I have made one hundred and three visits, distributed about three hundred tracts, attended twenty-seven prayer meetings, and preached thirty sermons for sailors.

Wishing you every prosperity in your noble undertaking, I have the happiness to be

Yours, with sentiments of great respect,

in the fellowship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. HENRY CHASE.

New-York, 17th January, 1823.

MARINE SOCIETY.

At the Fifty-third Annual Meeting of the Marine Society of the City and State of New-York, held on Monday Evening, the 18th January, 1823, at Mitchell's Hotel, in Fulton-street, the following Officers were unanimously elected for the ensuing year—

The meeting being organized, the Chairman of the Standing Committee presented the following Report:

THE Standing Committee of the Marine Society, elected for the purpose of conducting the important concerns of the Institution, have given that attention to the various duties committed to their charge, which they so deservedly merit: they felt much solicitude on taking a retrospect of the funds of the Society, which had been decreasing for eleven years, as they well knew that such decrease had already produced the unhappy effect of curtailing the widows' and the orphans' yearly pension. Under such circumstances we felt it our imperative duty to endeavour to excite an interest in the bosoms of our "Brethren of the deep," as well as in those of the philanthropists and merchants of our city, for the woes and sorrows of the helpless widow and fatherless child; and with satisfaction we report that our appeals have not been in vain. Since our last report, seven captains of vessels have become members of the Society, and seventeen merchants of this city have been enrolled as, honorary members of our institution, and whose liberality of contributions are entitled to our thanks. Thus for the past year, we have been enabled to meet the numerous demands upon our treasury without encroaching upon the permanent funds of our Society. Notwithstanding we have passed the year more satisfactorily than for many seasons before, and the prospect of more extensive usefulness opens to our view, yet we

feel an increased anxiety for this benevolent Institution, and conceive it to be our duty to extend the warning voice to its delinquent members. Our books show that there are many, very many members who neglect to pay their yearly dues, (the trifling sum of two dollars per annum) which exposes them, agreeably to the charter and bylaws of the Society, to expulsion; thus depriving themselves, their widows, and children, of that assistance which has never been withheld from the necessitous. The Committee have seen many tears shed by widows who were left destitute of the necessaries of life, from this neglect of their husbands, when in prosperous circumstances, to secure and continue for them a permanent and faithful friend in this Institution; an anchor sure and steadfast in the storm of adversity. A donation was all that could be given them. Our Association commenced its existence before the Declaration of Independence by our country, and has progressively increased in usefulness and respectability; it has received the support and approbation of our oldest and most experienced commanders of vessels who are members of our Society, and many citizens of distinction have been admitted honorary members.

In the year 1805, fifty ship-masters and a number of merchants were added to our association, which increased our funds 1167 dollars-the yearly dues received amounted to 637 dollars-the interest on the permanent funds was 2170 dollars, which made our receipts for that year 3974 dollars. This was a cheering anniversary for the widow and orphan.

It is not the intention of your committee to bring into review at this time, the annual report of former Committees; but we have selected the one above named as evidence of what may be done by concert of action of the members of our Association.

The Report of our Standing Committee for the year 1821, stated, that since the organization of this Society, 79,013 dollars had been distributed to widows and orphan children; and we have now to inform you that 2182 dollars, the past year, has been added to that amount, making the total of 81,195 dollars.

Sixty-eight indigent widows of deceased members, (many of whom have large families of children,) now remain upon the pension list, and receive the yearly stipends; in addition to which donations have been granted in cases of necessity, where the applicant could not, by the laws of our society, become a pensioner.

Can the respectable shipmaster hesitate a moment to enrol his name as a member of this Society? A Society which requires no political creed, no religious test, no national boundary, to be subscribed to.Charity is our sheet-anchor-good will towards man, our pilot. The small yearly sum required of a member, secures to the partner of his joys, and the children of his love, a refuge from want and distress, in the event of his misfortune or death; and we would most affectionately and pressingly urge this consideration to those shipmasters who are not members. If he or his family should never require pecuniary aid, he has the satisfaction of knowing that his charity will be faithfully applied to the aid of those who have experienced a reverse

of fortune. The light and pleasant breezes of Prosperity do not always prevail-the storms and tempests of Adversity unexpectedly arise. The morning watch proclaims all's well, the meridian presents the mighty deep in angry motion and night-fall closes upon a lee-shore, without the prospect of escape from shipwreck. The rocky coast of Kinsale can testify that the strongest vessel, with the most skilful commander, cannot resist the storm of adversity.

Your Committee would suggest the propriety of an appeal to our most respectable and wealthy merchants in behalf of our Association; our list of Honorary Members although long, is not full, and we trust that it would be only necessary to extend the invitation to unite in the labours of charity and benevolence, to ensure a large accession to our numbers.

Your Committee look forward with pleasing anticipation to the time when this Society, by an increase of its funds, shall be enabled, not only to alleviate the bodily sufferings of the widow and orphan, but to instruct the minds of the latter, so as to render them useful members of the human family.

CHRISTOPHER PRINCE, Secretary.

JAMES LOVETT, Chairman.

THE WHALEMEN.

To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.

DEAR SIR,-The Sandwich Islands, especially Woahoo, are becoming places of great importance for doing good to seamen In the course of the last year about 700 touched there; and in consequence of the discovery of new fishing ground, it will now be the grand rendezvous of the English and American whalemen. If I am correctly informed, between 4 and 6,000 of this class, who usually live upon the ocean, without seeing a Protestant church or preacher for three years at a time, are expected there in the spring and summer following; and repeatedly afterwards, while collecting their cargoes. This circumstance, as it may greatly increase the trials and usefulness of the missionaries, is deeply interesting, and ought to unite the prayers and offerings of the friends of seamen and pagans. Though the whalemen are now generally supplied with Bibles and tracts, yet it more of these were forwarded to the missionaries, together with such publications as President Allen's Accounts of Shipwrecks, the Seaman's Devotional Assistant, and the Seaman's Magazine, they might dispose of them to advantage, and avert much evil. Among many whom I have seen, late from those islands, not a man of respectability declines to speak well of the missionaries. Those reports which were sent abroad from Nantucket, reproachful to the character of the missionaries, and which were reviewed by Christian editors, were libels, fabricated here by a spirit which only thrives by being noticed. ABNER MORSE.

JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

(Continued from page 476.)

Tuesday, 10th December, 1822.-This evening the Bethel meeting was held at the usual place, (317 Water-street,) and a good number of seamen, ladies and citizens attended. The exercises were the same as usual, and the most profound attention was observed.

Tuesday, 24th.-Many strangers were present, among whom were a number of shipmasters, who took a part in the exercises. It is impossible to describe their earnest solicitations to God and men in the

Journal of the Bethel Flag.

607

prayers and exhortations which they made, that seamen may receive benefit from the exertions made by the Bethel Union, and all other institutions. It had a powerful effect on the feelings of some of the seamen present, who sobbed aloud. A mate of a ship requested that prayers might be offered up to Almighty God, for him and his family, the Captain and crew; as he was to leave the port of New-York early in the morning, and enter on the trackless ocean. Four exhortations and four prayers were made, and several hymns sung. A part of the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy was read, containing the blessings which will be given to all who comply with the reasonable commands of God; and the curses which will follow all who will not obey them. Tracts, magazines, and reports, were then distributed.

January 7, 1823,-The call for seamen by the U. S. government, for the expedition against the pirates, and the unusual demand for the merchant service, has lessened the number in port: yet the meeting was well attended by both Seamen and their wives. The missionary to seamen, the Rev. HENRY CHASE was present, and opened the meeting with prayer: the first address was made by a seaman-he had long followed this occupation in various parts of the world, and while on the trackless ocean, surrounded by 450 wicked companions, God opened his eyes-he saw his awful situation, and flew to the arms of Christ, who received him, and gave him joy and peace in believing. He then remarked on the natural depravity of man, and the calamities he had to encounter and endure, while in this world; and the innumerable calls of God's providence, to accept of the terms of salvation which he had offered in the Gospel of Christ, and the mansions he had prepared for them that love him; where sorrow and grief could never come. "These calls of the Almighty (said he) have distressed thousands, who have made sickbed promises on shore ; and shipwreck promises on the Ocean; and who are no sooner well and safe, but they grow sick of the promises which they have made to God. Many do by their sins as mariners do by their goods;-cast them out in a storm, wishing for them again in a calm. These promises often bring solemn convictions on the minds and consciences of seamen, and by the blessing of God, make them sincere and devout Christians; and some of these new born babes in Christ, have begun to feel for those who are out of the Ark of safety; and are uniting their prayers and efforts for the welfare of the precious and immortal souls, of the sons of the Ocean."

The next person who spoke offered an apology for being unqualified to address seamen as he did not belong to the profession.

In the course of his remarks he observed: "I want to lead you to true religion; for I well know, that unless you are convinced of this, and affected with the conviction, all the provisions of the Gospel grace will be slighted, and your soul infallibly destroyed! Will you dare to deny this, will you dare to assert your innocence give me leave seriously to ask you, and let me entreat you to ask your own souls: against whom hast thou sinned?' it is God, against whom thou hast sinned. Did you never promise, fellow-seamen, that if God would

hear and help you in that hour of extremity, (which has been already observed,) you would forsake your sins, and serve him as long as you lived? he heard and helped you, or you would not now be here. Do you know what it is to come to Christ as a poor, weary, and heavy laden sinner, that you may find rest to your souls? Have you committed your immortal soul to him, that he may purify and save it? If this be the case, then I can rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the God of my salvation; if not, you will shortly be swept away into everlasting ruin. Thus saith the Lord, the soul that sinneth it shall die; thou art under the sentence of death; the wicked shall be turned into Hell, even all the nations that forget God." Those who had offered addresses engaged in prayer, and earnestly implored Almighty God to accompany, with the power of his Holy Spirit, what had been said agreeably to his blessed mind and will. Mr. Chase then concluded the meeting by saying," My heart rejoices in what my dear brethren have said. I now entreat you by the majesty of that God, in whose name I come, to go on the bended knees of your souls this night before you go to rest, and plead for mercy at the throne of Grace. I beseech you, by his mercies, by his tender mercies, by his paternal goodness, by the name and love of our dying Saviour; that you will solemnly devote yourselves to God in the bonds of an everlasting covenant.” A number of tracts were then distributed; together with several numbers of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine, Reports of the Marine Bible Society, Port Society, and Bethel Union, which were received with a smile on every countenance.

Tuesday evening, 17th December.-The Bethel meeting held at Mr. Williams's, 317 Water-street, was interesting. The first exhortation and prayer, by one of the members, affected the hearts of every one: that was followed by an exhortation, which increased the solemnity: after which another member made some observations on the fatal consequences of profane swearing, and the many sins it produced. A seaman then addressed his shipmates in a feeling language-and made a prayer. Another seaman addressed all present, seamen and landsmen, men and women; and begged they would feel the importance of what God was now doing for their salvation, and made a prayer. Some observations were then made by two or three members, stating our views and motives in holding these meetings. Another Seaman then arose, and gave such an address as astonished all present, even divines. A Mr. Brown, who arrived last Friday from England, in the ship London, Captain Candler, made a feeling address; saying he had lately crossed the Western Ocean from Europe, where he had been exposed to rocks and sands, tempest and death; he then knew what seamen were exposed to, and rejoiced in seeing so much done in Europe and America for their precious souls: he then made a concluding prayer; from which, and all the exercises of the evening, we could say, it was good to be there. The rooms were filled with a solemn audience. Tracts and some numbers of the Seaman's Magazine, were distributed.

(To be continued.)