ersation. All the party
were above the average in intelligence. This was shown by their having
risen from their original position. Various subjects had been
discussed.

"To my mind, as I have often said, a ship is just like a little world,"
observed Mr Martin, who had some clear notions on many matters. "Every
man in it has his duty to do, and if he doesn't do it, not only he, but
others, suffer. It is not his business to be saying, Why am I to do
this? Why am I to do that? It's the law in the articles of war, or the
rules and regulations of the service; that's enough. If you join the
service, you must obey those rules. It's your business, though, to
learn what they are. Now, that's just the same when a man becomes a
Christian. He mustn't do what he would like to do according to the
natural man; but he must learn Christ's laws, and try and obey them.
Just see how the men on board a man-of-war are practised and exercised
in all sorts of ways to make them good seamen. Here they are, from
morning till night, exercising at the guns, shortening sail, reefing
topsails, drilling with the small-arms, mustering at divisions, going to
quarters, and fifty other things; and though sometimes they don't like
the work, it's all for their good and the good of the service, and to
enable them to support the honour and glory of our country. Just in the
same way, I've often thought, God manages us human creatures. We are
sent into the world to fit us to become His subjects; we are exercised
and practised in all sorts of ways, and, though we often think the way
very hard, we may be sure that it is for our good, and, what is more, to
fit us to support His honour and glory."

"I never saw the matter in that light before," observed Mr Thomson, the
gunner. "I've often thought how there came to be so much pain and
sorrow in the world, and how so many things go wrong in it."

"Why, look ye here, Thomson, just for this cause, because men don't obey
God's laws," exclaimed Mr Martin. "Adam and Eve broke them first, and
their children have been breaking them ever since. Sin did it all.
What would become of us aboard here, if the ship, however well-built she
might be, was badly fitted out at first, and if we all were constantly
neglecting our duty and disobeying orders? Why, we should pretty soon
run her ashore, or founder, or blow her up, or, if we met an enemy, have
to haul down our flag."

The sergeant and purser's steward, wh