It may be proper to add, that in addition to the other purposes to which the Mariners' Church is applied, a flourishing Sunday school has been opened in it, where the children of the neighbourhood, and especially the children of those who are engaged in maritime occupations, are instructed on the Sabbath in reading and in the rudiments of the christian religion. It is the design also of the board, when the state of their funds will admit of it, to open a weekly school for the gratuitous instruction of adult seamen, in such branches of science as may be more peculiarly useful to them. A periodical work, entitled "The CHRISTIAN HERALD AND SEAMAN'S MAGAZINE," edited by a member of the board, is now published under its patronage, the design of which is to afford them useful and interesting matter of contemplation, particularly such as relates to their moral and religious improvement. The directors hope in process of time to enter upon further plans for the advancement of this class of their fellow men, in knowledge, piety and virtue. (To be Continued.)

For the Seaman's Magazine

THE DYING SAILOR.

I WAS pleased, Mr. Editor, or rather shocked, at the recital of the following circumstance, as lately given me by a lady for whom I have the highest esteem, who was herself a witness of the scene. If you think proper, you are at liberty to use it. I give it as nearly as I can in her own words.

I had just landed from the steam-boat, and was walking to the public house, when a dismal groan caught my ear, and arrested my steps. I paused in order to ascertain whence the sound proceeded. It was immediately repeated, and I imagined it came from a mean looking house, or rather hut, just before me. Approaching the door, I heard some one breathe in great distress. Upon entering, I discovered, in the further corner of the room, on a bed of rags, a form that appeared hardly human. On the opposite side of the room was an aged woman, trembling under the burden of years, bending over, and endeavouring to rekindle some almost lifeless embers. I approached her and said, "Whom have you there so sick?" "A poor miserable young man," she replied, "whom nobody else would receive. Poor fellow he has not long to live, and I want to do all I can for him!" Perceiving, from his appearance, that the cold hand of death was upon him, I seated myself by him, and thus spoke to him: "My young friend, do you know that you are dying?" "I'm glad of it," he replied; I asked, "are you prepared?" "No," said he, "nor never shall be; and the sooner I know the worst of it the better." "The worst of it? do you know what you mean?" "I wish you would let me alone; I don't know why you are thus troubling yourself about me," said the poor creature, as he attempted to turn from me. The exertion caused great pain, and again he groaned most piteously. "Why," said I, "do you groan at such trifling pain as this?" "Trifling pain, indeed," said he, "if you endured it, you would not call it trifling!" "It is trifling, compared with the pain, and torture, and torment of hell. And, let me tell you plainly, for it is high time you had felt the truth, that the moment the breath leaves you, you will plunge into the lake of fire and brimstone, where you will spend an endless eternity in weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." "I know it," he replied, "I know it. I know all that you can say. I have had a religious education, pious parents, and kind friends; but I have lived a dreadful life, and God is now sending on me such punishments as I deserve!" "If you have had a religious education, you know that the greatest sinner can be saved." He quickly replied, "talk not to me of a Saviour-for I have slighted him; nor of a God-for I have despised him. Tell me not of a heaven for the righteous, and their eternal happiness-for I am doomed to hell! I am already there. Already do I feel the gnawings of the worm, and the burnings of the fire; and my soul loves the curses of the damned!" Then, with a clenched fist, he smote his forehead, gnashed his teeth, and, with a muttered curse, attended by a heart-rending groan, the soul of Richard F eternity. My heart sickens, even now, at the remembrance of this scene, and I cannot dwell upon it without horror.

-entered on

I learned from the old woman that this young sailor was a knowing, though headstrong boy, till he was 15 years of age that his first steps in iniquity, were swearing, and at the billiard table. Gambling necessarily produced intemperance, and, at the early age of 22, he fell a victim of dissipation, as I have related.

PEREGRINUS.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.

Extract of a letter addressed to the Editor, dated Philadelphia, 12th June, 1821, DEAR SIR-I mentioned in my last that a captain of a large ship invited us to hold a prayer meeting in his house, which has been attended to, and had a respectable company. Another captain came forward, and said "the prayers of the Mariners' Church have been answered for me and my vessel; I sent in my request to be remembered there when I left the port, and have been miraculously saved. My vessel struck upon Cape Look Out Shoals, and was in great danger of being lost, when a strong breeze sprung up and carried us off without any one being injured.' He then requested to have a prayer meeting on board of his vessel, which was attended to with much pleasure. We had several ministers on board; the cabin and state rooms were crowded, and the deck well covered with a very attentive audience. An Episcopal minister, who stood holding the man rope which led to the cabin in his hand, gave an excellent exhortation, which was followed by others, and interspersed with fervent prayers-the captain appeared much engaged, and was very thankful. A sailor who came from New-York, said he had a very wonderful preservation from death just before he arrived. He said, that himself and another sailor was ordered up to take in a top-gallantsail, when a thunder storm came onhe had just got his part done and got below the crosstrees, when the lightning struck the top-gallantmast and his shipmate, who fell dead upon the deck. "Oh," said he, "it makes me tremble when I think how near I was to death, and not prepared for that change."

The attention among the seamen seems to increase: many of them at this time are gone on their voyages, but we hear very favourable accounts of their conduct from many vessels, and from many witnesses, although it is to be lamented they are not all so; some remain careless. Some of their wives are much engaged in seeking their salvation; one has come from a great distance every Lord's day through the last winter, in the most unfavourable weather, and after weeping, now has obtained a comfortable hope. Last Lord's day another, who was deeply affected, and like to faint, was led out into the open air; but no sooner recovered, than she returned and waited to tell her case after worship was over, which was very affecting and rational-she made no noise, and appeared a decent and sensible woman. Her husband, a sailor, just come in from sea, could not tell what to think of it, but was very complaisant.

I shall be thankful for any information that may be useful to our poor seamen. The more I am with them the more I feel attached to them. They come to see me as if they were my children, and offering me their presents of oranges or canes, and any thing they think I will accept from them. One came last Lord's day to tell the distress of a brother sailor he had to leave in New-Orleans, who fell from the rigging and broke his leg; he had to leave his Bible with him, which he said appeared to be his only comfort in a distressed place-but, said he, I will buy another before I go away again, for I am determined never to be without one. I told him as he had given his Bible to this distressed man he should have one without buying, which he thankfully accepted. They followed me after worship to tell of their voyages, and where they expect to go again, and desire to be remembered in the prayers of their Church for all their voyages. Some say that their captains are greatly altered for their comfort, and encourage them in reading the Bible and other good booksbut others say their captains give them no encouragement, and ask them if they want to bring on a storm by reading the Bible. May the Lord convince them it is the best way to escape an eternal storm. May the Lord pour out a spirit of prayer upon all his people, to pray for these poor, exposed, interesting people.

I remain, &c.

JOSEPH EASTBURN.

For the Seaman's Magazine.

THE MARINERS' CHURCH.

ON Sabbath morning, 21st January last, a new flag, the signal for meeting, was hoisted at the Mariner's Church in Philadelphia. This flag was procured by the exertions of Miss Elizabeth White and sister, of the Northern Liberties, in collecting subscriptions for the purpose. It was made by Mr. Dunton at a very low charge, and gratuitously. painted by Mr. Woodside; so that, with the money obtained, besides the flag, several chairs have been purchased for the use of the Church, and some tracts for distribution.

The flag is in size, 13 by 8 feet, with an azure field, and white border. The symbols are on the top, the morning and evening stars; in the centre, a dove on the wing, with an olive branch in her mouth; and at the bottom, an anchor. Inscription" MARINERS' CHURCH."

The Rev. Mr. Eastburn, the stated preacher, addressed the congregation from the four last verses of the 6th chap. Hebrews. He spoke of the stability of the Christian's refuge as predicated of God's immutability; and of the necessity for sinners actively to endeavour "to obtain salvation," by "flying for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel." He illustrated the import of the doctrine by refering to the emblems on the flag; that as the evening star indicated the approaching darkness of night, so the shades of death were advancing; and as the morning star denoted the dawn of day, so the light of everlasting day would rise upon every soul, who, like the dove that "found no rest for the sole of her foot," would fly to Jesus Christ, the Ark of safety, and thus become personally interested in that heavenly hope, which, as an anchor, would secure him from shipwreck, and insure him an abundant entrance into the haven of rest.

The following hymn, of which a number of printed copies were pre sented by Mr. Mentz, was sung on the occasion.

A MARINERS' HYMN, C. M.

Presented to the Rev. JOSEPH EASTBURN, a Pilot of JESUS CHRIST, the Captain of his Salvation, and now cruising in the offing of Eternity.

Written by the Rev. J. W. Scott, and sung by the Congregation in the Mariners' Church in Philadelphia, on Sabbath, 21st January, when the new Flag of the Church was hoisted.

JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

THE NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION commenced holding Bethel Prayer Meetings on board of vessels last month, and hitherto the success of the plan has equalled the expectations of its most sanguine friends, and has, we presume, convinced the most incredulous, that seamen will assemble for Divine worship and attend to the concerns of their souls, when the means are adapted to their peculiar circumstances. The number of attendants, the good order and decorum, the interest manifested by captains and sailors at these meetings, have surpassed the anticipation of all; and we do most earnestly pray, that God will continue to prosper the work so happily commenced; that he will revive his own work in the hearts of Seamen, and train up a people to praise Him, amongst those who have so long neglected his word and ordinances, and lived without hope, without Christ, and without God in the world,-And He will do it. God is ready to bless us even before the request has gone from our lips; He will hear the cries of his people, as soon as they humbly and earnestly present their petition, for the conversion of seamen. It is only, then, for Christians to pray and to labour, and the Mariner shall be ready to receive the proffered blessings of the Gospel, and to offer himself, his soul, and his body, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto the Lord his God.

Friday, June 22.-This morning the Bethel Flag was hoisted at the mast-head of the ship Cadmus, Capt. W. at Pine-street wharf.

At 8 o'clock in the evening, a committee of the society, with several friends from the shore, and a considerable number of sea captains and sailors, assembled on the deck of the ship under an awning, and Divie Bethune, Esq. President of the Bethel Union, opened the meeting by stating the object and plans of the society, and inviting the cordial co-operation of captains and their crews, in furthering the benevolent designs of the Board.

Mr. T. read the Seaman's Psalm, (107th Ps. Dwight,) which was sung with great animation and feeling. Capt. C. P. led in prayer, a hymn was sung, and the Rev. Dr. Spring delivered a short and appropriate address. Capt. H. prayed. After singing another Hymn, Mr. L. B. made the concluding prayer. The President then informed the seamen that the Mariners' Church, in Roosevelt-street is open three times every Sabbath, and urged them to attend, and to inform their shipmates and fellow seamen of the Mariners' Church and Bethel Flag. He recommended to them the SEAMAN'S MAGAZINE, and requested them to procure, and read it.

The christian doxology was then sung, and Dr. Spring pronounced the benediction. Upwards of 50 suitable tracts were distributed to the seamen present, who received them with many thanks. The evening was remarkably still, and we were pleased to observe many seamen, and others, on the wharf and on the vessels lying alongside the Cadmus, lending an attentive ear to the interesting and solemn exer

cise.

Thus we have witnessed the first essay of the Bethel Union, under circumstances which promise great success in promoting the establishment of prayer meetings among (To be Continued.)

seamen.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

"ERASMUS;" "A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER," in answer to Query No. 1;"* "Address of the Presbytery of Westchester," and several other communications, are received. We are unable to complete the "Mariners' Church Journal for May" for this number, not having been present all at the meetings.

An account of the Religious Celebration of the FOURTH OF JULY, in the Mariners' Church, is also unavoidably postponed to our next.

*We repeat the Query No. 1, for the information of those who may desire to offer remarks upon it: "What are the best means of making Union Quarterly Meetings interesting?"

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
MR. ROBERT MUNRO.

MR. ROBERT MUNRO was a native of Scotland, and descended of pious parents, who devoted much of their time to his religious instruction. In childhood, he was taught to fear his Maker, to read the Holy Scriptures, to repeat the questions of the Shorter Catechism, and commit to memory various Psalms, Hymns, and other devotional pieces. He was regular in seasons of retirement to his closet. At the time he left his parents, he entertained a respect for the Lord's day, and desired to be a christian. Until the 20th year of his life, the influence of parental instruction on his outward conduct may be clearly traced. But shortly after this period, he came to America, when he soon lost every good impression from his mind, giving evidence at the same time of the most confirmed habits of vice. Though he had evidently never been made a partaker of the Divine nature, we must admit, that the change in his principles was great, when he deliberately adopted the following opinions, which we take from his own record.

1st. Denying the Bible to be a rule of conduct.

2nd. The special Providence of God.

3d. The doctrine of the Trinity.

4th. The necessity, or obligation of prayer.

He had now become a deluded infidel, and such principles could not fail to lead their possessor into vice. The fruits of such opinions were seen, 1st, In a neglect of all Divine Ordinances.

2nd, Violating the Sabbath by sinful amusements.

3d, Profane swearing, abuse of talents, neglect of every duty.

4th, Ingratitude to parents and teachers, and above all, murmuring at the dispensations of Providence, for circumstances which his own extravagance had occasioned.

During a long season, it pleased God to give him mingled evidences of his displeasure and compassion. Often was he visited by the deepest remorse of conscience, and to this were added various incidents, and remarkable escapes from death. He has recorded not less than twelve instances, in which the Divine goodness was signally displayed in preserving his life. Often have we heard him recount these interpositions in his behalf, and dwell with an elevated heart on that rich passage, "Thou shalt remember all the way, which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years, in the wilderness, to humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or not."