such a
hubbub in the hall.
Of course all danger was now past. The roaring torrent soon forced its
way into its own bed again, and all we had to do was to repair damages
as well as we could, and make ourselves as comfortable for the night as
circumstances would admit of.
Fortunately the next day was fine and warm, with brilliant sunshine.
Being Sunday we let everything remain just as it was, for Lumley and I
were of the same mind in regard to the Sabbath-day, and, from the
commencement of our expedition, had as far as possible rested from all
week-day labour on that day. Both of us had been trained to do so from
infancy.
Well do I remember my dear old father's last advice to me on this
subject. "Punch," said he, "wherever you go, my boy, `remember the
Sabbath-day to keep it holy.' You'll be tempted to do ordinary work,
and to go in for ordinary amusement on that day, but don't do it, my
boy--don't do it. Depend upon it, a blessing always attends the
respecter of the Sabbath."
"But, father," said I, venturing for the first time in my life to echo
what I had often heard said, "is it true, as some people assert, that
the Sabbath is a Jewish institution, and no longer binding on
Christians? Pardon my venturing to repeat this objection--"
"Objection!" interrupted my father, "why, dear boy, there's nothing I
like better than to hear fair, honest objections, because then I can
meet them. How can the Sabbath be a Jewish institution when the
commandment begins with `remember'? The day to be remembered was
instituted at Creation, given to man as a blessed day of rest from toil,
and recognised as binding by our Saviour, when He sanctioned works of
necessity and mercy on that day."
I never forgot my father's advice on this subject, and have experienced
mental, physical, and spiritual benefit as the result.
Owing to our belief in the Sabbath, then, we invariably, while
travelling, remained in camp on that clay, and found that we not only
did not lose, but actually had gained in speed at the end of each week--
comparing our rate of progress with that of those who did not rest on
Sundays. And I now recall to mind a certain bishop of the Church of
England who, while travelling in the great Nor'-west between two
well-known stations, made the fastest journey on record, although he
regularly remained in camp on the Sabbath-day. On that day, also, after
our arrival at Lake Wichikagan, and all through the winter, L
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