continent of Europe. Then I have made good friends
with a young Dutchman, Mr. Van Leuween, who is a native
of Java, that is he was born there - his parents going
there years ago and are now living in the Dutch possession
in India. His mother is a Catholic and he was baptised a
catholic. His father is a protestant, however, and the
boy knows more about the protestant religion than he does
about the other. He, however, is well disposed to Christ-
lanity, but am sorry to say he kindly holds to the idea
that this life ends all - no future. He has read a great
deal and has gotten somewhat befogged as to his ideas and
aman like him it is hard to convince. We are sailing
along nicely and are now in the tropical clime. We are
in 20° North Latitude today and 17° West Longitude. At
night it is quite cold, but mornings and all through the
day very pleasant when not in the sun. But the most
beautiful moonlight nights. Oh, it is delightful and if
T only had my best girl L. with me to enjoy the trip what
a glorious time I could have. Tonight Bros. Wescott,
Morrison, Armstrong and myself went into my stateroom
and had prayers. I read a few verses from the 5th chapt.
Matt. and red in prayer the others praying as one would
finish until all had had a turn. After prayers we talked
about different things until about 12 o'clock midnight -
rather late - and passed a most delightful evening. I
don't think I mentioned before that we are on a German
line of steamers and they don't allow public service.
The Germans don't believe in pulling people into church --
as they express it -- but the Captain is well disposed
and has many friends among the missionaries. He told me
that sometimes he had as many as 16 missionaries on board
and when there were a good many thus, ladies and gentle-
men ~ by special consent of himself - they held daily
services among themselves in the ladies saloon. This
has not been a very eventful day - like a good many
others. About 12 o'clock today we passed a little fishing
boat and the 18t officer told me that it was one of a
number of the same kind that come out from Boston every
year and stay about six months and catch fish and put
then in firkins and then go back again and sell the
product. He did not know the name of the fish, but from
his description of them - being small and very good -
I'm inclined to think they are either or white
fish. Now with prayers for the safe voyage for friends,
relatives, Missionaries and the chureh & e I say goed
night
