unto the Lord, in the presence of His people. So all things work together for good for me. I am now going to sail with my brother, and hope soon to see him brought to a better mind." As I traced the providence of God, running like a silken thread through the history of this man, and observed the working of God's Spirit and grace in connection with that providence in subduing and saving him, I remembered similar cases, and was led to say, "He calleth them all by name; by the greatness of His might, for that he is strong in power, not one faileth."

A few weeks since, and during a heavy gale, our beachmen saw a ship in distress, and in their haste to launch a yawl, for the purpose of going to the relief of the sufferers, the large boat unfortunately fell from the check beneath it, and the keel coming on the foot of a beachman, crushed it in a frightful manner. He was taken to the hospital immediately, and several medical gentlemen were speedily in attendance, who after a short deliberation pronounced it expedient to amputate the foot, which was quickly done. The man is now doing well. Last winter I preached once a week to the company to which this man belonged. I think he was present at every service, and by his attention and serious demeanour gave hopes that he profited thereby. I visit him still, and trust he is a penitent, seeking mercy in earnest. He says the word made a deep impression on his mind, and he often wished he could find some other employment, in which he might serve his God, and attend to his soul. Still he was undecided, and from time to time let the impressions wear away. He believes the hand of God is in this, and that it is permitted to decide his wavering mind, and drive him to Christ. I trust it has been effectual in so doing, and that he may yet be useful to that class to which he belongs, for he is intelligent, and much respected by the beachmen generally, having been boatswain to his company, whose office it is to attend to the boats, sails, spars, &c. They have generously offered to retain him in that capacity, letting him stay on shore, yet giving him a share with themselves. The committee of the hospital will, I believe, provide him with a cork foot, as a member of that committee, who is a friend to sailors and to the Bethel cause, is using his friendly influence for that purpose. I trust good will result to the beachmen generally, from this providence.

“God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform."

Since I have been here, two beachmen have had their backs broken by the yawls falling on them while in the act of launching them. They are both dead. I visited them while languishing, as well as before each accident, and had hope of both in their death. Five days since I was requested by the mate of a vessel, (who often attends the Mariners' Chapel, but is yet undecided,) to offer thanksgiving to God for his deliverance with the crew from a watery grave. The vessel was run down, leaving them scarcely time to get the boat out, which they stove, in doing; a sea was shipped, which nearly filled the boat, but they were obliged to jump into her as the only chance to save their lives. Fortunately, the other ship hove to, and succeeded in saving them. But he said, "when I thought we were going, I also thought of you and the chapel, and, though I have lost everything else, I thank God I have not lost my soul."

Last Sunday, the captain of a Scotch vessel put a note in my hand requesting the congregation to unite with himself and crew, in thanking God for their deliverance. They had been towed in here with loss of anchor and cable. This captain often hoists the flag for our brethren when in London, and will hoist it for me as soon as convenient. I have many proofs of late that religious truth is gaining on the minds and hearts of our sailors, and that we do not labour in vain. But my report is already too long to notice more at present. May the Great Head of the Church succeed with His blessing every effort for the sailor's welfare, and cause that church to feel more deeply that He is also the sailor's God.

THE GROG QUESTION IN THE ROYAL NAVY. WHENEVER homage is done to moral principles, the friends of religion rejoice. They cannot look on with indifference, if they behold men rampant in vice; neither can they remain insensible to the most refined pleasure, if they see others, as well as themselves, determined to put an end to any vicious, and, consequently, hurtful practices. Most heartily, therefore, do we rejoice at the measures recently adopted by the Board of Admiralty to check the enormous evils that have long prevailed in the navy, arising from drunkenness. On the 30th January last the Board appointed a committee, consisting of Admiral Byam Martin, Admiral C. Adam, Vice-Admiral Thos. Cochrane, Rear-Admiral G. Seymour, Captain Edward Collier, Captain A. L. Corry, Commodore T. Herbert, Captain H. D. Chads, and four other captains, "to inquire into the expediency of reducing the daily ration of spirits, and the equivalent to be paid to the seamen for such reduction."

On the 18th March last, this committee made their Report. It would have afforded us real satisfaction had our space allowed us to present this valuable document in extenso: but, though this is impracticable, we shall make as full a quotation as possible. They say :--

"The concurrent testimony of all whom we have examined on the subject of drunkenness in the navy, proves the necessity of some remedial measures; and we consider the step now contemplated, with a view to its prevention, not only expedient, but imperatively called for, as well for the safety, as the credit, of her Majesty's fleet.

"To those familiar with the naval service, it is unnecessary to state the risks and dangers attendant on drunkenness in a ship; but to others not conversant with the subject, it may be proper to point out some of its effects.

"Accidents, frequently fatal, are the consequences of men, under the influence of liquor, having to perform duties aloft. The lives of boats' crews are often risked, and sometimes sacrificed, in the attempt to save drunken men who have fallen overboard.

"Fire, under the most awful circumstances, is another of the dangers to be apprehended; but still more serious would be the consequences of drunken men being called suddenly into battle at night-time, amidst lighted lanterns and gunpowder.

"To guard against dangers of such magnitude, as well as to repress the insubordination which generally attends drunkenness, severity has sometimes been necessary. But no dread of punishment seems to overcome the propensity.

"It is, therefore, better to seek preventive measures than continue an ineffectual effort to suppress the crime by the ordinary resources of discipline. "We have reason to believe that the respectable part of the seamen (happily the great majority of a ship's crew) will gladly welcome any arrangement which will abate a nuisance tending so much to their discomfort.

"The importance of the subject has made us desirous of hearing what could be urged by persons of every class, and especially by the seamen themselves, for, or against, a reduction of the ration of spirits, with a liberal compensation in money.

"The seamen, without one exception, admit in their evidence that drunkenness is the prevailing crime on board her Majesty's ships, and they acknowledge with equal frankness that drunkenness is the cause of almost every punishment.

MAY.

K

"With such evidence from the seamen themselves, it would be superfluous to seek further proof of the necessity of some measure which may put an end to a state of things so destructive to discipline, and injurious to health.

"The evidence before us clearly proves that the evening grog is the source of those evils which render discipline irksome, and give to the naval service a character for harshness which it does not deserve.

"Tea, introduced into the navy in 1824, as a part of the substitute for the diminished allowance of rum, is served at the same time as the evening grog; and men who prefer the tea, sell their allowance of grog to others of less temperate habits. This is one source of drunkenness.

"Another is the men who are expert in making clothes, or other articles, very frequently receive payment for their work in liquor.

It appears also, by the evidence of the seamen, that a custom prevails, more or less, in every ship, which enables at least one man in each mess to get drunk every night; namely, that the cook of the mess of the day has, by consent of his messmates, a large proportion-and, in many messes, the whole of the evening grog of the mess-for his own use, or disposal; and in the latter case he has the power to make many others drunk, as well as himself.

"We come now to the consideration of the best means of preventing a misuse of the allowance of grog:-1. We propose that the ration of spirits or wine be reduced one-half, continuing the dinner allowance as it has been since 1826, and to do away altogether the evening grog. 2. That no raw spirits shall be issued as a daily ration to any one, but that the allowance be mixed with three times its quantity of water, except at the discretion of the captain, under special circumstances; and that an allowance which shall be omitted to be drawn on one day, shall not be taken up on any subsequent day. 3. That no allowance be issued to the midshipmen, master's assistants, clerk's assistants, or first-class boys, except by the special direction of the captain, and that compensation be granted as hereinafter provided. 4. That the allowance to cadets and second-class boys be wholly taken away, and that compensation be given as hereinafter mentioned. 5. Troops, when embarked, to receive the same allowance of spirits or wine as seamen.

"This brings us to the consideration of their lordships' second question, viz.-The equivalent to be paid for such reduction.'

"Admirals, captains, and ward-room officers having the same rations as the men, will, of course, be subject to the same reduction, but we do not think it necessary to include them in the scale of compensation, as they have, when afloat, their wines and groceries duty free.

"But apart from this view of the subject, we cordially concur in the opinion expressed by the committee, of which Lord Exmouth was chairman, that the flag and other officers will consider themselves amply rewarded by the great improvement which will evidently arise in the general health of the seamen, and the discipline and good order of her Majesty's fleet.'

"We believe that the officers will cheerfully assent to any sacrifice that can be proposed, with a view to the success of a scheme promising such advantages to the service.

"We propose that mates, assistant surgeons, second masters, midshipmen, masters' assistants, clerks, clerks' assistants, naval cadets, and boys of both classes, be allowed compensation equal to the present savings price, proportionate to the reduction already recommended for each class.

"But as regards the seamen and marines, in an arrangement which takes from them what they have been so long accustomed to, we think they are entitled to a liberal compensation in money.

"We therefore discard the idea of regulating the amount to be given to them by the value of the spirits saved to the country by the reduction.

"It is proposed to give to all warrant officers (including junior engineers,) working petty officers, able and ordinary seamen, non-commissioned officers

and privates of the marines, 3s. 6d. per man per calendar month; to 2nd class ordinary and landsmen, 2s. 6d.

"The proposed compensation allowance, together with the pay, will give to an able seaman something more than 41s. per calendar month. But we strongly recommend, that in the printed pay-table of the navy, the compensation allowance be kept entirely distinct from the pay.

"If there be men (and we think there will be many) who would wish to give up the remaining portion of their grog, they will receive from the purser the usual savings price, as shown underneath :

"But if men who think proper to give up the proposed reduced allowance shall desire to return to it, they shall be at liberty to do so on giving notice of such wish on the first day of the month.

"The committee recommend that a reduction or discontinuance be made for a time, at the discretion of the captain, in the compensation money, as a minor punishment for drunkenness; such abatement to be paid over for the comfort of the sick on board the ships to which the men belong, or such other object connected with the welfare of the seamen, as the Admiralty may determine; and that provision be made accordingly in the act of parliament authorising the compensation.

"Taking the vote at 39,000 men, and abating 5000 marines at headquarters, and the officers and boys not included in the compensation, leaves 26,000 to receive the proposed allowance, which, giving—

To warrant-officers, petty officers, and non-commissioned officers of marines, able and ordinary seamen, and marines afloat, per man, per calendar month.

Second-class ordinary seamen and landsmen

Will be about....

Deduct contract value spirits, about

Which leaves about....

To be provided for.

3s. 6d.

2s. 6d.

£55,000

10,000

£45,000

"Though this is a large sum, we feel sure that the parliament and the country will readily apply it to the attainment of the great objects this plan has in view-namely, the efficiency of the fleet, the diminution of crime and its consequences, and the comfort and happiness of all on board.

"There remains a material question on which it is proper we should offer an opinion-whether the measure we have recommended shall be prospective, or immediately introduced as the general rule of the service.

"We are of opinion that with so liberal a scale of compensation as that we have proposed, there can be no reason to doubt that it will be received with thankfulness by most of the good and valuable men in the service; and, as it is their interest we have in view, as well as the good order and discipline of the fleet, we recommend that the change take immediate effect as regards all officers and all future entries. And as many of the ships now in commission will have completed their customary periods of service in the course of the present year, the committee consider it would be advantageous to the service if their lordships were to fix a convenient day for carrying the proposed reduction into general effect; and that in the meantime it should be left optional to the crews of her Majesty's ships to accept the advantages held out by the proposed measure.

"We beg to add the following summary of what is proposed in this report:-1. That the present allowance of spirits or wine be reduced one

half. 2. That the remaining portion be issued at dinner-time. 3. That admirals, captains, and ward-room officers shall not receive any payment for the half-ration of spirits taken from them. 4. That mates, second masters, surgeons' assistants, and clerks, shall receive compensation at the present savings price for the half allowance of the spirits to be reduced. 5. That midshipmen, cadets, and boys who do not receive a ration of spirits, be paid a compensation equal to the savings price of the present whole allowance. 6. That warrant officers, working petty officers, able and ordinary seamen, and non-commissioned officers and privates of marines, shall receive for their half allowance a compensation payment in money of 3s. 6d. per man per calendar month. 7. That second-class ordinary seamen and landsmen be allowed 2s. 6d. per man per calendar month. 8. That men wishing to give up the reduced allowance, shall receive a further compensation equal to the savings price for such period as they may think proper. 9. That no raw spirits be issued to any one, except under special circumstances, at the discretion of the captain. 10. That in cases of persisting drunkenness a deduction or discontinuance be made for a time in the compensation allowance.

"The committee cannot close their report on the important questions referred to their consideration, without expressing their hope and confident expectation that the measures they have proposed will be conducive to the credit of the British navy, and tend to fulfil their lordships' anxious desire to promote the best interests of the seamen."

The effect of these comprehensive and liberal plans will, we are assured, prove most valuable. Some of the great lessons taught by them are, that drunkenness is a national curse-that as such, it is the imperative duty of those in authority to check, and, if possible, destroy the evil-that habits of morality are, in themselves, a personal, social, and national benefit; to secure which, it becomes at once a duty and a delight to make pecuniary sacrifices, in order to carry them into immediate and full effect; and finally, that the ulterior result of the whole arrangement may eventually lead to the total extinction of the custom of issuing any quantity of spirituous liquors.

So noble an example has but to be carried out in the mercantile navy, and the results could not fail to prove beneficial to the health, happiness, and well-being of our scamen, and prepare the way for their reception of the higher blessings of personal religion.

THE SAILORS' HYMN BOOK.*

The Directors of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society have, from time to time, availed themselves of the influence of the press, as a means of benefiting seamen. One instance of this appears in their "SAILORS' HYMN Book," a new edition of which they now offer to their friends. If it be supposed that a Hymn Book, specially compiled for sailors, is a work altogether unnecessary, on account of there being already so many admirable collections of Psalms and Hymns, it may be asked, in return, Why should there not be a Hymn Book prepared with the special view to the edification of sailors?" Are not the men who go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters," in many respects, a peculiar people? Are they not a numerous class? Is not their life spent on a peculiar element? Are not their manners and habits different from those of landsmen? Do they *New edition, published by the Directors. Edited by their Chaplain, the Rev. .T. C. Finch.