THE

HOPE OF THE NAVY.

CHAPTER I.

On the influence which almost every individual possesses over those by whom he is surrounded-However low in station Of the consequent duty of all in their respective capacities-The importance of religious example and instruction-Erroneous ideas entertained respecting religious conduct being inconsistent with active duties of life-This feeling traced to a false shame— The fear of ridicule, a charge of hypocrisy-How it should be met and resisted--Especially in the military or naval profession-Duty of christian officers-Cause of erroneous judgments—Religious conversation rarely tolerated — Impossible to serve God and the world— Effect to be looked for from bold acknowledgment of faith and resolute performance of duty-Prayers for all in authority-How religion may influence conduct of officers-Wide field for Christians to labour inPrecautions required for young persons coming into the busy world-What results might be looked for from

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union of officers to glorify God-Danger of self deception-Proof of our love and devotion to GodChristian life a race--. How operative and beneficial— Examples of men in power-animating consideration arising from this subject.

ALMOST every individual, however inferior in talent, or obscure his station in life may be, has a certain portion of influence in the circle of which he may form a part, if it be but the influence of example. Poverty may have placed him among the most destitute of his fellow creatures, and disease or accident may have rendered him one of the most helpless; still, even under such circumstances, he may have it in his power to glorify God by his patience, his meekness, his cheerful resignation, and by shewing his confidence in the divine promises of support and comfort to all who seek it through their Redeemer.

If, then, all in every situation of life have the means of doing good-if all may be instrumental in lightening some of the burdens which sin has brought upon us, what a peculiarly awful responsibility rests upon those

who are not only exempted from the miseries by which such multitudes are afflicted, but who are in the enjoyment of so many blessings bestowed upon them by a kind and bountiful Providence, and which might be made instrumental to so much comfort to the afflicted if duly improved.

But it is not only temporal advantages which demand our gratitude, and invest us with responsibility, but the far greater and inestimable treasures of grace contained in the holy Scriptures. We have had the light of the blessed gospel shining upon us from our earliest infancy, and the merciful offers of salvation set before us. If we have closed our eyes, and our ears, and our hearts, against these gracious and benign invitations, the greater woe and the greater misery will be ours if we persist in our criminal insensibility; but if the still small voice has been heard; if we have been enabled by the aid of the holy Spirit to obey the call and to flee to the refuge set before us; to feel the joyful assurance that we are indeed born again, and are become heirs of everlasting

life, how should these great and blessed privileges animate us, whatever may be the situation in which we are placed, to endeavour by every exertion in our power to become the humble instruments of leading others to the same source of hope and happiness: those especially with whom we may be performing the journey of life, and have experienced together the power, the mercy, and the long suffering goodness of the Lord. If we consider the benefits, and the advantages conferred upon us collectively or individually as so many talents committed to our charge, for which we shall be made accountable-we shall not be satisfied with the selfish enjoyment of them, but we shall diligently endeavour to improve them to the utmost, by devoting them to Him from whom they proceed, and using them so as to diffuse the greatest extent of good to those around us: if we are but sincere in our efforts, the divine blessing will be upon us-and whether the five, the two (or only the one) talent may have been committed to us, we shall not fail either in our object or reward,

and our gifts, like the widow's mite, will be estimated according to what we have, and not according to what we have not. The quiet, unpretending, and consistent conduct of the real Christian, even in the humblest station, will be productive of more real benefit to the cause of religion, and consequently to the general welfare, than the most eloquent and splendid display of worldly wisdom and munificence from the unbeliever in the higher ranks of life.

We are all ready to acknowledge the contagious nature of evil; how rapidly vicious. habits will spread, and how luxuriantly the tares will grow under the baneful influence of the great enemy of mankind. The good seed is of much slower growth, and requires a long, a patient, and a laborious cultivation, but then the dews of heaven will be upon this-the Sun of righteousness will draw it forth, and make it to produce abundantly, if we humbly and faithfully pray for the divine blessing upon our efforts. Let this reflection be our comfort and our encouragement.