five minutes before eight in
the morning
It was a beautiful day , with a gentle breeze from the westward , and at twelve o'clock , all hands were mustered on deck for religious services , to be performed by the chaplain , in the presence of the friends of the pupils . Mr. Lowington was a religious man , and the position of the Rev. Mr. Agneau , as chaplain on board , was by no means a sinecure . Services had always been held twice a day on Sunday . At five minutes before eight in the morning , and at the same time in the evening , prayers were said on deck , or in the steerage , in the presence of the entire ship 's company . On the point of leaving the shores of the United States , it seemed highly appropriate to invoke the blessing of God on the voyage and the voyagers , and the principal had directed that the service should be conducted in the presence of the parents and friends . The prayer and the remarks of the chaplain were very solemn and impressive , and even the roughest of the students were moved by them . At the conclusion of the religious service , Mr. Lowington addressed the visitors , explaining the details of his plan more fully than he had done in his circulars , and saying what he could to inspire the parents with confidence in regard to the safety of their sons .