ing to the injunction handed down to me from age to age, through the apostolic Church, in all her trials and triumphs, her martyrdoms and persecutions, her defections and corruptions, her weakness and her strength, reaching up to the sacred person of her Founder, even Christ Jesus, my Lord and Redeemer.

"So that, while I dare not say that the holy sacraments as administered to other bodies of professing Christians by good and worthy men are not edifying to the participants and acceptable in the sight of God, I do firmly believe and hold that there can be no doubt whatever of their divine acceptability and spiritual benefit as administered in our apostolic communion; that is to say, in the Episcopal Church."

"Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!" enthusiastically exclaimed the captain grasping Mr. Grey's hand. "You have done your best, my good brother, to enlighten my poor soul, and I dare say it's all plain enough to any one who has a head to understand it; but for my part, sir, I'm as much adrift as ever, and would much rather you'd have told us that all inside the Church were saved and all outside lost- then I'd know where I was. .. Mr. Watson," he continued turning abruptly to me, "can you make anything out of it?"

"Well, captain," I replied, "I think I understand Mr. Grey's position pretty well; but as perhaps we have already occupied too much of his time, I'll endeavor to explain it as well as I can on our way back to the Mission-room."

Though kindly urged by the clergyman to prolong the

interview, we soon took our departure and walked for some distance without exchanging scarcely a word, the captain being wrapt in profound meditation. At length, when we reached an eminence which overlooked a large section of the town, he halted, and pointing with his finger, counted,

"One, two, three, four, five, six-six church spires can be seen from this. That means six churches - all different and yet, in their own estimation, all right—all orthodox! Now, Mr. Watson, that can't be possible—can't be possible! Only one of them can be right; and yet, though each claims to be right, is there one of them that would dare to say that the only gate to heaven is through her door?"

"Yes, captain," I answered, "one of them makes that claim the Roman Catholic Church does."

"She does!" exclaimed the captain. "Then I respect her for it! That's business! What's the use of a finger-post that don't point anywhere in particular? What's a pilot

worth who's not sure of his course? Yes, Mr. Watson; if the Catholic Church makes that claim, I respect her for it; though she may be mistaken, after all. Yes, she may be mistaken."

"Yes, captain; I'm fully persuaded that she is mistaken in making any such arrogant claim as that. She has no higher authority for making it than any other branch of the Christian Church. The Bible is our only rule of faith the only revelation from God to man. What is not found between the lids of the Bible is not worth consideration - not worth the paper it is written on. It is only tradition, hear

say, old wives' fables, superstition. The religion of Christianity is in the Bible and the Bible only the religion of Protestants, at all events; and even Mr. Grey, with all his highchurchism, dares not go outside the record, however much he may feel inclined to do so. No, captain. No Church has a right to claim infallibility or an exclusive monopoly of the Truth."

"Then, Mr. Watson, what in the world are the Churches for? What is the use of them? I was disappointed with Mr. Grey, poor soul. I suppose he did the best he could; but he failed to answer my question; that is, to my satisfaction. We must pray over this matter. I feel, somehow, that the Lord is leading me among the breakers. I suppose it is to try my faith. But I'll grasp His hand all the tighter, till the day dawns, and then all will be plain sailing, I hope."

XIII.

ON Wednesday evening, a sailor, whom we had never seen before, made his appearance in the Mission-room, accompanied by a young woman. Although they took a back seat, it was not long before everyone in the room became aware of their presence, and many curious and searching glances were cast in the direction of the couple, who sat quietly and modestly enough, apparently interested in the exercises. So they remained till the close of the meeting, when what should they do but walk forward and request the captain to marry them!

Why, bless your sweet souls!" exclaimed the captain, taken greatly by surprise, "I can't marry you. I'm neither a minister nor a justice of the peace; but, perhaps, Mr. Watson here can help you out."

They looked very much disappointed, especially the poor girl, who could scarcely refrain from crying, and was evidently not a little ashamed of the situation.

Observing this, the captain took them one side and questioned them closely but considerately as to the step they were anxious to take, and cautioned them to be sure that they understood the nature and obligations of the marriage relationship, before entering into it.

The result being satisfactory to the captain, he asked me to take them to Mr. Grey or to my own pastor, Mr. Carter,

and see that they were legally united. As the latter is the nearer, I conducted them to his house, and finding him in his study, the pair were very soon made one, and sent away grateful and happy.

Next day the captain said to me, "Well, Mr. Watson, how about those two poor foolish creatures? Did you find someone to marry them?"

'Oh, yes! I took them to Mr. Carter, and remained to witness the ceremony. They appeared to be all right."

"I hope so, Mr. Watson, I hope so; but I have my doubts I have my doubts! And, by the way, speaking of your Mr. Carter, I must see him some day. I must have a talk with him."

The following evening I saw Dr. Carter and apprised him of Captain Antle's intention, and also gave him an inkling of the problems which were perplexing the captain's mind, so that, in a measure, he might be prepared for the visit. I say, in a measure; because, as you are aware, the captain's questions are apt to be as startling and unexpected as they are difficult to answer.

Yesterday forenoon we called on Dr. Carter, whom Captain Antle met for the first time. After some conversation about the Mission, the captain asked,

"Mr. Carter, do you believe that church-membership is necessary for salvation?"

"Well no, captain, not if you mean merely association with any particular body of professing Christians.”