"And I," said Grandma Elsie; "we are as near the Master here as anywhere else; and when we cannot reach a church, we can rejoice in that thought--in the remembrance that he is just as near us here as anywhere else." "We will have a sermon, prayers, and hymns this morning, and a Bible class this afternoon, won't we, papa?" asked Grace. "Yes," he said; "but our guests must feel entirely free to attend our services or not as they feel inclined." "This one will feel inclined to attend," said Walter. "This one also," added Evelyn; "she will esteem it a privilege to be allowed to do so." "As I do," said Lucilla. "Father always makes a Bible lesson, and any kind of religious services, interesting and profitable." "I always enjoy them," said Violet, "and I know Grace and the little folks do. Is not that so, Elsie and Ned?" Both gave a prompt assent, and Grace said: "There is no kind of service I like better. So I do not feel tempted to fret over the stormy weather." "Ah," said the captain with a smile, "I am well content with the views and feelings expressed by my prospective audience. We will hold our services in the saloon, beginning at eleven o'clock." Accordingly, all--including the crew--gathered there at the appointed hour, listened attentively to the reading of an excellent sermon, and united in prayer and praise. In the afternoon they gathered there again, each with a Bible in hand, and spent an hour in the study of the Scriptures. As in the morning service, the captain was their leader. "Let us take the sea for our subject," he said, "and learn some of the things the Bible says of it. Cousin Ronald, what can you tell us or read us on the subject?" "There is a great deal to be said," replied the old gentleman. "It is spoken of in the very first chapter of the Bible--'the gathering together of the waters called the seas.' In the twentieth chapter of Exodus we are told, 'In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is'; and in the fifth verse of Psalm ninety-five, 'The sea is his, and he made it.' The Hebrews called all large collections of waters seas. The Mediterranean was the Great Sea of the Hebrews. "In the Temple was a great basin which Solomon had made for the convenience of the priests; they drew water out of it for washing their hands or feet, or anything they might wish to cleanse. "The Orientals sometimes gave the name of sea to great rivers overflowing their banks--such as the Nile, the Tigris, and the Euphrates, because by their size, and the extent of their overflowing, they seemed like small seas or great lakes. The sea is also taken for a multitude or deluge of enemies. Jeremiah tells us the sea is come up upon Babylon. But I am taking more than my turn. Let us hear from someone else." "From you, Cousin Annis," the captain said, looking at her. "No, I have not studied the subject sufficiently," she said, "but doubtless Cousin Elsie has."