THE WORLD OF ICE. 267

gained the mastery, and it soon became evident that
this hearty and excellent man was to be taken away
from them.

During the last days of his illness, Captain Ellice
was his greatest comfort and his constant companion.
He read the Bible to him, and when doubts and fears
arose, as they sometimes did, he pointed him to Jesus,
and spoke of that love from which nothing could
separate him.

It was on Christmas day that West died.

“O sir,” said he to Captain Ellice just an hour
before he breathed his last, “how much I regret the
time that I have lost! How I wish now that I had
devoted more of my precious time to the study of the
Word and to prayer! How many opportunities of
speaking a word for Jesus I have neglected. Once,
everything seemed of importance ; now, but one thing
is worthy of a thought.”

“True,” answered the captain, “‘the one thing
needful’ It is strange that we will scarce permit
ourselves to think or speak of that till we come to
die. But you have thought on Jesus long ere now,
have you not?”

« Yes,” answered West faintly, “I have; but I take
no comfort from that thought. When I think of my
past life it is only with regret. My hope is in the
Lord. What I have been, or might have becn, is
nothing. One thing I know—I am a smner; and

this I also know—‘ Christ Jesus came into the world

 

12?

to save sinners