has been deservedly considered as an occupation of all others the most dangerous to the morals of youth. What agony has seized the breast of a fond and affectionate mother, on hearing from her child the first intimation of his disposition towards á seafaring life! how immediate her impression of its being the offspring of bad propensities in him, and how distressing her fears of the dreadful consequences of gratifying his wishes! If she possess a pious heart, how afflicting the thought of being the agent in placing a beloved son out of the ordinary means of grace, of sending him into associations where the only use he will make of his knowledge of God, will be to blaspheme his holy name, and where he will be sure to forget, though surrounded with danger, all the interests that lie beyond this transitory state. Your measures are calculated to remove these apprehensions, and to make the necessary and useful occupation of the seaman as unobjectionable as any other. There is no better method to make any pursuit respectable than to inspire its functionaries with self-respect. Let seamen no longer be considered as outcasts from society. Let them be taken by the hand as friends. Remove the deplorable ignorance of spiritual things under which so many of them labour. Let them know they have a common interest with you in the great scheme of Gospel mercy. Make them sensible that they are accountable beings-that there is a Heaven and a Hell-that they have souls which are to be for ever happy in the one, or miserable in the other, and that there is a glorious Saviour to whom they may look for life and salvation. Then objections to put children to this employment will cease, and pious parents will commit them to the care and guardianship of a merciful Providence, feeling but little more apprehension for them when tossing on the billows, than when resting beneath the domestic roof. But great as are the incidental advantages likely to follow the success of your institution, and others of a like character, they are but secondary to the principal design. I rejoice that while other charitable societies are engaged in relieving the sufferings of the body, the exalted aim of yours is to save the soul. I pray God to continue his blessing on your exertions, and with pleasure second the resolution for the adoption of the report.

PETER HAWES, Esq. then offered the following resolution, viz. Resolved, That this society entertain a grateful sense of the cordial co-operation of the owners and masters of vessels in promoting meetings for prayer on board of vessels in this port.

On presenting this resolution, Mr. HAWES remarked, that after the eloquent and appropriate addresses to which we had just listened, and which were fully supported by the report on your table, very little remained for him to offer.

When our thoughts were turned back to the moral and religious condition of seamen, in years that are passed, the heart was pained with the retrospect. Destined like ourselves to a never ending existence, with capacities for increased happiness or misery, they presented objects of no ordinary solicitude. Bold, brave and generous, they were alike prodigal of property and of life, and ready to hazard and even surrender both, when their friend or their country required it. At the same time, they were thoughtless and profligate, "without God, and without hope in the world." Three fourths of their lives were passed upon the ocean, loud and boisterous as themselves, hourly exposed to be swept from the deck, or shook from the giddy topmast, and plunged into the deep, never to rise, "till the sea shall deliver up her dead." While in port, they were exposed to peculiar temptations; to which their hard-earned wages, their health, their lives, and it was much to be feared, their immortal souls were sacrificed. It was matter of astonishment, of regret, and of shame, that with a full knowledge of these facts, the christian world, till within a few years, had exhibited so small a degree of concern for their spiritual welfare. The Priest had passed by on the one side, and the Levite on the other, beheld their wretchedness, and left them to perish. The good Samaritan had not yet arrived.

Blessed be God, said Mr. Hawes, we have lived to behold the day, when the prayers of christians have ascended, and the wants and woes of the long neglected mariner have come up in remembrance at the throne of grace; when christians have been willing to act as well as to pray. The commencement and progress of exertions in behalf of seamen, had been faithfully detailed in your report, accompanied with a brief statement of the manner in which it has pleased God, to own and bless the labours of the Bethel Union. It was believed enough had already been witnessed, to call forth the prayers of every disciple of Christ, and to insure the wishes and exertions of every patriot and philanthropist. Indeed it was difficult to suppose that any person could be indifferent to the success of that association. To the

mariner, it was a matter of the highest concern, both as respected "the life that now is and that which is to come."

If the temporal happiness of seamen were alone consulted, it would well deserve our regard and support. What is so well calculated to insure his health and reputation and provide for the wants of age? And what can furnish present happiness that will bear comparison with confidence in God, and resignation to his divine will? Ask the pious mariner, said Mr. H., how he estimates his present enjoyments, when compared with the past? he will tell you that one year spent in the service of God, is worth fifty wasted in the pleasures of sin. Ask him of his prospects of happiness in another world-he will tell you, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what good things God bath laid up in store for them that love him."

Nor was it a matter of indifference, said Mr. H., to the merchant, to whom he intrusted the navigation of his vessel, or the transportation of his merchandise. Ask the ship owner, what description of seamen he would wish to employ ? let his opinion of religion, as a matter of personal concern, be what it may, be he a christian, or be he an infidel, the answer will be the same-"give me a pious ship's crew."

To the economist and philanthropist, it presents an aspect of increasing importance. Do you wish to restrain vice and immorality? to correct those houses of impurity and debauchery with which our city is infested and disgraced? do you wish to relieve our streets from beggars, and our Alms House from paupers? do you wish to rescue the dissolute, of both sexes, from loathsome disease, the hospital and premature death? is it indeed your sincere desire, and the object of your incessant labour to prevent increasing pauperism in our city? Unite then with us in the moral and religious reformation of seamen.

But to the sincere disciple of Christ, it presents motives and unfolds results of the highest encouragement to increased exertion. I well remember, said Mr. H., the deep solicitude which was felt by the members of the Bethel Union, for the success of their first meeting. But that God in whom you trusted, went before you, and prepared the hearts of mariners to receive you. He has crowned your exertions with a success far beyond your expectations. The means employed were, under the divine blessing, calculated to produce the desired effect. Men were so constituted, that external objects often produced lasting impressions on their minds. What person, after crossing the cemetery, or spending a day in the sanctuary, or even in the grove, made vocal with the high praises of God, ever entered those hallowed precincts without the deepest solemnity. In like manner the reformation of seamen, under the blessing of heaven, will be a natural consequence upon the means which this society have employed.

When objects of inducement are presented to the mind, it naturally yields to their agency. If Bibles and tracts are put in the hands of seamen, if prayer meetings are continued among them, and christians unite their hearts and voices with them, you are warranted in anticipating the most favourable result. The decks of those vessels which have been consecrated by prayer to God, will not soon be wantonly profaned by blaspheming his holy name.

If this be so, let the use of means be continued; let the owners and commanders of vessels be urged to encourage pious and orderly seamen. Let their characters be rescued from that general odium, into which they have fallen, let it be known that pious seamen will always be preferred, and the happiest consequences may be expected to follow. Sailors have the same affections, the same sympathies; they may be warmed and melted like other men; they feel as sensibly the weight of obligation, and as readily acknowledge it. Of this truth your past experience is the proof. God has encouraged us to persevere, and has put to shame the misgiving of our hearts at the commencement of our work. Another year is just closed; its duties are ended; its misdeeds cannot be recalled: its charities and omissions are sealed up to the retributions of eternity. Let us all begin the new year with new life; let us press forward in the path of duty, and with faith and patience wait the promises.

The Rev. JOHN SUMMERFIELD seconded the motion. He said he had but little time to spare to address the audience, as he had other engagements that evening which demanded his attention; but, after what had been said, much could not be expected from him, even would his time permit. He should therefore only seek to gather some of the crumbs which had fallen from the table; and in this there was no difficulty, as it generally happened that after the most plentiful meal the greatest number of fragments remained.

He had felt himself very solemnly impressed by a remark made in the prayer by

of men.

Dr. Spring, with which the exercises of the evening commenced, expressive of the great neglect which the Christian world had so long manifested to this useful class The remark induced a train of ideas, which led him up to periods even beyond the Christian era. He recollected that this neglect had been from time immemorial, and that the opinions of the wise and learned sages of antiquity (although in many of them they were but learned ignorance) had tended to foster this practice still more and more. Plato had declared that the sea was the school of vice;" of course, seamen were regarded as scholars of wickedness themselves, and teachers of it to others. But this was not the lowest opinion formed of them by the ancients. When Anacharsis was asked whether he supposed the number of the dead exceeded the number of the living, he replied, "first inform me in which of these classes seamen are to be placed;" implying that, though they had "a name to live," they were considered virtually dead, and, of course, not worthy of any labour which would tend to meliorate their condition.

The opinions of our own Christian ancestors were not much more exalted on this subject. The name of one of them has been mentioned by the gentleman who first addressed the meeting, and a distich given, which marks the characteristic feature of the mind of the great and good John Flavel. This reminded Mr. S. of the sentiment of the good puritan, held in his day, with regard to seamen. He says that the same may be applied to them which was said of an ungodly minister then living, whose pulpit discourses were so superior to his daily practice, that it were a pity he should ever leave the pulpit, for when mounted there, he was as near to heaven as he ever would be. So, says the honest divine, may it be said of seamen: when tossed upon the waves, "they mount up to heaven," as the Psalmist expresses it, that it were a pity they should ever descend again, for it was as near as ever they would be.

Mr. S. observed, he could not recollect that any favourable notice had been taken of seamen by the Christian world, except that they were included in the prayers of the Church of England, wherein she petitions for all who travel by land or by water, &c.; but then the story of the man who came for the blessing of a Catholic priest, might in some sort apply to this. It is said that the man entreated first for a shilling: he was refused. "Pray then," said he, "do give me sixpence." "I'll give you nothing; begone!" "Well," said he, "I will go if you will give me your blessing." "Kneel down, my son," said the priest, and receive it most devoutly." "No," said the other, "seeing that you would not bestow it if it were worth but sixpence, I will dispense with it altogether." Until the present day, seamen might retort upon the Christian world in language similar. We have prayed, but have not laboured for their welfare; we have talked a good deal, but have done nothing, until the formation of the Bethel Union Society. But now the stigma is removed; and, said Mr. S., I will not hesitate to say it, although I must turn my eyes from the chair to express it, lest a forbidding look should chill the declaration I am proud to make, there are not wanting Christians, who give more than their prayers on every Sabbath day; who give their wealth, their time, their every thing, in this labour of love; and who would not count their own lives too dear to sacrifice in the cause of Him, "whose they are, and whom they serve." Nor has their labour been "in vain in the Lord." Experience has demonstrated that seamen may mount to heaven much higher than the summit of a swelling wave, or even the topmast of a ship.Many have we known, who have departed and gone to Christ,

"Whose happy spirits soar away,

And mingle with the blaze of day."

Mr. S. observed, that the motion in his hand was expressive of thanks to captains and owners of vessels, for their kind co-operation in furthering the interests of the Bethel Union. With regard to captains of vessels, he would add a remark to what had already been said:-One great cause of the degradation of seamen he believed to arise from the improper conduct of captains and commanders of vessels. It had been frequently stated, and no doubt frequently believed, that profanity is necessary on board of vessels; this was a mistake, and the error must be charged to the commanders, for would they speak only truth, their commands would be obeyed without the additional sanction of a profane oath. Seamen do not know whether the commands they receive are given in good faith, unless they are vociferated with an oath, but if captains would speak only as they really intend, the necessity for oaths would be immediately superseded. The disregard which seamen are thought to manifest for the Sabbath, and every religious observation, is generally owing to a similar cause, namely, the disrespect which their captains manifest to these things. The couplet which seamen have learnt, as expressive of the Egyptian rigour of their taskmasters, is in a great measure true :

"Six days shalt thou work and do all that thou art able,

On the seventh thou shalt scour the decks, and after, wash the cable."

But, let the captains and owners show a veneration for the Lord's day, and seamen will respect it more. It was, therefore, with pleasure that Mr. S. seconded the motion of thanks to those captains and owners who had dared to be singular, and whose example, he trusted, would be followed by many others.

Mr. S. concluded by entreating the prayers of the Christian public in behalf of these noble societies.

The President then rose and stated, that some pecuniary aid was wanted, to defray the expenses of Bethel flags, printing reports, providing tracts, &c.: and that a collection would then be taken up for that purpose. But he wished it to be distinctly understood, that the society did not ask the audience so much for their money, as their prayers and their influence. He wished no person to contribute any thing more than was perfectly convenient, and that as a free-will offering.

After the collection was taken up, the Rev. J. M. MATTHEWS made the concluding prayer; and the whole exercises were closed with the Christian Doxology and Benediction.

The audience was probably the most numerous that has ever assembled on the anniversary occasion of any of the religious societies in this city. The Bethel flag, which was presented by the London Bethel Union to the Port Society, and which had been the signal for convening the first Bethel prayer meeting in America, was hung around the pulpit, and a convenient platform erected in front of it, for the accommodation of the officers of the Bethel Union and Port Society, and for the clergy, many of whom, of different denominations, attended the meeting.

MARINERS' CHURCH.

THE Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen have invited the Rev. John Truair, of Cherry Valley, to preach in the mariners' church and labour among seamen. Mr. Truair has been in the city a few weeks, and preached with great acceptance, we believe, to all who have had the privilege of hearing him.

The Board feel confident in making an appeal to the public for the sum necessary to discharge the additional obligations under which the offer made to Mr. Truair will place them, if he should conclude to remain, which we hope he will, for a few months at least. It is well known that the society is in debt about 7000 dollars, without any income. There are not a dozen annual subscribers, and the collections taken up in the church have been insufficient to pay the current expenses. The great importance of affording the means of religious instruction to seamen, seems now to be generally acknowledged by those who have at all examined the subject; and the truly catholic plan of this institution is generally applauded. This is well, but the Board want more solid testimony of public approbation and support; they want individuals to feel more on this subject, and see what they are severally bound to do for the cause of poor sailors; to estimate the obligations they are under to their God, by the privileges they enjoy, and come forward now and give what they can. If they are able to give but little, no more will be required of them; if they have much, let them give liberally as unto the Lord.

A book is open at THIS OFFICE to receive subscriptions for paying the minister's salary, and also for annual subscriptions of five dollars, and life subscriptions of fifty dollars, and donations of any sum.

To the Editor of the Christian Herald.

SIR,-In the Christian Herald, a few months since, I read with pleasure some observations, dated on the "banks of the Hudson," on the importance of private Christians exerting themselves to promote the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. This subject is one which has engaged the attention of the Christian community, to a considerable extent, in that part of the country where I reside: and although at first it was somewhat difficult to overcome prejudices in the minds of even good people, yet so great have been the blessings consequent upon the labours of the brethren of many of our churches, that even prejudice itself has ceased its opposition and is silent. Could a plain statement of the situation of those churches where revivals of religion have existed, and the dealings of God with the churches, be laid before the public, specifying the means by which they were roused to effort and to prayer, it might be expected that in those parts of the United States where they have not been visited with these times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, where they have only heard the sound thereof at a distance, that Christians would be stimulated to labour and to pray in a similar manner, and that similar blessings would be given. It is to be feared that this statement will not be made, except in a few solitary instances; or that so many circumstances will be crowded together, and related in a manner so general, that the effect produced will be faint, and the narration soon forgotten.

It has appeared to me, Mr. Editor, that we are not warranted by the Bible, in believing that the latter-day glory will be ushered in by miraculous displays of Almighty power, but that we are to look to the members of the Christian church, including their ministers, as the instruments by which this immense change is to be effected in the moral world. And are not these means, with the blessing of Heaven, sufficient to evangelize the whole family of Adam? What may not be accomplished by the truth contained in "the word of God," which is "the sword of the Spirit," when distributed by the arm of Christian energy, explained and enforced by the heart of brotherly love, and accompanied by the prayer of faith? "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with shoutings, crying grace, grace unto it.”

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