you will not neglect these meetings, they may be as precious to you as they have been to me.

Another seaman then said: I join with my shipmate in favour of the Bethel meetings. From what I know and have seen, they have been the means, in the hand of God, of convicting and converting many seamen : one was held on board of a ship, when the captain, his officers, and crew were convicted, and become pious men, and had prayers on board ever afterwards morning and evening.

:

Lately a ship (he said) sailed from a port where Bethel meetings were held soon after, she was disabled in rudder and sails, with a shore under her lee, and no hopes of escaping from death. While in this situation, two boys on board, not more than 16 years of age, were engaged in prayer, and said, let us join with the Bethel meetings which are held on shore this night, that God will hear their prayers and save us; the ship was safely conducted into port.

Another sailor rose and said, "if I am permitted I will sing a hymn." It was composed by a sinner converted, speaking forth in strains of adoration the love of Christ for lost sinners. At the close he prayed, confessing the sins of seamen, and pleading with God earnestly, that he would make all captains, officers, and crews, Christians that all vessels might be made Bethels, where prayer and praise would be offered up night and day to Almighty God-until the whole world shall be filled with his glory.

The Board have thought it proper to go thus into detail of some of the meetings, that the public might be informed of facts, and not rest upon any general assertion; and they are truly happy to state, that the spiritual interests of seamen are becoming more and more an object of deep concern, not only here, but with the pious every where.

In Boston, a meeting for seamen is held on Central Wharf, by the Rev. Mr. Jenks, every sabbath morning. Sabbath evenings' religious meetings are held at seamen's boarding houses; and the Rev. Mr. Collier preaches in a sail loft, at the head of Liverpool Wharf. It was not until the 6th of June last that the way was prepared in that city for the first Bethel meeting, which was held on board the brig Cantine, at Gray's Wharf, under the direction of a committee of several different denominations. The Rev. Mr. Jenks is much devoted to his work among seamen, and we have no doubt that Boston will take an elevated stand in this benevolent enterprise.

By a letter from a minister in Nantucket, we are encouraged to hope that a Bethel Union will soon be formed-of our 2,000 seamen he says, probably not one tenth as yet have a Testament or tract. Ships are returning from triennial voyages without having had either on board. Among our seamen in the cod fishery, a most happy change has been effected within a few years-On board our whale ships several revivals have taken place. After stating many other interesting facts, which we cannot here detail, he inquires, what can be done to furnish them with Bibles, tracts, &c.? They long for Books, and such as they have are of the worst kind. They are destined to im

New-York Bethel Union.-Second Report.

539

press a character upon a large seafaring community, and to exert a powerful influence on every mission to the South Sea Islands, and to the coasts of America. There are between 8 and 10,000 English and American seamen cruising in the South Seas-a great proportion destitute of the word of life.

In New-London a society was formed last year, and continues to persevere with a prospect of increasing usefulness. We learn that the subject begins to be spoken of very favourably in Providence, and we expect soon to see a society formed in that flourishing and enterprising place.

A Bethel Union Society has been formed in Charleston, S. C. and is making encouraging progress in their exertions to convey the Gospel to seamen. The first Bethel meeting was held on the 21st April, on board the Saluda : 300 seamen were present-all the exercises were solemn and impressive. Since this time, prayer meetings have been held on board of ships every sabbath evening, and are uniformly well attended; on some occasions 4 or 500 have been present-no class of men could have manifested more decorum, than has been observed at these meetings. A weekly prayer meeting at the boarding houses of seamen has likewise been established. These houses have been opened for the purpose with great readiness, and the keepers of them have been cheerful and active in furnishing every accommodation. They even appear to feel a solicitude that their neighbours should not go before them in their efforts to promote these meetings, and the number of heads of families of this description who attend is weekly increasing. Their anniversary, which was celebrated on the first Monday of December, is spoken of in terms the most animating and encouraging.

A Mariners' Church has also been erected and opened for worship in Charleston, during the past year.

In Philadelphia, the Rev Mr. Eastburn is spending his last, and we hope, his best days in indefatigable exertions to do good to seamen. Early in the present year a Bethel flag was presented to him for that port, from the British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union of London, as an expression of the congeniality of feeling of our transatlantic brethren with those in this country in behalf of mariners. The Rev. Mr. Van Vleck, and the Rev. Drs. Janeway, Ely and Broadhead, together with most of the clergy of Philadelphia, give their decided countenance and support to the institution; and from many other quarters it is gaining new friends every day.

In Richmond, Vir. the meetings have been very encouraging-and the door seems now open to introduce Bethel Union Societies in all our southern ports. It is contemplated to open a correspondence with our brethren in these places immediately, and to endeavour to engage their co-operation in this work, by the formation of societies upon a similar plan with us.

During the past year the "Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen" have published "the Seamen's Assistant, intended to aid masters and seamen in the daily worship of Almighty God, on board their vessels at sea with prayers suited to the various circumstances in

This

cident to a seafaring life, and a selection of psalms and hymns." the Board hopes to find in every vessel which leaves this port. In connexion with this circumstance, they would take occasion to observe, that under the patronage of the same society is published semimonthly, the "Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine," giving a detailed account of all the measures in operation for the spiritual good of seamen throughout the world, and recording the public meetings and proceedings of societies in their behalf. The Board would earnestly recommend this work, as forming the most appropriate source of information of the progress of religion among sailors, to the immediate patronage of the Christian community. It is highly deserving encouragement and support, and they invite all the friends of seamen to promote its circulation.*

It is cause of great thankfulness that perfect harmony and Christian feeling among all the different denominations engaged in this service, have characterized our public and private meetings the past year.The hearts of the brethren have appeared to be cemented by stronger ties than ever, animating each other to more zealous, self denying, and persevering duties in the cause of our common Lord and master. And here it becomes our painful duty to record the death, during the last summer, of one of our most warm hearted and efficient members, Mr. John Taylor, of the Methodist society.

We humbly hope that he has been called to the rewards of the faithful. We have often mingled our hearts with his, in his fervent addresses to the throne of grace. With the eloquence which deep feeling and living faith inspire, we have heard him plead with seamen to fly to Jesus Christ. We have witnessed the awful silence-the deep solemnity which reigned on the deck, while the most tender and urgent expostulations fell from his lips-humble and unostentatious, he was little known in the world-but his labours of love, his acts of beneficence and mercy, are doubtless registered in the book of God's remembrance. We believe that with something of the spirit which animated the bosom of the holy and triumphant apostle, in his last moments he was enabled, with humble confidence and joy, to exclaim, "I have fought a good fight ;" and that now before the throne of God, with his harp always strung- always in tune, he has joined the millions of the redeemed in the everlasting song of

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

(To be concluded.)

The substance of the Addresses delivered at the Second Anniversary of the New-York Bethel Union.

JACOB OSTROM, M. D. moved the first resolution, viz.

Resolved, That the rapid progress which has been made in the moral and religious improvement of seamen, through the instrumentality of this Society, since its recent establishment, is highly gratifying to this meeting—and that the Report now read be adopted and published.

Subscriptions are received at J. P. Haven's Bookstore, corner of Broadway

and John-street.

New-York Bethel Union.-Speeches.

541

Is supporting this resolution, the gentleman, after a modest apology, in which
he declared himself unaccustomed to public speaking, proceeded to remark on
the arduous nature of the design of this society. When the condition and the
habits of seafaring men were fully considered, the attempt to bring them to the
knowledge and power of the Gospel must appear Herculean.-In such a cause,
though the attempt were attended with no success, to have laboured must be itself
an honour. But far different was the case we were now called to contemplate:
some of the fondest hopes of the friends of this cause had been more than realiz-
ed, and the Bethel Union deserved, for what it had already accomplished, the
After a report so full of the most cheering and
praise and thanks of society.
delightful information, it must seem almost needless to stimulate Christians to
prayer; not only did they feel and acknowledge its general necessity, but from
his acquaintance with the society, its friends appeared to him to have laid its very
foundation in the faith of those words of Christ," without me ye can do nothing:"
"not by might, (was its motto) nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord."
And he was convinced, that were this feeling more habitually present with all
who engage in Christian enterprises, not only would God be more abundantly
glorified, but the efforts of his people would receive a more manifest sanction by
his blessing. Surely, said the gentleman, it is a precious thought, that the great
Revert to the con-
Jehovah hears and answers prayer; and what abundant evidence of this truth is
contained in the report which has now been presented to us.

dition of the poor mariners a few years ago, before this benign charity arose for
their help. While almost every other object on which Christian beneficence
could expend its power was seized upon with eagerness, the seamen alone were
neglected and forgotten: possessed of immortality, and under all the awful re-
sponsibilities connected with it, they were ignorant almost of the fact that they
had a soul-no book of God to enlighten-no sanctuary to receive and instruct—
no friendly voice to warn them of their danger-no kind messenger to bring them
the gladdening tidings of mercy, and invite them to the Lamb of God-continual-
ly wafted from the shores of one Christian country to another, yet almost wholly
destitute of the blessings of either-surrounded by threatening dangers-exposed
to death in its most appalling forms, yet totally regardless of that Almighty being
who holds the winds in his fist-deplorably ignorant of his will, and altogether
destitute of any evidence of a part in his salvation. And here, said the gentle-
man, I might follow them beyond the storms in which they perished, and guided
by the lamp of truth might attempt to lift the curtain of futurity, and unfold the
dark world of wo: but I forbear: who can contemplate without horror and dis-
may the fate of men who lived and died in such a state? But brighter scenes
arise-fairer prospects break upon the view. Christendom, that had so long
slumbered over the ruin of these unhappy men, has at length awoke to her duty:
the voice that awoke her came from heaven. She begins to feel what she owes
to these dying sinners-she drops a tear over their misery, and stretches out her
hand to pluck them from the gulf, and to point them to that haven where storms
are for ever over, and the weary find eternal rest.

The facts presented in the report are of a character to arouse our admiration. What sovereignty, what grace are here! How animating to the soul! We are pointed to the deck of yonder ship, where once little was heard but horrid imprecations, and what a scene is presented to our eyes! What sounds break upon the ear! Seamen are singing the praises of God, are exhorting each other to Christian duty, are pouring out prayers for salvation, are listening with deep solemnity to the things of their peace and scenes like this are to be witnessed in sailor boarding houses! those dens of sin and blasphemy, where all evil once was found. Surely God has done great things for us, whereof we are glad. But how much is still to be done! in every direction the prospect spreads and widens -on every side that heart rending cry comes up from the sea, "give us the Bible! send it, before our bodies go down to a watery grave, and our souls sink in remediless destruction." Sir, it is now no longer a question whether seamen are to be saved-multitudes of them have already been saved-but whether we shall have the blessedness of furthering their salvation. God, who is no respecter of persons, has shown that the souls of seamen are precious in his sight, and is gathering them into his kingdom. And since the great Head of the church has thus crowned our efforts with his blessing, who will not offer prayers and efforts in such a cause? It is the day and season of Christian benevolence, and ye are not

your own. To do good, to be ever doing good, is the very characteristic of a Christian. His Master did so. And is there not in this work of glorifying God upon the earth an inward peace, a sweet satisfaction, which more than repays, even now, every effort and every sacrifice?

Let none say he is too poor and too obscure to aid in such a design. Are you too poor to pray? the prayer even of the poorest and most obscure of all his saints has power, and prevails with God. There is a voice in it which pierces these heavens-it rises beyond the clouds-it comes up before the throne of the Most High, and calls forth all the tenderness of a Father's heart. Offer the prayer of faith, and God will open the windows of heaven and answer in blessing, till there shall not be room to receive it. Now is the time to labour, and it is short. One of your most efficient fellow-labourers has finished his work below-he prayed, he toiled with you: now he is in heaven, and his voice alone remains among you crying, "be ye also ready." Another year has now sped its flight, it is gone for ever. Oh brethren! who among us is prepared to meet the scrutiny of that day, when these heavens shall be on fire, and every one of us shall give an account of himself to God? That we may be, let us do what our hand findeth to do with our might for there is neither wisdom, nor labour, nor device in the grave, whither we are all hastening.

(To be continued.)

BRANDON HILL.

To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.

DEAR SIR-Having recently visited England, where I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of many ministers of the Gospel, eminent both for piety and talents; it providentially fell to my lot to spend considerable time in the company and fellowship of that deservedly eminent and indefatigable servant of Christ to the poor, and especially to sailors, the Rev. G. C SMITH of Penzance. I had the pleasure to attend a sermon he preached on the afternoon of Lord's day, the 14th of August last, on one of the highest eminences in the vicinity of Bristol, called Brandon Hill. I beg leave to transmit you the heads of his discourse, with some remarks and anecdotes introduced into the body of his sermon. Should this sketch afford you satisfaction equal to that which the writer received in hearing the discourse, it is at your service.

THE situation of Brandon Hill is peculiarly interesting; it commands a view of the surrounding country of perhaps from ten to twelve miles, and presents one of the most fertile and beautiful sceneries in the kingdom. The day was clear and warm, and every respectful attention was paid to the preacher, by an audience supposed to be from four to five thousand. The preacher commenced the service by singing a hymn, and afterwards read Luke xix. 1 to 12, and Matthew v. I to 12. Here he made a short comment by observing, "that the Lord Jesus went up to a high mountain, the same as we have now, and he commanded the people to sit down on the grass; and now, my friends, after the example of my divine Master, I have to request of you, that you will have the goodness to sit down on the grass, that those that are behind you may have a better opportunity both of seeing and hearing;" which request was readily complied with.

He then read his text in Zech. xiii. 1. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness."