exertions, to bring him to a clear understanding of gosgel truths. His was an honest mind, and open to conviction. He attended to the readings in the wing, and retired and examined his Bible for himself. The Dagon of Roman Catholic ignorance and idolatry fell before him. But this was not all. He not only understood the doctrines of the Gospel, but he felt their renovating effect; and so far as a steady consistent walk and conversation could prove the fact, he was in Christ Jesus, and became a new creature. And now began his trials from the ship's company in general, and the officers in particular. For several weeks every one of the latter would roast Jerry, as they termed it, on the subject of his Methodism, and praying and singing of psalms in the wing; but these roastings did not continue beyond half a year, for within that period he had, by a continuance in well-doing, put them all to silence.

There was so much propriety in his general conduct, so much firmness and patience under ridicule and temptation; such a wise, steady, and yet unassuming manner of defending the cause of religion, when compelled to answer, that he advanced in the esteem of his superiors beyond any thing I could have conceived. In short, he lived to hear some of these officers converse with him on religion in a strain widely different from ridicule and reproach. As to his conduct among his comrades below, it was such as to comfort me whenever I heard or thought of it. We had many Roman Catholics on board, most of whom were extremely ignorant and profane, as well as deplorably bigotted and superstitious. Among these he laboured, reading from the word of

God, and conversing with such zeal and understanding, that he was hated by the grossly profane, dreaded by those whose consciences were not entirely callous, and beloved by such as were seeking the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth. Nor have I a doubt but the last day will prove, that no small share of what was effected on board the C- was brought about through the divine blessing on the instrumentality of Jerry T. He, therefore, has added one more to the numerous instances that might be brought forward, in proof of a fact which claims our most serious and grateful attention—that great power and extensive talents are not always necessary to a man's being useful as a Christian in his day and generation.

As to the second description of complainers, who lament their having long cast their bread upon the waters, without the smallest prospect of its being found to any good purpose, let me remind them, that it is not always best for us to see too much success attend even our most christian-like labours. It is sufficient for us to know that these labours will not be in vain in the Lord: that "the word is not to return void, but is certainly to accomplish the thing whereunto it is sent;" in other words, that "the bread cast upon the waters is to be found after many days." We are answerable for casting this bread, but not for its being found. The former is our work; the latter is the LORD's. forgotten, that in every place where exertions have been made for the glory of God and the good of souls, many who were expected to become the first fruits of an early spiritual harvest, have not been gathered in until a late

But it must not be

,

hour, and many not at all; while, on the other hand, some, of whom little, or perhaps no hope, was cherished, have turned out the most flourishing plants in the Lord's vineyard. Of this I have seen repeated instances, from the day I first began my humble work of reading to a few poor seamen in the wing of the C- even to this day. But as the last instance of this nature which occurred on board that ship was somewhat out of the common way, I shall adduce it in proof that we ought not to be discouraged when we cast our bread upon the waters, however rough and gloomy those waters may appear to human eyes.

Robert A. was a young man of rather superior understanding to seamen in general, and, being excessively fond of reading, he had perused and imbibed much evil from many novels, and other vile books; so that with his natural and acquired talents, he was enabled to proceed some degrees in profligacy beyond many others. He was, what he styled himself in a letter which I now possess, "the veriest slave to all manner of vice of any one in the ship." Not all the discipline of the service, nor the presence of his superiors, was sufficient to bridle his impure and blasphemous tongue.

The second in the Naval Articles of War provides, "that if any officer, mariner, or soldier, shall be guilty of profane oaths, cursing, execrations, drunkenness, uncleanness, or other scandalous actions, in derogation of God's honour and corruption of good manners, he shall be punished as a court-martial thinks he deserves." This is a good and salutary law, but most wretchedly executed. I had been more than ten years at sea without wit

nessing any thing like a regular punishment for oaths, cursings and execrations. At length, however, poor Robert A. furnished an instance. Having gone beyond all bounds of order and decency, he was one day tied up, and actually flogged for a breach of the former part of the above-cited Second Article of War. This made him more circumspect in the presence of his officers, but it could not reach his heart. He therefore continued in his general conduct much the same, until God himself effectually wrought on his soul, which was done in the following way.

Being one forenoon stationed in the main-top, and having no active duty to employ his time and drown reflection, he opened the chest,* and, to his joy, observed a book. In hope of finding some idle story to beguile his mind, he opened it, and began to read. The volume belonged to our circulating library; it was "Doddridge's Rise and Progress of religion in the soul;" a subject, above all others, most unwelcome to one in his state; yet he read on, to use his own words, "torturing himself by every line he read." Again and again he wished the book had been a thousand miles off, or that he had never seen it; yet he told me "that he could not put it away. The reading of it," he said, "pricked him

In each of what the landsmen call round-tops, is a chest for holding muskets, seamen's working tools, &c. &c. The maintop of a seventy-four gun ship is capable of seating twenty men: and at sea there is always a greater or less number of people aloft, in readiness to execute such duty as may be required. It was, therefore, one of my objects to keep a certain number of our library books in the top chests for their perusal.

to the heart, but still he read on, drawing all the comfort he was able from the thought, that by and by twelve o'clock would arrive, and then he should be relieved from this post, and obliged to put the book away." Twelve o'clock at length came, and, being relieved, he flew below; but he could not fly from his convictions. Ten minutes were found abundantly sufficient to take his dinner, and having left his messmates to drink both his and their own grog, as they pleased, he again sat down to the tormenting, but irresistible book. From that day he became a most patient, meek, and humble Christian. He separated from his old iniquitous companions, and passed his leisure hours in hearing, reading, and singing with the wingers, whom he had heretofore so cordially hated and despised. Nor was all the opposition of his former comrades able, in the smallest degree, to shake him.

When I first heard the report I could not give it credit, until I had sent for Robert A. to my own cabin, and satisfied myself. Indeed, so unexpected and great was the change, that it not only excited general notice, but it actually produced a kind of uproar throughout the seamen's berths, many of whom, like myself, would not credit what they heard, until they had satisfied themselves. To this end some beset him with arguments, and some with oaths and ridicule; others brought him grog, as a supposed irresistible temptation; and when he steadily refused to drink, they threw it in his face. All this, (though of a naturally high spirit) he bore patiently, never to my knowledge uttering one unbecoming expression, or doing one unchristian act, from