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Chapter 5 - LOOK ALOFT. - p. 24
The old sailor's advice --- The warning cry --- Peace and content --- Mental balance recovered --- The glory of the Universe --- All governed by Law --The Law manifests everywhere --- A reverent feeling of calm, peaceful faith --- Look aloft.
I recently heard a little tale about a boy who went to sea, in the old days of the sailing vessel. One day he was ordered to go aloft, and was urged on until he reached the highest possible point on the mast. When he found that he could go no farther, he glanced down. The sight terrified him and almost caused him to lose his grip and fall headlong on the deck, far below. He felt dizzy and sick, and it seemed almost impossible for him to maintain his hold on the mast. Far below was the deck, looking so small as compared to the wide expanse of water on all sides of it. The motion made him feel as if he was suspended between heaven and earth, with nothing substantial to support him. He felt his brain reeling and his senses leaving him, and all seemed lost, when far away from the deck below, he heard an old sailor cry, ''Look aloft, lad! Look aloft!" Turning his eyes from the scene below the boy gazed upward. He saw the blue sky, the fleecy clouds passing peacefully along, looking just the same as they did when he had looked at them while lying on his back on the green grass of the meadows in his country home. A strange feeling of peace and content came over him, and the feeling of dread, terror and despair passed away. His strength and presence of mind came back to him, and soon he was able to slide down the mast until he grasped a friendly rope, thence to the lower rigging, and on until the deck was again reached.
He never forgot the old sailor's advice given in the hour of need, and when he would feel dazed and fearful of danger, he would invariably look aloft until he recovered his mental balance.
We may well take a leaf from the old sailor's note-book, and impress his wisdom upon our minds. There's nothing so good in hours of trial, doubt, sorrow and pain, as to "look aloft." When we feel that we cannot see clearly with our spiritual vision --- that our spiritual sight is blurred and dim --- that we lose faith and confidence, hope and courage- --- that we feel the deadly sensation of despair and hopelessness creeping over us and benumbing our senses, stilling our heart --- then is the time for us to listen to the warning shout: "Look aloft, lad; look aloft!"
When all seems lost --- when darkness is closing around us --when we seem to have lost our foothold and have no way of regaining it --- when all appears hopeless, gloomy and dreadful ---
