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."

"Let me read a verse in the last chapter of Micah," responded Grand