Beneficial Results of Marine Associations. that city. This example was speedily followed by New York, Charleston, and Newhaven; and there is every reason to hope that it will gradually extend to every sea-port of the American Union. The Annual Reports of these societies, and of the local institutions with which they are respectively connected, afford the most gratifying testimonies of their beneficial effects. Of these, the following will be read with peculiar interest: "The Chaplain at the navy-yard, after circulating among the crew of the Hornet sloop of war some copies of the First Report of the society, and exhibiting to them the importance of possessing the holy scriptures, received the following address, which he inclosed to the Secretary in a letter, wherein he remarks:- Judge for yourself; for I have not language to express, what must have been the state of my feelings, when the inclosed paper was put into my hands this day. I have ascertained that it was written, without any assistance, by a common seaman : 'To the Rev. JOHN IRELAND We the subscribers, fully impressed with the importance of the truths promulgated by you, kind sir, to the crew of the Hornet this day, are desirous of uniting with our Christian brethren in the dispersion of the Gospel of that JESUs to whom we all look as our common Saviour; and for that purpose (with our grateful thanks to you for your kind attention), do agree to allow, out of our monthly pay, the mites affixed to our respective names, to the Bible Marine Society, in support of so generous, so worthy, and so charitable an institution. 'New York, Feb. 1, 1818.' "This was signed by fifty of the crew. The sums affixed to their names were from six cents. to one dollar a month; the whole amounting, during the two years for which they subscribed, to about two hundred dollars. This being communicated to the Board, they immediately passed a resolution expressive of their high approbation of this truly generous and praiseworthy conduct; and, as a testimony of their regard, presented to each of the men a Bible. The purser of the Hornet agreeing to deduct from their wages the sums subscribed, they received their certificates of membership. When the resolution was communicated, several of the crew became members for life." "A short time since, a seaman called on one of the managers, and proposed giving a dollar to the Marine Bible Society. He observed, that after the Bible was put on board the vessel in which he sailed, his companions, instead of assembling together to gamble and drink, as they formerly had done, would surround any one who was disposed to read the Bible, and listen to the instructions of heavenly wisdom." "A ship from this port received at Canton a Bible from another ship belonging to this country. The crew, consisting of about thirty, began to read it, and soon became dissatisfied with their former mode of spending their leisure hours. They destroyed a pack of cards which was on board; and, during their voyage home, frequently assembled to read the Bible. Not satisfied with one copy, they resolved, that, should they arrive in New York, they would have Bibles of their own. Several of these men have joined the society." The Committee of the New-York Marine Bible Society, from whose Second Annual Report the preceding Extracts are taken, pointedly observe :-" Of the Bibles distributed by this Society, we Exemplary conduct of Captain Osman.-Stockholm Marine Association. do not know of a single instance of improper usage: but we know of many in which the most happy effects have been produced." In the same Report, a remark is offered, which well deserves the serious consideration, not only of the Committees of Marine Bible Societies, but of every individual connected with shipping, who rightly appreciates his own interest: "We must avail ourselves of this opportunity to suggest to merchants, ship-owners, and captains, who are desirous of promoting the best interests of seamen, the importance of giving a preference to those men who are members of this society, a list of whom may always be found at the depository. Seamen, in order to be benefitted in this way, must report their names at the depository, whenever they come in from sea, or are in want of employment." The following letter from Captain W. B. Osman, of the ship Pacific, was transmitted, in the autumn of 1817, to the President of the Philadelphia Marine Society, with a box of Chinese silks; and holds out an example worthy of general imitation: "SIR-On my departure for Canton, last year, you did me the favour of placing in my hands a number of copies of the Holy Bible, for the purpose of distribution. I have now the satisfaction to inform you, that, in every instance, they have been received with emotions of joy and gratitude. "Highly appreciating the objects of your institution, while at Canton, I originated, among our countrymen there, a subscription in aid of your funds; and feel much pleasure in communicating to you the result. One hundred dollars were paid to me at Canton, and seventy dollars subscribed payable ia Philadelphia. Believing that the interest of the society would be promoted by the measure, I invested the hundred dollars in Canton goods; which, together with the original book of subscription, and thirty dollars since collected, I now commit to your care, with my warmest wishes for the prosperity and usefulness of your association. If this humble effort to subserve the cause of religion and truth should meet your approbation, I shall be amply rewarded. W. B. OSMAN.” 9. In the year 1818, a Marine Bible Association was formed in the city of Stockholm, which distributed, within the first year, nearly three hundred New Testaments to the seamen belonging to the squadron in ordinary at that port. "But (observe the Committee) there are still three hundred more marines, and seven hundred enrolled seamen, who are looking up to your Committee to fulfil their hopes, which have been so long deferred: the intention is, to give each of them a New Testament in duodecimo, that it may be carried either in their knapsacks or tea-chests, when ordered upon duty." 66 Eternity's vast ocean lies before us. Give the mind sea-room; keep it wide of earth, Weigh anchor, spread the sails, call every wind, Eye the great Pole Star-make the LAND OF LIFE!" Grand Junction and General Canal Association. This appears to be the most suitable place for introducing a brief sketch of an institution, which holds a kind of intermediate rank between Marine Bible Societies and those of a more general description. The establishment referred to was formed at Paddington, on the 20th of March 1816, and was designated "THE GRAND JUNCTION AND GENERAL CANAL BIBLE ASSOCIATION," under the distinguished patronage of the Bishops of Durham, Norwich, and Gloucester; and conducted by a President, Treasurer, three Secretaries, and a Committee consisting of thirty-three other gentlemen. The object of this Association was defined in an Address, from which the following is an extract: "The number of persons employed in navigating the boats on the Grand Junction and other canals, is estimated at about 6000: including their wives and families, the number is probably not less than 20,000. These may be said almost to live upon the water; and, by the peculiar nature of their occupation, are precluded all opportunity of attending public worship on the sabbath-day. For this deprivation, no remedy offers itself, equal to that of providing them with copies of the holy scriptures. The BIBLE is the word of life;-it is the Christian's grand charter; it is his guide through a world of sorrow to a world of happiness; it is the rich man's best treasure; the poor man's best friend. The object of this institution is therefore to supply these people with Bibles and Testaments at cost or reduced prices. The experiment has already been made; and the proposal has been most cordially and gratefully received: many Bibles and Testaments have been eagerly purchased; and there appears, on inquiry, a great and increasing desire to possess the Word of God." On the establishment of this society, a grant of three hundred Bibles and Testaments was immediately made by the Committee of the Parent Institution, of which the major proportion were speedily and gratefully purchased by the boatmen. In the spring of 1818, it was deemed advisable to unite this association to the North-West London Auxiliary Society, a measure which has been attended with very considerable advantage. As the constitution of this society is precisely similar to that of other associations,—although its object, as already observed, is restricted to the supply of the canal boatmen and their families,-it is only necessary to add the following summary of its results:— Total Amount paid to the Auxiliary Society £. 45.0.10 Total Number of Bibles and Testaments distributed. . 426. Nor has the progress of this little Association been unaccompanied by those collateral benefits which never fail to follow the establishment of Bible Societies. At an early period after its formation, a " Canal School" was instituted at Paddington, School for the Education of Children of Boatmen. for the education of the children of the boatmen ; in reference to whom the Committee of the Auxiliary Society observe: "There are already more than 150 children, lately running about the wharfs in idleness and ignorance, but now making a progress in reading and writing, and especially in a knowledge of the Bible, which has been truly gratifying and surprising to all who have attended in order to examine them. It is but a just tribute to a humble and worthy individual, to state, that this school owed its commencement to the zeal and benevolence of a gentleman's servant, who had frequently witnessed with regret the ignorance of these boatmen's children, and which induced him modestly to exert what influence he possessed with others in their behalf, in which he succeeded beyond his most ardent expectation. It should also be subjoined, as a fair addition to this sketch, that, besides certain small donations, this individual has tendered his name as a subscriber of not less than a guinea a year." In reference to this particular subject, it would be unjust to omit an allusion to the exemplary Committee of the Uxbridge Auxiliary Society, who adopted measures in the year 1812 for supplying this long-neglected class of men with the holy scriptures, by allotting a Bible of a large print to each of the barges navigating the canal between Brentford and Rickmansworth. In order more effectually to insure the object of this benefaction, they directed the Bible to be attached to the barge itself, by a printed label specifying its name, and inviting all persons employed therein to avail themselves of the privilege of reading it. It is earnestly hoped that those examples will be more generally followed by Local Bible Societies on the line of our numerous canals and navigable rivers; and that those who feel interested in the moral and spiritual welfare of this class of our labouring population, will co-operate in this work of mercy, anticipating His blessing, who hath said, "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." CHAP. VII. LADIES' BIBLE SOCIETIES. SHE STRETCHETH OUT HER HAND TO THE POOR; YEA, SHE REACHETH FORTH HER HANDS TO THE NEEDY." PROVERBS, XXXI. 20. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 1. IN no respect is the present age more peculiarly distinguished, than by the disposition so strongly and generally manifested by the Female Sex to co-operate in those extensive plans of mercy and benevolence, which have shed around it a lustre unknown to any former period. To those who are acquainted with the modern literature of our country, it must be evident that a great and important change has gradually taken place in the Female character;-that the intellectual powers have been more diligently studied and assiduously cultivated; the superiority of mental pursuits more fully appreciated; and that, without forfeiting a particle of that delicacy, for the sacrifice of which no attainment can compensate, Woman has assumed a higher title to our admiration and esteem. Nor is it less obvious, that this general improvement is owing, in no inconsiderable degree, to the admirable writings of many enlightened females, and especially to those of one venerable character, who may justly be entitled the But it is the practical application of Moralist of her Sex. the lessons thus acquired, which we are now called on to contemplate. The acquisition of knowledge, however extensive, loses half its value if it be not communicated to others; and that benevolence is of a very questionable nature, which can rest satisfied with a desire to be useful, but makes no sacrifice and no effort to accomplish the object of its wishes. Happily for the interests of our country and of humanity; happily for the children of poverty and wretchedness; the Women of Great Britain have afforded an illustration, unequalled in the annals of the world, of a truth which no sophistry can hereafter successfully assail,-that the cultivation of the mind |