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for my brethren the men who travel over the sea. No profession or calling in life shall ever call me from the sea. * * * I feel to-night my inadequacy to the task imposed upon me of addressing this meeting-so unexpectedly to me. This is my second time of appearing, and it may be necessary a little to recapitulate what was delivered on Sunday afternoon last. Looking at the seaman's condition, then, we went to consider cause, effect, and cure. Cause we looked at-an impression existing against them: effect is, rudeness, an apparent disregard to the Sabbath and to all Christian ordinances. The cure-the remedy-must be applied. There are no men in the world more accessible-no men can be more susceptible, and effectually, savingly reached, than seamen. There are some things which may appear against this a gross appearance-a roughness of manner. But sailors have souls, Sir; well, I think so, considerable. God always had from the opening of the temple, a little lamp burning in the forecastle as well as the cabin: for them I feel and appeal to you. To whom did God commit the great work of grasping the world-telling them their duty, and sending them forth with the gospel? To twelve men, the majority of whom were men of the sea. To them he committed the great work of shaking the prejudices of an iron-bound globe. [The Rev. gentleman then proceeded to show the dangers of the sailor's life, and his claims to sympathy.] The sailor's sacrifices are great-he parts with home training and all the enjoyments of home: a mother's care, a father's prayer, a sister's moulding and beautifying example, are no small sacrifices. These I never knew, but by report, but I have not looked in vain for faithful bosoms on which to rest, or safe arms on which to depend. I have met with generous hearts at every point of the compass, and when I die, I shall leave the world as a bankrupt—it will owe me nothing, but I will owe it much. Our profession parts us from society. Long voyages and absences are necessary and perhaps in the meantime, the angel of life-the mother-is gone; the father is departed; the olive branches have been lopped off; and when Jack returns home, it presents to him the appearance of the empty coffin or tomb. Thus Jack has no charms in home.

Mr. Taylor then noticed the neglect of religious people and Christian ministers of sailors, and referred especially to those engaged in missionary labour, who go out in ships to foreign countries, taking with them the word of life and all their missionary apparatus, but never a word is heard by poor Jack-this acts as an incubus upon missionary efforts. This is sending double refined heathenism to the heathens. A hat among the Mahometans and Turks may fix a man a Christian: it would be well if they carried a Christian head in the hat, and a Christian tongue in the head, properly to be employed.

The speaker then made a most pathetic appeal to mothers. Mothers, you know not your own influence-you write with a diamond on the heart, which time can never effacee-a few words may never be forgotten-your falling tear it may take many a year to erase. A mother's visits, too, oh, how sweet! I can tell of them, when as a prisoner at a memorable time in a neighbouring island, we were visited by the Halifax mothers. They looked around and picked out the sailor boy; they asked him of his family and friends? none; of his country? America; of his feelings? tender, and hope in God. O thou mothers! blessings for ever embalm their memory ![Bare words are not sufficient to portray the pathos accompanying such portions as the above, of the Rev. Father's speech. To feel them, he must be seen and heard his sincerity will be felt; his was truly the eloquence of feeling.] By all classes the sailor is neglected; this is the effect. Neglect a man, and it will induce him bye and bye to neglect himself. Jack from the voyage, with his pockets full and his heart open, is gold, and will be hugged by landsharks with all the affection of a polar bear. He never knows how to be covetous. When giving to others, he does not judge by size or quantity-he measures only by the grasp of the hand. When appealed to by a mate he will dig into one pocket and empty it, and if necessary will take a dive into the other. * I have now shown you the disease, let us now look at the remedy. Give us a tidy little bark, well rigged, and all taut, that we may haul into, when we come on shore. We want a good boarding house, with a kind Christian landlord and mother (for a sailor will always call the

* *

landlady mother), clean tables and beds, where we may be comfortable. This is the remedy which will remove the cause of the evils which have been complained of, and the effects will therefore cease.

The speaker then went on to describe, at some length, the internal arrangements of the Boston Bethel Boarding House, showing also how large sums of money had been collected in order to its erection, and then proceeded to argue the necessity of a Bethel Chapel, after the Boarding House had been successful. Give us, says the reverend speaker, a craft of our own, one that will sail well, with an experienced minister at the helm, who will preach out of his own heart into others.

Father Taylor concluded his speech, by making a most eloquent appeal to all parties present, on behalf of those he denominated "his children." He spoke more especially to the ladies who had ruled the world, and prayed that likewise they might rule the sea. During the whole address, there were many of the finest touches of pathos to which we ever listened, and several times we thought we saw the majority of the audience melted even into tears, by the manner as well as the matter of the venerable orator. The vast meeting listened to him with the most intense pleasure, and when he sat down, after thanking the clergymen present and the meeting generally, for the attention that had been given him, it appeared to be at the regret of the audience. The Rev. gentleman concluded amidst unanimous applause.

Several resolutions were then moved, seconded, and supported with appropriate speeches, pledging the meeting immediately to commence operations for building a Seamen's Bethel, appointing a committee to collect subscriptions, and presenting thanks to the Rev. Mr. Taylor for his efforts in Halifax, by the Hon. Jas. M'Nab, Captains Cochran and Cleary, R. Noble,-Full, A. M. Uniacke, D. Allison, Esqrs. and Revs. Dr. Belcher, Messrs. Martin, M'Leod and Smith.

A liberal collection was taken up on the spot, and the meeting separated.

WISBEACH SAILORS' SOCIETY.

The above society is not in connection with ourselves. It must, however, afford to the friends of sailors sincere satisfaction to witness the increasing efforts that are being made for their benefit, and cordially do we wish success to the spirited exertions of the committee at Wisbeach.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WISBEACH SAILORS' SOCIETY, presented to the Annual Meeting, June 23rd, 1846.

The Committee of the Wisbeach Sailors' Society, in presenting their Fifth Annual Report to the friends and supporters of the Institution, feel that they have ample cause for thankfulness to the Parent of all good for the assistance which has been afforded them in the prosecution of their labours through another year, and for mutual congratulation in the prospects of increasing efficiency and usefulness that now open up before them.

The usual meetings have been held at the Bethel Chapel on Tuesday evenings, and on the Sabbath afternoon. These have occasionally been attended by a goodly number of seamen, who, with glad and thankful hearts, have there acknowledged their preservation amidst the dangers of the deep, and supplicated divine protection and care in the voyages they were about to take.

It has long been matter of regret that this Society had but little opportunity of direct intercourse with the sailors visiting or belonging to this port; so that the carrying out its plans for their temporal comfort and moral improvement has been seriously obstructed, and at times rendered almost impracticable. In a population that is daily changing, frequent opportunities of actual contact are necessary, in order to do anything really effective for the good of its members. While acknowledging the kindness with which ministers and laymen from the different bodies of Christians in the town

have rendered assistance in conducting divine worship at the Bethel Chapel, it may be mentioned that difficulty and inconvenience have been frequently experienced by those friends in meeting their respective appointments. These matters have engaged the serious consideration of your Committee, and at a meeting held April 9th, it was unanimously resolved that the appointment of a person to fill the office of sailors' missionary for the port of Wisbeach is highly desirable. Attention was directed to Mr. Dennis, then residing at Castleacre, in Norfolk, as likely to prove a suitable agent; and after a conference with the Committee he was invited to accept the office. It was then understood that among the duties of your missionary it would devolve principally upon him to ascertain the arrival of all vessels, and to visit them where practicable; to inquire whether the crew have a Bible on board, and to urge them while in port to attend a place of public worship, to distribute copies of the Scriptures and religious tracts amongst sailors and watermen, and to superintend the society's library; to visit the families of seamen residing in the port, and to encourage the attendance of their children at a day and Sabbath school; also to conduct the services that may be appointed by your Committee to be held at the Bethel Chapel. The great object ever to be kept in view being to promote the moral and religious welfare of the sailor and the waterman, and to afford assistance, when practicable, in the advancement of their worldly interests and comfort.

Mr. Dennis commenced his labours on the 3rd of May; he gives the following report of his proceedings from that time to the present. Four public services have been held weekly at the Seamen's Chapel, viz.-on the Lord's day, afternoon and evening, and on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The attendance on all occasions has been very good. We have had, he says, from fifty to one hundred hearers on the Sabbath, and we hope the seed sown has fallen on good ground, and will, ere long, spring up and bring forth fruit. The Foul Anchor and Sutton Bridge have been visited repeatedly. At the latter place public worship has been held in a building kindly granted for the purpose, and at both places the vessels have been visited, and tracts distributed among the sailors. Not less than eighty families have been visited belonging to the sailors, to whom the objects of the society have been explained. Fifty vessels have been visited, and not less than four hundred tracts have been distributed among the sailors and watermen, which have been received with thankfulness. Your Committee need scarcely remind the friends of the society that the new arrangements into which they have entered will materially increase their expenditure, and render the supply of more ample funds indispensable. They have the pleasure to announce that some friends have already come forward with commendable liberality; if the religious public, and especially the masters of vessels, and merchants of the port, will kindly patronise their efforts and "do likewise," no difficulty will be experienced in raising whatever funds are requisite.

Your Committee feel confidence in urging this matter upon general attention, inasmuch as this society has no sinister, no party ends to serve. It aims not to make the sailor, who is proverbially of all persons the most catholic and unsectarian in his spirit, a Churchman or a Dissenter, but simply a Christian. It scrupulously avoids interference with those matters on which the opinions of Christians of different sections are divided. At the same time recognising the fact that those who do business in the great waters have from their many hardships, and perils, and privations, a powerful claim upon the sympathies of all Christian people, it aims to raise our seafaring race to that level in intelligence and morals which our rank amongst the nations of the earth, and our obligations to them and their families, to our country and our God, imperatively demand.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS, from June 24th to July 21st, 1846.

Four public services have been held weekly in the Seamen's Chapel, Eastfield, two on the Sabbath day, afternoon and evening, one on Tuesday evening, and a sailors' fellowship, or devotional meeting, on Friday evening. The attendance upon the whole has been very good. It was gratifying to find several families belonging to the sailors, who reside in the port, regular in their attendance.

"It is

"One weekly service has been held at Sutton Bridge," the lower harbour. worthy of notice," says our missionary, Mr. Dennis, "that four of the hearers are in the habit of coming three miles to attend the preaching; they reside in the lighthouses." Whilst at the lower barbour the vessels have been visited, and tracts distributed; also the vessels lying at the Foul Anchor, an intermediate station, between Wisbeach and Sutton Bridge.

At Wisbeach one special service, on a week-day evening, has been held, at the request of the sailors on board of a vessel, Joseph Hossel, master. All present were sailors; there were upwards of twenty; they were very attentive to the sermon, and after the service the sailors expressed their desire to know more of the Scriptures. "At their request," says Mr. Dennis, "I sat down and endeavoured to explain the way of the Lord more perfectly. It was quite pleasing to see the young and the old listening to the word of God. Their conduct reminded me of Paul while at Athens : May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know, therefore, what these things mean." (Acts vii. 19, 20.)

There have been thirty-one vessels visited at Wisbeach during the month. Tracts have been distributed, and thankfully received.

Several families-where there has been sickness, and the heads of the families have been at sea-have been visited. The number of domiciliary visits amount to thirty-three. Mr. Dennis adds: "Our stock of hymn books is quite exhausted, and there are several applications for more."

It is very cheering to find that our sailors' missionary has always experienced the most marked attention and kindness from the sailors and their families. Indeed they seem greatly to esteem him for his works' sake. Mr. Dennis's wife having been taken ill last week, one of the sailors' wives, who is a constant attendant at the chapel, hearing of the visitation, went the next morning in her working dress, set too, and performed all the domestic duties of cleaning, washing, &c. The name of the good woman is Manning. It was quite unexpected.

Correspondence.

The grants of tracts and books made by the Directors to zealous friends of seamen have recently been very considerable. We are happy to lay before our readers a letter just received renewing an application which, on a former occasion, it afforded the Committee peculiar pleasure to comply with, and in acceding to which, they have had equal gratification in the present instance.

To the Secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society.

Dear Sir,-The British Vice-consul at Leghorn desired me to inform you that his stock of tracts was exhausted, and that he, Frederic Thompson, Esq., would be much obliged by your sending him any you might have at your disposal. I am pleased to say that great efforts are being made in Leghorn for the spiritual welfare and conversion of seamen. The Rev. Mr. Stewart, of the Free Church of Scotland, holds divine service afloat, on Sunday afternoons; and the Rev. Mr. Hone, from the Established Church, in the evening. I trust their efforts will be owned by the great Head of the Church, and that it may be said, this and that man were born there.

Sept. 2nd, 1846.

Yours truly,

THOS. B. Walker, Master of the "Indus."

FROM A GERMAN SAILOR TO A CORRESPONDENT IN

HULL.

The great principles of the Bible Society are exemplified here-viz., that the simple reading and study of the Bible alone will convert the world.-From a Correspondent. Bornholm.

You may perhaps recollect that in the night of February 16th, three sailors called on you, to return you thanks for all the kindness you had shown them, and more especially for the Bible you gave us, as we were unable to pay anything for it. After having gone to sea, our vessel was taken by a Danish privateer, and we were confined to a prison, in which my two companions died. One of them, Richard Duedeman, thus addressed me the day previous to his death: "I am convinced that I must soon die, and am, I trust, prepared for my departure; but I should like, once more, to write a few lines to my minister, and thank him for the Bible, that blessed book, which points out the way to heaven. Had I not obtained possession of it, I do not think I should have been saved. When, in the 15th chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, I read the parable of the prodigal son, I was led to consider myself completely in the light of that son; but, blessed be God, I found consolation in applying those words to myself—‘This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.' I should wish my wife to have my Bible, and diligently to read it; for in this world I shall never see her face again, nor those of my children: yet, notwithstanding all this, I may confidently exclaim with the apostle, I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.' Blessed be God, for having conducted me to England, and may his richest benediction rest on all those who so kindly supply the poor with Bibles!" In this affecting manner he expressed himself, even in the last moments of his earthly existence, whilst tears of gratitude, both towards God and man, streamed down his eyes. He died on the 13th of May, at four o'clock in the morning. My other companion followed him the next day. His name was Thomas Rode, who expired in the midst of thanksgivings to God for having favoured him with an opportunity of receiving a Bible; and, whilst he fervently implored an especial blessing on those kind benefactors of their poor fellow-creatures, who thus were engaged in dispensing among them the bread of life, some of his last expressions were, "I feel most comfortable and happy in my mind. O my Lord Jesus! receive and take me to thyself; thou hast prepared me for death, preserve my faith unshaken, till it shall please thee to receive me to thy kingdom; blessed be God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, that all men right get a Bible! to me it proved a cheering companion in the solitary hours of my confinement! It was a refreshment and consolation to my mind.

Thus my companions died. But what do I say? They are not dead, they live infinitely happier than myself. I cannot but thank God a thousand times, that you have given us a Bible. Convey my sincerest thanks to those who sent you so many copies of this holy book to distribute among the poor. We cannot reward them, but God will.

LEGAL CLAIMS OF SEAMEN.

We publish the following police reports for the purpose of showing the frauds and injustice to which sailors are frequently exposed, but principally to illustrate the working of the new Merchant Seaman's Act, intended to destroy the infamous crimping system. We believe that magistrates and other official parties are sincerely desirous of securing to the sailor his rights, and of saving him from the evils incident to his profession. But whilst we give them full credit for their honest and generous