A number of men and women were sitting on the promenade deck forward engaged in an earnest discussion.

Just as Chester Lawrence came up and paused to listen, for it seemed to be a public, free-for-all affair, he noticed that Elder Malby was talking, directing his remarks to a young man in the group.
"What is your objective point ?" the Elder asked.

"What do you live and work for?
What is your philosophy of life by which you are guided and from which you draw courage, hope, and strength ?" "Oh, I take the world as it comes to me day by day, trusting to luck, or to the Lord, perhaps I had better say, for the future," replied the young fellow.
"What would you think of a captain of a vessel not knowing nor caring to know from what port he sailed or what port was his destination?
Who did not know the object of the voyage, knew nothing of how to meet the storms, the fog, the darkness of the sea ?" "Well, I'm not the captain of a ship." "Yes, you are.

You are the captain of your own soul, at least; and you may not know how many more souls are depending upon you for guidance in this voyage of life which we are all taking." "That's right--true," agreed a number of by-standers.
"Say, mister," suggested one, "tell us what you think of the propositions.

You seem able to, all right." "Well," responded the elder, "I don't want to preach a sermon that will bore you; but if the ladies and gentlemen here are interested I shall be pleased to give my views." "Sure--go on," came from others.
One or two found seats, as if they would rather sit through the ordeal, others following their example.