Slang: We are as near heaven on the sea as on the land

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi to all,

Can anyone explain to me what the following sentence mean?

“We are as near heaven on the sea as on the land”

I’ve red this sentence in the story “Sir Humphrey Gilbert” by James Baldwin

Thank you.

2

Hi,

This suggests to me that whether you are on the sea or on the land, you are equally close to heaven (God?)

Alan

PS The past of ‘read’ is also ‘read’.