PASSENGERS OF THE LATE CITY OF DUNEDIN.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2224, 27 June 1865, Page 5

PASSENGERS OF THE LATE CITY OF DUNEDIN.

(To the Editor of tlie Wellington Independent.) Sill, — As it is ncv< the unanimous conclusion that the City of Duncf^U?! .with all who had embarked in her havt sub'ino-'god beneath tho blue waves of the depths of U^ok's Straits, I deem it not out of place to si atft ibr the information of surviving friends and relation's that I was on board the evening before she took her departure, at which time I addressed them from " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." A considerable number of those who went down were present, who gave every attention ; and there was a marked solemnity which I do not always observe on board of a vessel. But Oh ! had I known that they were so near their end, with what a degree of earnestness should I have endeavored to impress upon their minds the great need of preparation for eternity ! Was I then sure that the following day in the evening soon after leaving the wharf that the vessel would prove their coffin, and that in it they would sink to rise no more till the trump of GS-od should be blown, when the sea shall give up her dead ! Under such terrible considerations I should have put forth the most strenuous exertions to lead them to Him who is "mighty to save." (We oftentimc speak of the dangers of tte deep, forgetting at the same time that dangers stand thick through all the ground to push us to the tomb.) I shall not soon forgot an old gentleman who on that occasion thanked me for my service. He told me his willingness to depart this life whenever the summons Blmll come. His hair was mado white by time, having passed through many a trial and difficulty. However, Christianity had made his heart happy, so that he coidd rejoice in the prospect of eternity. He could adopt the language of the apostle, " I have a building of Grod, an house not made with hands." He was convinced he had a homo in heaven. He may have left those behind him in some part who will be pleased fco hear that a few hours before his last moments he was rejoicing in the fact that lie was on his way to a " land where the inhabitants never say lam sick." I had conversation withother passengci'3. Several mothers with their little ones who were bound for the " land of gold," Hokitika, appeared weary with the voj'age, who expressed a wish to reach very shortly their destination. I have mentioned the above circumstances to many on board the steamers in port, and there appears a seriousness on the minds of many. I had often been before on board this vessel and brought before the minds of the crew things pertaining to the salvation of the soul, which matters I am sorry to aay are very much neglected by many who go down to sea in ships and do business ] upon the great waters ; so much so that they ex- j press themselves in such terms as to leave no I doubt upon the mind that they are very much annoyed at one bringing these things before them. However, this crew was quite exceptional, and I was glad to ilnd from the beginning that they were always ready to hear the truths of our common Christianity. City Missionary. Wellington, June 23, 18G5.