The Directors have also to acknowledge their obligations to not a few gentlemen, both in London and the country, who by affording their gratuitous services, in tract distribution and other labours, greatly promote the objects of this Society.

In thus presenting the synopsis of the varied labours of the year, it is pleasing to be convinced that, however peculiar the character and condition of the seaman may be, and however imminent his perils, yet, that "the glorious gospel of the blessed God," the one great instrument employed by this Society and all its provincial branches, is perfectly adapted to meet his case, and is, in fact, alone able to afford him the spiritual consolation, and the moral energy, which in his constant exposure and multiplied trials he so greatly needs. A beautiful illustration of this fact, and one amply sufficient to encourage and stimulate all the friends of the sailor's cause, occurred in the case of Capt. W. H. Prynn, the son of your senior missionary, when rounding Cape Horn, in the month of December, 1847. Having experienced heavy gales of wind for several days, which brought the ship so near the shore that to all human appearance she must strike before morning, the captain went below to pour out his supplications to God. It was about 9 P. M., when, being alone in his cabin, the words of the 23rd Psalm were forcibly applied to his mind: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me;" and the following beautiful lines were thus suggested to him:

Shall I fear when I am dying?

Shall I shrink from death's cold tide ?
Hark! an angel's voice replying,
"Jesus Christ is at thy side;
Evil from thy path shall flee,
He is nigh to comfort thee."

Still my heart his love shall cherish,

Sinking in the swelling sea;
Father, shall thy children perish,
Who have put their trust in thee?
"No, my Son has crossed the flood,
And will bring them home to God."

This my hope, my strength shall rally,

When I yield my farewell breath,
Through the gloom of that dim valley,
Darkened by the shade of Death.

Yes, for I thy love shall share-
Yes, for thou art with me there.

:::

823 11740 2752 42,024 55,030 9280'3975 7463833 2313 309 132 536 991 181 223,472 12,479 37,492 8590 15623,950

FINANCE.

your

The

The attention of the Directors has been turned to this subject with considerable anxiety. It will be remembered, that the balance-sheet of last year showed a deficit of nearly 5001.; and this, it was confidently anticipated the new measures, which it was then decided to adopt, would speedily remove. In this hope, however, as will be seen from the balance-sheet about to be submitted to you, the Directors have to mourn a disappointment, occasioned by several concurrent circumstances. The depressed state of trade, and the excitement and pressure of the times upon all classes, have been its principal causes; and through these the efforts of gentlemen successively engaged to canvass in the metropolis on behalf of your funds, were rendered comparatively fruitless; whilst the partial failure of country deputations may be ascribed to the same sources. necessary removal of your Day Schools to other premises, which involved considerable expense, and the requisite exterior repairs of the Sailors' Church, have also tended to increase the difficulty. It being needful, in this emergency, that some immediate steps should be taken with a view to meet the case, the Directors, unwilling to relieve the pressure by withdrawing from any sphere of labour at present occupied, resolved to discontinue the publication of their smaller Magazine, "The Juvenile Bethel Flag," at Christmas last; and your late secretary, the Hon. Edward Curzon, having at the same time tendered his resignation of office, the Directors felt themselves bound to accept it, and to recall your travelling secretary to his post in London. This step they have been enabled the more conveniently to take by having already secured, in the deputation department, in addition to the labours of the Rev. T. C. Finch, the occasional gratuitous services of several highly respectable ministerial representatives, and they indulge the hope that they will be able to adopt this plan to a still greater extent.

A fund towards the removal of the debt was also commenced, by means of special collecting cards, which have already realised more than 100l., though many have not yet been returned.

In addition to these measures, the Directors are happy to

report, that in reply to their memorial to the Danish Government, the rent of the Sailors' Church has been reduced by the sum of 151. per annum, for the next five years.

The Directors also, by reducing the size of their Annual Report, enlarging the type of their monthly Magazine, and making several minor alterations in their mode of operation, have effected an important retrenchment in their expenditure. Their whole plan secures a permanent reduction of upwards of 3001. upon your yearly outlay; whilst the total reduction for the present year, in consequence of the non-recurrence of the unusual expenses at the Church, and for the removal of the Schools, may be anticipated to be at least 400.

And it is a matter of regret to the Directors, that, finding it necessary to hold their annual meeting this year earlier than usual, they have not been able to avail themselves of several important items now due from your country Auxiliaries, which would have served materially to lessen the balance appearing against the Society, and the receipt of which will considerably improve its financial condition.

The Directors fondly anticipate, that having adopted these measures, with a view to extricate the Society from further difficulty, their efforts will be sustained by the increased sympathy and liberality of their constituents. They propose three modes by which the interests of the cause may be promoted. They venture to suggest that those of their friends who have the means at their command, should, for the ensuing year, increase their contributions-that in proportion to the importance which they attach to its operations, they would endeavour to recommend the claims of the Society upon their relatives and acquaintance; in doing which the Secretary will be happy to furnish them, at any time, with pamphlets explanatory of their character and extent, and particularly with the Society's stamped Magazine, which may be sent, post free, to any part of the United Kingdom-and, lastly, by cautioning those who are desirous of aiding it, against the representations of impostors, who, presenting false reports of work which they have never done, and making specious representations of plans which they can never accomplish, support themselves in comparative inac tivity by the misdirected generosity of the public.

With such co-operation on the part of their supporters, the Directors can entertain little doubt that their present encumbrance will be shortly removed, and the Society be free to adopt new plans of usefulness, and to enter fresh fields of enterprise. They hasten to conclude their Report by glancing at the improved prospects, which are now happily dawning upon it.

Throughout the whole year, the Directors, feeling that the objects of your noble Institution require only to be known to be appreciated and supported, have spared no pains to make the most urgent applications to ministers and congregations, as well as to private individuals, both in town and country, soliciting their assistance; and they are happy to add that these appeals have been rewarded by encouraging results, attributable, in a very great degree, to the zeal and perseverance of your chaplain, the Rev. T. C. Finch. By his efforts, in addition to the valuable Auxiliaries at Camberwell, Islington, and in the east of London, there has been formed in the metropolis an important Association at Spa Fields Chapel, under the patronage of the Rev. T. E. Thoresby; at Finsbury Chapel, with the countenance of the Rev. Dr. Fletcher; at the Tabernacle, City Road, with the sanction of the Rev. Dr. Campbell; and also at Harley Street, Bow, by the kind permission of the Rev. S. Davis; whilst your country deputations have been successful in establishing new Auxiliaries at Barmouth, Bideford, Derby, Ilfracombe, Nottingham, St. Ives, and Port Madoc. Old Associations have, also, been revived and invigorated; new subscribers have been won to the cause; friends departing, have bequeathed you legacies; new land stretches before you, ready to be entered and possessed; and thus, there is every reason to expect that, at the conclusion of another year, it will be seen that the Society has passed through its lengthened initiatory of darkness and clouds, and has entered upon a new path of hope and sunshine.

In the meantime, the Directors look confidently to you to rally round your chosen ensign. Let the motto of England's Nelson stimulate you to duty-let the promise of England's God encourage you to persevere.

Whilst we speak of debts and difficulties the sailor is out upon the ocean, battling with its furious billows, and while we