some firm friends in Providence, the number of whom will doubtless increase, when the object shall be better known. The collection in Providence was not large, but it was such as they considered respectable for them.

After leaving Providence, I visited three or four other towns between that place and Boston. In most of them I found friends to the society, and some very firm ones, who would do any thing for it in their power: But the complaint I met with every where, was a general dearth of money, and that I could not have selected a worse time on all accounts; and particularly as Mr. Frey had just been over the ground before me for the American Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews, and for his church in New-York. There was one place in this section of country, which had some shipping, and presented the appearance of some wealth, where I could not get even a hearing in behalf of the scamen. They, however, blessed the society with good wishes, and the seamen with "be ye warmed, and be ye clothed," and saved without our aid, as we have nothing to spare. Such charity, I thought, would not be likely to turn many to righteousness, or become very ornamental stars in their crown in the day of the Lord: so I left them and went on my way, to seek other and better friends to seamen in other parts of the land. In Boston I was very cordially received, although with many doubts as to success in my object. The suggestion was, that the New-York society was local; at least that it was so in its name, if it did not design to be so in its operations: and besides, they had an institution of their own for seamen, which they must support. From these considerations it was doubtful whether much, if any thing, could be obtained for me. Some even doubted the propriety of making any attempt: but on application to some friends, I very readily gained permission to lay the subject before the people, and the assurance of all the assistance which individual influence could give to the object. The result of the experiment, most conclu. sively proved, that the subject had been but partially viewed; and the collection exceeded all their expectations. The collection for Boston was taken up in two churches, one of the Congregational and one of the Baptist; and these were all to which I could have access on the subject of seamen, because the condition of that subject was a collection. I attended also a Bethel Union prayer meeting on board a vessel, which was pretty well attended. The attention to the word of exhortation was good; but at the same time, there was more disturbance about the docks, and on board the vessels lying near by, than was desirable to make it altogether pleasant. I trust, however, that the meeting was attended with some good results. The brother who labours with the seamen in that city a part of his time, assured me that this was not a good specimen of their meetings, as they were generally very orderly. Besides these, I attended a number of other meetings in Boston, which were, on some accounts, pleasant. In some of them there seemed to be a degree of anxiety about the souls of men :-some fear of displeasing the enemies of religion ;-some willingness to do any thing for Christ and the honour of his cause in the world, and some things which looked like the beginning of an outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the people. I had many solicitations to spend a few weeks with them; but I judged on the whole that it was not my duty; whether I judged correctly I cannot tell.-— During my stay at Boston, I rode out to Dorchester, one Tuesday evening, and preached about the conversion of sailors; and the congregation of Dr. Codman gave me a collection, which, taking all things into the account, was one of the best on my whole tour. I made trial to do something for the society at Charlestown, but without success, as they refused to give me a hearing but upon the condition that I should not attempt a collection; and as this was a condition with which I would not comply, I did not preach to them at all: I, however, attended one little evening meeting, with a handful of the brethren, and tried to urge upon them their duty in regard to revivals of religion, and the general interests of Christ's Kingdom in the world. At Cambridge, I was repeatedly advertised that nothing could be done; and hearing to the advice of friends, who were supposed to know better than myself, I made no attempt in that place.

From Boston I went to Salem, where I found warm friends to the cause of Christ and of seamen. They gave me a handsome collection, and I have no doubt, but they will offer up many prayers for your success among seamen. Here too was some appearances of seriousness; and a union prayer meeting has been established, as well as in Boston, and other places. The seamen have without

Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen.

445 doubt some most firm friends in this place, who will do all in their power for their salvation. The day after the collection I received two five dollar notes, sent by two gentlemen, who felt for seamen so much after hearing, that at the collection they could not do according to their desires. On the whole, I found many pleasant things in this place. From Salem, I went on, and visited Newburyport, Portsmouth, Dover and Portland: but it would be unnecessary to particularize on each of them, as there was nothing very striking or singular, more than the common displays of the human character. I found, indeed, friends to seamen in all of them, who were willing to give of their prayers, and of their substance, for their salvation. In Portland, particularly, I found excellent friends, and for a week day, and considering the unpleasantness of the evening on which I preached, I consider the collection obtained there an expression of much feeling for the salvation of seamen. But in Pembroke, I should think, was one of the most striking exhibitions of feeling for sailors, that I have witnessed in my whole tour. Their collection will tell, when it is considered that it is only a country town, and the same congregation had given collections three successive days for different objects. For this reason a formal collection could not be allowed, as it would seem like crowding the people beyond reasonable bounds: a box, therefore, was placed on the communion table, and one holden at the door, after sermon, and the collection for this town was put in them. During the sermon there was much feeling exhibited, and as it was the time of the session of the general association of New-Hampshire, so there were ministers from all parts of the state, and I have no doubt, that many prayers for the salvation of seamen will be the effect of that meeting; but what its final results will be, the day of judgment and eternity must tell. I found also friends to your society in Concord, as their little donation will tell, in conuexion, with the fact, that a number of the good people of Concord were at Pembroke, to make a part in the general interest of that place, as well as in its donation after the burden of three days' drawing on them for money for various charities.

From Concord I went to Hanover, where I found friends who were willing to contribute to your aid, as I also did at Lyme. The collections in these towns will be considered very good ones by those who are acquainted with their situations. The students at Hanover, were mostly away from the college, it being vacation : and it is but a little while, as I was informed, since the people of that place began to think that they had any thing to do for charities abroad. Two professors of the College in this place, suggested the propriety and expediency of converting the society for promoting the Gospel among seamen in the Port of New-York, into a kind of national institution, answering, in some respects at least, to the "British and Foreign seamen's friend society and Bethel Union," instead of resembling as it now does, only the "Port of London society," and also of having auxiliaries formed to it throughout the country. They were of the opinion that this measure would remove every objection made against the society, or its operations, in its present form; and greatly facilitate the object which it has in view. As the same subject was repeatedly suggested to me, and as the inquiry was often made, whether I could not form auxiliaries to the society in NewYork, I felt it my duty to notice the fact, and for that end I have incorporated these thoughts with the details of this report.*

* The second article of the constitution of this Society is as follows: "Its object shall be to furnish SEAMEN with the means of intellectual and religious improvement;" and there is nothing in either the charter, or constitution, which confines its operations or exertions especially to this Port. There is nothing which forbids the election of directors residing out of the city of New-York, or the formation of auxiliaries in any part of the country, or employing Missionaries to labour among seamen in any part of the world, or establishing schools for the instruction of seamen, in literature, navigation or other sciences. Again, the society have held a correspondence with societies and individuals in various parts of our own, and other countries, setting forth the necessity of active exertion for the souls of seamen. The friends of seamen have opened places of worship for them in Philadelphia, Boston, Charleston, (S. C.) and other places, and it is believed that this society has exerted a favourable influence in their labours. But if the labours of this society have been limited, it is the fault of the public in not affording the means, and is not to be charged to the account of local or

I next went into Vermont. In that state I visited a number of towns: But the principal places where much was done by way of pecuniary aid for your society were Middlebury and Montpelier, as will be seen by the list of donations. The collection at Middlebury was probably not as large as it would have been, could they have had more timely notice of my visit to them: but as it was, it must be considered as an expression of the feelings of warm-hearted friends to the institution and the general conversion of sailors to the religion of Christ. I was induced to visit Montpelier at the time I did, from the fact that the Legisla ture was then in session, and consequently I could have the opportunity of laying the claims of seamen before a number of gentlemen from various parts of the state. And their collection will show that the appeal was not made in vain. In one little town, of few and scattering inhabitants, I preached an evening lecture at a school-house, on the importance of the salvation of seamen ; and the next morning a poor woman in the neighbourhood, wishing to do something towards their conversion, sent me as the best thing she could do, a little bag of mustards seed, which I now present to the board* with the hope, that by some wise counsel, and liberal design, it may be turned to some good account. At another place, the morning after preaching, just as I had left my lodgings, a man met me who said he was coming down to see me before I left, for he wished to do more than he was able to do last night, and remarked if I would stop a moment against the store just before me, he would try to do a little more. In the mean-time he told me that he was the son of a sailor, and that he knew the things which I had stated concerning them were true. On coming to the proposed spot, he ran to a friend who at that moment came down another street, and borrowed a dollar, and gave it to me saying, "what is a dollar ?" He pronounced many blessings on the society, and prayed God to bless every effort they should make to save poor sailors, and left me to go on my way. As I was on my way home, I called and took a collection at Salem, Lansingburgh and Waterford in this state, in each of which I found friends to the institution, who appeared to feel much for your prosperity in the great work of bringing seamen to the knowledge of the truth.

Before I conclude, I feel it my duty to say to the board, that in every place which I have visited, I have found some who appear deeply to feel the importance of the salvation of seamen, and who are most decidedly friendly to the society and also that I consider it not among the least of the benefits which will result to the society from this tour, that they will be prayed for, and the salvation of seamen will be prayed for tenfold, if not an hundredfold more than either were before. The seamen have almost been forgotten in the prayers of Christians; and to pray for them has been one part of Christian duty which I have particularly endeavoured to impress on the public mind; and I trust not altogether without effect. One minister, after I had preached, rose to make a few remarks to his people before the collection was taken, and prefaced them with the words of Pharoah's butler concerning Joseph, whom he had long forgotten, I do remember my faults this day. It is now a fact that seamen begin to be remembered in some of the monthly concerts. But still to the church generally, notwithstanding the immense importance of their conversion, seamen are even in her prayers, as a dead man out of mind;" and I am greatly fearful, that it is even so in this city, notwithstanding all which has been done in the midst of it. The subject is not generally understood; but from what I have seen and heard, I am fully convinced that if it were properly placed before the public mind, there are not more than one or two subjects now before it which would command such universal attention, or more liberal support. I think it also an immensely important object in attaining the ends of the society, that a proper person who shall understand

sectarian feeling. The society is composed of persons of various denominations, who labour together in the most perfect harmony; and the church under their superintendence is open for all denominations of Christians. It is under the direction of no ecclesiastical judicatory, and furnishes a ground on which all who love the Saviour may unite heart and hand in extending the knowledge of his name. There is no good reason why Christians in any part of our country, who feel for the souls of seamen, and have the means, should not aid this society, since its very location commends it as the most important institution in the Union, "for promoting the Gospel among Seamen," in all parts of the world. See next Page. Editor

The Bug of Mustard Seed.

447

the subject, and possess the requisite qualifications, be sent through the churches as soon as may be, to lay the subject before them, and stir them up to the duty of prayer and action for the salvation of seamen. Then a few individuals will not have to act alone in the great work; and when in its individual and relative importance it is brought before the mind, that Christian must be twice dead who will not act in view of it.

Gentlemen, I was absent on your business about fourteen weeks; travelled about fourteen hundred miles ;-preached about sixty or sixty-two times:-attended about twenty or thirty other meetings;-and collected in all not far from six hundred and eighty two dollars; but the annexed detail will show the exact amount with which I close this report.

New-York, November 29th, 1822.

JOHN TRUAIR.

Å list of places where money was collected by the Rev. JOHN TRUAIR, for the benefit of "the society for promoting the Gospel among seamen" in the Port of NewYork, from July 25th to Oct. 31st, 1822, with the sums contributed.

This donation of "mustard seed" made by the poor woman mentioned in Mr. Truair's report, was purchased of the Society by some of the members of the Board for three dollars, to present to the missionaries about to sail for Palestine, as a pledge of their Christian regard and prayers for their happiness and success. The next day the circumstance was mentioned to a few friends, and several dollars more were added to the value of their donation. On Sunday evening, after sermon, Mr. Truair mentioned several facts relating to the interest which people in the country, where he had been travelling, had taken in the Sailor's cause, and concluded with this anecdote: Twelve dollars were left in the plates at the doors by those who felt a desire to have a remembrance in the prayers of the Missionaries, and to aid the Mariners' Church. On Tuesday, at the Union Prayer Meeting, this incident was again related, and a further interest of nine dollars was taken in this present. The amount now received for the poor woman's "two mites," is about thirty-two dollars; "surely she of her penury, hath cast in more than they all." The Mustard Seed has been divided into three parts, one of which was presented to the Missionaries, to be sown in Palestine-another part is to be sent to them at some future day, and the other part will remain here to be culti

vated. This "indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree that birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

Should any Christian friend desire an interest in this present to the Palestine Missionaries, and thus aid the poor sailor's cause, donations will be received by R. DAVENPORT Esq. Treasurer, corner of Peck Slip and Front-st. Rev. JoHN TRUAIR, No. 129 Cherry-st. or at this office.

JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

Ir is with no ordinary degree of pleasure and gratitude that we resume the subject allotted to this head of our work. The Bethel meetings were suspended during the late calamity, but they have reopened with great interest and attention. The remarks of " A Landsman," received some time ago, will not inaptly introduce our journal.

"We have" says he, "reason to believe that many have hopefully become converted to Christ through the instrumentality of meetings held for the use of seamen and it is the language of many Captains, that since the MARINERS' CHURCH has been opened, Bethel meetings instituted, and Bibles distributed, that seamen are more regular, more attentive to duty, and are better seamen. Thus, then, the interest of the mercantile community is deeply involved in the success of the Mariners' Church; and it is sincerely to be hoped that they will show themselves not unmindful of this fact, and will solicit the Bethel flag to adorn the mast head of their vessels-whilst the prayer of the pious is lifted to the mercy seat for the safety and salvation of the crew. Nay, will not forget that this institution, so happy in its results, and so honourable to our city, needs both the personal influence, and the pecuniary assistance, of the Merchant, to render its success as triumphant as we are assured it one day must be. But here I cannot for a moment harbour any other feeling than that the Christian community will evince an increasing anxiety for the salvation of seamen-for they doubtless are to be greatly instrumental in the general diffusion of the Gospel-Since, as they go from continent to continent, and from kingdom to kingdom, if pious they will carry an argument in point, in favour of religion, and they will exert an immediate influence upon a class of society at present out of the reach of the Missionary's voice and labours. Hoping to hear, from time to time, more of these meetings, through the instrumentality of your publication, permit me to assure you of the deep interest which I feel in the success of the Bethel flag." (To be Continued.)

Notices and Acknowledgments.

"B.;" ;" ❝ Conversion of Nancy Fox;" plan for "Pastoral Libraries ;" "Encou ragement to praying mothers and pious servants," are received.

We have received two or three communications respecting "The New-York Society for promoting Communities of the best sort," but as we do not remember having seen the constitution of a society bearing that name, and are not acquainted with either its plan or principles, we must decline publishing these notices. We will thank our correspondent for a copy of the constitution, or a definite statement of the objects of the society. The objects of the society in Paris, as expressed in the rules he has quoted, appear to be good, but we have not room for them at present.

We have received accounts of the anniversary of the Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union in London, which are highly interesting, and will be noticed in

our next.

The New-York Bethel Union will celebrate their Anniversary on the last day of this year. (Particulars in our next.)

Z.'s" second communication came too late to meet his wishes.