over the consciences of men, which has been exercised by means of the inquisition; the atrocious and cruel murders so long continued and so frequently practised to suppress the truth, miscalled heresy; the extent to which that country has carried on and sanctioned the slave-trade, and the cruelty of her conduct in the conquest and government of her American dominions, we cannot but expect to see her visited with national calamities;-and, whether the instruments of punishment be the plague, or foreign wars, or domestic dissentions, we must recognise the hand of him who says, 66 vengeance is mine, I will repay." " The Crops. All the excitement or alarm, concerning the failure of the harvest in Europe, is subsided, and the prospect of their usual state of plenty seems certain. DOMESTIC. New Constitution.-The Convention of the people of this state, appointed to revise their constitution of government has risen, and the result of their labours is in every one's hands. Many alterations have been made, about which various opinions are entertained; about some no difference can well exist. It is provided in the amended constitution that lotteries shall be abolished, and that the common school fund shall be placed on a permanent footing above all attacks. The amended constitution contains a provision whereby amendments may hereafter be made, if found necessary. This important provision seems to us to make all the alterations, except one or two, of little importance, but gives these an importance which can hardly be realized. These are, the extension of the right of voting to a very large class of our population, and the additional power and control over the whole government of the state given to the Legislature. It is easy to see that the whole merit of the new constitution depends upon our views, as to the excellence or inferiority of these cardinal provisions. For by them, the whole of what is considered valuable in the new constitution may be destroyed, or all that is injurious speedily done away. It lies not within our province to discuss the merits of these things, but we cannot omit pressing it upon the conscience of every one who can vote on this subject, that he do not do it hastily, but that, after the most serious, patient, and prayerful consideration, he make up his mind, and do his duty accordingly, remembering that no more important interests were ever confided to the decision of the votes of the people than are now to be pronounced on. We would particularly deprecate a notion which some good men have, as to the impropriety of their interference in political matters. If it were of no consequence to religion what the government is, or if the temporal welfare of men were not a proper object of religious regard, we might acquiesce in the proposition that religious men were not called to take part in political affairs; but considering as we do, the corruption of human nature, and the active subtlety of wickedness, we do not know a worse principle in our merely moral conduct than the one in question. Nor do we know of any more important duties which fall upon us as respects our relations with men, than those which devolve upon us as members of society in the various capacities in which we may, to a greater or less extent, influence the government of the country. Piracies. Since our last, our cruizers in the West India Seas have captured several of the pirates which have so long annoyed our commerce, and we hope that a check has been given to this alarming and extensive evil. Atrocities have been lately committed on the highway of the world, which have jeopardized the lives of those whose business lay upon the great waters, and threatened the great interests of commerce with the most disastrous consequences. We therefore unite in the general hope, that the sword of justice will light upon the guilty, that wrongdoers may be deterred from a repetition of their misdeeds. But when we think of the temptation presented by the great wealth constantly on the ocean, the want of religious principle, which, to so great at extent, has characterized the maritime world, and of the hope of concealment for crimes committed in the solitude of the vast waste of waters, we fear that the sword of justice alone will not be able to reach the source of the evil; moral measures must be generally adopted through the civilized world, by which the citizens of the great empire of waters may all be imbued with religious principles; no remedy short of this will wholly prevent the evil; and therefore do we see the consistency and propriety of conduct of those, who, with a view to temporal interests merely, are employing themselves in procuring for seamen the benefits of religious instruction, and spreading among them the words of eternal life; and those who, through a miserable economy, or a more pitiable avarice, are doing nothing on these subjects but counting the cost, will perhaps be convinced that had they spent the thousands which shall be plundered by pirates, at the expense, perhaps of lives, in the support of religious institutions for the benefit of seamen, they would have been much richer as well as wiser. Nov. 30, 1821. The Seaman's Magazine, They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms. For the Seaman's Magazine. A DAY'S WORK AT SEA MORALIZED.* Written by a Minister for the Improvement of Capt. P. S., on his Voyage to the East-Indies, with a Request to the Captain not to open the Paper until he had been three Weeks at Sea. Now, my dear Sir, you may be far from the immediate embraces of your friends, but the arms of your omnipotent Immanuel surround you. The liquid horizon attracts your eye, and gives you the most striking emblem of the IMMENSE SUPREME! When you trod his hallowed courts, his glory shone upon your soul; and here the watery worlds proclaim the grandeur of your Lord. Safe in his hand, and happy in his breast, may you remain, and plough the briny deep. Soon may you return, and speak the praise of HIM who, through calms and tempests, brings his people to their desired haven. Psa. cvii. 23-31. You're sad, my friend; come, take a chair, and let's converse. Who so happy as the man that, while sailing o'er life's tempestuous ocean, hath God to be his guide? Retirement is an aid to true devotion; it drops a kind of curtain, and in a measure hides the busy scenes of time, while we converse with God. Certainly you have an advantage on the seas, unfelt, if not unknown, to us on land; you are immediately, and more sensibly dependent on him whom winds and seas obey. Ever uncertain, you cast your anchor in your Father's breast. The winds, you learn, are a part of his treasure, and in awful majesty he rideth upon their wings. Raging storms and bellowing tempests are but the voice of God. Now he speaks with terrible majesty, and casts the foaming deep to mountains' height-anon, his milder voice is heard; the gentle gale springs up, and fills the pendant sheets, and peace sits smiling on the humble wave. This, how charming! how welcome to the mind, which, from the storm without, felt greater storms within! But this God is yours, your Father and your Friend. Though storm and tempest rage, and all the sea be foam, may you be perfect calm, and leave yourself, your friends, your all with him. Captain, let's take a walk on deck, 'tis near sunrise. How serene the morning! the filthy fog hath retired to give us leave to see the sun; -see, his beams appear and gladden every wave. He seems to tinge the sea with golden hue, and pour his rays through all the sky.-What earthly monarch ever rose so bright PYet Sol is but a faint resemblance of Israel's King; that King, whose wide domain shall reach to yonder eastern clime. Soon may he send his heralds there to sound his precious *First published in "The Christian's Pocket Library," 1796. -56 VOL. VIII. name; soon may he hear that east unites with north, and south, and west, and all the globe proclaim the Saviour's love! Who can tell, Captain? you see the sun arise and strike his rays around; perhaps the Saviour, too, may now arise, with healing in his beams, and save the heathen race! Go, go, speed your way, and bring the happy news. Heave the log-let's see the book-adjust the points, and know our course. So far advanced, yet, ah! how much lee-way! So is our life. How swift we move, but seldom keep our course! Amazing! so much lee-way and waste time is gone. I look back, but see the wake is closed; my minutes, days, and years, are mingled with the flood. O thou Heavenly Pilot! so teach me to number my fleeting days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Psa. xc. 12. Boy, bring coffee! Still our floating habitation affords us pleasing food. Heaven bless the poor on land, and kindly feed the souls that famish on the seas! Take away, boy;-hand the chart, compass, and scale;-thanks to the artist for his skill in pointing out the pathless sea. Let us now survey our course, prove our log, and see what rocks and shoals are nigh. So let us take the precious Book of God, that CHART DIVINE; my FAITH a compass, and my HEART a scale; with these let me find the way that leads to perfect bliss. How many heedless mortals, like the lazy seaman, never view their track till, running on the rocks or shoals of vice, they are plunged into wo! See, Captain, depicted on your chart your destined port! how minutely it is laid down! yet, not more certain than is the harbour of eternal rest in God's most sacred page. O let me have my heaven in view; my days shall then be bliss, nor cares shall rob my heart! Come, thou celestial winds, fill my sails, and I shall speed my way to yonder happy shore, and see my God, my Father, and my Friend! "Tis almost twelve o'clock;-boy, hand up my quadrant! How fine the horizon-how clear the sun! What wisdom God hath given to man to form an instrument like this!-so simple in itself!-so useful on the seas! By this we prove our log and ascertain our course. May you, dear Sir, by faith, behold the exalted Sun of righteousness-by him confirm your hope, and regulate your life. Take the quadrant, boy, and bring on deck the cherry-rum, the biscuit, and the cheese! Every creature of the Lord is good when not abused. Come, mates, let's take a cheering glass;-the vessel seems to heel, to disappoint our lips-well, 'tis sailor's fare! See how yonder shark heaves his fins, to make us sport. The dolphin, too, see, he cuts. the wave, and darts to catch his flying prey. How pleasant is the scene! No verdant fields, nor shady groves are here-those we leave for friends at home. Hark! what horrid oaths belch from yonder Jack-tar's mouth!-little does he think on what a slender thread he hangs over Hell's yawning deep. 'Tis habit, sure;—go, Captain, go give him kind reproof-a sailor's heart may feel. Wear ship!-stand to the halyards-all ready-about she goes!-make fast, my lads! Captain, hear the boy;-"It is one o'clock, and dinner waits." How fine and mellow is this beef;-excellent cider-how profusely is our table spread! Boy, hand some glasses! One glass to our owners, and one to all our absent friends. 'Tis fine Madeira; it warms and refreshes as it goes. A few nuts to crack and pick, and then we'll walk again on deck. Alas! no news to-day. Poor Jose Wetmore* goes round in vain for us. The night draws on-the sun begins to fall; clear he bids us all farewell! O may I, when spent my days, set like the sun, nor cloud possess ! The moon appears, and o'er the deep her silver mantle throws. Thanks to that ALMIGHTY LORD who formed the sun to rule the day, and moon to give us light by night. The stars now set, and bespangle the canopy of Heaven;-how truly grand! But, ah! how faint are these rolling flames when once compared to the righteous throng above! Redeemed from sin and death by Jesus' precious blood, they stand before the throne of God, and celebrate his praise. Great King of heaven, and earth, and seas! O bring my soul to that delightful place, where I shall sing thy boundless praise, when suns shall rise and set no more! Call the watch! Put out your lights below! Well, dear Captain, thanks for my entertainment to-day. If you wish to have an hour's chat to-morrow, let your cabbin-boy hand you this paper. Good night, Captain-good voyage-farewell! JOHN STANFORD. PORT OF LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF SEAMEN. Summary of the third Annual Report, May, 1821. FROM Our Hull correspondent, the committee take leave to present some extracts. Having transmitted the publications of this Society thither, a benevolent friend wrote in February last, to inform the Secretaries, that there appeared a general wish for the establishment of an Ark there. Occasional meetings for prayer and preaching were then held on board ships, and "it is hoped," said he, "the spirited and praiseworthy example you have set us will be fully adopted here." On this occasion, he says, "Nearly all the prayer books are sold, and seem to give great satisfaction. I sincerely hope, the crews of those vessels which possess them, will find eternal benefit from their regular use. On board of many of the Greenland and Davis' Straits ships, which sail from this port, regular worship is maintained, at least, as far as possible, and in some instances prayer meetings have been held amongst the seamen, and have, it is hoped, been productive of benefit. Many of the Captains are well disposed to this good work, and some decidedly so. The prayer books are exactly the things we have long wished for. There is now pretty regularly divine worship on board of ships in this port on the Sabbath, and many pleasing testimonies to the interest and good order among the seamen, have been given. It is to be hoped, that a Floating Chapel will not long be wanting at Hull, as an increasing interest for the welfare of this valuable class of men prevails amongst us." At Liverpool, seamen have attended public worship in very considerable numbers; and the preaching of the Gospel appears to have been highly conducive to their moral improvement. Within the last week, the committee received information, that a commodious room had been taken in the immediate vicinity of the Docks, for the double purpose of a place of worship and a school for seamen and their boys; in both of which departments there is prospect of great utility. The most praiseworthy exertions have been made in America, and have been crowned with great success. Places of worship for seamen have already been opened at New-York, Philadelphia, Charleston, and Boston. In the last year, the Committee of this Society forwarded their publications, and a plan of the Chapel, to New-York, and the secretary of a vigorous and efficient Society, in that city, has The news-carrier. transmitted a pleasing account of the Mariners' Church there. He says, "So much in favour is our Mariners' Church here, that the clergy of all denominations cheerfully render us their gratuitous aid, and so catholic are the principles on which we proceed, that our pulpit is supplied by ministers of almost all the different denominations of Christians. "We are much pleased with the Manual of Devotion, and contemplate the republication of it when our means shall be adequate.* "It will be gratifying to us, that it should be notified from the pulpit of the London Ark, that British Seamen will ever be welcome to the Mariners' Church. We have often had the pleasure to witness the attendance of crews of the British packets, and various British merchantmen." In noticing the great efforts making in America, and directing your reflection to the extracts just quoted from the Secretary of the New-York Mariners' Society, the Committee cannot forbear remarking, how closely these works of faith and labours of love, unite believers of every nation under heaven to each other, even in bonds of of the most intimate union-bonds which distance cannot possibly dissolve; and they are persuaded, that this meeting will participate in the joy they feel, that beyond the waters of the Atlantic, "brethren in the faith and patience of Jesus," exult in the extending diffusion of his benignant influences. The Committee have already reported that the number of vessels in which devotional meetings are held, is progressively and greatly augmenting. This is exemplified by the increasing demand for the "Seaman's Devotional Assistant," which the Committee continue to sell at cost price, and which is highly prized wherever it has been adopted. They suggest, that persons resident in seaports, may facilitate its introduction to their vessels by a personal request. In some instances, where private individuals have done so, the books have been received and purchased very thankfully. A worthy minister, returning to his native land from a distant part of the globe, was highly delighted when the crew informed him, that, in the river Thames, they had a Chapel of their own; and they spoke with the liveliest tokens of gratitude of the compassionate regard which had been developed to promote their moral and eternal welfare; entreating him to come and preach to them at their Chapel. Devotional meetings are very numerous in vessels on the River; and the attendance of seamen, at places of worship on shore, is continuing to increase. Amongst the auditors, on one occasion, two destitute foreigners were observed, and attracted the notice of some of the Committee. They were found to be natives of Owyhee, cast upon the benevolence of this country by a series of adverse events. Piety and benevolence proceed hand in hand, and these poor unenlightened heathens are now placed where they will be instructed in the English language, and in the Christian religion, and probably afterwards be sent to their native island. May it please Him whose providential eye has watched over them through many dangers, to over-rule for spiritual and eternal good their apparently casual visit to the British shore. [Our extracts from this interesting report have already grown to a considerable length, but we cannot close them without presenting to our readers the following appeal in behalf of seamen.] Christians!-The cry which is still heard from many sailors, "No man careth for our souls"-is loud and piercing. May it vibrate in your ears, and, agitating many a wise and pious heart, give them no rest, till not only this port but every other port at which they touch, whether in this country or in foreign lands, shall be blessed with a fervent and enlightened ministry; till every crew shall exclaim: "How beautiful are the feet of those who publish the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" The anxiety of seamen to listen to the word of life-the attention which is now so extensively excited to their eternal interests-and the generous and disinterested zeal with which the ministers of the Sanctuary have offered to point out to them the way of salvation-all-all should stimulate you; and pointing to this interest *The reader of "The Sabbath at Sea," published in our last two numbers, will be forcibly impressed with the great utility of the "Devotional Assistant," so often referred to in this report. When at sea, especially, this little volume will be found a most useful Vade Mecum for the pious Captain. It may be reprinted at a small expense, and it is hoped that some who read this will be induced to make a contribution to the Society for that purpose. Subscriptions for this, or the general purposes of the Society, will be received by R. Daven port, Esq. Treasurer, corner of Peck-slip and Front-street, or at the office of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine. |