MaineMason
Registered User
This story, from an unknown source but a long-told yarn in Maine (source: "A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast, Duncan and Ware, Dodd, Mead & Company, NY, NY, 1972/pg 340) typifies the attitudes of the old school Masons I have gotten to know here, and many folks who are not Masons regarding their view of the Deity:
An old fisherman used to use his sloop to take summer vacationers out on coastal cruises and ended up in rough water while approaching Seguin, near some dangerous ledges and the tidal basin of the Kennebec River. His passengers were quite scared by the water washing over the bow and rails, and suggested the Captain might oblige them and offer a prayer for their safety (which, I suppose, in maritime history a Captain might be obliged to do). The captain, knowing they'd be soon in the safety of a good harbor said he'd offer a prayer if it would ease their anxiety. They knelt at the helm and the Captain offered the following prayer:
"Lord, I never have interfered in your affairs and you have always used me right. But these people have asked me to speak with you. Now I know we'll get in all right, but if you would like to make these people feel a lot better, you can go ahead and calm the waters. But just remember, Lord, this isn't the Sea of Galilee. This is the North Atlantic Ocean."
They soon came to safety, just as the Captain had assured them.
I often wonder if that Captain was a Mason. Given the history of my state, he very well may have been one. He sure has the old school attitude of many of the old timers here, especially those who work on the water.
An old fisherman used to use his sloop to take summer vacationers out on coastal cruises and ended up in rough water while approaching Seguin, near some dangerous ledges and the tidal basin of the Kennebec River. His passengers were quite scared by the water washing over the bow and rails, and suggested the Captain might oblige them and offer a prayer for their safety (which, I suppose, in maritime history a Captain might be obliged to do). The captain, knowing they'd be soon in the safety of a good harbor said he'd offer a prayer if it would ease their anxiety. They knelt at the helm and the Captain offered the following prayer:
"Lord, I never have interfered in your affairs and you have always used me right. But these people have asked me to speak with you. Now I know we'll get in all right, but if you would like to make these people feel a lot better, you can go ahead and calm the waters. But just remember, Lord, this isn't the Sea of Galilee. This is the North Atlantic Ocean."
They soon came to safety, just as the Captain had assured them.
I often wonder if that Captain was a Mason. Given the history of my state, he very well may have been one. He sure has the old school attitude of many of the old timers here, especially those who work on the water.