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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. Prunes.

A TRAVELLER'S JOURNAL.

EXETER.

On Wednesday Morning, July 10th, at four A. M. arrived at Exeter, and in the course of the day had the pleasure to see the Bethel Flag hoisted by that active and pious sailor, George W. In the evening preached at the Quay, to a very large congregation of sailors from Topsham, Starcross, and other places. The utmost decorum prevailed. I stood on the deck three vessels were well filled, and numbers stood on the shore. One or two naval officers here are active in the cause, but they have had no public meetings, and I had not time to stay at present.

BRISTOL.

Friday, 12th March. Interested with the view of the seaman's chapel, especially the figure head, which is a large folio Bible open. The 107th Psalm appears in large letters, and can be distinctly read from the shore. In the evening preached on board to a crowded assembly. It was highly gratifying to me, especially when I recollected two years since I began preaching on the decks of ships in Bristol; and, after innumerable difficulties, opposition, and discouragements, succeeded at last in establishing a Seamen's Friend Society, and alternately in obtaining the vessel. My esteemed friend, the Rev. Thomas Roberts, and some of the Committee, were then actively engaged with me in this work. I rejoice to see they have succeeded so well. The ship is admirably well fitted up, is well attended, is out of debt, and visited by persons from all parts, from curiosity. The gentlemen of the committee are very active. The Bethel Companies I had the pleasure to form in the spring of last year are of the first importance to the worship of God in this ship. There are many pleasing instances of success to this cause. Trowmen (i. e. the men who navigate a sort of barges or lighters up the Severn, to Gloucester) attend also as well as seamen, and some of them appear to manifest a decided attachment to religion. I was first advised to preach among the trowmen here, two years since, by that pious and active merchant, Stephen Prust, Esq.; I am happy to find the result has been most blessed. A captain this evening informed me of a friend of his, a captain also, who received serious impressions from a discourse I had preached in London, and was now zealously en gaged in gathering his brother seamen to Christ Jesus.

VOL. IX.

52

Sabbath Day, 14th. Preached on board the Seamen's Chapel in the morning. I was thankful to see so many flocking through Queen Square to hear the word of God. I had often remarked in former years, that, from the drawbridge to Bristol bridge, taking in the quay, the grove, and the back, there was no place where the Gospel was preached, and thousands there scarcely ever heard it. The public houses and brothels filled this neighbourhood with guilt and misery, and there was no counteracting influence to prevent this contagion. No minister ever went to this population to teach them the way of salvation, and sailors in particular were left to perish. J. J——, Esq., a gentleman who had risen up to opulence from a humble station at sea, had opened the cabin of a vessel for preaching by the Methodists; but this was all. Here hundreds of sailors landed, and met with ruin and death, for no one cared for their souls. Happily the scene was changed, and thousands now crowd to hear the word of God; while I rejoice in it, and would give all the glory to God, yet I cannot forget the fatigue, and reproach, and frowns, I met with from some, even in a place like Bristol, when I adopted general measures to arouse others from their apathy, and awaken more zealous efforts for a degraded population who were perishing for lack of knowledge.

The ship this morning was filled above and below. My text was, "While the ark was preparing." It was a very solemn and affecting service, and the kindness of hundreds at the close was very impressive.

Afternoon stood on the summit of Brandon Hill, an eminence that commands the city, and all the adjacent country. From this hill, Oliver Cromwell destroyed part of the Old College on College Green. I preached on this height two years since. This day the pulpit that was made for Lady Huntingdon's ministers to preach in the open air was lent me. Some of the people, with a sailor and a trowman, carried it on the Hill. In this pulpit the late Rev. Mr. Wills, of SpaFields and Silver-street Chapels, has frequently preached to such congregations as his noble predecessors, Messrs. Whitfield and Wesley, had in this very city. The scene this afternoon was the most grand and impressive I ever beheld. The quietness of the busy city of Bristol at our feet, and the serenity and fineness of the day, united with the solemnity of more than 5000 hearers, gave the greatest interest to the service. I stood on the very summit; the wind assisted the voice, and the sound rolled over the city to distant parts. In the evening, went to the Seamen's Chapel at the usual hour, but the crowd was so excessively great that it was with the utmost difficulty I could get in. It had been proposed by some gentlemen of the committee that I should preach on the bows of the ship, and the people stand on the shore; but, on reaching the cabin, this was strongly objected to by others, as the ship was full. Nearly half an hour was occupied in debating this question. Different messengers came, saying, there was nearly 2000 persons outside who could not get in. I was, however, prevailed on to preach on board, though with much regret, as so many more precious souls would have heard

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had it been outside. This evening I spent at my lodgings with a gentleman from New-York; he was greatly interested with the service of the day, and on my saying, that I first went to sea as a cabinboy in an American brig, and that I had felt an earnest desire for many months to visit the United States, and run down the coast preaching to sailors for a few weeks, he expressed an earnest wish that I would comply with this intention, and said so much to induce me, that I felt half disposed to a decision, if my increasingly numerous engagements would permit next spring. This good man went to prayer this evening, and during his earnest supplications I was so much af fected, that I felt constrained repeatedly in private to say, "Lord, if thou has any work for me to do, (as I believe every minister's work is marked out and appointed for him,) here am I-send me." I know not whether this plan will ever be carried into effect. I merely state here the operations of religious impressions on my own mind.

She un

I was much pleased with a visit from a poor pious woman, who informed me, that she had been much impressed with some remarks I had made last year about poor ministers, and had gone about among a few female friends, and collected weekly what she could. derstood that the Humble Endeavour Society I had formed in Bristol was to hold its Anniversary this week, and, as I was to preside, she begged I would receive what she had collected, and band it to the committee the amount was £3. 8s. 6d. Oh, how much good may be done by any persons who have a disposition to do it!

WESTON SUPERMARE.

THERE is only one very small Methodist Meeting here, lately built, and the town was quite full of genteel families. I soon obtained a man to go round and announce preaching in the open air in half an hour. J. Thornton, Esq. a pious gentleman from Bath, condescendingly did the same. I waited also on J. Irvine, Esq. of Bristol, who came in the most obliging manner with his family, and fearlessly stood by me the whole time. He had been reading the Sailor's Magazine with great pleasure. He still has preaching by Methodist ministers in the cabin of a vessel at Bristol, that he keeps as a general storeship. A gentleman of his property and influence can do much good. I had great pleasure this evening in addressing a numerous auditory from a square stone that sufficiently elevated me. Rich and poor were very attentive, and I felt greatly concerned for their salvation. Tuesday, 16th. Returned to Bristol this morning, and met the Female Committee of the Bristol Humble Endeavour Home Mission Society. They have done much good this year.

In the evening I had the pleasure to preside at the Anniversary. I was thankful to hear the Rev. H. T. a young man I had been permitted to raise up from obscurity some years since, and train up for the ministry, advocate the cause so firmly. He now supplies occasionally, a church in Bristol, and other churches in the neighbourhood.

Wednesday, 17th.--Heard this day some pleasing accounts of persons who give evidence that what they heard last year was most

beneficial to their souls. Many I have reason to believe by those labours were brought to God from a state of darkness and guilt. This evening, at the particular request of my valued friend the Rev. T. Roberts, preached in his chapel to nearly 2000 persons.

NEWPORT.

Thursday, 18th.-Embarked this morning for Newport in Wales. Several religious friends went with me. In going down the river I gave out some hymns, and Mr. H. C. prayed. Some music was on board, and a gentleman was determined it should play, and that a drum should beat to prevent our devotions. I waited until they had finished, when I resumed our worship by an address and prayer. Some respectable persons were offended, and others pleased. Either the one or other was comparatively of little consequence. It was our duty, being a large company, to spend an hour in prayer going out; others did as they pleased, as the company was quite general.

An amiable young man came and informed me, that a sermon I had preached at Castle-Green Chapel last year had been the means of the conversion of his brother, who was going to join the Tabernacle. Blessed be God, I hear almost daily of such instances. Landed near Newport, about 12 meridian. Walked to Mr. T's, sailmaker, and sent the crier round the town, to announce preaching at two o'clock, to sailors on the quay. Preached to sailors at two P. M. in the open air, after which my friends departed in the packet for Bristol. In the evening preached at the Baptist Chapel on the subject of the Bethel Union.

Friday, 19th.-Accompanied the Rev. Mr. Lewis to the Rector's house. He has formerly been an officer in the army. He received us with the utmost politeness, and would have gone with us to the public meeting, but for an engagement with the Bishop of the Diocese.

At eleven A. M. we assembled in the British school room, Rev. Mr. Lin the chair. I entered fully into the detail of maritime proceedings, and it proved a most gratifying meeting. We broke up at two A. M. took some momentary refreshment, and mounted the Milford coach with my son, for Bristol. I was engaged to preach this night on board the Ark. We arrived at the drawbridge, and having been detained, it was nearly eight o'clock, and drove in a hackney coach immediately to the Ark. It was quite full, and the Rev. H. Trewhilla was preaching for me: when he had finished, I detailed what we had done at Newport, and delivered an address.

BRISTOL.

Sabbath Day, 21st.-Preached this morning on board the Seaman's Chapel a very crowded and respectable congregation. Many notes were handed up to the pulpit this morning that were exceedingly striking. One expressed the pious desire of a parent who had a son at sea; another, the gratitude of a wife for the deliverance of her husband when bis ship was burnt in the West Indies ;-a third, desired prayer for a husband on his voyage home;-and a fourth entreated supplication for one who was gone to sea. All these I read to the congregation that they might be interested, and that their hearts

Woahoo.-Death of Capt. Turner.

might unite in those pious requests for seamen.

413

This afternoon, as

the weather was quite unfavourable for Brandon Hill, I preached again afloat. The vessel was quite full, and hundreds went away. I read a note to the following effect : "A mother, who has been a member of a Christian Church in Bristol 43 years, solicits the prayers of all present for her unhappy daughter, who has become a depraved prostitute." What an affecting case! I felt as a parent who has daughters of my own. This evening preached in Mr. Robert's capacious and noble chapel. Multitudes were going away from the doors when I arrived-every avenue was quite filled. There is something exceedingly grand, and animating in the appearance of this spacious building when it is well filled. It is a sublime testimony of the zeal and success of my worthy brother: may he live long to enjoy it, and behold the pleasure of Jehovah prosper in his hands! My acquaintance with him has been of nearly twenty years standing, and I have always found him a steady, affectionate, and unwavering friend. When I returned from a tour through France about six years since, being anxious to establish the Lancastrian system in that country, I travelled through the West of England, at the request of the British and Foreign School Society, to interest different congregations on the subject, and raise funds for the purpose. On my arrival at Bristol, Mr. R-, by his introduction to that prudent and zealous gentleman who is now Secretary of the Bible Society, Mr. T. R. completely effected my object. An auxiliary was formed in Bristol, and I had the pleasure to meet and act with that late eminent philanthropist, Richard Reynolds, Esq. I had also the happiness to receive my greatest assistance in the formation of the Bristol Seamen's Friend Society, and in procuring a Floating Chapel from this respected minister and judicious secretary.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.-WOAHOO.

WHILE one of the missionaries at the Sandwich Islands was delivering a lecture, and insisting on the excellency of the Christian's hope, and showing that hope without faith is an anchor cast into the ocean without a cable, a seafaring man cried out, May the honest sailor meet in heaven the man of good intent; I believe your intentions are good-and say that publicly."

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DEATH OF CAPTAIN TURNER.

August 4, 1821-This morning the flags of the vessels in the barbour were observed to hang at half mast; and intelligence soon came that Capt. Turner, of the ship Tartar, was dead. He retired last night about 11 o'clock in his usual health, having been observed to have been more than usually cheerful. Soon after he was seized with a fit of appoplexy, and died about two o'clock this morning. This is a solemn warning to us all to be prepared for death. The next day being Sabbath, public worship was held at the house where Capt. T. died, and Mr. Thurston preached from Luke xii. 40. "Be ye also ready, for the Son

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