As of prayer and zeal, but had grown weary in well-doing, and had been for some time living in a backsliding state; he had attended my services during the week, and had got his soul quickened in the ways of the Lord. soon as I had closed my discourse, he engaged in prayer, in which he poured forth his thankfulness for restoring grace, and at the close of the service he spoke of the good he had received, promised to join a Christian church when he reached home, and then offered to give any young man present a Bible, who had not one. The next I refer to, was held on board the Quicksilver of Sunderland. Several praying captains were present, and a very gracious influence pervaded the meeting. One young man wept much under the word-I trust he will, ere long, find mercy and peace to his soul; these gracious manifestations of divine power and goodness assure us that our labours are not in vain in the Lord. During the month I have held ten services afloat, attended by 142 seamen, also twelve on shore, and attended two public meetings. I have visited 433 vessels, and paid 126 visits to lodging-houses and seamen's families, distributed 2,320 tracts and 45 old magazines. I have sold 34 English Bibles and 28 Testaments, 2 Welch Bibles, 4 Italian Testaments, and 19 of the Society's Magazines. CARL VON BÜLOW'S REPort. In looking into my journal I find, on the 1st of January, the following entered:-"Praise and thanks be to the Lord, who has preserved and upheld me through another year, and has borne with me, with long-suffering and patience, in my many short-comings, and has enabled me to look up to Jesus, our High Priest and Mediator, the author and finisher of our faith. Amen! In the evening of that day I became very ill, and I soon found that I had been infected by a disease, which of late had prevailed very much on the Dreadnought, viz., erysipelas. For three weeks I was a close prisoner, but by the means used, and which the Lord blessed, I recovered much quicker than the medical gentleman who attended me had expected, and I have also by degrees recovered strength. I had, meanwhile, several interesting visitors; two Egyptian officers, from the steam frigate which I once had visited, made me a long visit; they had acquired a good deal of the English language; I spoke to them as I thought they might be able to receive. I intend to return their visit as soon as I can find an opportunity. Several Norwegians also visited me at different times, and I was enabled to converse with them of the things that belong to our eternal salvation; they told me a great deal about some parts of Norway, where I had been twenty-two years ago. On the 27th of January I made an attempt to commence my work again, but found it needful to abstain; again I tried on the 4th of February, but was soon fatigued by the climbing of ships, and I had for some days a severe cold. Since the 9th, however, I have been able to continue without interruption, and endeavoured to make up the best I could for the neglect of the foreign seamen. I have thus visited all the different parts, conversing with such as I could have access to, and I have had very interesting communications, particularly with two captains and one mate. I have found very friendly receptions on board of several French and Italian ships-but the poor fellows that come from Trieste, and other ports thereabout, can but few of them read, and dare not have any part of Holy Scripture, for fear of being put in prison. I have only been able once to arrange for divine service at Blackwall, and had there a small but very attentive assembly of Danes. There had been three from the London, and as many from a Danish vessel in the Commercial Docks, who in vain had endeavoured to find the place. I have also distributed tracts in the lodginghouses to sailors of almost every European nation, but there have been no German emigrants. Some exiles from Hungary I found, to whom I gave German tracts. Twice I have been on the Dreadnought; the second time I was there, the physician came to me and told me I ought not to come there yet, as I was too weak, and, therefore, in danger of being infected again, as there were several cases of erysipelas; but, I thank the Lord, I am getting stronger every day, and I have no fear. I found some of all nations, and discoursed to them of the things that are for their preservation unto life eternal, furnished them with Bibles and tracts, exhorting them to make good use of their leisure time, which is given them, and commended them to the grace of our God and Saviour. I also sold two New Testaments. I have thus, in some measure, again been able to attend to my calling, and I hope the Lord will bless my feeble exertions. I have made 157 visits on board of ships, and 9 in lodging-houses. I have had but one service and 10 hearers. I have sold 9 Bibles, 18 Testaments, and 37 parts of Scripture, and, finally, distributed 1,292 tracts. PROVINCIAL OPERATIONS. MILFORD. CAPT. J. LEWIS'S REPORT OF TOUR IN WALES. It was my intention, ere this, to have given you some few particulars respecting our late visit into North Wales, on behalf of the Society, but since my return I have been so pressed by engagements here, that I have not before had opportunity to do so. I left Milford on the 15th of January, accompanied by Captain Evans of the Victory. We held our first meeting at Fishguard, where we considered we made a tolerable beginning. There are a few hearty in the cause here, and render us all possible assistance. From thence to Cardigan, where our usual kind reception awaited us, from tried friends. Our success here was no doubt limited by a contested election which was about to take place. All was high excitement, and in some instances, before we could state our business, the answer was "6 my vote is promised," imagining we were canvassing for a seat in the House of Commons, as (for the time) many of the good inhabitants seemed to have no ideas but what were connected with the representation of their county in Parliament. However, in the midst of this electioneering glee, an awful providence at once arrested the public mind; the Agnes Lee of Shields, only a few days from Cork, became a total wreck near the harbour. Six bodies cast upon the shore were interred at the same time, the remains of the captain's wife and child were conveyed to their native place. The rest of the crew, three or four in number, were saved through the brave and noble exertions of Capt. Bowen of the Magdalene, who was permitted, under Providence, to be the instrument of extending the day of their probation, which we hope and pray may be duly felt and appreciated by them. The poor captain's body was not then found, Had there been a life-boat at hand, all might have been saved. I am glad to find attention is now being directed to this important acquisition to their harbour: Our route was next to Aberporth, Penmortha, Aberayron, Llanon, to Aberystwith; in each place we received the most Christian kindness and attention to our personal comfort. The weather was indeed wet, and uncomfortable, but the cheering welcome our good Welsh friends extended to us, was a powerful antidote to all our inconveniences. We arrived at Aberystwith on Saturday evening, and, according to previous announcement, Capt. Evans preached at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, the following day, and here, as at previous places, his ministry was most acceptable. On the following morning no less than six of our worthy Welsh captains assisted us in getting in our subscriptions; and although this place, like Cardigan, was full of electioneering zeal, yet our work did not suffer so much as was feared; indeed, the spirit of liberality seems to be on the increase; we have many valuable friends here, and I am sure my worthy colleague, any more than myself, will not soon forget their unbounded hospitality. We had a wellattended meeting at the Baptist Chapel; the Rev. Mr. Williams, the pastor, afforded us every assistance, as also the ministers of other denominations. On Tuesday we arrived at Borth; here our cause was completely a new one; they kindly promised to interest themselves in it, and to send the proceeds to the auxiliary at Aberystwith. From thence we started to Aberdovey, where we had again to introduce the Society to notice. We had a meeting that evening; the worthy clergyman took the chair, and in a warm and truly pious manner recommended the Society to the public. There was, he stated, something remarkable in his engagement that evening, as in his devotional exercises during the morning he had felt an unusual desire to be made increasingly useful to the church of Christ; he looked upon his unexpected call to the office he held that evening as an answer to prayer, and with his usual liberality tendered the cause a sovereign. An auxiliary was formed here, which we trust, on our visit next year, to find in a prosperous state. Our next halt was at Towyn, where we interested a few individuals in the work. From hence we proceeded to Barmouth, where we were received by Capt. Humphries, who took the cause warmly in hand, and after a meeting an auxiliary was formed, and our friend, Capt. H., took the office of treasurer.Dyffryn was our next stage, where the Rev. Mr. Humphries very cordially received us; we left the business in his hands, which doubtless will be ably managed. Passing through Harloch, we arrived at Talsarna; our business here was only to secure a guide across the sands, which are dangerous to the unwary traveller, from their shifting character; we crossed them without accident, and soon arrived at the limit of our proposed tour, viz., Port Madoc, nearly fifty miles farther northward than we had before visited. This place is especially noted for its exportation of slates. Here we found they had kindly postponed, for our accommodation, the anniversary meeting of their "Insurance Club." Samuel Holland, Esq., a large slate proprietor, after hearing of the operations of the Society, seemed deeply interested, and kindly consented to become president of the new auxiliary. Capt. Pritchard, and several other influential men, have promised to superintend its interests, and I doubt not that the "Port Madoc Auxiliary" will soon stand high with the Parent Society. This was our turning point, and, in wending our way back, our route was more circuitous, as well as more mountainous. In order to embrace some places not visited before, we arrived at Dolgelly on Saturday evening, and on the Sabbath Capt. Evans preached two Welsh sermons, and I addressed the Wesleyan congregation in English, as their minister was from home. The friends here agreed to work in connexion with the Barmouth Auxiliary, and Mr. and Mrs. Williams, who very kindly received us, promised us their best efforts for the Society. At Machynlleth we held our next meeting; we had a collection, and many fair promises for the future. Having for many days been much exposed to cold and wet, I was attacked with severe English cholera, and for two or three nights suffered extremely; symptoms not being so severe during the day, I managed to go on with the work. My colleague was also exceedingly unwell; but the wonder is, how we were not both laid up-travelling, as we did, so constantly in wet and boisterous weather; but our Heavenly Father cared for us and his work. We were especially indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Jones for their sympathising kindness. After passing Aberystwith, we called at Llanrhysted, New Quay, Newport, and Dinas, holding meetings and getting in our subscriptions at each place. At the hospitable mansion, Llaingwair, George Bowen, Esq. and lady received us with their accustomed kindness; and Mrs. Bowen obligingly promised to send me, per first opportunity, a large package of magazines, &c. &c., for the use of seamen. On Saturday, February 3rd, returned to Haverfordwest in tolerable health of body, and cheered and happy in mind— enabled, through divine goodness, to raise an Ebenezer of praise for preserving mercy and providential care. In reference to my work here, I shall merely give you a brief extract of visits to shipping, &c. &c., since I last wrote, reserving particulars for my next: Meetings on board, 17; sailors in attendance, 183; visits to shipping 227, to lodging-houses 15, to seamen's families 30, to the sick 26. I have distributed 908 English and 486 Welsh tracts; and have sold 13 English Bibles and 4 Testaments, and 18 Welsh Bibles and 4 Testaments. WISBEACH. REPORT OF MR. W. DENNIS. Again I am enabled, by the grace of God, to report some pleasing things in reference to the seaman's cause. Our congregations continue to be very large on the Sabbath day, afternoon and evening and our Friday evening services have been very encouraging. On these occasions, the attention of the people is turned to the Scriptures, in what we call conversational meetings, which have proved very interesting and instructive to those who are earnestly seeking the Lord. I was speaking, the other day, with a sailor's wife, who told me her husband had received good at the Seamen's Chapel, being now quite a different man from what he was formerly. She had never known him attend any place of worship before he came to the Bethel. The man referred to is one of our regular hearers now, and he appears to feel much while sitting under the sound of the word of God. Two services have been held during the last two months in the Bethel Chapel, to improve the death of four sailors. The death of one young man, of the name of George Wade, occurred under painful circumstances. Whilst conducting one of his shipmates on board his ship, in the night, who was unable to guide himself, through intoxication, they both fell overboard, and the young man abovenamed lost his life. The drunkard's life was spared. The chapel was filled to excess on both occasions. May the Great Head of the Church give his blessing to all the means employed on behalf of the seamen of this port; and to His name shall be all the glory. 300 sailors have attended the services at the Bethel Chapel during the last three months. THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SEAMEN IN SOCIETY. III. BUT the sailor can be saved; and I appeal now to the religious interest, to that great and eternal interest of the human soul, that is involved here. There is a most delightful work of reform and of regeneration going on among our seafaring brethren. The accounts of it come in journals and letters from all quarters of the world. Most touching records of spiritual renovation they are, and among the most glorious signs of the time. It seems as if the sea were giving up her spiritually dead, from her hundred shores and her thousands of floating graves. What could have been so little expected as that the profane sailor should have become a man of prayer? What so unlikely as that the rude and riotous forecastle should have become a holy chapel ? thus it is. And, amidst the booming waves and the roaring tempest, But prayer goes up, on every sea, to the Lord of the sea and of the storm. Thirty years ago, who ever thought of a "Bethel?" And now it waves its sacred flag on every civilised shore, and gathers multitudes beneath it, in lowly and reverent worship. Christianity is stretching out her arms to embrace the world. But for a long time we felt as if the sea were the irreclaimable domain, if not of vice and violence, yet of utter irreligion. It seemed to be agreed that neither time nor opportunity could be found there for religious culture. When the ship dropped down from port, we looked upon her, from the midst of our churches and Sabbaths and domestic altars, as sailing out upon a realm estranged and unblessed. So it appeared to our imagination; and though I doubt not the thoughts of some pious seamen might have given us a different impression, had we known them, yet the fact certainly too well agreed with our idea. But now there is a voice from the sea, which answers to the call of Sabbath bells and the anthems of consecrated walls; and it spreads over those waste and boundless solitudes, the aspect of a Christian and a household fellowship. The unfolding counsels of Divine Providence are saying to the church: MAY. "Lift up thine eyes round about and see; All of them are gathered together; they come to thee: Thy sons shall come from far, And thy daughters shall be carried at the side; Then shalt thou fear and overflow with joy; And thy heart shall be ruffled and dilated; When the riches of the sea shall be poured in upon thee; K |