364 
JOURNAL OF A 
to settle some family affairs, gave me much interesting informa- 
tion both of that singular country, and of my friend the Rev. Mr. 
Marsden. Thus I never felt time hang heavy on my hands. If I 
was not disposed to write or read, I always found such society and 
conversation on deck, as afforded me great gratification. 
My little cabin was my sanctuary, and the hurry and noise in 
the gun-room seldom, if ever, disturbed me in my meditations. 
Whatever is not within my reach or controul, in things not quite 
consistent with religious propriety, I leave to Him, who judgeth 
righteously, not being answerable for what is not committed to 
me, or in my power to alter in the conduct of others. To re- 
prove, in a spirit of Christian meekness and true charity, being 
more disposed to excuse and make allowances, than to find fault 
and judge severely, is certainly the duty of a true Christian, but 
the manner of doing it, with any hopes of success, is not the gift 
of every one, who feels the obligation. But there was not an 
officer on board, who would not take in good part, any remark 
made on subjects, on which we differed in sentiment or expres- 
sion. 
A small shelf had been put up in my cabin, which contained a 
few books. Every morning, when I awoke, the bull's eye giving 
me sufficient light, I read the Scripture-texts appointed for every 
day in our Church, with the two chapters from which they were 
taken, adding sometimes larger portions of the Scriptures, as I 
was led on, by the importance of the subjects, and the great de^ 
light and comfort I enjoyed in this practice. Never did the 
Bible appear to me so precious a treasure, v/hen read with prayer, 
and under the enlightening influence of the Spirit of God, by whose 
divine assistance I was frequently led into a clearer understanding 
of many of the great truths contained in it, than I had ever before 
possessed. To enter largely upon the subject, would be here out 
of place, but I trust, some abiding impressions have been made 
upon my soul, during my solitary devotions in that narrow cell. 
Every day, two officers were invited by the Captain to dinner^ 
