Observations on the Real Rights of Women and Other Writings

The School of Reform, or Seaman’s Safe Pilot to the Cape of Good Hope

61 The School of Reform, or Seaman’s Safe Pilot to the Cape of Good Hope By the Seaman’s Friend, H. M. Crocker It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps; neither can the mariner steer the right course, if the compass is out of order. boston: printed by john eliot. 1 816 62 School of Reform Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. Ecclesiastes xi. 1. Sir, FROM some philanthropic sentiments you expressed the other day, respecting the fellow craft, seamen, and coasters, I fully imbibed your sentiments, that if the necessity of a regular course of living was pointed out to them in a pleasant manner by a female, it would be well received, and, probably, have a happy effect on the sensibility of that class of men, who have ever been celebrated for paying respect to the opinion of females . Impressed with this idea, I now say, bear a hand, messmates , as I have taken passage for the Cape of Good Hope, in the fast sailing ship Time; owner, Columbus;1 commanders, Fortitude, Perseverance; Wisdom and Reason helmsmen; the hard arms all manned with skill and prudence, sound hearts and clear heads. Directed by the compass of genius, they shall steer safe to their destined port or haven of rest. Let your stores be head matter, and your ballast sound principles, founded on the chief corner stone of pure vital religion. Honour and friendship must cement the whole. Thus manned, freighted, and equipped, Brave seamen, you may safely sail, And never fear a sudden gale. You ev’ry storm shall safely brave, Though sea run high and rough the wave, For reason guides the helm, you know, 5 63 And wisdom baffles ev’ry wo[e]. The port you sail for is Good Hope, The capes you’ll clear, by fathom rope: Now dowse your topsails, anchor cast, At cable length make anchors fast; 10 All hands on deck, my worthy crew, Let all this solemn vow renew; We’ll drink no more, to drown old care, Wisdom shall pilot, foul or fair; Reason our future lives shall steer, 15 With honest hearts, and heads quite clear; No more to loggerheads we’ll go, Nor stake our lives against a throe; Reason shall guide our future lives, To bless our children, and our wives; 20 Heaven’s wonders on the seas we’ll tell, While grateful hearts each bosom swell. With gratitude and sacred love, We’ll raise our hymns to God above. Worthy and respected Friends, We know that of ourselves we can do nothing. But if there are sincere desires of heart, and a clear head, heaven will bless the efforts of men to keep them so. Many vessels have been lost in consequence of the pilot’s not keeping his head steady, while guiding the helm. We find it just so in every occurrence of human life; if reason is not at helm to steer and guide the turbulent passions of men, which, when inflamed by intemperance , are like the troubled sea, when tost [sic] by the great wind called Euroclydon,2 or north-east gale, that drives all before it, till the vessel bilges on some rocks or shoals. Just so is the rage of man when bereft of his reason. I well rememthe school of reform 64 ber some years ago hearing the great and wise philosopher, Dr. Franklin, make this observation: “That mother Nature had furnished her children with sufficient spirits to support them through the voyage of life, if they would not forsake their animal spirits for the more ardent spirit of the dram shops, which soon debilitates the whole system, produces an inflammation of the liver, that eventually proves a fatal decay of nature. My children,” said the philosopher, “beware how you quit the path of nature and rectitude.”3 Here he paused. Let me, then, as having treasured up the advice, say to all who now read it, Take heed, and improve the warning before it is too late. If any have commenced the career, oh, quit it! for the love of God, before it becomes a fixed habit, as all are, more or less, creatures of habit. The good order of society depends much on the citizens forming virtuous habits. A person intoxicated is not able to guide himself, and, therefore is incapable of...