History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. I.] AN IMPENDING SHIPWRECK. 29

mercy of the treacherous deep. What wonder, then, that this little band, confused and in despair, were ready to believe that they were the sport of a merciless and irresistible fate? But, though sick at heart, their better sense does not seem, even in this extremity, to have entirely forsaken them. In their helplessness they called to mind Him who is the author of all good, the Preserver, Supporter, and Cherisher of the poor and the distressed, and who never fails to give ear to the supplications of the humble and the meek.

To rescue them from the impending danger, they are said to have offered up the following prayer to the throne of the Most High :—O wise God, come to our assistance in this jeopardy ; and we pray Thee to deliver us from the impending danger. O glorious God, we beseech Thee to gladden our hearts by removing these difficulties with which we are now surrounded. On Thy goodness, O Lord, we fully depend, and hope that the storm which has overtaken us will soon be over through Thy Divine Grace. As long as we have hopes of Thy aid, O God, we tremble not at this calamity. We have implicit faith in Thee, as the hearer of those who cry to Thee. Deliver us, therefore, O Merciful Providence, from this trouble, and lead us to the right path, that we may escape from this sea to the shores of India, and we promise, O Lord, to kindle on high the flame sacred to Thee