discretion may preserve us,
and understanding may keep us. Do Thou, O Lord, make our way
prosperous, and give us Thy blessing and good success. Bring all
needful things to our remembrance; and where we have not the
presence of mind, nor the ability, to perform Thy will, magnify Thy
power in our weakness. Let Thy good providence be our aid and
protection, and Thy Holy Spirit our Guide and Comforter, that we
may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul.
Endue us with such strength and patience as may carry us through
every toil and danger, whether by sea or land; and, if it be Thy
good pleasure, vouchsafe to us a safe return to our families and
homes.

"And, as Thy Holy Word teaches us to pray for others, as well as
for ourselves, we most humbly beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, O
Lord, to comfort and succour all those who are in trouble, sorrow,
need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially such as may now
be exposed to the dangers of the deep, or afflicted with cold and
hunger. Bestow upon them Thy rich mercies, according to their
several wants and necessities, and deliver them out of their
distress. They are known to Thee by name, let them be known of Thee
as the children of Thy grace and love. Bless us all with Thy
favour, in which is life, and with all spiritual blessings in
Christ Jesus; and grant us so to pass the waves of this troublesome
world, that finally we may come unto Thy everlasting kingdom. Grant
this, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen._"

While touching on a religious point connected with our expedition, I
must say, that as yet we have not in the Navy a single good set of
sermons adapted to interest and instruct the seamen. The commander, or
commanding officer, of a man-of-war usually reads, in the absence of
the chaplain, the Divine Service on Sundays. We, of course, did not
fail to do so; but I never saw an English sailor who would sit down and
listen attentively to the discussion of some knotty text, exhibiting
far more ingenuity on the part of some learned commentator, than
simplicity and clearness adapted to plain, uninformed minds: in a
future expedition, and, indeed, in the Navy generally, it is to be
hoped this deficiency will be remedied. Sermons in the pure and
Christianlike tone of Porte