attention again to this most important part of British India, and joy. fully will they extend their fraternal aid to their kindred institution at Calcutta. In the meantime the case is presented to the British public on its own merits. We know that it is in the management of worthy and able hands, and we sincerely trust that, in advocating the claims of his adopted city, the Rev. Dr. Boaz will meet with a liberal response, and return thither, not only with an efficient missionary to occupy the vacant sphere, but with an amount of funds which will truly gladden the hearts of his fellow-labourers, and encourage them to proceed earnestly with the erection of their proposed edifice.

We are glad to hear that Madras is also earnestly concerned for the good of seamen. A Sailors' Home has been maintained there for some years, and now the Committee have engaged a young sailor in the capacity of Seamen's Missionary, who has just left this country for the sphere of his destination. We commend him to the protection of the God of the ocean, and sincerely trust that his labours will be abundantly blessed.

Returning to our own port, our readers cannot but be struck with the fearful ravages of the cholera amongst the seamen in the colliers and coasters lying in the river, reported by our missionaries this month. These facts tend to show the necessity of some immediate measures being taken to "heal the waters" of the Thames by otherwise disposing of the soil and filth of the metropolis, which at present are conveyed by all the great sewers direct into its stream. The stench arising from this abomination is unquestionably the cause of much of this disease; but when it is known that the common beverage of the men on board these vessels is this identical water, taken up at flow of tide from this filthy river, and allowed to stand and settle in the water-casks on deck, it is only surprising that more lives have not been sacrificed, and it will be seen that the attention of Government has been directed to the nuisance by no means earlier than it was imperatively demanded. But there is another evil requiring remedy, and we are glad to find, from the speech recently made in the House of Commons by Mr. Labouchere, that it has not escaped his notice. We refer to the confined, and often miserable accommodation provided for seamen in the forecastle of their ships. It is not surprising that, predisposed to disease by the nuisances connected with the river, the seamen should fall its ready victims, when their only chamber is this wretched place, where, as in a narrow dungeon, dark, and close, and damp, the whole ship's company, excepting always the master and the mate, are huddled up to eat, and drink, and sleep together. We are not prepared to advocate to the full the demand for eight square feet, made by Mr. Labouchere, for each seaman; but, certainly, alteration is demanded, and we trust that it will be liberally conceded by shipowners in an improved construction or arrangement of their vessels.

The attendance at the Sailors' Church has been recently very

encouraging, and we have pleasing evidences that the blessing of God is attending the preaching of His truth there. On the first Lord's day in August no fewer than six individuals were added to the little band associated in church fellowship, and who, from time to time, "keep the feast" of the Lord together.

Our missionaries continue to visit the population of Barking. It is a village near the mouth of the river Lea, a few miles below London. The inhabitants are almost all fishermen, and by their toils chiefly is the London market supplied. When a number of their smacks are in, one of our missionaries visits the place, circulates tracts on board their little vessels, or in their dwellings, and in the evening conducts a service expressly for their benefit. We are glad to find this attention is gratefully received and likely to prove useful.

We have published, under the head "Provincial Operations," a letter from our esteemed missionary in Cornwall. It was not intended by him as a report for publication, but we felt its contents would be so gratifying to our readers that it was not desirable to withhold them. It will be seen that Mr. Trotter has arrived in safety at his sphere of labour, and that he has commenced his work at Falmouth and the surrounding district with encouraging prospects of success. He has still to report respecting Penzance, and we trust that a similar reception awaits him there. The time is approaching for our annual services throughout the county, which being undertaken by Mr. Trotter, will afford the several District Associations an opportunity of forming the acquaintance, and appreciating the qualifications of their coast missionary.

We avail ourselves of this opportunity of conveying the sincere thanks of the Directors to the friends at Portsea and Ryde, for their kind response to the appeal lately made on behalf of the Society by our much-esteemed friend, the Rev. G. Smith. The deep impression his eloquence has left upon their hearts, we trust, will furnish lasting evidences of the importance and value of his kind and efficient services. The Rev. T. C. Finch, accompanied by Mr. Lonsdale, has recently visited the town of Buckingham, where they found cordial hospitality and earnest liberality awaiting them. For some years the Society has enjoyed the support of Mr. J. Stallworthy, who has sent an annual remittance from the town, and we feel convinced, from the kindness now manifested, that the number and amount of subscriptions will in future be considerably increased.

We earnestly invite the co-operation of our friends in Devonshire and Staffordshire in aid of the deputations about to visit them, and cannot but especially express our earnest desire that the Society's minister, the Rev. T. C. Finch, will enjoy in the former county even a more hearty reception than last year attended the visit of the Secretary. We need hardly say that upon the stanch support of the Society's friends in Staffordshire we rely with the utmost confidence.

90 75

37 4 215 61

25 116 17

Missionary Operations.

PORT OF LONDON.

CAPTAIN PRYNN'S REPORT.

Death is now making an inroad of a most alarming nature amongst our sailors on board the ships in the river Thames as well as in other ports, many being called from time into eternity, in a few hours, by cholera or diarrhoea. Yet is there an awful indifference and insensibility manifested on the part of many, even on board vessels where some of the crew have died. Well may we use the language of the prophet, and say, "Oh, that they were wise, that they understood those things, that they would consider their latter end." I have endeavoured to improve these melancholy circumstances at my Bethel meetings. On one occasion there were three deaths within a few ships' lengths of where I was holding a Bethel meeting, and all had died after about four or six hours' illness, and all within a few hours of each other. Our meeting was one of a solemn nature; the flags on board the vessels around us were halfmast high, and amongst the rest was seen the Bethel flag, also half-mast, intimating that some improvement would be made of the solemn events. The address was given from those words "How short my time is." There were many tears shed at the time, and I trust the effects will be found after many days. At another meeting, held on board the Ocean, off Coal Stairs, the cabin, steerage, and state-room were crowded. Two seamen had died in this tier the day before, and it, therefore, became necessary to put the survivors in remembrance of the solemnities of death. The words chosen on this occasion were, "Prepare to meet thy God."

The following evening a similar service was held on board the Swallow, Bell Wharf tier. Here we were between the dying and the dead. On board the vessel, on the one side, a seaman had died in the morning, and on the other side there was a man lying near to death, and who expired about three hours afterwards. At this meeting seven prayed. On board the Gemini, where the former captain had lately died, I held a very excellent meeting. There were several present who had attended my two former meetings, and the present captain is an old friend of mine, whom I much esteem. The cook, also, is a very pious man, a member of the Sailor's Church, Wellclose-square, and a person constant in his attendance upon the services there, when in London. At this meeting six sailors, and others, engaged in prayer. Two sailors appeared deeply affected. I held some little conversation with them after the service, and commended them in prayer to God and to the word of his grace.

In visiting the London and St. Katharine Docks this past month, I have met several pious captains, who have arrived from various foreign ports, as Hobart Town, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Rio Janeiro, Port Adelaide, Leghorn, Riga, Memel, and Cronstadt. From all these places the accounts are most pleasing. In some the work of the Lord is prospering on shore, at others the Bethel meetings have been well attended on board the vessels, and many evident tokens of good have appeared. Captain W., of the L- —, from Singapore, tells me he believes seven of his crew were truly converted during their passage home (136 days). I met five of them the day they were paid

off from the ship, clean, healthy, respectable looking men, and now quite conversant with the Scriptures. When reminding them of the dangers and temptations to which they were exposed, they replied, "We are all safe; our money is in the captain's hands, who will send it to us where we are going. We all go to our homes after a two years' trip to-morrow. God bless you for your good advice," they all replied. Never did I see four finer young men stepping out of a ship.

At Riga I am happy to hear the Bethel flag has been flying sometimes four and even six times a week, on board of one vessel and another. The preachers on these occasions have been chiefly captains, mates, and carpenters, of whom there has been no lack to carry out the good work.

From Leghorn we have pleasing intelligence that the Bethel meetings have been carried on there, and that there has been a goodly attendance of sailors at the same. The British Vice-consul takes a very deep interest in the cause there, and does much to promote it.

The Bethel meetings at Cronstadt this year have not been so general as the last on board our British ships, but they have been more frequent on board American ships, where greater numbers have attended than on any former occasions. Some two or three of our friends, the American captains, have, with a few of our British captains, been actively engaged in this good work, and their labours appear to have been blessed by the great Head of the Church. I have paid 17 visits to sick friends; held 10 Bethel services afloat; 12 services on shore; distributed 880 tracts; 75 back numbers of the magazine; visited 392 vessels; 203 sailors have attended; made 104 visits to sailors' lodging-houses; sold 24 Bibles and 12 Testaments.

MR. S. LONSDALE'S REPORT.

During the past month I have had opportunities of reminding sailors of the shortness of time and the uncertainty of life, for several, from time to time, have been called to render their account. I have also been called to pray with the sick and apparently dying sailor, and to point him to that Saviour whose blood is able to cleanse from all sin.

I have spent much time in visiting the ships in the river and docks; and where I have found sailors unemployed, I have endeavoured to enter into conversation with them, and impress them with the necessity of seeking these things that belong to their peace. Some have been able to give a reason of the hope which is in them, but vast numbers are strangers to godliness. I met with one young man, the mate of a foreign-going ship, whom one would suppose was necessarily an educated man, in order to fulfil the duties of his position. He said he was glad to have people on board the ship who speak of the Bible; but it was very evident that he had neglected to read it, for he seemed entirely ignorant of Christ, and of what he had done to save him; so I endeavoured to show him that Christ, by the sacrifice of himself, had made ample atonement for the sins of mankind, and that "Whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I am sometimes much encouraged by conversations held with seamen, and feel happy in being permitted to speak to them of Christ and his " great salvation.' The religious tracts we give are favourably received, and are, I believe, for the most part read, for I am frequently told when I offer a tract-"I have read that, sir." I have also put two or three parcels of old magazines on board of ships bound to different parts of the world. Many of these are not only interesting but instructive, and, through the blessing of God, calculated to lead a seeking