I WAS once in an awful storm at sea. We were for many hours tossed about in sight of dangerous rocks; the engines would work no longer; the wind raged violently, and around were heard the terrific roar of the breakers, and the dash of the waves, as they broke over the deck.
All this dreary and trying time, while we lay, as might be said, at the mercy of the waves, I found great comfort and support from an apparently trifling circumstance; it was, that the captain's daughter was in the cabin with us. He had come two or three times, in the midst of his cares and toils, to see how his child went on; and it is well known how cheering is the sight of a captain in such a time of danger. As our situation grew worse, I saw the girl bending her eyes anxiously to the door, as if longing for her father's re-appearance. He came at last. He was a large, bluff, sailor-like man, and as he fell on his knees on the floor beside his child, he stretched his arms over her, but did not speak.
After a little while, he asked if she was alarmed. "Father," the child answered, "let me be with you, and I shall not be afraid.”
“With me!" he cried, "you could not stand it for an instant.”
“Father, let me be with you!" she repeated.
“My child, you would be more frightened then," he said, kissing her, while the tears were on his rough cheeks.
“No, father, I will not be afraid if you take me with you. Oh, father, let me be with you!" And she threw her arms around his neck, and clung fast to him. The strong man was overcome; he lifted his child in his arms, and took her away with him.
How much I felt her departure! As long as the captain's child was near, I felt her to be a sort of pledge for the return and care of the captain. I knew that in a moment of greatest danger the father would run to his child; I was certain that were the vessel to be abandoned in the midst of the wild waves, I should know of every movement, for the captain would not desert his child.
Thus, in the presence of that child, I had comforted myself, and when she went, I felt abandoned, and for the first time fearful, I rose, and managed to get on deck. The sea and sky seemed one; it was a dreadful sight. Shuddering, I shrank back, and threw myself on my couch. Then came the thought—the child is content; she is with her father; and have I no father? O God, I thank Thee! in that moment I could answer, Yes. An unseen Father, it is true; and faith is not as sight, and nature is not as grace; but still I knew I had a Father and a Savior Whose love surpassed knowledge. The thought calmed my mind. Reader, does it calm yours?
“Oh!" cries the trembling soul, "the storm is fearful; the sky is hid; we seem to walk in darkness, and have no light.”
“Be still, and know that I am God," saith the Lord; then seek to know that God is thy Father.
“Fear not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God." All things are under the dominion of Christ; and all things, yea, even terrible things, shall work together for good to them that love God. Tempest-tossed soul, as the child clung to her father's bosom, so cling thou to thy God; in the moment of thine extremity He will appear, to be with thee or take thee to be with Himself. "when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.”