SERVICES, ATTENDANCE, AND VISITS. CIRCULATION OF BIBLES, TESTAMENTS, PARTS OF SCRIPTURE, Day Schools-average attendance of Boys, 80. Girls, 60. Sunderland. 45 15 350 207 32 22 22 : Wisbeach 23 132 16 5 4 2 Total 57 998 104 854/1935 424 290 61 116 72 9 4 2 121 Missionary Operations. PORT OF LONDON. CAPTAIN PRYNN'S REPORT. In our continued labours, amidst some disappointment and sorrow, we have this encouragement that our labours are not in vain in the Lord; many pleasing evidences of the gracious operations of the Spirit upon the minds of those who were once in nature's darkness come under our notice, and we record them to the praise of our covenant-keeping God. The following are a few extracts from my journal since my last report was published: "At a Bethel service held on board the Barnard Castle six sailors and captains prayed. One of the sailors in prayer made use of words to this effect-Lord, I thank thee that such a rebel as I am permitted to meet with Thy people once more here, to offer praise to Thy name; it is all of Thy mercy that I am here.' The tears flowed down his cheeks whilst he confessed his sins and implored pardon. This was the first prayer from the sailor's lips. Whilst visiting vessels in the Regent's Canal I met three sailors, with whom I held much conversation on the things relative to their salvation; two of them had made a profession of religion, but had gone back again to sin and folly. I pointed them again to Christ as the only Saviour, and I hope they will be led to flee from the wrath to come. I have seen them both since, and trust the few words spoken to them on that occasion were not in vain. One of them said, 'I have found the way of transgressors to be hard, but I live to hope the Lord will restore unto me the joys of his salvation.' "In visiting the shipping and conversing with captains and sailors on religious subjects, I met with a captain, who had attended my Bethel the night before, labouring under distress of mind, not being satisfied respecting the pardon of his sins. I said, 'Do you love God?' 'Yes,' he replied, “I do love God.' 'Why do you love him?' I asked. His reply was, "Because He has first loved me in giving His Son for me.' Are you relying on the atoning sacrifice of Christ for pardon and peace?' Oh, yes,' he said that is all my hope.' 'Do you believe on Jesus Christ so as to trust to his care the salvation of your soul?' 'I believe,' said he, 'I must be saved by him, in the exercise of faith, and I know there is no other name given amongst men whereby I can be saved.' But I said, 'Satan does not want you to be saved; hence the doubts you appear to labour under respecting the pardon of your sin. Let us read a few verses of the fifth and eighth of Romans.' We did so, and knelt down and prayed. When rising from my knees, my friend replied, I thank you for calling on me this morning; I confess, I see it is my privilege to live above these doubts and fears.' "After the administration of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, at the Sailors' Church, a very respectable person, who had been a communicant, addressed me, saying, 'I am captain of an American ship lying in the London Docks-I shall be happy to see you on board to-morrow.' I called as requested, and was received in a most affectionate and Christian-like manner; he began by inquiring how the work of God was going on amongst the sailors of Britain in general, and what measures we were adopting for the sailor's moral and religious advantage. I entered fully into detail on this subject, and gave him some proofs of much good having been done, and of our enlarged views of future and more extensive good. I was happy to be informed by this pious captain that the spiritual interest of sailors was mightily on the progress in the United States of America; he gave me an account of seven, eight, and, in one case, eleven sailors, who had been truly converted to Christ on their respective voyages whilst at sea. I was highly gratified with the reception I met and the information I received. The work in which we are engaged is truly the Lord's work, both at home and abroad. At a Bethel meeting, held on board the Britannia, the pious captain met me on deck, and said, 'I am glad to see you again; many happy meetings have we held on board this vessel, and I hope the Lord will be with us to-night.' At this meeting there was a sailor present who had sailed with me about twenty years ago. I was surprised to see him; but more pleased to hear him engage in prayer most earnestly at the close of the service. He said, 'Oh, my old captain, I shall never forget the good advice you gave me twenty years ago; nor shall I forget the storms we have weathered together: thank God, I find you alive, and on the way to heaven.' I gave him a few words of counsel, to which he kindly responded. A few days since, I received a letter from a pious captain who is a member of the Sailors' Church, Wellclose-square, dated Valparaiso, 29th January, 1850. I subjoin an extract from his letter:-"Since I left you at Gravesend I have been exposed to many dangers, and near the gates of death; but He that sticketh closer than a brother has been with me. On one occasion, when in a furious gale our ship was in great danger, and we were about to make use of the last means to save life, I had gone into my cabin to pour out my soul in prayer, and while thus praying that the Lord would deliver us, I heard a tremendous crash on deck, and thinking the ship had struck on some rock, as we were near the land, and it was blowing a very heavy gale of wind dead on the shore, I rose from my knees and ran towards the deck, but before I could get on deck I met the mate. "Oh, Sir," he said, "the wind is suddenly come right off the land, and has caught the maintop-sail aback." This was, I believe, in answer to prayer, and gave me encouragement to pray on. This took place in Cook's Straits, on the coast of New Zealand. Praised be the Lord for this and many other deliverances I have experienced. I am pressing forward. I am bound for glory. Remember me in prayer at the Sailors' Church. I recollect you on the Sabbath evenings. Adieu.' The services at the Sailors' Church are, as they ever may be expected to be, very fluctuating, from the state of the shipping. The long prevalence of the easterly winds have kept the ships from arriving, so that the Thames has not been so well lined as usual, nor the Sailors' Church, which is so largely supplied from the river, so fully attended; nevertheless, we have the happiness to know that good is being done. About three weeks since, a sailor, who is a member of the Sailors' Church, came to me after I came down out of the pulpit, and said, 'Sir, there is a sailor outside waiting to see you; he attended here this morning, and was so deeply convinced of sin, that he is in deep distress of mind." I immediately went and conversed with him, when he said, 'I feel I am a wicked sinner, and deserve nothing but wrath and punishment from God. This morning's sermon has so affected me, that I know not what to do.' I spoke to him on the necessity of salvation through Christ; he wept much, and I trust what was said to him was not in vain." MR. H. V. BAILEY'S REPort. The question has been, and is still frequently proposed to me, by those who, I have no doubt, feel interested in the sailor's spiritual and eternal welfare. "How is the good work going on upon the river?" "Are your services well attended?" "Do you meet with those who are inquiring what they must do to be saved?" "Have you often seamen present at your services who engage in prayer?" I frequently wish our dear friends who propose such questions could but be present at some of our services, for I feel persuaded that they would feel similar emotions of holy joy as Barnabas did, when he went to Antioch, and saw the grace of God. Perhaps I cannot meet the inquiries of our friends better than by giving two or three extracts from my last month's journal. March 12th.-Visited during the day above thirty vessels, distributed a goodly number of tracts, and conversed with several seamen about the things which belong to their peace. In the evening I held a service on board of the Ratcliff, lying in the Lower Pool. Number present, twenty-seven. Several engaged in prayer. I observed one master weeping much during the service. At the close, he said, "I should like to have a little conversation with you, Sir." He then informed me that he once was a member of a Christian church, and remained so for ten years, adding, "I was then a poor man before the mast; I had to work hard, but I had sweet peace of mind, and could sing with the poet : 'With Thee conversing, I forget All time, and toil, and care.' But not long after I was made master I was drawn into worldly company; I neglected private prayer, consequently lost my relish for spiritual things. When I was first made master, I used to call my men into the cabin, for prayers, night and morning; but it is not so now, for I am an unhappy backslider. But, Sir, you must have known something of my history prior to this service, or you could not have pointed me out so well." I exhorted him to return to the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul. I also held an interesting service on board his vessel the following Friday evening, when he seemed in a much happier state of mind. March 21st.-Visited during the day about forty vessels. In the evening held a service on board of the Harmony, lying in the Regent's Canal Basin; number present, thirty-five. Eight engaged in prayer. So much of Divine influence pervaded this service, that, with the disciples upon the mount, we were constrained to say, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." One friend belonging to our East London Auxiliary was present. On leaving the vessel, he said, "I have attended many Bethel services, but never do I remember attending such a service as this before." Such was the earnestness, simplicity, and spirituality of mind of the men in prayer, that he said, contrasting his spiritual privileges and state of mind with theirs, he felt humbled before God, and resolved to devote himself afresh to his service. March 22nd.-Visited forty-six vessels, and held a service on board of the Telegraph; twenty-three, including several masters, were present. I had great liberty in preaching, and I have no doubt that deep impressions were made upon several minds; the master, in particular, wept much. He spoke of the delightful influence which attended the service, and requested me to let him have another as soon as possible. I will only refer to one more, which was held on the 26th, on board of the Halcyon, of Newcastle. Masters and men present, thirty-two. Addresses were given by Captain Smith and myself; after which, eleven engaged in prayer. During the month I have held twelve services afloat, attended by 253 seamen; out of whom, fifty-nine engaged in prayer. I have held five services on shore, and preached twice in Hertfordshire; attended two public meetings, paid 369 visits to vessels, and 115 to seamen's lodging-houses, distributed 2,125 tracts, and sixty-five of Captain Allen's Magazine. Sold thirty-four Bibles and seven Testaments, and thirteen of the Society's Magazines. MR. E. EVANS'S REPORT. Since my last report, I cannot boast of great numbers at our Bethel meetings; but the attention of those present to the Word delivered, their earnest prayers, and their united praises on these occasions, give me new encouragement. I find that almost all are willing to stop back after service, to be further instructed by our mutual conversation; and it is pleasing to see the seriousness of mind of all present, when one of them, in a most solemn manner, gives the narrative of his past sinful life, and how, by the grace of God, he has determined to consecrate the remainder of his life to the service of the Lord; and as another gladdens our hearts to hear how precious the Lord was to him in the trying hour of peril. On other occasions we have some portion of the Word of God explained, and, I am happy to say, I feel great pleasure in these interesting meetings. It is well to be there. I can say with Jacob, at times, "Surely the Lord is in this place; this is none other than the House of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Thus, though I cannot give more of my time among them, (and I should be happy if I could,) since my last I have held on board six services; sailors present, ninety-one; tracts distributed, 176; ships visited, thirty; and sailors' lodgings visited, eight. THE OCEAN. For the Sailors' Magazine, by the Author of "Ragged School Hymns.” Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll!-BYRON. Roll on, roll on, thou glorious sea! Roll on in stately pride; While dance the solar beams between E'er since from chaos thou didst spring, Roll on-but not for aye; For draws that solemn period nigh, Nor smile of Spring nor Autumn's sigh Methinks thy tides have ceased to flow; And wintry winds to roar; A mighty herald doth appear, While shrinks the rebel world with fear, That "Time shall be no more." Which must in woe or gladness shine; But through eternity! SAMUEL COUrt. |