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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
March, 1938
of shuflleboard and stood looking on. The captain’s moves appeared deliberate, easy. T o his opponent, they had a fierceness un expected. Laughing, breathless, she tried to do better. But with a wild gesture, she threw the hoop too high, and it disap peared beyond the net, into the sea. The watchers roared with laughter. “ Now I never do that,” the captain re proved jovially, “ and I play all day—when the sun shines.” But there came a day when the captain did not play tennis. He was at the bridge, hour after hour as the ship cut steadily through heavy fog. Caution, not special danger, slowed progress. Responsible by law for the safety of his passengers, in time of any threat of danger the captain could not relinquish his duty to another. That morning, part of the Christian En deavor group gathered in the social hall. A seasoned missionary was speaking, his words punctuated by the dismal sound of the ship’s foghorn. H e : himself was no mean seaman, for years of service in Alaska had taught him the moods of the deep. “ Only in storm or trouble,” he pointed out, “must the captain of this vessel give uninterrupted attention to her sailing; at other times, he may do as he wishes, and we passengers have no special claim upon him. But there is another Captain”— the missionary’s face’ glowed with devotion— “ and if we sail with Him, it is by our deliberate choice of Him as the One in charge. And He never leaves the helm! In tempest, yes! But also in sunshine! We can trust Him.” A long loud blast sounded. When he could, the speaker continued: “ Some of us on this ship have come to know its captain as a friend. W e have played together; we have talked together. But (and I say it reverently) we are coming to know him today as more than a friend, as a potential saviour. He must take us through the nar rows; he must bring us beyond the fog— and for that, more than friendship is re quired. , “ I suppose”— the words came thought fully— “ it takes the fogs of life to make clear to us that the Captain of our souls is never merely a friend. He is the Christ of God, the only Saviour.” . The red-haired girl smiled understand- ingly. She was saying to herself, “ Other [Continued on page 129]
an ocean voyage among traveling com panions whose habits of drinking and smok ing at table were distasteful to him, would appreciate the absence of these annoyances and would value the wholesome, friendly atmosphere that prevailed in their place. For their guests’ enjoyment, the ship’s orchestra played choice classical selections and the rich hymns of the church— and played them well. Frequently, the group about the tables would break into spon taneous singing as the orchestra introduced some favorite selection, like the prayer- chorus of Howard Brown: “ Follow, I will follow Thee, my Lord, Follow every passing day. My tomorrows are all known to Thee; Thou wilt lead me all the way.” Mealtime came to be fellowship time, with a glad new meaning to the word. Fun— and More! “ H ere, take this!” A red-haired, viva cious girl tossed a blue beret into the lap of a fellow traveler. “ I’ve never played deck tennis, but I ’m going to,” she announced. With a bound, she was on the court, a section of the deck protected by nets. :'ifW o u are?” the spectator in the deck chair returned. “With whom . “ Oh, the captain’ll be along, probably,” she observed, tossing the hard rope hoops for practice. She was right. Solidly built, with bright ness in deep-set sharp eyes, a man in uni form approached the court casually. Four stripes of gold braid on the blue of his sleeve distinguished him as the ship’s com mander with more than twenty years’ experience. He did not speak, but a half smile lit his face. Tw o other players came up, and the game began. Strollers on the promenade deck paused. A few left games • Pictured at the top of the opposite page is the S. S. "Baranof" en route to Alaska, and a group of Christian Endeavor tour members on the gangplank. Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Brown are seen at the right of the row. Below on the left-hand page are a company of trav elers on the deck of the tour vessel, and an aerial view of the Columbia Glacier. Below on this page is a large portion of the August, 1937, Christian Endeavor party, together with a sunset view of Channel Island. The last- named photograph is by Schallerer, Ketchikan.
Benefits of Group Travel They fell to talking of the benefits that accrue from Christians’ vacationing to gether. A number of organizations, they recalled, have proved in recent years that such a plan( is pleasurable, economical, and productive of the highest spiritual and phys ical returns. They were inclined to think that Christian people as a whole had never so much as glimpsed the spiritual advan tages that such a vacation might hold for them, if they would but band themselves together and make plain what they would like to have along this line. The travel department of the California Christian Endeavor Union, under whose auspices this group was going to Alaska, is only one of several similar agencies. For nine years, this department, with Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Brown frequently in charge, has directed tours, to Mexico, Alas ka, and other localities, to the increasing satisfaction of participants. In 1937 alone, 135 persons took one or the other of the two “ C. E.” . Alaska tours, in July or in August. Because the organization is inter denominational in character, it appeals to persons from many church groups, and also to some who are not in any church but who enjoy the society of church people. The plan that is followed relieves the tourist of every vestige of anxiety pertain ing to the details of the trip; he becomes utterly care free. It provides for him the stimulating opportunity of meeting other .tour members who represent many locali ties and vocations. It places before him the benefits of a voyage that is invigorating, informative, and beautiful. And it makes available to him the means of acquiring spiritual strength. Fellowship at Table Every day, a sudden change occurred in the passengers’ conversation when a white- j acketed, very young steward, striking a dinner gong methodically, appeared and announced from deck to deck, “Luncheon will be served in thirty minutes, first sit ting.” Three times daily, he made the rounds. Responding, members of the Chris tian Endeavor party found their assigned places in the luxuriously appointed dining salon, for to their group was accorded the honor of sitting together as one big family, the first to be served. Whoever has made
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