calm, and in less than half an hour all was still, and a more pleasant time for wood-hauling than I had that day, I never saw nor desire to see.  Many others beside me enjoyed the benefit of that “sudden change” of weather, but to them it was only a “nice spell of weather,” a “lucky thing;” while to me it was full of sweet and encouraging tokens of the “loving-kindness of the Lord.”  And now, after so many years, I feel impelled to give this imperfect narrative, to encourage others in the day of trouble to call upon the Lord; and also, as a tribute of gratitude to Him who has “never said to the house of Jacob, seek ye my face in vain.”

PRAYING IN FAIR WEATHER.

The ways in which God saves those whom he wishes to deliver from death, are sometimes too wonderful for our understanding.  A certain ship was overtaken in a severe and prolonged storm at sea.  She had a noble Christian man for a captain, and as good a sailor as ever trod the quarter-deck, and he had under him a good and obedient crew.  But they could not save the ship; she was too badly strained, her leaks were too great for the pumps, she must go to the bottom.  The captain committed them all to the care of the God in whom he put his trust, and made ready to take to their boats.  Just then a sail was descried, and, by signals of distress, drawn to their relief.  All on board were taken off safely and put on the ship, soon after which they saw their own ship go down.

Now comes the peculiar part.  The ship was soon overtaken in a dreadful storm, was cast on her beam ends, and everything seemed to be lost.  The passengers were praying, and many of the old seamen were calling on God to save them from the great deep.  The captain of the ship had done his best, but could not right the vessel, and all was given up to go down.  The captain, whose ship was lost, then asked if he might take his crew and try to right the vessel.

“Take them, and do what you can,” was the reply.  He called to his men and told them they must save that ship; he inspired them with confidence, for they knew he was a true man of God.  They executed his orders with alacrity and care.  They cut away the masts, and cleared away the rigging, and brought all the force they could to right the vessel.  God prospered the efforts—­the ship righted; they got the pumps at work, rigged a sail, and were finally all saved.  It seemed as if it was necessary to put the captain of the first ship and his crew on the second ship, that they might save it and those on board when the terrible storm came.

Now it was particularly noticed in connection with this deliverance, that the captain of the lost vessel did not make any ado in prayer, or in calling on God, while the storm was raging; and knowing that he was a Christian man, they asked him the reason of this.  He answered them, that he did his praying in fair weather; “and then” said he, "when the storm comes, I work.”  He did not distrust God then, any more than in fair weather; but he knew that God requires man to do all he can to save himself, and praying might lose him his ship, when his own efforts must save it.