ton that lies over yonder furnishes me with a text:
`One is taken, and another left.' That poor fellow was taken away from
this life. You and I have been left behind. Assuredly we have been
left for a good purpose, and the merciful God who has spared us means
that we should henceforth live for His glory. My lads, you all know
what a blessed thing is a state of peace, and you also know what a
miserable thing it is to be for ever quarrelling. Since we landed on
this island, we've had a little of both. I took in hand to stop the
quarrelling the other day, in my own way. P'r'aps it wasn't altogether
my own way either, for I've read in the Bible of smiting a scorner, that
the simple might take warning. However, be that as it may, that system
may serve a turn; but it's not the straight road to come to a state of
peace. If we are to live happily here, my lads, to avoid quarrelling,
to honour our Maker, and to prove to each other--as well as to angels
and devils, who may be lookin' on for all that I know--that we stand on
a higher level than the brutes, we must square our conduct by the rules
and laws laid down by the Prince of Peace, whose desire is that on earth
men should live together in peace and goodwill. I'll now read you some
of these laws."

Here the captain drew a small Bible from his pocket, and slowly read the
fifth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, pausing at each verse, and commenting
thereon, after his own peculiar fashion, to the surprise of all who
heard him; for although all knew the captain to be an upright man, they
were not prepared, by his usually stern look and brusque off-hand
manner, for the tender spirit and depth of feeling which he now
displayed.

"Now, my lads," said he, shutting the book, "that's all I've got to say
to you to-day, but before closing, let me ask you to think like men--not
like children--about what we have been reading. The service of God is
not a mere matter of ceremonies. Jesus Christ came to save you and me,
not so much from punishment, as from sin itself. It is a great
salvation. Those of you who may have been swimming with the current
know and care nothing about the power of sin. If you think you do, my
lads, turn up stream. Try to resist sin, and you'll learn something
new. Only those who are made willing and strong by the Spirit of God
can do it successfully. No doubt that remark will set adrift a lot o'
thoughts and questions in your minds. To all of them I giv