HOMEWARD BOUND.
Saturday, October 31, at three o’clock in the afternoon, a mixed
assembly met on the pier in Liverpool and gazed, with not a little
apprehension, at the roily waters of the harbor and the ever-increasing
clouds of mist.
The St. Paul, while not one of the largest or most pretentious of the
American steamers, is by no means the least. Nineteen years ago she
passed us in mid-ocean, although she had left New York three days later
than we. Her parlors, refectory, and even the berths, are exceedingly
neat and comfortable. The dining-room is particularly attractive. One
thing especially noticeable on this ship is the absence of all
disagreeable, smoky or gaseous odors, which on some steamers taint even
the best-prepared viands, and often cause a feeling of nausea the moment
one enters the gangway.
May her patron, the good St. Paul, who on earth had taken so many
perilous journeys on land and sea, ever watch over his graceful white
sea-bird and lead her safely into the wished-for harbor.
Promptly at five o’clock the gong, sounding through the gangway, gave
notice of departure. For an hour or two we stood on deck and gazed out
upon the rapidly retreating lights of Liverpool, casting their rays so
awkwardly through the heavy fog which decked both land and sea.
When the last light fades out on the shore and despondency overwhelms
poor human nature, exposed to the unseen dangers of the deep, then
confidence is restored by the thought that we are ever in the presence
of Him whose watchful eye never closes, and without Whose knowledge not
even a sparrow falls to the ground.
CONFIDENCE.
God is on the sea,
As well as on the land,
Since all the mighty powers that be
Are resting in His hand.
He who gently moves the deep,
And holds the firmament above,
Will His people safely keep,
Who are trusting in His love.
He who rules the swelling wave,
When the storm is raging nigh,
Can our tortured spirits save
From His Throne of Grace on high.
And should the angel, Death,
Spread his wings above the wave,
Then our last, our dying breath,
Must be: Save! Oh Jesus, save!
Grant us Thy celestial joy
In the realms of love and light,
Where no toils, no cares annoy,
The just one, in Thy sight.
Bring our spirits home to Thee,
Where the angels’ joyous band,
Far above the deep, dark sea,
’Round Thy throne forever stand.
Before concluding, it may not be out of place to refer particularly to
the noble feelings of fraternal charity which existed among the English
people, not only in regard to the Belgians, whom they so generously
received and housed, but also with respect to their conduct toward their
Catholic fellow-citizens engaged with them in this charitable work. We
heard no more of those petty enmities which so often had arisen in times
past as to race, creed or nationality. The Catholic priest and
Protestant minister worked side by side in this good work. Ladies of
every denomination united their efforts and offered their time and money
for the sole purpose of helping the needy. No compensation was expected,
no material gains to be obtained. Thus every work performed was a work
of perfect self-sacrifice, and deserved a greater reward than earth can
repay. A golden link in the chain of love will ever more unite the
hearts of England and Belgium.
Further experience has shown that these golden links have multiplied
until the chain extends across the Atlantic, and holds in its friendly
tangles the heart of America also; who, of her rich abundance, has dealt
out to Belgium the clothing and life-giving foodstuffs which during the
past two years have saved the country from famine.
When this period of anguish is over and historians are recording for
future generations the horrors of this awful conflict, may they also
give just praise to the All-wise Being who has caused the fragrant rose
of charity to bloom among the weeds of war.
We were, or seemed to be, far out in the Irish Sea before we could tear
ourselves away from that wonderful sight. The sea was as yet quite calm,
and a number of hungry seagulls were flying around as if to bid us a
last farewell; so we remained on deck until it was found necessary to
enter and make arrangements for the night.
We were sadly disappointed on that dismal Hallow E’en in not being able
to obtain a glimpse of our own dear little Emerald Isle, so near and
dear, and yet so far away.
Next morning, Sunday, Feast of All Saints, found us out in the deep
waters of the channel, but the sea still remained calm. At half-past
seven o’clock we assisted at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered up
in one of the ship’s parlors.
When the service was ended we returned to our rooms, where in a few
hours we were all undergoing severe attacks of seasickness.
When again we walked the deck it was to inhale the invigorating salt sea
breeze and admire the wondrous waste of waters with the clear blue sky
above, and in the depths reflected a most beautiful picture, “Sunset on
the Sea.”
A day or two later we encountered on board, a Belgian woman en route for
Illinois, where her daughter was living. She had only sufficient money
to pay her passage to New York City, and, being unable to speak the
English language, was in great distress. The necessary sum was donated
by a Catholic clergyman of Massachusetts, by a Belgian gentleman who was
on board, and a lady of the “Committee for the Protection of Travelers.”
All needful information was given, and when we arrived in New York City
she was safely placed on the midnight train for Illinois.
Thus ended a short but fascinating mission among the Belgian refugees in
England. Thus ended the troubles, trials and sorrows of three months in
“The Great War.”
May the gory cloud soon disappear from the eastern skies and never,
never darken the gold and azure of our own American horizon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber’s note:
The contents of pages 14 and 15 were printed in reverse order. This has
been corrected.
Page 14, ‘honered’ changed to ‘honored,’ “like their time-honored
forefathers”
Page 20, ‘discused’ changed to ‘discussed,’ “in which are represented
and discussed”
Page 27, semicolon inserted after ‘peacemakers,’ “the peacemakers;
“Blessed are the”
Page 33, double quote inserted before ‘Shrine,’ “or “Shrine of Our
Blessed Lady”
Page 95, ‘soldeirs’ changed to ‘soldiers,’ “to depart, the soldiers had
returned”
Page 105, ‘greatets’ changed to ‘greatest,’ “multitudes who, in the
greatest haste”
Page 117, ‘adjoinig’ changed to ‘adjoining,’ “in the refectory or
adjoining rooms”
Page 119, ‘almsot’ changed to ‘almost,’ “in an almost dying condition”
Page 125, ‘obilged’ changed to ‘obliged,’ “would be obliged to ride”
Page 129, ‘Bom’ changed to ‘Boom,’ “back of the Boom street”
Page 136, ‘callar’ changed to ‘cellar,’ “others in the cellar, returned”
Page 150, ‘Russel’ changed to ‘Russell,’ “Southampton Row, Russell
Square, London”
Page 153, ‘Which’ changed to ‘which,’ “which seems to resemble”
Page 158, full stop changed to comma after ‘Mercier,’ “Card. Mercier, of
the Archdiocese”
Page 161, ‘woman’s’ changed to ‘women’s,’ “in the women’s department
during”
Page 167, ‘remians’ changed to ‘remains,’ “We saw the remains of the”
Page 172, double quote inserted after ‘doors?,’ “down our doors?” One
old lady”