"KEEP THE STAR IN SIGHT."
On a wild spot on the coast of Cornwall I fell in with Will Treherne. He was as sound an "old salt" as ever manned a lifeboat or went aloft in a gale of wind. He was getting an old man when I used to see him sitting on the beach, when his day's work was done, smoking his pipe and gazing at the evening star. He told us boys stirring stories of sea life and adventure. One evening he narrated the following:—
"Thirty years ago, in just such a night as this, the wind whistling as it does now, with the sea rising, and with as crazy a craft as seamen ever sailed in, I found myself drifting along a dangerous coast.
"Our captain was an experienced one, and, when he saw what weather we were threatened with, he took his place at the wheel, and did his best to keep our courage up. He was in terribly poor health, but his spirits rose above his bodily weakness, and he gave his orders with a pluck and decision that made men of every one of us.
"'Will Treherne,' he cried, 'stand by me if you can be spared. My strength is going. Do you see that star right ahead?'
"'Yes, sir.'
"'If my strength should fail, steer right ahead for that, and you are safe. And oh, remember, Will, that there is another Star you must always keep in view if you are to get safely into port at last.'
"I knew what he meant. He was pointing me to the Lord Jesus Christ, for he was as good a Christian as he was a captain, and he never lost a chance of saying a word that might steady us youngsters, and make us think of our souls. I have heard many a sermon since that night in the storm, when he told me to keep the star ahead, but none took more hold on me than that one that night, when I lost my truest and best friend."
"Did you lose him that night?" I asked.
"Yes, my lad," the sailor answered, sadly. "His hour was come. When he could stand the gale no longer, he shouted as loud as he could, 'Keep the star in sight, my lads; keep the star in sight!' Then he was helped down to the cabin, and I never saw him alive again. I was lashed to the wheel, and though the spray well-nigh blinded me, yet I managed to keep the star in sight, as the first officer gave his orders for the working of the ship.
"After two hours of steering through a narrow and dangerous channel, we found ourselves in a friendly sea. The star had guided us right.
"When the ship was in safety, and my turn of work was over, I went down to the captain's cabin. A flag was thrown over his body, but his manly, resolute face, which even death had not much altered, was visible. I knelt down there and prayed God to guide me through the storms of life; and I believe I can say that, from that night, in spite of my faults and failings, I have kept the Star in sight. Now you will know why I am such a star-gazer; and if I may give you a bit of counsel, my lad, let me advise you to seek grace to begin and steer your course by the Star of Bethlehem; and, if your eye is fixed on that Star, you will come safely through the dangers of life into the port of peace at last."—Chatterbox.