Christian Courage.

Manawatu Herald, 3 September 1898, Page 3

Christian Courage.

Not all the war stoiies are about " the thunder of the captains and the shouting." Some are about the praying of the captains. A. ship mate of Admiral Sampson's to illustrate that commander's courage, says : "He is a God-fearing man, and always says his prayers before turning in." His friend on his first cruise was a ward room officer with Sampson, and he says, as quoted in " The Christian Oommonwealth " : —"The first night aboard ship, when the hour arrived for c piping down ' and turning in, there were several officers sitting round a ward room table indulging in some innocent merriment. I was taught to say my prayers before going to bed at night, but I confess I lacked the oourage to kneel down in the presence of my shipmates and pray. It was warm weather, and our state room doors opened into the wardroom. Then it was that Sampson displayed the moral courage that for ever afterwards impressed me. When he was ready to turn in he knelt down by his bed and prayed. A itillness came over the ward-room immediately, and I concluded that if Sampson had the courage to say his prayers in the presence of bis shipmates I could do likewise, so I have never hesitated since to pray before turning in. Only those who have sailed the sea in a warship can appreciate how much moral courage is required to kneel down in the presence of a lot of roysteriog shipmate? and ask God's blessing. Sampson never makes his religious devotions offensive to his shipmates, but he reserves the right to be master of his own conscience." Another story of a praying captain relates to the actual events of the war. It was stated^by the New World's correspondent the other day that Captain Phillip, of the Tixas, which engaged the Vizcaya with such terrible effect called all hands to quarter deck after the fight, and, with bare bead, thanked God for an almost bloodless victory. " I want to make public acknowledgement here," he said, " that I believe in God, the Father Almighty. I want all you officers and men to lift your hats, and from your hearts offer silent thanks to tlio. Almighty." " All hats were off," the narrative continues, " there was a moment of absolute silence, and then the overwrought feelings of the ship's company relieved themselves iff three hearty cheers for their beloved commander." It is of this sime Captain Phillip that another fine itery ier told. While the Texas and the Oquendo were fighting a mighty explosion shook the Oquendo and the crew of the Texas cheered. "Don't cheer," shouted Captain Phillip, "the poor devils are dying."