THE WORLD OF ICE. 121

of any body of men it was absolutely necessary to
maintain the strictest discipline. Indeed, this rule is
so universal in its application, that many men find it
advantageous to impose strict rules on themselves in
the regulation of their time and affairs, in order to
keep their own spirits under command. One of the
captain’s first resolves therefore was, to call the men
together and address them on this subject; and he seized
the occasion of the first Sabbath morning they spent
in the Bay of Mercy, when the crew were assembled
for prayers on the quarter-deck, to speak to them.

Hitherto we have not mentioned the Sabbath day
in this story, because, while at sea, and while strug-
gling with the ice, there was little to mark it from
other days, except the cessation of unnecessary labour,
and the reading of prayers to those who chose to
attend ; but as necessary labour preponderated at all
times, and the reading of prayers occupied scarce half-
an-hour, there was little perceptible difference between
the Sabbath and any other day. We would not be
understood to speak lightly of this difference. Little
though it was in point of time and appearance, it was
immeasurabl ly great in fact, as it involved the great
principle that the day of rest ought to be observed,
and that the Creator should be honoured in a special
manner on that day.

On the Sabbath in question—-and it was an ex-
ceedingly bright, peaceful one—Captain Guy, having
read part of the Church of England service as usual,
stood up, and in an earnest, firm tone said :—