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But the side ladder was not the only strange feature of the place , borrowed from the chaplain’s former sea - farings . Between the marble cenotaphs on either hand of the pulpit , the wall which formed its back was adorned with a large painting representing a gallant ship beating against a terrible storm off a lee coast of black rocks and snowy breakers . But high above the flying scud and dark - rolling clouds , there floated a little isle of sunlight , from which beamed forth an angel’s face ; and this bright face shed a distinct spot of radiance upon the ship’s tossed deck , something like that silver plate now inserted into the Victory’s plank where Nelson fell . “ Ah , noble ship , ” the angel seemed to say , “ beat on , beat on , thou noble ship , and bear a hardy helm ; for lo ! the sun is breaking through ; the clouds are rolling off — serenest azure is at hand . ” Nor was the pulpit itself without a trace of the same sea - taste that had achieved the ladder and the picture . Its panelled front was in the likeness of a ship’s bluff bows , and the Holy Bible rested on a projecting piece of scroll work , fashioned after a ship’s fiddle - headed beak . What could be more full of meaning ? — for the pulpit is ever this earth’s foremost part ; all the rest comes in its rear ; the pulpit leads the world . From thence it is the storm of God’s quick wrath is first descried , and the bow must bear the earliest brunt . From thence it is the God of breezes fair or foul is first invoked for favourable winds . Yes , the world’s a ship on its passage out , and not a voyage complete ; and the pulpit is its prow . CHAPTER 9 . The Sermon . Father Mapple rose , and in a mild voice of unassuming authority ordered the scattered people to condense . “ Starboard gangway , there ! side away to larboard — larboard gangway to starboard ! Midships ! midships ! ” There was a low rumbling of heavy sea - boots among the benches , and a still slighter shuffling of women’s shoes , and all was quiet again , and every eye on the preacher . He paused a little ; then kneeling in the pulpit’s bows , folded his large brown hands across his chest , uplifted his closed eyes , and offered a prayer so deeply devout that he seemed kneeling and praying at the bottom of the sea . This ended , in prolonged solemn tones , like the continual tolling of a bell in a ship that is foundering at sea in a fog — in such tones he commenced reading the following hymn ; but changing his manner towards the concluding stanzas , burst forth with a pealing exultation and joy — “ The ribs and terrors in the whale , Arched over me a dismal gloom , While all God’s sun - lit waves rolled by , And lift me deepening down to doom . “ I saw the opening maw of hell , With endless pains and sorrows there ; Which none but they that feel can tell — Oh , I was plunging to despair . “ In black distress , I called my God , When I could scarce believe him mine , He bowed his ear to my complaints — No more the whale did me confine . “ With speed he flew to my relief , As on a radiant dolphin borne ; Awful , yet bright , as lightning shone The face of my Deliverer God . “ My song for ever shall record That terrible , that joyful hour ; I give the glory to my God , His all the mercy and the power . ”
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