

 when all shall meet. 



Qui ii'OficU orBTO, 



GtaiioLefla art t1i5ti as t« pmft 1 

 Oo to Mfl^ilionli Jrajn U there, 



"Accordinri; to the Moslem creed, the souls of the 

 faithful hover, in a state of sempliic tranquillity, near 

 their tombs. Hence, the Moslem usage of vLsiting the 

 graves of their departed friends, in the idea that their 

 souk are the gratified witnesses of these testimonials of 

 aifection/' 



