The Enemy of the Soul

I was once sailing on the broad Pacific. One day, when the sea was very calm, in looking out upon the water on the Mexican coast, I saw what seemed to be a long, sharp, pointed knife rising above the surface and cutting the water, while it kept along with the ship for an hour or more. On looking narrowly, I saw it was the fin of a shark rising from his back. This creature was following us, ready to catch any one who might fall overboard. It was very large, and had cold murderous eyes. Thus it was gliding noiselessly along, watching for a chance to do some awful work of blood. So I thought that great enemy of souls, Satan, follows men, hoping to seize them in some unguarded moment, and drag them down to destruction. He is in the waters of sin, and, however pleasant they may seem, it is dangerous to try them. There is no safety anywhere, only as one keeps on in the good staunch ship of Christian integrity.—Anon