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CROSSING THE ATLANTIC

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 28, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 1.

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CROSSING THE ATLANTIC.

By John G. Matteson

A few hours were sufficient to buy tickets, claim baggage, and get out of that noisy, busy city—New York. At Hoboken, near the steamboat landing, we found a more retired place. The next day, Thursday, May 24, we went on board the Hamburg steamship “Pomerania.” In the second cabin we found every desirable convenience, and were supplied with a good variety of food.
We start in the afternoon. At last everything is ready. The captain steps on board. A few strokes of the screw bring us out from the dock. Some are laughing and some are crying. Flags, hats, and handkerchiefs are waving from nearly a thousand spectators, while loud cheers fill the air as a last farewell from friends. Oh! for a country where there are no parting sorrows and tears.
We have a pilot on board. He guides our ship till we are clear of all the dangers on the American coast. At once the machinery stops. A swift sailing boat runs up in front of us. They let out a small boat with two men to row it, who struggle against the turbulent waves till they are on our side. A gentleman is let down from the steamer. He takes his seat on the edge of the little boat, where he seems to feel as much at ease as a child in its cradle. Soon he is aboard his own pilot boat, and our captain is now the commander of the “Pomerania,” which again moves on with full speed.
It is good to have an experienced pilot on our life boat. One who can guide us safely amid the perils of the last days to the haven of eternal rest.
Soon the shores of America are out of sight. I am hurrying away from the land of liberty where I found a friendly home for twenty-two years, the land of light where my soul found peace in Christ; away from brethren and sisters in Christ, to whom I am bound with the tenderest cords of love; away from the field of labor in which I have spent about fourteen years of the best of my life; away from my home and mother and children,—the thought is overwhelming.
But the Lord goes with me. His angel will follow me across the deep waters. And I shall be a better man, if I continue to follow in the path of duty. My faithful wife goes with me. Her company is a great consolation to me in the midst of strangers. But her tears flowed fast as the great water commenced to separate between us and our dear children.
We are speeding on nicely. I walk every day on the deck. The sun rises from the horizon unshaded by hills and woods. The sea is very refreshing to me. I love to see the power of God in the mighty deep, and have always felt just as safe on the sea as on the land.
Sunday morning. Land is in sight. We have reached England. The steamer stops at Plymouth a short time and then goes on to Hamburg, which will take about two days more. The Lord has prospered us so far. To his name be all the glory.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
June 5.
A later note from Bro. Matteson says:—
“We proceeded on our voyage from Plymouth, Sunday morning. This is the strongest fortified port in England, according to British papers. It did not look much like a millennium to see ourselves surrounded by so many forts, warships, and terrible instruments of destruction, some of which were able to destroy the heaviest ironclad ship. Our steamer unloaded a precious cargo here, consisting of about $1,000,000 in gold and silver bars.
Sunday evening we sailed into the harbor of Cherbourg, which is said to be the strongest fortified seaport of France. Human art and ingenuity have certainly been applied here in a wonderful manner, and the city with its surroundings,presented an imposing scene. Our passage through the Channel and the North Sea was very pleasant. This evening we landed in Hamburg, and to-morrow morning we go to Veile.
The Lord has been very good to us in bringing us safely through. Although we were almost entirely surrounded by infidels on the ship, yet we were blessed with the presence of the Spirit of God. We found one congenial soul on board who subscribed for ADVENT TIDENDE.
Altona, Europe, June 5.