It was windy and it was rainy, entailing a winding bus journey down from North to South Cornwall, and then around the bay to Mousehole Harbor. But it was worth every mile and every raindrop of it, to be a part of what happened there.
They called it an "Open Air Service and Blessing" for two Cornish Lifeboats - the Ivan Ellen and the Mollie & Ivor Dent. The people of the community gathered at the Harbor to bless these two boats, and I had been invited to come. Lifeboats are a serious business in Cornwall, because they are called upon to save lives in all sorts of circumstances. They have saved the lives of people caught in shipwrecks; in storms at sea; during outings where the weather went wrong; when surfers are caught in a riptide and must be brought back to shore. Some of these rescues have even ended with the deaths of men on board. The sea is lovely on a clear blue day, but she can become quickly treacherous. No one knows it like these men.
So, we gathered along the pier in front of the Lifeboats, umbrellas out, bundled up in a way that seemed odd for an August afternoon. Crewmen stood to attention on deck as a hush spread throughout the crowd. The voices of the Mousehole Male Voice Choir began singing the old sea-faring hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong To Save". The first verse tells the tale:
Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
This great one was followed by "Will Your Anchor Hold?", "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me", and one I'd not heard, "Till All Thy Creatures Own Thy Sway". Between the hymns there were offered up poems and Scripture, and more than one tear could be seen wiped away. At the end, these final words floated loud and clear through the microphone:
"In the name of Jesus, that great Friend to every sailor from now, until the end of days. Amen."
There was a pause, and then the cheering. "Whoo-hoo!" shouted the children. "Yay!" cried the women. "Hurray!" yelled the SconeLady, with a little hop. And then the service ended.
It was a long ride back, of course, the bus's tires occasionally (alarmingly) bumping up against a curb. I exchanged glances with the lady across the aisle, eyebrows raised. But in the end it was all fine, and I walked home from the bus station, sweet words and melody accompanying me as I walked...
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll:
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
See you along the Way!
the SconeLady
Oh Chris...the details of the Life Boat Dedication were so very powerful. And the singing of the Navy Hymn, as we refer to it in some circles moves me deeply every time I hear it. Here are the words:
ReplyDeleteEternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren's shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
With those words of faith, humbleness and action, we dare to face each day of our lives, knowing that our anchor does HOLD, and it holds fast and firm!