My colleague, the captain, spoke to the crew on the Prodigal Son. We
have conversed with several of the men, and have found that there are
among them those who make a practice of secret prayer. We concluded
to have a meeting in the evening, when we would explain the way to
be saved. Twenty-four of the crew were present; indeed all who could
be spared from duty. I spoke from the words, “Ho, every one that
thirsteth,” &c., (Is. 55,) and the captain followed. Some of them
showed a tearful interest. I advised them to begin and act as believers
in the Saviour of men, to give up the long, wearisome endeavor which
some of them had confessed to me they had been pursuing for years, to
find if they were christians, or when and how they became such. Several
of them are members of christian families, all of them have heard the
gospel, understand the way of acceptance with God, are respectful in
their attendance on religious service, show at times that they are
impressed with the truths which they hear. It is deeply affecting to
speak to these men. Soon they will be scattered to the four winds. Few
of them shall we meet again in this world. This thought cannot fail
to make one affectionate and earnest in preaching to them. It may be
stated here that I never felt more deeply the privilege of declaring
the gospel to men, nor did I in my congregation ever feel more the need
of carefulness in my statement of christian truth. These men weighed
everything which was spoken, did not care for excellency of speech,
nor man’s wisdom; loved simplicity, felt nothing compared with the
representations of Christ, his words, his treatment by men, his claims
on them, his present and future glory, and his coming to judge the
world.