on board this vessel. Twenty-seven attended, and to my great surprise, when calling on some one to pray, the captain broke, silence and in a most scriptural, devout, and earnest manner addressed the throne of grace. After three sailors had prayed, I observed the mate weeping, and others apparently much affected.

I gave an address from those words"the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" I trust the word spoken was not in vain. There appeared to be a general awakening amongst those present, and at the close of the service, which was rather protracted, two sailors engaged in prayer, that had never done so in public before. The effects of this meeting were evinced by a number of those sailors then present attending the ensuing Christian fellowship meeting at the sailors' chapel, and engaging in the service. It is worthy of notice that the master and mate have become members of the Wesleyan society at Hartlepool. A singular circumstance took place a few days since at one of the wharsf, where there has been a difficulty in getting the Bethe flag hoisted. I solicited a captain, whom I had known for many years, to grant me leave to hold a meeting without hoisting any flag, &c. The request was granted the meeting was held and well attended, twenty-four being present. Three days after this, another meeting was held on board another vessel in the same tier-the Bethel flag being about to be hoisted, on my inviting the captains and crews in the tier to attend, my friend, on board of whose vessel I had held my former meeting, when I told him I intended hoisting the Bethel-flag said—"will you have my BETHEL FLAG?"— your Bethel flag-I replied, have you a Bethel flag? I have had a Bethel flag for fifteen years, and upwards? I should be glad to see it, I said." Mate, get my Bethel flag, said the captain-whilst this was doing, the captain entered into con

versation relative to his Bethel flag and the inscription thereon, which on the flag being shown was,-"God of Bethel, is, love!" He then said-I will give you this flag, if you will accept it. To which I readily agreed, thanking him for the same. In less than an hour afterthis, the newly received flag with its significant motto was seen widely extended and waving in the breeze, at the mast head of the wel known Bethel ship the Thirsk.-On my return on the river, I called the attention of my friend who gave me the flag to its being hoisted within view, he seemed pleased at the sight of it, and summoned all the crew to look at it.-It was a novel sight.

Visitation of shipping. I have held thirty two Bethel meetings, eleven of which have been new Bethel ships on the river and the Regent's canal, which have been attended by about 580 masters, mates, sailors, and others, out of which number 128 have engaged in prayer. I have held eighteen services on shore, have visited about 508 vessels, and distributed upwards of 2800 tracts. Our Bethel meetings seem more than ever to be the place which God deigns to visit in an especial manner, to supply the wants of his waiting people. Here the broken, contrite heart, finds sweet relief: and liberty to captives is proclaimed.

Sailor's Boarding Houses.-This duty has been attended as far as the time allotted for the same will admit. Tracts are in general thankfully received, and instances are not wanting to know that they have been read with profit. This important field of labour needs more attention, in as much as it meets the case of the foreign going sailor, and has a tendency to make an impression upon his mind, and bring him into a state of thoughtfulness. Many have been induced to come from those lodging-houses and attend divine service at the sailors' chapel. On one occasion, I met three sailors at a boarding-house on

the sabbath morning, employed reading their bibles. They together with four others readily came to the sailor's chapel.

Sailor's christian fellowship Meetings. -These meetings are mostly well attended by those who love and fear God. Here we come in contact with those who have received good to their souls, when on far distant shores, and here the young convert is frequently found offering up his first public thanksgiving, and giving vent to his feelings by prayer and supplication, and here in a very especial manner God deigns to be gracious.

Sailor's Chapel Services.-The services on sabbaths and on the week nights are of a more encouraging nature then heretofore, and it is a mercy to know that God is blessing the labours of his servants—additions are being made to the members of the church connected with this place of worship, and hereby we trust the divine blessing is resting upon each member. Much good will be done. Much time has been occupied in the visitation of the sick, to administer to the spiritual wants of many who appeared dead in trespasses and in sins, by pointing them to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Some hopes may be entertained that those visits have not been in vain.

First Station.-MR. BENSON.-The promises of divine truth, are at all times salutary to the mind of a christian minister, inasmuch as they are sources of consolation, presenting to him prospects of bliss; were it not so, he would often sink into despondency, and not unfrequently be ready to give up his important undertaking; but his every day experience knows his consolations are not mere imaginations, and his prospects, phantoms. Jesus affords him every encouragement, and sustains him in every difficulty. To minister in holy things among landsmen is an important

work; but more important, and even more requisite is it, that seamen should have the gospel preached to them, when we remember that they carry with them unto all parts of the world an influence of evil or of good. These thoughts have often facilitated my pursuits, and in the midst of many discouragements, have encouraged my heart.

In the course of my last three months labour amongst our sailors, I have, (perhaps more than usual) watched the results of the operations of the society, and from what my eyes have seen and ears heard, I am led to conclude most favourably in relation to them. My journal presents to me a striking contrast of attention and indifference of a goodly number, and a very bare company-of piety and sterling religion, and a contemptuous sneer; the one calculated to encourage, and the other to stimulate to greater zeal and prayer. The number of my services held during the past quarter is 42, which about 800 men have attended; what may have been the results of the word of God spoken to them, (I trust in much sincerity and prayer) the great day of God will disclose. There are, however, some pleasing signs, which I feel it my duty to mention. It is a great truth that almost every month produces some new token of divine favour; and I meet with young men who were a short period since in the ways of sin and wickedness, deeply impressed, or in the full enjoyment of sin pardoned. One evening, having read the scriptures, I called upon a well known friend to engage in prayer, the privilege was referred to a young man close by his side, who began in prayer very falteringly, but seemed to be encouraged as he proceeded; and when he had thanked God for his mercy to himself, and sought mercy for his relatives, he

then turned his intercessions in so earnest a manner for his fellow seamen, as to express himself thus:-"Lord, forgive me for my earnestness on behalf of my fellow sailors." So powerful were his pleadings for them all, that I think I may fairly say, not one present but rose from his knees

with weeping eyes and a sobbing bosom. This interesting intercession led my mind to that interesting portion of divine revelation-Abram's solicitude for Sodom, Gen. 18th chapter, 32nd verse. "And he said, O let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but this once;" which led me to speak to the men present of the deep solicitude that was felt for their spiritual welfare by converted sailors, and by the committee and ministers of the society, formed for their benefit. It was a deeply interesting meeting.

Another.-On the moral influence of religion among those who know not its spiritual power. On going into a cabin, I solicited the use of a bible. The captain, a very polite and gentlemanly man, excused himself by many apologies for not having such a book in his cabin; felt quite ashamed and pledged himself forthwith to rectify that great error. This is almost a solitary case in my own operations—the not having a bible on board ship. At the close of the meeting, the captain gave me a hearty shake of the hand, with expressions of his highest approval of our services.

Another.-A proof of the beneficial influence of one institution of a benevolent character upon another. My old place of worship being appointed me one evening, namely, the Thirsk, of great notoriety for religion and benevolence-going aboard capt. Rippon introduced me to a gentleman, an active lieutenant in the navy, who had come on board to observe and engage in the Bethel service-there were present twenty-five, and the service solemn and deeply interesting, which, as the before-mentioned gentleman expressed, was highly gratifying to him, and only regretted that such services were not permitted among the sailors on board her majesty's ships-this gentleman is a member of the

total abstinence society. This connection brought him in contact with the captain of the Thirsk.

Another. A proof of the combining influences of religion.

On going on board the ship Oriana, capt. Sleightholm, there was present a city missionary who had been induced to come on board-there were present thirty-five or forty men-the missionary, deeply impressed with the scene, declared to me on our way home, he could not have supposed such things were in operation-he was a member of the church of England, as he expressed himself-he read the scriptures, prayed, and at the close of my address, continued the service by very spiritual exhortations to the sailors.

Another. Of the influence of persua

sion.

The last service held on board a ship this week-the mate invited the captain of an adjoining vessel to come to the meeting-his answer was, he could not-he did not think he should.'-Persuasion prevailed-he came-the service was progressed in, prayers were offered, &c. The text announced the words from 2 Peter iii. 15, first clause. "Account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation."-During the address saw a man with his head reclining upon his hands, bent forward - supposed he was inclined to sleep. My worthy friend, capt. Sleightholm followed my address by the words from Romans ii. 4, 5, 6 verses, on