When our Ships Come in.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 31 January 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

When our Ships Come in.

Lovo years a^o a boy stood at bia mother's knoe and asked her (or many things, toys, plo&sures, pastimes, money to procure them with. " You shall have them all," said tho fond mother kisamg tho boj'a upturned face, " when my ship cornea in," But tho ship never oamo in. Years passed; the boy hecarufi a man, and the mother, who was very sick, sent for him. When ho stood by her bedside she looked at him with a faint, sad smile. " My ship is coming in," she said. Then ho know that she was dying. " It is a beautiful ship," eho whispered, " and it 13 bringing mo every good thing I have missed here." " But it will tako yon away from mo," and the strong man wept. Other years passed away, and an old man lay dying. His grandchildren hung about him to Boothe hia last moments and »cc that his wants were attended to. They thought he was gone— he lay so silent. At last ha opened bis cyos and said in a clear, flini voice : " Rest — Horne — Heaven — I will have them all, when my ship comes in." " Has he a ship ?'' asked tho children of each other. " It is sailing steadily thin way," said tho dying m*p. "It's sails are white and (;hattningjwio friends of my youth aio on its decks of pearl ; no rough seas will cn^ulph it ; no storms will drivo it from its course; my Captain has given Hia orderu ; my ship is coming in." .The children saw no white- winged ship, or boatman pale. They beard not the dip of the mullled oars, as they bore him away on " the sea that runs around ull the world." Wo all have ships at sea. To our human eyea some of thorn were wrecked near shore — " By the flow of the inland river," While some went down in open sea, with all their colors flying. They have the choicest treasures for us, but thoy never come in ; friends, dear friends, aro voyagers on them ; richer "stuff than tho looms of India produce are in the holds ; jewels of fabulous wealth are held in trust there ; but are on the far-ofl sea, and come not to any harbor. We can see the dip of the opal sails ; wo can discern the beloved crew, but they are ever Bailing away, away. " Ship ahoy V It is the voice of tho commander, Death. The ship puts about then, and oomes near to the white sands of life. It is no unreal phantom ship. It is freighted with youth and love, lost hopes and blessed fruition. Our feet are upon the decks — the white spray envelopos us with a veil ; all sail is not for the blessed isles— our ship has come in I—Detroit1 — Detroit Free Prets.