THE FISHERMAN'S TEXT-BOOK BY S. M. C. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles and the inhabitants thereof. . . . Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare His praise in the islands."-ISAIAH xlii. 10-12. GRIFFITH & FARRAN (Successors to Newbery & Harris) WEST CORNER ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON 35.9. To all Fishermen ;—especially the Men and Boys of Holy-Island, Northumberland. I PREFACE. HAVE been asked to write a few words, by way of preface, to introduce this little book to the lads for whom it is written. I am sure I do not know why this honour should have been accorded me, except that the writer knows that my heart is bound up with the hopes and possibilities of our rising generation, both poor and rich. God has given me opportunities of knowing how His grace is working in the generous young hearts of lads of every rank of life in this our country. Boys of our Public Schools who deny themselves to give, and the poor stout-hearted lads who receive the benefit of their sacrifice, alike exhibit splendid examples of the power we have all received whereby we may become the Sons of God. Prayer is the exercise of this Power. Just as we could not live our natural life unless we breathed, so we cannot live our spiritual life if we do not pray. Prayer is the breathing of the soul. This little book is to help you to pray. To give you thoughts that will lift your hearts to God. Think, dear boys, as you sail under the clear Heaven, or ride the stormy waves, think of Jesus Christ, our God, who years ago sailed with S. Peter in his ship. That same dear Lord, Who died on the Cross for you, is now in Heaven, and is ever looking down upon you, during the night watches and through the long hours of the day, loving you, for He gave His life for you; taking care of you; receiving the prayers of your Mothers and your friends; showing you His wonders in the deep; prospering your toil; bringing you safe home, as He will some day bring you if you will let Him, to the Haven where you would be. The beautiful words in this little book will help you to think about Him, and if you use them rightly I am sure your honesty will compel you to try and live up to them. For you cannot pray unless you are bravely fighting against sin. Whatever our boys are they are not hypocrites. They generally give up saying their prayers because they feel they are not good enough to ask a favour of the God they have offended. But repent. Come back. Give up your sins. Break away from the tyrant who hates you, and who is seeking to destroy you for ever and ever. Come back to the Saviour Who loves you and Who shed His most precious blood to wash away your sins. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. You cannot please God better than by coming back to Him. You cannot grieve Satan more than by breaking away from him and showing that you are free and not his slave. This little book will help you. Say these prayers and mean them. Some of you know the writer, and need no introduction from a stranger's pen. You know how from her sick-bed her heart goes after you as you sail across the main, and her prayers go |