That to preserve them from the grasp of the lodging-house keepers, the house shall be open to them during the whole of the day, subject to specific regulations.

That means be adopted to supply them with the sacred scriptures, and tracts of a purely religious character.

That if practicable, (and if ministers can be found, without regard to name or party, who are qualified and willing to engage in the work,) religious instruction be communicated to them once a week.

That to carry these objects into effect, a subscription be opened for this specific purpose, and that a special Committee be appointed to conduct the whole business, whose report shall be embodied and presented with the annual report of the British and Foreign Sailor's Society.

To commend such an object to the sympathy and liberality of our readers, we deem to be wholly superfluous. We are sure it will speak for itself. And when the appeal is made for the necessary means, a thousand hearts will cheerfully and with haste respond.

THE RIVER THAMES.

Report of the Rev C. J. Hyatt, Superintendent of the Agency.

Having been absent from London during the month, on a visit to Wales, I have but a brief report to present. The operations, both afloat and on shore, have been conducted with regularity and success. The number of Bethel services held since the last report, have amounted to 116. The attendance has exceeded 2530.

The verbal, as well as the written statements of the Agents, on the 16th ultimo at their monthly meeting, confirmed the usual reports given, both as to the welcome they receive, and the attention paid to their instructions. In addition to what is now supplied by them, a report will be found in the present magazine from the Queen Street chapel Association, in connexion with the East London Auxiliary to our Society, which that committee have kindly promised to furnish quarterly. Some extensive enquiries are now in progress by the Auxiliary, into the state of the sailors along the whole course of the river, from Blackwall to London bridge, to ascertain whether any efforts can be made by them, especially on the sabbath, in co-operation with the parent society. I have, in assisting these movements, visited several lodging-houses for sailors, to enquire into the numbers that resort to them, and whether they would be willing to receive the stated visitation of the members of the

auxiliary; to which they cheerfully agreed. I have also visited the docks, in compliance with the request of the committee, to prepare the way for some efforts for the benefit of the Lascars, who may henceforth come to London. Public attention having been invited to the neglected state of these men, the auxiliary requested the Rev. G. Smith, of Poplar, and myself, to enquire into their condition, and ascertain what means could be adopted for their benefit. I went in company with a gentleman who could speak the Bengalee, that we might have some conversation with them. We were however disappointed by not meeting with a single Lascar in either of the docks, nor could we learn that there were any in London. A visit paid by myself to a part where they resort, near my own chapel, was followed by the same result. It is during winter that they are found here. It is the duty of the christian church to attempt something on their behalf. The effort will be made. Mr. Jones the secretary of the Tract Society has assured me, in a conversation I had with him upon the subject, that he had no doubt (could we ascertain the language which the majority of them speak) but their committee would write to India, and procure for us a supply of tracts.

On Friday last Mr. Althans, from the Borough Road School, with myself, spent the morning in examining the children in our day schools. There were present 102 boys, and 64 girls. The progress of the children was highly satisfactory, and the schools were considered by Mr. Althans in a state highly creditable to those by whom they are conducted.

During my absence from London, I have had the pleasure of attending several meetings in the principality, on behalf of our Society, in company with our esteemed friend, the Rev. E. E. Adams; but as the result of this tour will be given by him, I shall not anticipate the information he is prepared to supply. Wherever we went we met with a cordial reception, and felt assured that we were engaged in a cause that was gradually securing to itself, the sympathies and confidence of the christian public.

AGENTS MEETING-HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING, 16TH SEPTEMBER.

Brethren, pray for us; that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified." Such was the earnest request of him who was the chief of the apostles, and pre-eminently endowed with supernatural gifts and qualifications. Such too, is our request, that by the

prayers of God's church helping us, we may be steadfast and immoveable in the great work to which we are pledged; and that through the instrumentality now employed, the Redeemer may soon have dominion from sea to sea.

AGENTS' REPORTS.

AUXILIARY OPERATIONS.

REPORT OF QUEEN STREET SAILORS' SOCIETY,

IN CONNEXION WITH THE EAST LONDON AUXILIARY.

One of four voluntary and gratuitous visitors, in succession on each Lord's day, goes forth to labour in the dock, or Regent's canal basin. In the early part of the present year little was done, from the want of a suitable supply of tracts; but in February a better arrangement was made by the committee of the Auxiliary, from which period no want has been

experienced; and the visitors report, that between the end of February and August last, they have visited 289 vessels and a large number of country barges; among the crews of these, and to the sailors on the banks and on shore, they have distributed 2040 tracts, some magazines, and a number of hand-bills; that they have had many opportunities of directing the objects of their solicitude to the only Saviour. They also state, that their invitations to the seamen to come to the house of God are often attended to, and that when there, the seamen manifest, by their serious deportment and marked attention, that they are not a little interested in the word preached.

One deck service has been conducted under the Bethel flag, on board the Odin, captain Green. Besides the friends from the shore, eighteen sailors were present. After the usual preliminary devotions, an address was delivered by one of the deacons of the church at Queen street, and two of the seamen prayed in closing, much to the edification and comfort of all.

Extracts from the Journals of the Visitors.

On viewing my work this day, I was fearful I should not reach more than one or two vessels, they lay so very awkwardly for boarding; but, on the contrary, visited fourteen, and expended all my tracts. This was effected through the kind offer of the mate of the first vessel I boarded, who placed a boy and boat at my disposal. The lad was as willing as the mate, and seemed determined that no vessel should be left out, saying (after having visited all the vessels on the west side of the basin,) "There are more over there, sir," pointing to those on the eastern side. To these he pulled, and on board of these, as on the western, had the usual kind reception, and what was advanced was listened to with patience and serious attention.

Not having had a sufficient supply of tracts this day, made a free distribution of hand-bills. The last I gave away was to a fine young man, just about to go on board his ship. While giving a word with the paper, he cast his eye upon it, and pointed to the word "Hell;" asked me if I knew what it meant. Looking at the connexion, I told him it there meant the place of perdition, of punishment and woe, but that the same word did not always bear the same signification, and gave an example. He then asked if I believed that there was such a place.' I said 'most assuredly, as I found it frequently referred to in God's holy word, as well as the way of escape from it, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.' This led to an interesting conversation, in which he made it manifest that he was troubling himself for a solution of that which is not solved in holy writthe secret things. At closing, he said that he read the Bible. I commended him to continue so to do with prayer, to understand it; and concluded with the gospel message,—' God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life.' He seemed serious and anxious throughout, and I felt deeply interested in him. May God the Spirit be his teacher henceforth!