or his courage and skill, his
perseverance and enterprising spirit. One thing was set before him, and
that one thing he did. His main object was scientific; his first voyage
was undertaken to observe the transit of the planet Venus, the Royal
Society having represented that important service would be rendered to
the interests of astronomical science by the appointment of properly
qualified individuals to observe that phenomenon. The second was in
search of a southern continent, which, at that time, was a favourite
object of geographical speculation. The third and last was to endeavour
to find a passage from the Pacific into the Atlantic Ocean. These
objects were praiseworthy, yet they were not the highest aims of the
truest and purest ambition. To be a martyr for science was earthly
glory; but to be a willing martyr for God is glory, honour, immortality,
and eternal life.

The discoveries made by Captain Cook were barren of any results beyond
those which are necessarily doomed to perish when the world and all that
is in it shall be dissolved, until God was pleased, in His own good
time, and by the influence of His gracious Spirit operating on the minds
of His servants, to make them show forth His praise. Then was made
manifest His almighty power, His infinite wisdom, and His amazing love,
in the triumphs of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the very
strongholds of Satan and sin; conveying to His waiting people the
assurance also that He had listened, and still listens, to their
aspirations and prayers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, having become parts of
the British empire, and colonised by British subjects, are not included
in this sketch; their history belongs to that of the mother country.
The wonderful progress they have made is due to the influx of European
settlers, not to the elevation of the native races.

THE END.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Captain Cook, by W.H.G. Kingston

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN COOK ***

***** This file should be named 24755.txt or 24755.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/7/5/24755/

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print edi