Reformer On The Loose

February 2  Reformer On The Loose

 

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Lam. 3:40

Bates on his last voyage (the one after he was converted) believed his duty was not only to convert his crew to Christianity, but to make sure they behaved like Christians, even before they actually became such.

Thus at sunset on August 9, 1827 (the day they departed port), he assembled his crew and stated the rules and regulations that would govern the voyage. It must have been a shock to the rough seafaring men who stood before him. Not only were they to give up swearing, but they were to show respect for one another by using their proper names rather than nicknames. Much more redical was the rule that they would have no shore leave on Sunday while in port. Rather, proclaimed the captain, "we shall observe the Sabbath" on board ship.

The crew mostly sat in stunned silence to the proclamations. Some voiced contrary opinions, but what were they to do? After all, they were already out to sea on a journey that would probably take some 18 months.

But the real bomb hadn't yet dropped. The Empress, Bates announced, would be a temperance ship. There would be no liquor or intoxicating drinks on board, and if he could he would persuade them never to drink at all, even when on shore.

At that point Bates knelt and dedicated himself and his crew to God.

Such was the atmosphere of what must have been a strange voyage for the crew. We don't know all their feelings, but one of the crew exclaimed that they were off to "a very good beginning." And at least one held that it was a very bad beginning.

On that voyage Bates began to get a better understanding of the Sabbath. The voyage witnessed his reading at least twice Seth Williston's Five Discourses on the Sabbath. on the first reading Bates declared that he did not know that the Bible had so much to say about the topic. Of course, he noted, "it was altered to the first day of the week" as a remembrance that on that day "our Saviour arose triumphant from the grave." A few weeks later he wrote that 'the more I read and reflect on his holy day [Sunday] the more I am convinced of the necessity of keeping it entirely holy."
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The will of God is expressed in the precepts of His holy law, and the principles of this law are the principles of heaven. The angels of heaven attain unto no higher knowledge than to know the will of God, and to do His will is the highest service that can engage their powers(TFMB 109). 

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