ing class of our fellow subjects, seem to say, "Come, for all things are now ready" "Cast your bread upon the WATERS, for it shall be found after many days." Within only a few months, the toils and dangers of a maritime life have been manifested to us by the most forcible representation:-Multitudes of our countrymen have perished in a watery grave by calamities the most heart-rending, scarcely precedented in frequency, and attended, in some instances, with almost unexampled horror; and in a foreign port 3000 souls are said to have perished during the continuance of one gale. In this instance, indeed, there were peculiar tokens of the Sovereignty of that Being whose laws cannot be violated with impunity; nevertheless it strikingly indicates the precariousness of the sea.*

Deeply impressed with these and other circumstances, the Committee ask, with importunity, is it not important to redeem the character of being vicious and immoral, which, till recently, our sailors have borne in all quarters of the globe? Is it not important that we redeem our own characters, in the eyes of the nations, from the awful charge under which we have lain for so many centuries; of suffering those who have formerly been the brave defenders of our country, to drop by hundreds into an unseen world; unacquainted with a renewing spirit-with atoning blood? Is it not momentous to imbue those with a sense of religion, who may diffuse its savour from East to West-from North to South-and who will thus become the living epistles of Christ, and be literally known and read of all men?

The Committee would ask, should not every Christian be in some sense a preacher of righteousness-saying to all the circles over whom he has any influence, "Come with us, for we will surely do thee good"-thus obeying the command, "Let him that heareth say come?" Every Christian has opportunities of usefulness which he is bound to seize, and many are the opportunities which present themselves to seamen, on their voyages to different ports, which those whose hearts shall be warmed with love to God, and gratitude to the Saviour, will not fail to embrace.

Respecting the object of this Society there can be but one opinion. Its aim is to promote that cause which is dear to the heart of Jehovah-which employed his thoughts ere time began the cause to which all the events of time are subservient, and for which the world itself is kept in existence. It is to proclaim the God-like achievements of him who came "from Edom, with died garments from Bozrah,”his immortal victories and his deathless fame.

Our encouragements to persevere in this good work are abundant.

"The next

age will take up our cause, and when the petty interests which would resist our exertions are trodden down, and their dust scattered to the four winds of heaven, the King of kings, whom we serve, will take up his unlimited sceptre, and reign from the Equator to the Poles."

The Redeemer's cause must spread, however men may try to impede its progress; "As the little stone cut out of the mountain without hands became a great mountain and filled the whole earth, even so shall the God of heaven set up in these latter days a kingdom, and it shall stand for ever."-"Israel shall blossom, shall bud, shall fill the face of the world with fruit."

Let us never cease to pray, "Thy kingdom come;" till the seventh angel shall sound on high, and great voices be heard in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;"-till the whole universe shall be but one vast temple, consecrated to his praise, and bright with his glory.

"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen."

* With how much propriety may we now repeat this paragraph. With what melting entreaties does the providence of the Almighty Father call upon us to put forth our hands to save the sinking sailor from the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone! We ascribe all the glory to Him, but we are the instruments by which his purposes of grace are to be accomplished; and shall we stand on the brink of eternity, with folded arms, and see these precious souls sinking into the awful abyss below? Is there nothing more that we can do for the honour of God, and the salvation of seamen? Reader, let each of us remember how much we have had forgiven, and, in our closets, answer these solemn inquiries. Ed.

NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION.-CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Sir,

Boston, November 10, 1821.

By direction of the Boston Society for the Religious and Moral Instruction of the Poor, under whose patronage is the Seamen's meeting in this town, I have the pleasure to address you. In their name I would express, through you, their sincere thanks to the New-York Bethel Union, for the very acceptable Flag which has been sent to this port.

The season was so far advanced, that it was thought best not to attempt originating these meetings during the present autumn, but to defer the measure until spring; then, I hope, as you have suggested in the letters to my respected brother, the Rev. Mr. Wisner, this Bethel Flag will be hailed by many a mariner, as the harbinger of glad tidings.

We are unable to compare with our favoured brethren of New-York, Philadelphia, and London, in regard to visible fruits from attention to Seamen; but I desire to thank God for many mercies, notwithstanding. At the close of a prayer meeting, held a few evenings since in a private family, a pious sea-captain told me, that, during a late fishing expedition, having with him five among the crew, whom he hoped to be pious, they had maintained the worship of God, by social prayer and singing, every evening. Another, however, told me, that he had been in one and another vessel twenty-two years, and had never heard prayer offered on board!

There is a great diversity in this class of men; let us hope and pray that every vessel may be a place of prayer; let us, in faith, labour also for it.

Wishing your association still greater blessings from Him, who is Head over all things to His Church, and desiring an interest in your prayers for us-may I not say for myself especially-I am, dear Sir, Yours in the faith of Christ,

MR. KNOWLES TAYLOR, New-York.

WM. JENKS.

P. S. November 19.-A delay in transmitting this letter, enables me to add a few facts, which may appear encouraging. I was reminded of them by the remarks contained in your letter to Rev. Mr. Wisner, respecting the establishment of the worship of God on board of our vessels. A friend of mine informed me that he knew a pious sea-captain, who for five-and-twenty years, in which he frequented the sea, maintained the worship of God on board. Another he named, also, who attempted it, and for a time persevered; but during a voyage in the Mediterranean relinquished the practice, on account of the ridicule and opposition he experienced from a wicked mate. In this situation, he was spoke by a British Man-of-War, (it was during our late contest,) and ordered on board. He was received, at first, rather distantly, and his papers examined with severe scrutiny. They being found agreeable, he was requested, kindly, to sit. At this moment, the ship's clock striking eight, the cabin doors opened, and about forty men entered, arranged themselves by the side of a long table, and prayer, with reading the scriptures, commenced. Our captain was mortified at his own cowardice, felt the reproof of conscience, and retired, ashamed of having relinquished for one individual a practice, which he saw maintained in pre

sence of forty. But, at his return, he stated the mate's behaviour to his owners, who, with the utmost propriety, dismissed him from their

service.

The third instance, relates to the gentleman himself, who informed me as above. He, as owner of a vessel, in which he made a voyage of four months, established morning and evening devotions, without the least difficulty from either captain or crew. Nay, it was soon esteemed a privilege; and he had the satisfaction of seeing the men alert on board in their ordinary duty, as well as eager to attend religious instruction and prayers at his call.

The conviction, therefore, of my friend has been, that if owners and masters of vessels were but themselves to engage in earnest in this reformation, there would be no insuperable difficulty. But how, dear Sir, shall owners and captains require what they do not themselves practise Yours, W. J.

BETHEL MEETINGS.

ON Thursday evening, October 4th, there was a meeting for prayer, &c. on board the sloop Haxall, Capt. S. Holmes, at Richmond, Virginia. The meeting was well attended, and considerable interest has been excited there in behalf of the Seamen who visit that place. A Bethel Union Society was to be formed, and Capt. H. was charged with procuring a Bethel Flag, which he took with him a few days ago, when he sailed from this city.

[The following is copied from the Richmond, Va. "Compiler."]

"Ir may not be uninteresting to many of our citizens, to learn that on the 4th Oct. at the instance of a few friends of seamen, a prayer meeting was commenced on board the sloop Haxall, Captain Holmes, at Rocketts. Several Christians of different denominations attended, and the exercises of the evening, which consisted of short prayers, appropriate addresses, and the singing of hymns, were particularly interesting. To those who had previously seen accounts of similar meetings in some of the principal seaports in England and the United States, much satisfaction was afforded by witnessing the lantern at the mast-head-the crowd of seamen assembled by that signal, for divine worship-and the harmony which seemed to pervade every heart. No distinction among Christians was known; but one general sentiment of earnest solicitude for the best interests of seamen,-of that useful though long neglected class of our fellow beings, was predominant. At the close of that meeting a short address was delivered by the captain, encouraging his seafaring brethren to appreciate the privileges afforded by such opportunities whenever in port. The originators of the meetings purposed holding them on every Thursday evening after candle light, (for about an hour,) on board á vessel which would be distinguished during the day by the Bethel Flag.

"I have just returned from one of those meetings which was for the se cond time held on board the Haxall. At her mast-head, waved the first Bethel Flag, which I have ever enjoyed to behold; and probably the first which ever waved in this port. The seamen understand its use, and the number who rally around it, encourages the hope that it is not hoisted in vain. Those who desire to see the flag, can be gratified by visiting Rocketts on any Thursday.

Should the above hasty sketch be read by a christian, I would ask whether the expediency of forming a Seaman's Friend Society, has ever occurred to the mind."

On Saturday, October 6th, a meeting was held on board the new ship Capt. Calvin Williams, lying at Saybrook, Conn. bound to NewYork and New-Orleans: about 200 persons were present, and the meeting, which was conducted on the plan of those held in this city, was solemn and interesting.

LIVERPOOL

BETHEL UNION AND SEAMAN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.

By the prompt attention of our correspondent at Liverpool, we are furnished with the proceedings at a public meeting of the citizens of that town, to form a Bethel Union. The meeting was held in the Town-Hall, on the 12th of September, Admiral Murray in the chair. The Rev. George Charles Smith, of Penzance, (" the Joseph of the Scilly Islands in the days of their famine,") stood forward to address the meeting. He was followed by Samuel Hope, and Nicholas Hurry, Esqrs. the Rev. James Lister, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the Rev. Moses Fisher, and Messrs. Woolsey and Job.

We have not room, at present, for the excellent addresses delivered by these gentlemen, but shall endeavour to give them in a future number.

NEW-YORK BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE anniversary meeting of this society was held at the City Assembly-Room, on the 19th ult. The chair was taken at 7 o'clock by Gen. CLARKSON, President. The meeting was opened with reading the 55th chapter of Isaiah, by the Rev Dr. MILNOR.

From the Report, which was read by JOHN STEARNS, M. D. we learn, that during the past year, 912 Bibles and 1074 Testaments have been distributed. The whole number distributed since the formation of the society is 28,189 Bibles, and 3,321 Testaments.

After the Report was read, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. Mr. McLean, from England, the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, and the Rev. Mr. Summerfield. The speeches of these gentlemen were eloquent and appropriate.

A collection was taken up to aid the funds of the society, and after passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Jennings for the use of the room, the society adjourned.

It is our painful duty to announce the melancholy death of the Rev. SAMUEL NEWELL, American Missionary at Bombay, and Mrs. POOR, of Ceylon.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

A particular account of the melancholy shipwreck of the "Sea Fox," and the wonderful preservation of four men, who were taken out of the forecastle, where they had lived three days and three nights, will be given in our next.

The Report of the Youth's Missionary Society," and a variety of interesting intelligence, is unavoidably deferred.

In addition to our Regular files of Foreign Publications, we have just received some interesting communications from the Treasurer of the (London) "Home Missionary Society," with copies of all their publications; also, a complete set of all the books and papers published by the London Sunday School Union, which may be seen at this office.

(Concluded from page 677, Vol. VII.)

A CHURCH in ruins is always a melancholy object. Yet such sights are quite common in some parts of Virginia. The associations of the mind involuntarily rise, as we gaze on a decayed building, once consecrated to Divine Worship. We immediately think of the crowd that once bent there with lowly reverence, of the pious minister, who opened sources of consolation to the bereaved, or of the holy pilgrim, who so often repaired thither with eager step: we enter into the feelings of generations that The simhave long since disappeared from off the face of the earth. plicity which reigns in this Southern country, has a tendency to increase such reflections. It is usual to see many walking along the roads to attend preaching, large numbers of horses tied to clumps of trees, and the people during the intervals of worship, partaking of simple refreshments by the side of a spring, or under the shade of an oak. With such scenes, my eye was often regaled; for where can the man be found, who does not theoretically believe, that the revival of patriarchal simplicity, would bring vast accessions of happiness to the human family?

For a few years past, Evangelical Religion has been rapidly gaining ground in Virginia. Among the higher circles, Bishop Watson's Reply to Paine, was happily instrumental in breaking down the strong holds of infidelity. Often, during my journey, could I feel the glow of gratitude on my heart, that Providence had brought forth such champions as Campbell and Watson, to check in their career the advocates of a sceptical Philosophy. Many who once reviled the Christian system, can now develope its external evidences with great force and acuteness of reasoning, though they may not be experimentally acquainted with its power. Yet, we would not dispense with the services of an able frontier soldier, because he had never seen the interior beauties of the country he so intrepidly defends.

But in exhibiting the causes which have contributed to this change, sufficient justice has never yet been done to the labours of the Rev. Devereux Jarratt. We deeply regret, indeed, that some parts of his Biography were ever committed to the press, because discord among the followers of the same Saviour is always to be deprecated.* Mr. J.

was

*See Dr. Coke's Journal for 1784, with the Life of Jarratt, written by himself. VOL. IX.

57