The people were weeping all around me. I also read from the
107th Psalm.
"We tried to sing. I gave out the first verse of 'Jesus, Lover of My
Soul,' and General Howard started the tune. He sang the hymn through in
a strong voice, but very few joined him. Instead, the melody was
punctuated by broken sobs and exclamation of grief. That night I went to
bed and slept, I felt that everything would be all right.
"Never was a more earnest meeting held than this. All prayed together,
and I did not hear much talk of skepticism, I can tell you. At 2:30
o'clock in the morning a ship's light was sighted, and in a few hours we
were comparatively safe, although our danger was not over. The strain on
our minds was almost as great, and minds gave way under it. Two women
became violently insane and it was necessary to confine them. A young
man from Vienna threw himself overboard and was drowned.
"When we were finally safe in port we had a thanksgiving service, and
then such singing as there was--such praises that went up.
"We prayed that the ship be brought to a haven, and relief came on the
night after our prayer meeting. I am a firm believer in prayer. I always
have been. I believe and I know that God saved the Spree in response to
our prayers.
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