alarmed them all so much that a consultation was held among them
whether if any ship came near they should hail it and go on board
wherever she was bound. I was perfectly unconcerned about the whole
matter, not being aware of the danger, which was kept secret from me
till we came on shore. I saw the men constantly pumping, but thought
it was what they were obliged to do in every ship. After coming to
land, on examining the ship, they found the leak to be so large that
one might put his five fingers into it; indeed, it seemed next to a
miracle that she kept above water; but every day of our lives may
convince us what dependent creatures we are. While God's merciful
providence protects us we are safe, though in the midst of apparent
danger; should he withdraw that protection but for a moment,
inevitable evils surround us, even when we think ourselves in
perfect safety.

"A proof of this we had in a most distressing event, which took
place about six weeks after we left Greenock. The wind was in our
favor, the day was fine, and we were all amusing ourselves on deck in
various ways, when Captain Kerr, who was standing close by us,
stumbling backwards, fell overboard. He got above water before the
ship passed him, and called to throw him a rope, but alas, no rope was
at hand, and before one was got the ship was out of his reach.
Immediately they threw over a large hen-coop, but, poor man, he could
not swim, so he soon disappeared. The boats were put out with great
expedition, and in less than a quarter of an hour he was found. You
may believe no means were left unemployed to restore animation; but
alas, the spirit had taken its final leave; it was no longer an
inhabitant of earth, not the least signs of life appeared. The day
after, being Sunday, his body was committed to the deep, from whence
it had been rescued the day before. Dr. Graham read in public the