Adventist. Good morning, Capt., when did you arrive?
Capt. Yesterday. We left Liverpool just three weeks ago.
Adv. All good luck—and pleasant then, I suppose.
Capt. Very: excepting a day or two before we discovered land, it was foggy; but we knew by our reckoning that we must be near land, for by some means it was out three days before we arrived; so we kept a constant watch, with little sail, and steered by compass. The first sign of land we discovered, was the light at Sandy Hook: and about the same time a pilot came alongside. But how do you get along now with Millerism, your time is out—you said I should not have time to get back. But here I am. Now wont you give it up and be rational?
Adv. What would you have me to do? Give up the Lord's coming?
Capt. Yes. Or that he will not come in this day, nor for a thousand years.
Adv. Would you do so in a similar case?
Capt. Surely I would.
Adv. Let us see. Suppose you had said to all hands on board ship, one day before you saw the light at Sandy Hook; down sails—leave the helm, and let the ship go, we have sailed two days since our reckoning was out, there is no land, therefore, let her go. And do so in a way that would convince them that you were in earnest, and meant to be obeyed. What would they think, and what would they do?
Capt. Why they would think I was crazy, and would confine me.
Adv. We do not intend to act like crazy folks. The Lord's not coming quite as soon as we expected, does not convince us that He will never come—nor that his coming is not to be for a thousand years. But we are now placed in a situation similar to yours when your reckoning was out, and we mean to do as you did—keep a strict watch, with low sails, and steer by the Compass God has given, and we are confident that we shall meet with a similar result. The light house will soon appear, "the sign of the Son of man in Heaven," and the Lord in the clouds as sudden as the lightning, and his angels will come alongside and pilot us to glory.—Selected.