I'm actually re-reading it right now, and I've got to say, Melville's description of a New Bedford church and a sermon given therein, in chapters 7, 8, and 9 (The Chapel, The Pulpit, and The Sermon), are downright chilling they're so spot-on and good.
I guess all I'm saying is I don't care about anyone in Moby Dick....
Except for the Whale :)