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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
intensity of feeling, which for a long time rendered me 
almost insensible to the raging storm, or the liquid 
columns which threatened our destruction. 
The hours that followed were some of the most 
solemn I have ever passed in my life. Although much 
recurred to memory that demanded deep regret and most 
sincere repentance, yet I could look back upon that 
mercy that had first brought me to a knowledge [of the 
Saviour, with a gratitude never perhaps exceeded. Him, 
and Him alone, I found to be a refuge, a rock in the 
storm of contending feelings, on which my soul could 
cast the anchor of its hope for pardon and acceptance 
before God; and although not visibly present, as with 
his disciples on the sea of Tiberias, we could not but 
hope that He was spiritually present, and that, should 
our bodies rest till the morning of the resurrection 
in the unfathomed caverns of the ocean, our souls 
would be by Him admitted to the abodes of blessed¬ 
ness and rest. I could not but think how awful 
would my state have been, had I in that hour been 
ignorant of Christ, or had I neglected and despised the 
offers of his mercy; and while this reflection in¬ 
duced thankfulness to Him through whom alone we 
had been made to share a hope of immortality, it 
awakened a tender sympathy for our fellow-voyagers, 
who sat in mournful silence at the helm or in the 
bottom of the boat, and seemed averse to conversation. 
Our prayers were offered to Him who is a present help 
in every time of danger—for ourselves—and those who 
sailed with us ; and under these, or similar exercises, 
several hours passed away. The storm continued 
during the day. At intervals we beheld, through the 
clouds and rain, one or other of the waterspouts, the 
