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and prayers, and the tracts you gave us. We have often spoken of you, and remembered you in our prayers in return. The conversation and advice you gave us were deeply impressed on our minds, and I bless God the whole circumstance has led us both to lead a new life; and I have since joined myself to a Christian church. A few hours before the gale, I was cursing and swearing, and ridiculing a pious mate I had on board, whom it used to be my delight to persecute. His constancy in the faith, and the kindness and affection shown me in return, often surprised me, and his calmness and composedness of mind in the storm led me to believe there was something in religion I had not yet discovered. In the storm I was led to feel my awful state, and prayed that God would preserve me. The Lord heard my prayers, and the mate just spoken of had the pleasure of introducing me into Christian fellowship. I never could believe such a change could take place in a man. I cannot describe the joy I now feel and the happiness I enjoy-nothing seems to molest me; and all the displays of God's glory and wisdom around me, open to my mind a subject for meditation, and lead me to praise and glorify him, instead of blaspheming him.'

"And again, one day, conversing with a group of sailors on the depravity of man, and the consequences of sin-on the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous, one replied, 'Can you tell us of any one who came from heaven to tell us about it?' I replied, 'Yes, I can. Jesus Christ came from heaven, and he has told us in the Bible of its glories; and also, of the miseries of hell-how we may escape the one, and enjoy the other.' 'Well, I have asked that question many times before, but never had such an answer. Can you tell us of any one else?' We need no other, for God hath sent his Son into the world to die for us, and whosoever believeth,' &c. 'I cannot believe the Bible, it is such a mystery.' 'Do you believe anything to be a mystery? Do you believe anything you cannot understand?' 'No.' 'Do you believe the wind blows?' 'Yes; I can see and feel that.' 'Can you tell me what the wind is?' 'No.' 'Now Jesus compares the work of the Spirit to the wind-" the wind bloweth," &c. We see the effect of the wind, but cannot tell what the wind is-so we see the men who once blasphemed God turn, and love and honour him-men hear the Gospel preached, and are convinced of sin and converted to God by his Spirit. We cannot tell what the Spirit is, but we see the effects of his work.' He replied, 'That's all right enough; your gun is too strong for me. Good day.' And he walked off. The others listened attentively.

"In conversing with another company, an intelligent captain said, 'A gentleman once asked me how it was my men were not more acquainted with the doctrines of the Bible? I told him, because they had neither time nor opportunity to learn. As for his ship's crew, they spent all the time they had in reading the Bible, that's more than your gentlefolks do; for I think, instead of studying the Bible, to know their duty to their fellow-creatures, they study to know how they may deprive the poor of the blessings of this world, to support themselves in luxury and idleness; and this we find among those who call themselves Christians, and we are now suffering under it. We often thank God, his grace cannot be purchased with money; if it was, we poor sailors would come poorly off. But, thank God, the poor have the Gospel preached to them, and every one that thirsteth for it may drink to the full, without money and without price. We have the start of them in this unspeakable gift. And methinks, if they do not take care, we poor sailors will have the start of them at the judgment-day.'

"The tracts amongst the foreigners have been thankfully received; and I have not found one vessel without the Scriptures in their own language. Many similar cases I might mention.

"I have paid 469 visits to ships since my last report; visited 791 families, and distributed 920 English and 566 foreign tracts."

SOUTHAMPTON.

The friends of seamen in this important port are prepared cordially to co-operate with your Directors, and employ an agent, whose whole time shall be devoted to the work. The greater portion of his support will, however, for the first year, at least, be drawn from the funds of the Society. The appointment of a suitable person is all that remains to complete the arrangements. The Directors have anxiously turned their attention to this matter; but, although several persons have been recommended to their notice, various reasons have hitherto prevented any appointment. They, however, hope shortly to fix upon some one duly qualified for this important post.

WEYMOUTH.

The agent at this port states that a remarkable alteration for the better has taken place on the quay. Oaths, drunkenness, and Sabbath desecration have all yielded to a surprising extent. The services at the Bethel meetings are well attended; thirty loan libraries are on board ships; several copies of the Scriptures have been sold, and the general result of labours most encouraging.

On the Northern Coast, the SUNDERLAND Auxiliary continues steadfast and successful. The vessels visited have been 2,800; the religious services on board have amounted to 306; tracts distributed, 12,000; Bibles and Testaments, 258; and 80 vessels supplied with libraries.

STOCKTON-ON-TEES.

A room was opened on the quay for the use of seamen, where the Gospel will be preached every Lord's-day afternoon, on the 16th September last, by an appropriate discourse, to a crowded congregation, from the Rev. E. Green; since which time the services have continued to increase in interest. It is an additional satisfaction to know, that in this movement the co-operation of all the evangelical ministers in the town has been obtained; all of them, with but one exception, engaging to preach there in regular rotation. Since September, thirtyfour religious services have been held in the Bethel room; a sailors' prayer-meeting has been held on Lord's-day evenings in each of the chapels in the town in rotation; 203 ships have

been visited; 1745 tracts distributed, and several German and Danish Testaments have been sold to vessels visiting the port.

On the Welsh Coast,

SWANSEA.

The Committee of this Auxiliary report that there is a gradual demand for the Holy Scriptures in different languages; 8000 religious tracts have been distributed; between twenty and thirty loan libraries are in circulation; and the Sailors' Church presents a most pleasing scene on the Sabbath day, being generally crowded by an attentive congregation.

MILFORD.

Captain J. Lewis, the agent at this port, states:

"The shipping in the harbour have been a little less numerous during the last few weeks, but with the arrival and departure of several large ships to and from the dockyard, and many sick, I have had my time fully occupied, and I have much reason to be grateful for frequent evidence that my humble labours are not in vain in the Lord. I have been greatly encouraged lately in our meetings on board the Trinity steamer ; nearly the whole of the crew appear to be in earnest for their souls' salvation; and the excellent discipline and orderly arrangements in every department of this vessel cannot be too highly spoken of. The hearty welcome I am always received with is truly gratifying. I have also a most pleasing account to give of a mighty change that has taken place on board the Helwick light-ship. It is now upwards of twelve months since I have been in the habit of furnishing the crew with tracts and magazines, changing them with each party as they are relieved. Some of them frequent my house, and others I visit for religious conversation and prayer. I have heard from their own lips that the change is wonderful; from bickering and disagreement, all is love and harmony, each one desiring to fulfil the law of charity. Instead of merely a single service on the Sabbath, they have now their prayer meetings three times a week, and the time, that in this isolated situation used to drag on heavily, now passes cheerfully in the service of the Divine Master, whilst the opportunity of assembling with the great congregation on shore is anticipated with delight and joy. Some of them have become members of churches on shore."

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

At Guernsey, the attendance at the Bethel has been better than usual. The place is crowded in the afternoon of the Lord's day; and there is the fullest evidence that good is done. Seven libraries have been sent on board ships. The mate of a vessel recently called upon the Treasurer with a subscription of 10s. as an acknowledgment of the benefit derived while at Another captain and his crew brought in 8s. 4d. for the same purpose." They answer the purpose of ministers to us." Many thousand copies of the Scriptures have been distributed.

sea.

The total amount of operations of the Society during the past year, is as follows:

The visits paid on board ships in London and Provincial Ports
have been ....

The number of Religious Services held on board ships amount to
The number of Religious Services on Shore are

....

23,803 663 1342

The Seamen in attendance on shore are

21,411

31,972

The Seamen attending services on board ships have been.... 10,561
Bibles and Testaments distributed in London and Provincial Ports:

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One of the earliest affiliated associations is Camberwell. In this locality, the claims of seamen and the interests of your Society have found constant supporters. The unwearied activity of their long-tried friend and fellow-labourer, Captain Charles Allen, of the Royal Navy, has obtained liberal aid on its behalf. To their numerous other friends, whose influence and zeal have been equally noble and well sustained, the Directors have to express their deep sense of obligation. The total amount of contributions for the past year has been £100, making a total of £2457, remitted to your funds since the first formation of this Auxiliary.

The Islington Auxiliary has continued to evince a deep interest in our great object. The fast-declining health of one of your most steady and active friends, Captain Dougall, of the Royal Navy, has rendered it impossible for him to devote himself, as now, for many years, he has been accustomed, to those active duties on behalf of the Society in which he took so much delight. The Directors are happy to have it in their power to report that E. S. Eardley, Esq., has kindly engaged to become Secretary, from whose devotedness and zeal they confidently anticipate continued, and even enlarged co-operation. This Auxiliary has contributed during the year £100 4s. 5d., making a total of £1731 8s. since its establishment.

The East London Auxiliary has lately been revived. During the year their Treasurer, Mr. J. Howlett, has remitted

£45 16s. 4d., making, with £7 expended for local operations, and a small balance in hand, £53 6s. 2s.

The Auxiliary at Spa Fields has continued to evince its deep interest in our cause.

Finsbury Chapel Auxiliary has recently manifested additional sympathy. A great number of Collectors have come forward to aid the Society; and it is confidently expected, that under the hearty and sincere co-operation of the Rev. Dr. A. Fletcher, the esteemed Pastor of this church, enlarged and permanent efforts by his congregation will mark the growing interest taken by Christian Ministers and Deacons in favour of your great object.

The Auxiliary established at the Tabernacle, Moorfields, is alike active and devoted.

In the west of London the Directors hope shortly to establish Congregational Auxiliaries. Several influential ministers and laymen in this district have recently expressed a strong desire, as soon as practicable, to aid the Society in this neighbourhood; and the Directors have no doubt, that through their hearty co-operation the Society will shortly receive the full benefit of an extensive and powerful organization of effort.

Other metropolitan districts are also ready to follow this example. It may, therefore, be confidently hoped that, ere long, the whole of the London districts will be enlisted in the great object contemplated by the Society.

At Greenwich and Blackheath there is also the prospect of soon forming an efficient Auxiliary.

FINANCE.

It is matter of satisfaction to the Directors, that whilst, during the past year, the income from uncertain sources, such as donations and collections by cards, &c., is somewhat less than before, provision has been made in numerous cases for its permanent increase, by the formation of local Auxiliaries. From this source alone nearly £900 has been contributed this year, and there is every prospect of a considerable increase in future, from the vigour and energy exhibited by most of these Associations, both in town and country. Your deputations have been most cordially welcomed wherever they have represented the claims of the Institution, and a willingness to co-operate for its support universally manifested.

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