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Seaman's Magazine.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they [sailors] glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Psalms.

CAPTAIN LANDER'S CIRCULAR.

This Letter was addressed to about forty Captains of British ships, lying at a port in the West Indies, on the occasion of their not attending Church on the Lord's Day, though the Minister was truly respectable.

DEAR SIR-If manifestations of love are to be estimated according to the good to which they tend, when you have rightly viewed the contents of this letter, you will, I am persuaded, be constrained to say, Nothing but love of the purest kind, could have induced the writer to have addressed it to you in this manner, to attempt to point out to you a course which so few sail, yet, nevertheless, is not less important, but will appear of consequence in that proportion you consider it it was procured by your absence from church the two last Sabbath days, and, for any thing I know to the contrary, ever since your arrival at this port. My dear sir, reflect who has said, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Can you say that such a command means nothing? or that for the breaking it, you will never have to account? As well may you say, all he has done and said are meant to be in vain, though our own experience gives the lie to such an assertion; for who hath ended this life so well, as the man who has been particular to regard the Sabbath day? and who has ended it so miserably, as the man who has not respected it? Have not hundreds of those who have come to an untimely end declared, that they commenced the career of wickedness by disregarding the Sabbath day? Though you may escape such an end, yet consider, you cannot escape the Giver of this command, who is no other than the God who made the world, in whom you live, move, and have your being, and who can say, This night thy soul shall be required of thee, to account for the deeds done in the body your broken Sabbaths, as well as your idle words, which have, possibly, been intermixed with cursing and swearing, thereby teaching, by your example, whole ships' crews, one after another, to do the same; thus becoming the devil's volunteer, and serving him without bounty or pay. If the rich man, named in the Gospel,* feared lest his brethren, coming to his miserable abode, should increase his torments, what may you be, when surrounded with the ships' crews, whom you, by your example, brought there? for God, who cannot lie, has said, "He will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain." Read chap. xxiv. of Leviticus.

Captains are generally complaining of the sailors, but take no

Luke vi 28

pains to make them better, nor endeavour to remedy the evil by bringing up those boys under their charge in a more exemplary manner. A reformation is much wanted among them. All other orders of men are considerably improved and reformed. The miners, both of the south and north, as well as many mechanics, have been made sensible of their lost estate by nature, and have sought and found the Lord. Are sailors alone to remain ignorant of Him who said to the boisterous sea, Peace, be still, and instantly there was a calm? Fire and hail, snow and vapours, stormy winds fulfil his word. Sailors seeing his wonders in the deep, ought to lead the most devout lives. However, it is better to reform late than never; and who is to begin it, if you do not? or to what use will it be, if your example does not correspond with these instructions? for those committed to your charge make your words the model of their own: therefore it is evident, the reformation must begin with you. You must know what you are by nature,* and what you must be by grace.t You must feel your sins, and rest not until you know they are cast as a stone into the depths of the sea,‡ to be remembered against you no more the happy effects of which will be a peace that passeth all human understanding, with a most sincere desire that every son of man shall partake of it, particularly your companions on the ocean. You will not only run in the way of God's commandments, observe his Sabbaths, and fear an oath, but will endeavour to instruct those on board, and suffer no immorality there, for, recollect, your articles will bear you out in this, even to the loss of wages for their disobedience; but to this you will not have occasion to resort. I have for almost twenty years prevented swearing on board my ship; you have only to set the example, and it is quite easy.

Reflect on the awfulness of having your misery increased by those who, through your example, arrive where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched,§ not for millions of years, but through eternity. Contemplate its length, for it has no end; and also the folly and madness of that course which will carry you there. How different the end of those, who take the word of God as a light to their feet, and a lamp to their paths! as the chart by which they shape their course, and which will not fail to carry them safe across the gulf of Death to heaven's peaceful shore; saying, Here am I, and the children thou hast given me; for if you value your own eternal interest, you cannot be satisfied without carrying as many with you as possible; as your happiness will depend in a measure, on the happiness of those around you, who can enjoy none that is real, unless they know their duty to God, to man, and to themselves. From such a sense of duty, these lines are written, "For I am, through grace and divine mercy, a brand plucked from the burning." Bound to Heaven, (though under small sail to what I might have been,) I wish to take you in tow to sail with me; and your everlasting happiness, as well as that of those who sail with. you, depends on the choice you make. Consider what denomination of men are so often called, both by mercies and judgments.

* Rom. iii + John iii. Micah vii. 19. || Phil. iv. 7. § Isaiah Ixvi. 24.

Monthly Prayer Meeting of the Bethel Union.

221

which you and your crew may be summoned to answer for together; if so, they may reflect on each other for bad example, but the whole must reproach you. Another most serious consideration: those who live on shore can only be accountable to those who have seen them for their bad example; but you sail from port to port, and some almost the world around, carrying with you the contagious disease of sin, spreading far and wide its destructive effects. While you come from that land, which, at present, through the mercy of God, is set on high amongst the nations, as the luminary of the world, and from whence men are sent out with you, in order to reflect the light of the glorious gospel on heathen nations, where the names of our God and his Christ are not known, will you continue to reject this light, and be the means (as you have too long been) of preventing its blessed influence, and the praiseworthy efforts of your countrymen, glowing with ardent desire for the salvation of all the world, not sparing their property, and some spending life, to obtain so desirable an object, that the knowledge of our God may, according to his promise, cover the earth as the waters do the place of the sea? Will you then be a bar of hindrance to so godlike a work? Remember your responsibility is not an ordinary one; your families, ships' crews, the extensive sphere in which you have moved, nay, whole nations may curse you, for being the means of preventing the glorious light from shining; or they may call you blessed, who have brought the Gospel unto them, and by your example and that of your crews, been the most powerful and living evidences of the truth of the Gospel. Then do seriously reflect, and you will find your situation a much more important one than you have hitherto considered it to be. Your eternal all will depend on the decision you make.

Your real Friend,

ANTHONY LANDERS.

MONTHLY PRAYER MEETING OF THE LONDON BETHEL UNION.

THIS interesting service was held on Tuesday the 2d ult. on board the Manchester, of Scarborough, Captain Walker, in Shadwell Dock Tier, Lower Pool. The ship displayed in the morning the Bethel Flags, ensigns, and signal colours, the UNION JACK having also a conspicuous place. This meeting was anticipated with much pleasure by our friends in the Lower Pool, and particularly by the worthy Captain of the Manchester and his crew, who had been anxious for many months to have it on board his vessel.-The usual time to commence the service on these occasions is seven o'clock, but boats began to arrive nearly an hour before from above and below, as well as from the shore. The company was more numerous than any held before; many could not get under the awning. Above 30 masters of vessels were present, among whom, we are informed, were some belonging to the West India and South Sea trade. Several of the vessels from Screw Bay, (a place which had been evangelized by the instrumentality of Sailors holding Prayer-meetings from house to house,) also joined their seafaring friends. Many who

had received benefit from the Stepney Mission formed part of the congregation; and females who had husbands, brothers, sons, or other relatives, came on board in the hope of receiving benefit from this monthly festival. The address was given by Capt. W. H. Angus, who has left the sea, and is going shortly to devote his life as a Minister, or rather Missionary, to his brother Seameu. Among the many who engaged in prayer, was an old man who was a labourer on shore; his "hoary locks proclaimed his lengthened years." He and his family were Roman Catholics. A few weeks ago he was impressed by the "Press Gang," and taken to a Sailor's Prayer-meeting-a scene quite new to him. It has pleased the Lord to open his eyes, and "behold he prayeth." He knelt before the captain, and, with the deepest humility, implored mercy upon an old sinner, thanking God for what he had done for him, in bringing him to the feet of Jesus in his old age. The congregation were much affected, especially those who knew the circumstances which led to his being present with his family, who are now constantly to be found under the sound of the Gospel on the Sabbath, and at other convenient opportunities. He has now opened his house for Sailor's Prayer-meetings, and invites all his neighbours to attend.

The Press Gang,

In February, on their way to Cotton-street Chapel, Poplar, one Tuesday evening, called at a boarding-house, where they found five Sailors playing at cards, when a pious Sailor said, "Put them away, my friends, they are the Devil's books, and will ruin both your souls and bodies; here, I will give you a better book," (giving each a religious Tract ;) 66 come, shipmates, go with me to a Sailors' meeting; I was a wicked Sailor once myself, but, I thank God, he has taught me better; come, go with us, we will not keep you long." "What is it to do ?" "Come and see." Four of the Sailors seemed ashamed, and put the cards away, but the other swore he would play the game out. "My friend," said a pious Sailor, "God may not spare you to play the game out; he may strike you dead, and send you to hell." He immediately put the cards down, got from his seat, and said, "I'll play no more; a volunteer is worth two pressed men; I'll go with you; come, let us all go." They went with the pious Seaman, remained the whole of the service, and have since been seen at the House of God as VOLUNTEERS.

SCILLY ISLANDS.

St. Mary's, Scilly, Jan. 22. DEAR SIR,-For the first time during this severe winter, our port is thronged with Seamen. The wind, for several days, has blown a storm from the East and North East, and the ships from the several ports in both channels are now pressing into our harbours.

As the hundreds of precious souls are likely to continue here but a few days, I must not lose the least opportunity either for preaching the Gospel or distributing religious tracts. I have sent for every pious man on the Island that can afford his time; and for a few Seamen who have often visited Scilly, and have divided them into three companies. One boat's crew, with 300 tracts, is gone with Capt. D-le to Grinsley Harbour; four men are pulling Mr. Davies, who has the Bethel Flag and 450 tracts, through the road, and the last company, with myself, are just going on board the different ships in St. Mary's Pool. As the tide is not yet sufficiently favourable for our boat, I snatch the interesting moments to write

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a line to my dear friend respecting our proceedings. Early in the winter I got the following notice printed, which is now stuck up in every part of the town;

SEAMEN!

"Without money and without price!!"
Pilots and Fishermen will

Direct all strangers to Mr. Jeffery's,

for

Religious Tracts.

Last evening the Bethel Flag was hoisted near our Meeting-house in this town; about 20 Seamen attended; we cannot often prevail on great numbers to attend chapel unless there has been previously divine service on board some ship. Two men were washed overboard from the packet on her last passage from Penzance; by this awful Providence a widow and four miserable orphans are added to the long list of sufferers on the islands. The boat is ready; at present I must write

no more.

The three companies are returned; it has been a pleasant day, though not wholly without danger, as the undertow of the sea, and the swell around the rocks is very violent. The substance of the report is truly gratifying, and may be communicated in a few words:-The tracts were received by the greater part of the Seamen with a pleasing eagerness, and some of them thankfully listened to religious advice.

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A short anecdote may be inserted:-T. Stevens, a common sailor (belonging to the schooner L, of B———, J. Adams, master,) was offered a Tract. "My brave fellow, I hope you will read it:" he took me by the hand and appeared to be much affected. "My dear Sir," said he, "this is not the first time I have had your good advice-do you remember when you preached on board the cutter in St. Mary's Pool?" Yes, very well." "I was there"-(bursting into tears.) "Oh, I shall never forget it: your text was-How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation!' This is your book, (pulling out the Negro Servant.) You gave me this after you had finished the sermon." "I hope you have not continued to neglect your salvation ?" "No, Sir, I hope I have not; the Lord has taught me to pray, and I am persuaded that he will hear prayer when offered in the name of Jesus. I have been a great sinner, but there is mercy, you know, Sir, for the vilest when they believe in Jesus; Lord help my unbelief!"

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Thus, Lord, thy waiting servants bless,
And crown thy Gospel with success.

When I handed a Tract to Robert Richards, on Board the Betsey, of L--, "Ah, Sir," said he, "I was not too well pleased with you once in Tresco." Why was that, my good man?" "Don't you recollect when you came on board one morning, and took away a boy that I should not beat him ?" "What are you the man that was beating the poor boy so cruelly ?" "Ah, Sir, I was a fool and a madman then, but since that I have heard Mr. Smith preach at Bristol I could not act so cruelly now, Sir! no, I'll be kind to every body; I'll forgive every body; and I hope the Lord will have mercy upon me. I heard you preach last night, Sir; how good the Lord Jesus is to die for such miserable sinners! we must not trust in ourselves, but the grace of God is sufficient for us." I took this man to my house, and, by the help of the Bible, endeavoured to give him clear views of the method of redemption.

⚫ Last evening I preached on board the Chance schooner, Thomas Nance, master. Great exertions were made by the captain and his crew to accommodate the numerous Seamen and Islanders. The Chance was most conveniently situated, and the evening was most delightfully serene; the windows of several houses were opened at the commencement of the service, and were surrounded with sea masters and others, who appeared to listen most attentively. Several Sailors, on hearing the first hymn, ran up about half way the mast, and there continued until the other parts of the congregation began to move from the vessel, when they came down and kindly assisted us on shore. I had fixed my friends in convenient places for giving a Tract to every Seaman, but this was not done so easily as was anticipated, for the congregation was numerous, and very much scattered. About 500 were distributed among Sailors, Pilots, Fishermen, and others, and more promised this morning to such as were not supplied.

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