Archibald Hughson, the Young Shetlander | Page 4

had he gone to the captain, he would have been sent on
shore, and retrieved his fault by returning home and relieving his
mother's anxiety. Undo it he could not; for a sin, once committed, can
never by man's power be undone, never forgiven. All sin is committed
against God--the slightest evil thought, the slightest departure from
truth, is sin against God's pure and holy law, and He alone can forgive
sin. He forgives it only according to the one way He has appointed. He
blots it out altogether from remembrance. That way is through faith in
the perfect and complete atonement of Jesus Christ, whose blood, shed
for man, "cleanseth from all sin." There is no other way. He accepts no
other recompense for sin. There is no undoing a sin, no making amends.
All sins, from such as those which men call the smallest to the greatest,
are registered, to be brought up in judgment against the sinner, and the
all-cleansing blood of Jesus can alone blot them out. Man, as a proof of
his living faith in Christ's atonement,--of his sorrow for sins
committed,--of his hatred of sin, of his repentance,-- will, of necessity,
do all he can to make amends to his fellow-man for the wrong he has
done him; he will restore what he has taken; he will explain the truth
where he has spoken falsely; he will be kind and gentle to those he has
treated harshly; he will give to those of his substance, or forward their
interests whom he has injured in any way. But all this cannot blot out
one letter in the eternal register of accusations to be brought against
him at the day of judgment. Oh! that people did but know this, and
would remember that when they sin they sin not only against their
fellow-man, but against the all-pure, all-holy God, who can by no
means overlook iniquity; in whose sight even the heavens are unclean,
without whose knowledge not a sparrow falls to the ground, and by
whom the very hairs of our head are numbered.
CHAPTER TWO.
APPEARING ON DECK, ARCHY IS SEVERELY REPRIMANDED
BY THE CAPTAIN, A STRICT, YET A KIND AND RELIGIOUS
MAN--HIS FIRST SUNDAY AT SEA--AMONG THE ICEBERGS
AND ICE--CAPTURE OF A WHALE.
Archy Hughson felt very weak and very wretched. The ship had for

some hours been tumbling fearfully about, so it seemed to him, now
pitching into the seas, which struck her stout bows with heavy blows,
now rolling from side to side. He knew that a strong gale was blowing,
and he could not help dreading that the casks might break loose, and
come down upon him. He longed to escape from his prison, and began
to think that Max must have forgotten him altogether. At length he
again fell asleep. He was awakened by three heavy knocks above his
head, Max's promised signal. He waited the time agreed on, and then
began to crawl out, and grope his way upwards. At last he saw daylight
above him, and scrambling along, he reached the foot of a ladder.
Climbing up with uncomfortable feelings at his heart as to the reception
he might meet with, he gained the upper deck.
The first person he encountered was an old man with weather-beaten
features, but a kind expression of countenance, Andrew Scollay by
name, a boat-steerer, who was at that moment about to descend.
"Why, lad, where do you come from?" asked old Andrew, putting his
hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I wanted to come to sea; so I hid myself away," answered Archy. "I
hope I have not done wrong."
"You have not done right, boy, or you would not have needed to hide
yourself away," said Andrew, scanning his features. "I think I have
seen you before. What is your name?"
Archy told him.
"What, widow Hughson's son? Oh, boy, boy, you have acted a cruel
part towards your poor mother. Anyhow, I would we had found you out
two days ago. However, come along with me to the captain--you'll hear
what he has to say."
Andrew led Archy aft, where Captain Irvine was standing, and
explained in a few words what he knew of him. Captain Irvine, looking
sternly at him, inquired how he had managed to conceal himself so
long on board? On that point Archy gave a truthful reply.

"How did you know you could find a place where you could hide
yourself?" asked the captain.
"I have often before been on board whalers, and knew how the casks
were stowed," answered Archy, hoping that he should avoid further
questions which might implicate Max Inkster.
"You are deserving of severe punishment for coming on board without
my leave," said the captain. "I must consider how I shall treat you. If