character, which I cannot here specify, and which he had been guilty of when in his own country having arrested his attention, he immediately became convinced and felt himself to be a guilty sinner. I went to see him, and found him in great distress of mind. I spoke of the readiness of the Saviour, and of his all-sufficiency to save him but I could not, with all I could say, get him to believe that however great a sinner he was, he would obtain pardon and peace, if he would but go to Jesus by faith. No; he thought his sin was of too black a nature to admit of his indulging such a hope. The cook of the vessel to which he belonged (a pious man) having come in, as it was very late, I left the sick man to him after offering up prayer, and was glad to hear afterwards that the Lord was pleased to visit him with peace. As the part of the word of God which led to this happy result, is in the Old Testament, and in the book of Leviticus, from the description I learnt of his sin, my feeling is, that instead of the Bible being given in detached portions, even to the native population, the better though the more expensive way probably would be to give the whole Bible. For since "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," we can never say what portion is likely to be of benefit to individuals, and what is not. In conclusion, I have to offer you in behalf of the Seamen's Friend Society my sincere thanks for the kind and prompt manner in which you have always met our calls on you for the word of God, and am,

December 30, 1844.

My dear Sir, yours very truly,

R. W. CHILL.

LETTERS FROM SEAMEN INTERESTED IN THE BETHEL.

From the Chief Officer of a British Barque-An afflicted Sailor. Dear Brother,-Here I am, the Lord's prisoner, but a prisoner of hope. My divine Master arrested me on Thursday with fever, originating in a cold I had taken early one morning in a very severe squall which we had, with much rain; much I have suffered, yet I still believe all was mercy and could bless the hand that smote me, resigning myself to his disposal. My dear brother, remember the afflicted and those that are necessarily detained from waiting upon God in his holy temple in your approaches to his throne to-day, and may his presence abound in your midst to-day and for ever, and may much good be done to our brethren of the mighty deep by your instrumentality in this or any other place the God of Jacob may seem it good to locate you. I would be happy and much comforted by a visit after service, or when convenient, could you do so with safety after the labours of your office. May he strengthen and support you under every trial, and at last crown your labours with a crown of joy, that will shine throughout eternity, is the fervent prayer of your afflicted brother and fellow-servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sunday, 9, 30 a. m.

A USEFUL HYMN BOOK.

From the Captain of an American Brig.

Calcutta, July 21st, 1844. Rev. Sir,-Not being able to attend the chapel to-day myself, I take the liberty to enclose to you a hymn book which was taken from your Bethel three years ago by one of my shipmates. He gave it to me on my promising to return it, should I ever visit Calcutta again.

I wish it could have been in his power to have made the return in person, but he is far away. The book, although it has visited a number of different parts of the globe, far from its proper place, has not been idle. It has been read by many, with, I think, much benefit. May every religious book or tract do as much good as this has done. That the blessing of God may attend you and your efforts, and the Bethel be made a place of resort for every seaman, is the fervent wish of Yours truly,

In former years the committee have referred in their reports to the importance and necessity of securing the services of one or more

SEAMEN'S MISSIONARIES

for Calcutta. The want of funds has in this, as in every other instance, prevented the accomplishment of this most desirable object. Of the necessity of such an agency there can be but little doubt in any Christian mind.

The committee are under deep obligations to those who have rendered gratuitous service in preaching the gospel to sailors on board the floating chapel. This, important as it is, as a branch of the labours of a Seamen's Society, is quite inadequate to meet all the wants of seamen while in port. Two ministers, independently of the agent, could be well employed; one to visit every ship on its arrival, converse with the captains, officers, and crews, warn them of the temporal and spiritual dangers to which they stand exposed-another to attend to all the ships in the upper part of the river, vessels about to sail, and both, in conjunction with the agent, to visit as frequently as possible the various places of maritime resort.

That such an agency would be influential for good cannot be doubted. The expense of maintaining it, together with the present operations of the society, would not exceed 8000 rupees a year.

From a calculation recently made, if the Protestant mercantile houses in Calcutta alone, were to subscribe 100 rupees per annum, and insure the continuance of that subscription, the object could be easily accomplished; and if to this were added the assistance of other branches of the community, the committee of the Seamen's Friend Society might compass all they desire, and all that the circumstances of the case demand from the inhabitants of this the metropolis of the East.

Shall it be that thousands should be forthcoming as by the touch of the magician's wand, for statues, portraits, buildings, ghats, and banquets, to celebrate the valor of heroes, the erudition of the wise, and the benevolence of the good, and not a mere 8000 rupees per annum for preaching the everlasting gospel to our perishing fellowseamen. Shall it be that there shall be missionaries to the Hindu, Mussalman, Jew, and all the wandering tribes of the East, but not one to raise the voice of friendly warning and advice to our brave but too long-neglected fellow-countrymen and sailors. Would that all these agencies were increased a thousand-fold, but O let the church add to her concern for the heathen, the Mussalman, and the Jew, deep concern for our sailors. Let the ships of Britain, if not the first, at least have some place in our sympathies and activities.

The services afloat have been regularly maintained as in former years, on the morning and evening of the Lord's-day, and on one of the evenings during the week. The following friends have kindly officiated: - Rev. Messrs. Brooks, of the General Baptist Mission; Parker and Mullens, London Mission; Ewart, Macdonald, and Smith, Free Church; Small, Evans, Denham and Page, Baptist Mission. The number of hearers, since the last report, has been 3,329.

The number of libraries last year was thirty-two; five new ones have been added, four returned, two lost by shipwreck, and one by neglect; total now in circulation thirty.

These libraries contain chiefly the excellent publications of the London Religious Tract Society. Magazines, and other religious publications are occasionally introduced; the libraries are placed on vessels belonging to the port, the books exchanged and boxes transferred as necessity requires or opportunity offers. The committee cannot but hope that the distribution of so many devout works will be the means of leading some wandering souls to Christ.

The committee would be gratified could they place a library on board every vessel visiting the port. This the state of their funds at present renders quite impracticable; would that it were otherwise; thus at every turn are their best, most prayerful, and hopeful wishes frustrated for the want of pecuniary means.

The committee have had opportunities during the past year of ascertaining the

progress of religion amongst seamen in different parts of the world. The report is cheering. Through the influence of Sailors' Home, Seamen's Boarding Houses, Bethel Unions, Marine Savings' Banks, Seamen's Friend Societies, Floating Chapels and Churches, moral and spiritual improvement to a very great extent has been effected under the blessing of God amongst the seamen, both of the merchant and government service of Europe and America. In the South Seas, in Australia, at the Cape, in France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Russia, the Netherlands, Holland, England and America, and in almost all their dependencies, direct efforts have been made for the salvation of sailors. In India, at Bombay and Madras, as well as in Calcutta, is this cause sustained by the church of Christ. In China the Bethel flag has been raised for the worship of Christ. This is encouraging, and should lead us to thank God and take courage.

IRELAND-DUBLIN.

In our last report the hope was expressed that an efficient auxiliary would be formed in Dublin, for the purpose of promoting the interests of seamen visiting that port. As a sphere of labour it is most important. The following extract, from a letter recently placed in our hand, will enable our readers to form some idea of its extent, and of the urgent demand for the institution of a Society in that port :

"The last time I was along the quays in Dublin was in the latter end of last September and the first week in October, when I found as follows: 130 colliers and twentyeight sloops, containing 960 hands, of which 367 were boys from fourteen to eighteen years of age, and 593 were men. There were also fishing-smacks having 333 hands, and thirty other vessels, which afterwards arrived, with 210 men on board; making a total of 1503 men. On visiting these vessels, I found 367 without Bibles or Testaments, or even a religious tract, and entirely without their better clothes for the Sabbath. In three vessels the whole crew was drunk, and the captains had been out all night."

Anxious as the directors have been to see an efficient auxiliary formed it is a matter of peculiar satisfaction to be able to announce that, through the judicious labours of our esteemed friend, the Rev. E. E. Adams, their desire is at length realized in the organization of

THE IRISH SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.

The following communication from that gentleman, together with another from the Rev. Dr. Urwick, will furnish the best explanation we can give of the steps which led to its establishment, and of the prospects of usefulness with which the committee in Dublin enter upon their labours :—

"DEAR SIR,

"London, August 12, 1845.

"With pleasure I record the first-fruits of my recent visit to Dublin for your Society. Never did a people receive me, and the cause I endeavoured

to advocate, with greater cordiality or more ready co-operation. Difficulties, at first many and ominous, disappeared, and people of every evangelical denomination and of every rank, expressed a most lively interest. We formed a society to be called the Irish Seamen's Friend Society,' auxiliary to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society.' Something has already been done in Kingston and in Dublin for the seamen and fishermen of those ports. The Episcopalians have a church for seamen in each place, and the chaplains are faithful men. Others have laboured, and still labour, to some extent, among sailors in Dublin. We hope the united efforts of Christians there will, for the future, leave no vessel without a proper visitation; that what is doing by the excellent chaplain of the Mariners' Church, will be augmented through the instrumentality of efficient auxiliary agency; and that for those who could not be reached by one alone, however zealous and active, may be blessed with privileges such as they can enjoy in London, Liverpool, and Bristol, or in their own parishes at home.

"A work is favourably begun; it is for those already interested to say whether it shall be continued. You will, of course, advise and encourage them; holding out every inducement in your power to inspire them with confidence, and to urge them to great effort. They will look to you for suggestions with regard to agency, and it may be, for a suitable leader in such agency. I think you may safely leave them to control whatever funds may be put into their hands, endeavouring, as the great object, to keep alive a system of effort which shall prompt them to the security of all necessary pecuniary aid; and yet you must not be alarmed if, for the first few years of their movements, you have to give something for the cause in Ireland. Dublin will be a nucleus to which will be attached, as we hope, other local causes, until there shall be formed a circle of United Protestant Christian influence around the island. “An annual visit to Ireland is quite desirable. Send a liberal-minded, unprejudiced man; a frank and whole-hearted Christian, and he will not be repelled. Ireland has some of the warmest and fullest hearts on earth. Christians must not neglect Ireland. One could not stay there long without catching a little Irish enthusiasm, and I am sure, that had I no sweet ties of kindred, of locality, or of duty, it would not be a trial to make Ireland my home.

"It would give me great pleasure to mention the names of many in Dublin, whose kind attentions I shall remember with gratitude through life. But, without designating any, I do thus publicly express, for all, my deep interest in whatever pertains to their prosperity and happiness.

"May you and they go on prospering and to prosper in the work of the Lord. Most affectionately yours,

66

"I was so much occupied before leaving home, that I had not time to write you respecting the visit of our worthy brother, Mr. Adams, to Dublin, on behalf of your excellent institution. He will himself report details of proceedings. I am happy to say that, in public and private, he met with great acceptance among all classes and denominations. His discourses from the pulpit will, I trust, prove to have been useful, far beyond the precise object for which he came. As the result of his labours among us, the Irish Sailors' Society has been formed, auxiliary to yours, and a delightful spirit of union and zeal pervaded the public meeting at which it was organized. Mr. A.'s visit was most opportune for his purpose, several meetings having been held to forward the spirit of harmony and good-will among different denominations, and the question had often been asked, what will be done towards bringing hose friendly feelings into combined action? The principle of your Society was the very disideratum sought. A Home Mission, however desirable, would have

been impracticable, as questions of Church government are next to inseparable from attempts to spread the gospel in Ireland; besides which, the various denominations are severally already at work. But the stay of seamen among us is ordinarily so very short, that there is not time for sectarian inquiries. I earnestly hope that the society which Mr. Adams has originated, will prove permanent and effective. "Yours, My Dear Sir,

،، Most faithfully,

"W. URWICK."

REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE PUBLIC

MEETING.

A meeting was held on Thursday evening in the Scots' Church, Capel-street, for the purpose of forming a new society for Ireland, for the spiritual and temporal benefit of seamen, auxiliary to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. The meeting was respectably attended. Captain JOHNS, R.N., was called to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting.

The Rev. W. B. KIRKPATRICK then gave out a psalm and afterwards offered up prayer.

The Rev. Dr. URWICK moved the first resolution-"That this meeting is impressed with the conviction that seamen have peculiar and urgent claims on our Christian sympathy and efforts. " He said that seamen had strong claims on the sympathy and benevolent exertions of the persons whom they addressed. They had also peculiar claims on the efforts of Christians, for being deprived of the ordinary means of grace, the Church of Christ was bound to use every exertion for promoting their spiritual improvement. They were also exposed to peculiar temptations when on shore, and many dangers when on sea, that rendered their claim still stronger. If they could succeed in sending forth in any vessel a crew of Christian men, they would then have a missionary ship conferring immense benefits on any place which they might visit. There was a great necessity for their exertions among seamen on the coast of Ireland. In Dublin efforts had been made by some of their Episcopalian friends, for whom they entertained nothing but feelings of good-will; nor would the exertions they proposed making in any way interfere with what they had done, and were now doing. But what was being done did not come up to the amount of Christian effort which was required for the spiritual improvement of seamen residing in this port, and they were merely about to try and supply the deficiency. They had been holding meetings of late for the promotion of Christian union, and he thought that something should be done for carrying out the principle which they had been advocating. They could then unite in this object, and co-operate together for the spiritual benefit of the seamen, without any compromise of principle.

ALEX. PARKER, Esq., in seconding the resolution, said there were few who did not feel an interest in seamen. There was something in their blunt and manly bearing, their courage, and even their recklessness of danger, that excited a kind of romantic interest for them. But what they wanted was to create a moral and spiritual interest for seamen, which would show itself in exertions for improving and raising their character. They wish to see their British seamen Christian seamen. They had often heard at festive meetings of "The wooden walls of England;" but this kind of interest did but little good for seamen. The interest which they wished to excite for them that evening was of a different kind. They knew that seamen were exposed to dangers on sea and on shore, and they were anxious to make some effort for their temporal and