I heard the knell of the ship bell-I heard the plunge of the coffin.I saw tears start from the eyes of the generous tars. My soul melted within me as I reverted to the home scenes of him whom we had buried in the deep-to hopes that were to be dashed with wo-to joys that were to be drowned in lamentation. I. E***

"BRETHREN PRAY FOR US."

To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.*

DEAR SIR, I have received by the hands of the Rev Mr. Frey the beautiful book (the "Seaman's Devotional Assistant") presented by your honourable society, for which please return to them my sincere thanks and acknowledgments for their kindness. I have also regular

ly received your "Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine".

The Mariners' Meeting here is still well and most solemnly attended, although many of the seamen are now gone to sea, (to be absent during the winter,) many of them seriously impressed with soul concern. When leaving the port, or Capes, many of them write to me in the most affectionate manner. Last Lord's day I had no less than seven letters to read requesting our prayers. Permit me to give you some of them, in their own style.

"The crew of the ship Tuscarora address this letter to you requesting the prayers of the Mariners' Church for them on their voyage. Although most of our ship's company are strangers in Philadelphia, we sincerely acknowledge the pleasure we have enjoyed in visiting your church, and hope the cause in which you have so long been labouring may be a comfort to you in the close of your days. You have the sincere well wishes of us all, and [we] will acknowledge the benefit we have received by our reformation in attending to your good advice." Signed by the Crew.

From the crew of the ship Addison.

"Dear Father, We are now just leaving the Capes of Delaware. and earnestly beg your prayers for us. It is with deep regret that we are now to be deprived of your good advice, but we hope that it will be as fresh in our minds on our return as it is now. We all unite in declaring our sincere regard for you, and we all sign our names." Their names are signed with their own hands, or, with their marks, which is the case with many other crews.

Another crew requested the prayers of the church, not only for their safety, but that their hearts may be changed and lifted up to the Lord in gratitude for his goodness to them.

A captain of one of these ships. when just casting off the fasts, said to a gentleman standing by ; "See, every man is now on board, sober and attentive. This is the effect of the Mariners' Church, and if I was

Though the letters from which we have made the above extracts were not designed for publication, we feel persuaded the venerable author will excuse the liberty we have taken with them, since our design is to promote the very cause for which he zealously labours. Ed. Sea. Mag.

"Brethren pray for us."

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not afraid Mr. E. would publish my letter, I would write to him and let him know the change I behold among the sailors. They say they have knocked off swearing, and knocked off getting drunk, and attend to the Bible and good tracts."

It is surprising to find so many of different nations attend our meeting. A French sailor stopped me in the street, showing great friendship, and said, "O Sir, me go to your church alway when me come to dis port, and glad to go dare: me go to many port, and some sailor aske me, you know mariner meeting in Filadelfa?' me say, oh, yes, a goot place for de sailor, me go dare."

Two seamen died here lately, who were under a powerful conviction of their sinful state and condition, and both obtained a comfortable hope of having an interest in the precious Saviour. No one could, in words or appearance, give stronger evidence of a real change of heart than both of them did. One of them was a common sailor: the last words he said were, "I am going to heaven," and died.

But I must stop excuse my mentioning so many things that seem to bring self too much up; my soul's desire is, if any good is done, that the Lord may have all the praise and glory, for without his blessing all would be in vain; and truly, at best I know I am an unprofitable servant.

With sincere respect, I remain yours,

Philadelphia, December 19, 1822.

From another letter we subjoin the following.

DEAR SIR, I received your pleasing letter of the 2d inst., with the packet from London, by that dear young man, the son of our precious friend, Mr. B. I had not the opportunity of conversing much with him, only seeing him in our Mariners' Church.

Permit me to give you an extract of a letter which came to hand last Lord's Day, and was read in our Mariners' Church, with others; the writers all earnestly desiring to be remembered in prayer for

them.

Ship Jane, outward bound, Jan. 5, 1823.” "REVEREND FRIEND,-With serious pleasure we embrace the opportunity of returning our warmest thanks to you for the many tokens of your labours of love towards us: as respects the salvation of our souls, we sincerely wish that your labours may not have been in vain in the Lord; that the warnings we have had, to flee from the wrath to come, may have an everlasting impression upon us. hope the seed you are endeavouring to sow may fall in good ground, and bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of God our Saviour in all things; that the Lord Jesus Christ may be established in the hearts of all those who go down to the sea in ships, where we see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

We

Oh that all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, would pray for the salvation and safety of all mariners, as well as for pagans, Jews, and others, that they would remember that it was

through the instrumentality of SAILORS that the Gospel was brought across the Atlantic to shine in our happy country, where none dare to molest or make us afraid. We know that the Lord will be merciful to all those who call upon him in sincerity and truth through our Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanseth from all sin; but we cannot know this right without the teaching of the Holy Spirit; if so, oh pray for us, dear friend, for the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. We firmly believe it is the desire of all the crew to fulfil the ninth part of the 119th Psalm, (Dr. Watts's.) There has been no profane language used by any on board, since we left Philadelphia. We sincerely hope the Lord may give you health and strength to carry on the work you have begun, the good effects of which we have already witnessed." Signed by the crew of ship Jane.

The Rev. Dr. Green was present when this was read in the meeting, and delivered a very appropriate and affectionate address to the seamen, and took notice of the letter, and our obligation to pray for them. I have not been well for some time past, but still try to attend to duty. I have spoken in public five evenings last past, beside part of the last Lord's day, and now feel better, the Lord being my kind helper. With sincere love to all my dear friends in New-York, and thanks to you for your kind attention,

From your poor old friend, Philadelphia, Jan. 17, 1823.

CHARLESTON (S. C.) BETHEL UNION.

An account of the first annual meeting of this enterprising society, and President Napier's address, are to be found in our number for Feb. 1, p. 574. The first report of the union opens with an extract from their circular address, (inserted p. 31,) stating the object and plans of the institution, and proceeds to mention their progress in the order in which these objects are specified. The first is," to support prayer meetings in the boarding houses of seamen, and on board vessels in port."

"With regard to this subject, your Board are happy to report, that a regular course of prayer meetings has been established and continued on board of different vessels, with few exceptions, as often as once a week, from the formation of this society to the present time. Masters have very readily and kindly offered their vessels and prepared them for the occasion. These meetings have uniformly been well attended, strict decorum has always been observed, and in many instances, a deep solemnity has pervaded the audience. The exercises have been singing, prayers, and exhortations. Sometimes select pieces have been read, and frequently some clergyman has been present and made an address. In some instances it has been supposed that between three and four hundred seamen were present.

"Prayer meetings have also been held at the boarding houses for seamen, once a week, during the spring and fall, and in the heat of summer they were removed to the Mariners' Church. Those who keep boarding houses have very readily opened them for this purpose and endeavoured to furnish every accommodation. "The meetings in these houses have been interesting. Sometimes more have come than could be accommodated. They have usually been still and solemn. In some instances, masters have taken a part in the services to the great gratification of the committee, as well as of the seamen; and even common sailors have sometimes cheered our hearts by rising, when invited, and giving a frank relation

Charleston (S. C.) Bethel Union.

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of the impressions Divine truth has made upon their own minds, and also exhorting their companions to a life of holiness. Such meetings have the peculiar advantage of collecting together, where prayer is wont to be made, many who would not take the trouble to prepare themselves and go a little distance to church; and if they become interested in any thing they hear, they will soon overcome the obstacles in the way of a regular attendance on public worship. We think, on many accounts, such meetings are peculiarly calculated to be useful to seamen, and we see nothing wanting but a greater number of active and faithful men to engage in the work, to render them extensively beneficial to the spiritual interests of those who visit this port."—pp. 9, 10.

In relation to the second object mentioned in the circular, viz." To encourage secret and social prayer by a ship's company, while at sea," the report observes, that some effort has been made to introduce "the Seaman's Devotional Assistant,* which is peculiarly adapted to aid and encourage in the performance of such duties."

"To encourage public worship on the Sabbath, and persuade seamen to attend," is noticed as the third object of the society, and has had a large share of the attention of the managers. Some of them have uniformly attended the Mariners' Church, and made efforts to render the service profitable and acceptable, and have used their influence to procure the attendance of seamen.

The fourth object is," to promote the distribution of Bibles, Reports of Societies, Tracts and other religious publications, particularly to aid and encourage the establishment of libraries in cabins, and at boarding houses of seamen." Some attention has been paid to each of these particulars. Books and tracts have been received with great eagerness.

To patronise such boarding houses for sailors as shall be governed by the rules of sobriety, good order and religion," is the fifth, and a very important object of the Union. We shall quote the report on this topic entire.

"Your Board feel happy in saying, that they have commenced a series of operations, which they believe will terminate in important results, though very little as yet appears to be accomplished. They have examined the state of the boarding houses, and have become more than ever sensible of the importance of a reform. They have appointed a committee for the purpose of consulting masters of vessels on this subject, to ascertain how far they are disposed to patronise such boarding houses, as the circular specifies, and to receive any suggestions, relative to the best method of establishing them, which their experience might enable them to communicate. The better to carry their design into effect, this committee were instructed to appoint a time and place, and invite ship masters to meet them and discuss the subject in a friendly and familiar manner. One such meeting, they have notified and held, and to the great satisfaction of the committee, the masters present expressed a willingness to unite in any measures which would have a tendency to improve the moral character of seamen. They expressed a strong desire to see a reformation in the boarding houses, and declared it to be their decided opinion, that their present state was one of the greatest obstacles

* The Seaman's Devotional Assistant, designed to aid masters and seamen in the daily worship of Almighty God, while at sea, is published by the "Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen," and is for sale by J. P Haven, 182 Broadway, New-York; S. T. Armstrong, Cornhill, Boston; Anthony Finley, Philadelphia; Capt. Horace Utley, 10 Vendue Range, Charleston, S. Č.; Armstrong and Plaskitt, Baltimore; W. T. Williams, Savannah. The prices are 50 cents-62 1-2 cents-$1 and 82, according to the quality of the paper and binding. Discount of 25 per cent. is allowed to booksellers. Orders to be addressed to "The Editor of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine, No. 182 Broadway, New-York."

to the improvement of seamen. It was mentioned that in some ports in Europe, a register office has been established, for the purpose of recording the names of such sailors as should be able to obtain from the last master with whom they sailed, a certificate of their good habits and faithful services, and that when masters ship sailors, they apply to this office, and give such men a preference. The masters present on the occasion, unitedly said, they would cheerfully give encouragement to such an institution, and they thought it might be of essential service. It is believed, that much might be done in this way to induce sailors to take lodgings at good boarding houses, as such might always be recommended to them, when they call at the office to deposit their certificate, and the fear of losing their good name, might prevent them from wandering to other places. It is believed, that the united efforts of shipmasters, Bethel Unions, and Port Societies, might do immense good, by adopting and pursuing this course, and we have no doubt, but something of the kind will soon be attempted. The committee have been pleased to find one keeper of a sailors' boarding house, who is said, by all with whom they have conversed, to regulate his house as well as circumstances will permit; and who is willing to take charge of a larger establishment, if a suitable building can be obtained. To this subject, the efforts of your Board, will, in future, be specially directed; and they have resolved to address a circular to shipmasters, Bethel Unions, and Port Societies, generally, soliciting and encouraging a union of council and effort upon this important object, throughout the world.”pp. 11, 12, 13.

The last object specified in the circular is, "o increase the circulation of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine;'" the report observes:

"Soon after the formation of the society, the board directed the agent to procure for them ten copies of this valuable work, and to put them into the hands of the standing committee for the use of seamen. One copy has been regularly left at the Marine Hospital The others have been circulated amongst seamen, and put on board vessels about to sail, for the benefit of the crew, during the voyage They have also endeavoured to recommend the work to the perusal of their friends."-p. 13.

At the time this report was presented, the Bethel Union had been in existence about eight months, half of which time the peculiar climate of Charleston prevented many seamen from visiting the port: when this circumstance is considered, and that the subject was somewhat new, we have reason to congratulate our brethren there on the encouraging success with which the Lord has followed their labours, and to unite our hearts with theirs in ascribing glory, and praise, and honour to God, our Father, and Christ, our Saviour, for the signal blessings which He has conferred on these efforts to carry the knowledge of salvation to poor perishing sailors.

With the following extract to which we earnestly solicit the attention of shipmasters, we shall close.

"The interest which shipmasters are now manifesting in the moral improvement of seamen, we must say, animates our hope, more than any other circumstance, connected with our operations. Such is their influence, that whatever they sanction by personal efforts, will go forward.

"If they say profanity must be laid aside among seafaring men, the thing is done. If they say seamen must observe the sabbath, and be regular attendants at church, the result is sure.

"And we have had recent testimonies of their disposition to take such a stand, which we cannot but consider as highly favourable to this important cause. Besides their increasing attendance at church with their crews, one, and we do not know but more in this port, has recently adopted a course which we think too important to the interests of sailors to be passed unnoticed. Instead of the common custom of giving his men money on Saturday night, or sabbath morning, he has told them that in future no money will be given them at that time; that no work whatever, except of real necessity, will be done on the sabbath; that all