The Bethel Pulpit.

THE SEAFARING YOUNG MAN.

A Sermon preached at Lady Huntingdon's Chapel, Swansea, South Wales, By the Rev. T. DODD, Secretary to the Swansea Sailors' Society.

1 Kings ix. 27.-"And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea."

The art of navigation has long been known, although by the discovery of the mariner's compass great improvements have been made. The sacred Scriptures frequently refer to shipbuilding and seamen. Noah's ark is the first vessel of which we have any account; afterwards, Zebulon became a haven for ships, whilst during the ages of the prophets navigation appears to have been pretty general.

Although the Jews as a nation were not, strictly speaking, a commercial people, yet it is well known that the western coast of Palestine was bounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Hiram, the king of Tyre, was contemporary with Solomon the king of Israel, both of whom lived about 3000 years since, and it is not unlikely that vessels from the eastern part of the world came to this country in search of minerals, at that distant age of time. To what extent navigation was understood, it is difficult to ascertain, but these and many other references which we might make, are sufficient to establish the language of our text, "that shipmen had knowledge of the sea."

Knowledge of all kind is desirable, but especially is it necessary that young men should understand every branch of that business to which they devote their attention. Without this, there is little probability of success in this age of enterprise and competition. In the diversity of occupations in which mankind are employed, we perceive a beautiful arrangement of Divine Providence. The seaman is as necessary as the landsman-for without the former, commerce must cease; and without the latter, the earth would be uncultivated. It is desirable, therefore, that this sentiment should be extensively cultivated, and that all should feel that they are dependent upon each other-that "even the Queen herself is served by the field."

We would not, therefore, be unmindful of the usefulness of your calling, and of the vast obligations under which we are laid to seamen. We consider, that the prosperity of this nation has been mainly promoted by our British seamen. Yea, our very existence as an independent nation has been preserved through their exertions. It is to the intrepid mariner, who braves the dangers of the sea, that we are indebted for that elevated position we occupy as a commercial nation. Without them, our colonies would be useless, our merchants would languish, our comforts would fail!

But how useful might you become, not only by enriching others, but by doing good to others. Your very occupation qualifies you for doing good. Those countries you frequent, and those ports which you visit, are so many spheres of usefulness. Be it yours, then, young men, to fear God-to consecrate your youthful energies to his service, and then, wherever you sail, you can tell of the name of Jesus-of the religion of Jesus, and point your fellow-men to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world." It is a common saying among sailors, "that there is no Sabbath in five fathoms of water." We are not unmindful of the privileges you are denied, and that whilst we are assembled here, listening to the small still voice of the Gospel, the only voice to which you hearken is the howling of the tempest and the roaring of the storm. But, remember, prayer and praise can arise from a ship, as well as from a sanctuary. It was on board

that the memorable prayer was heard, and answered, too, "Lord save, or we perish." Let not the derision of others intimidate you, or the conduct of others prevent you, from serving God and keeping his commandments!

How frequently do you behold the "works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep!" Your vessel is seen, as it were, sometimes sleeping on the deep, but suddenly a breeze springs up, and all is activity and life-the cordage creaks-the sails are spread-the vessel rocks—“ God commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. You mount up to the heaven, and go down again to the depths; your souls are melted because of trouble. You reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at your wit's end. Then you cry unto the Lord in your trouble, and he bringeth you out of your distresses.”—(Ps. cvii. 25—28.)

But we would especially remind seafaring men that the repose of the harbour is far more dangerous than all the perils of the ocean. Alas, what activity is displayed in all large ports to effect your destruction! Seamen too often look upon others as honest and straightforward as themselves. They little think of the snares which are laid and the plots which are devised to accomplish their ruin. Beware, young men, of those who profess to be your truest friends, but are in reality your greatest foes. Permit not yourselves to be bound by the strong chain of intemperance-to be lured into those dens of infamy which are waiting to receive you-lest you find yourselves, first drained of your hard-earned wages, and then turned abroad upon the wide world, with your health destroyed, your clothing gone, your money spent, and "no man caring for your soul."

Let the following appalling fact be duly considered. It is the evidence of one well acquainted with the subject, and was made before a Committee of the House of Commons. "For more than three years," he states, "I was connected with a society established for the improvement both of the moral and temporal condition of sailors, and in that capacity I had an opportunity not only of seeing a great deal of seamen, but also of their places of resort at the east of London. I have visited, for that purpose, most of the public houses, where, at the back of the gin shops, there are what are called long rooms; these long rooms will contain from one hundred to three hundred persons. Every evening almost all those rooms are filled with sailors, girls of the town, and a class of men, principally Jews, called crimps. Some of these houses are open all night. I have been into these rooms at ten and eleven o'clock at night, and the whole company, perhaps two or three hundred persons, have been drinking and dancing until the sailors are in a dreadful state. It is a common practice for the girls to get various articles, such as laudanum, and other drugs, put into the liquor of the seamen, who thus become completely intoxicated, and are then robbed of every penny they possess; and I have known instances of sailors being robbed of £30, £40, and even £50 on these occasions."

Let this melancholy statement be a warning to all seafaring men here present. You may be tempted to enter these dens of infamy--these sinks of perdition-but remember, many "who go to them return not again." How many a brave seaman has not only lost his property, but his life, by frequenting the house of ill fame? Beware! oh, beware, young men, of the whirlpool of evil company, where many a poor seaman has been well-nigh engulfed in ruin. Avoid the breakers of temptation, which many have but barely escaped, Steer clear of the rocks of intemperance, where many, alas, have been wrecked and lost for ever!

If you would be preserved from these dangers, inquire for the Sailors' Home-the Mariners' Church-the Bethel ship-where your persons will be safe, your property secure, and where, above all, you may hear of Him "who came into the world to save sinners."

And what gratitude should be excited in all your minds for the continued

preservation you have enjoyed. Perhaps some here present have been in the greatest peril, and like St. Paul on his voyage towards Rome, apparently "all hope of your being saved was lost;" and yet God heard your cry in your distress, rescued you from danger, brought you to your desired haven, and permitted you thus to meet in his house of prayer! Forget not, I beseech you, the goodness of God. Think what were your feelings then! How solemn your vows then! how earnest your prayers then! but where are those resolutions now? those petitions now? those solemn vows now? Perhaps some of you are found here this night as careless as ever-as unconcerned as ever. Oh, let the goodness of God lead each one to repentance, lest He "should swear in his wrath that you should never enter into his rest."

But are there not many seamen present who have been taught the value of prayer-led to repent of their sins, and seek forgiveness through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ? Then let it be your constant aim to exhibit the influence of religion in your walk and conversation. Keep not your religion to yourselves; but endeavour to benefit your shipmates and companions. Let the swearer see that you have learnt not to blaspheme; the drunkard, that you have learnt to be sober; the profligate, that you have found out "a more excellent way." Say not your shipmates will despise you, and others persecute you. Look to God, and he will enable you to be "faithful even unto death." Where is the man who will despise the praying sailor in the storm--in the hour of death, or at the day of judgment? "Oh that they were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end."

SAILORS' TEA MEETING, STOCKTON.

A sailors' tea meeting, in connexion with the Bethel Union, was held in the Temperance Lodge Room, Tennant-street, Stockton, on Monday evening, May 6th, 1850. Nearly two hundred persons sat down to the tables, which were furnished gratuitously and sumptuously by several of the ladies present. After tea a public meeting, to advocate the claims of sailors, took place in the same room. The chair was kindly and ably occupied by Joshua Byers, Esq., who, in his opening address, dwelt in a very interesting manner on the advantages of Bethel unions; and expressed a hope that the time would soon come when every ship, whether English or foreign, would carry a Bethel flag, and every sailor live in the enjoyment of true religion. "We had often heard," he said, " of the victories won under the English flag; but the victory sought under the Bethel flag was the victory of love, of universal peace, and good will among men."

The Report was then read by the Rev. E. Green, and showed that since the opening of the Bethel, in September, 1849, thirty-four religious services had been held, and well attended, in the Bethel room, being one every Lord'sday afternoon-that a sailors' prayer meeting had been held on the Lord'sday evening, in each of the chapels in the town in rotation-that 203 ships had been visited, and 1745 tracts distributed to the crews and persons on the quay side-that several German and Danish Testaments had been sold to vessels visiting the port--and that two vessels, which had left Stockton with emigrants for America, had been supplied with tracts. The Report also stated that the Bethel room had been supplied with hymn books by the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and that the same Society had made the Union grants of tracts to the number of 1200.

After the Report, addresses were delivered by Captain W. Cooper, Mr. J. Flockton, Captain G. Cooper, Rev. J. Caldwell, Mr. Parker, town missionary, Rev. E. Green, Captain Hasted, and Mr. J. Ainsworth.

A Committee for the ensuing year was appointed, and a resolution passed authorising Captain Hasted to present the thanks of the meeting to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society for their liberal grant of a Bethel flag, hymn books, and tracts; and to the Religious Tract Society for their kind grant of £2 worth of tracts. Votes of thanks were also passed to the ladies who had furnished the tables for the tea, and to the chairman; and the meeting broke up a little before ten o'clock, highly delighted with the proceedings of the evening.

SHIPWRECKS IN THE ICE.

The arrivals during the last few days from the Atlantic have brought sad intelligence respecting losses of a large number of vessels, amidst the floating fields of icebergs in the western latitudes; and, among the number, we regret to add, one was from one of the Irish ports, with between eighty and 100 persons on board, every soul of whom is supposed to have gone down in the unfortunate vessel, and perished. Great quantities of ice are generally looked for by the traders in those parts of the Atlantic about the months of April and May, the result of the break-up of the frost in the Arctic seas, which are driven down to the southward by the force of the currents. The masses that have appeared this season exceed anything of the kind that has for years been met with. They have been immense. Fields of ice, some

hundreds of miles in extent, towering up in all manner of forms to a very great elevation, have swept the waters of the Atlantic, and there is too much reason to fear that the losses appended form a very few of the mishaps that have occurred. The ill-fated vessel, in which so many are believed to have perished, was from Londonderry, bound for Quebec. Ten days prior to her being discovered entangled in the ice-the 27th of April-she was spoken with by the master of the Oriental, from Liverpool. She was scarce of water, having had boisterous weather, and on account of the number of passengers seen on deck it was supplied her. On the 27th, the Oriental was beset in the ice, together with two other vessels, and perceived her some ten miles to the westward. She was in a most perilous position, evidently stove in by the ice, and sinking. Signals of distress were hoisted, without the remotest chance of gaining assistance. For two days she was seen in the same forlorn condition, when she suddenly disappeared, and very little doubt is entertained of every soul having gone down in the foundered vessel. Subsequently, a great many bodies were seen intermingled with the ice, together with some portion of the cargo; the latter led to the discovery of the port to which the vessel belonged, and her intended destination. The Oriental was eleven days before she got clear of the ice.

Another similar catastrophe was witnessed on the 29th of March, about twenty miles to the westward of St. Paul's, by the ship Signette, M. Mowatt, from Alloa for Quebec. The vessel was apparently an English brig, heavily laden, with painted portholes. She had got fixed in the ice, and had been cut down by it to the water's edge, admitting a rush of water into the hold. Her crew were observed working at the pumps, evidently in the hope of keeping her afloat in the expectation of assistance arriving. She soon, however, sank, and all on board met with a watery grave. The exact number that perished was not learned.

Letters have been received communicating the total loss of the Ostensible, also in the ice. She was from Liverpool, bound to Quebec, with several passengers. Up to the 5th of May she experienced heavy weather, when she fell in with an enormous field of ice, and got fixed in it for five days and nights, in the course of which her hull was pierced by the huge fragments,

and she became a lost vessel. Pumps were kept going till the arrival of the brig Duke, Captain Welsh, also for Quebec, which, after considerable working, succeeded in making through the ice to the sinking vessel, and rescued the whole of her crew from an inevitable death. The Ostensible went down within twenty minutes after.

Two other vessels from Liverpool -the Conservator and the Acorn--were both lost near the same time. The former was on a passage to Montreal. She got pinched by the ice within three days after losing sight of land, and filling, immediately went down; the crew were lucky enough to save the ship's boats, in which they were picked up. The Acorn met with her destruction within thirty miles of St. John's, Newfoundland; the crew were saved by the schooner Blessing, of Sunderland. Among the other losses in the ice reported, are enumerated the Hibernia, from Glasgow for Quebec; the British schooner Collector, from St. John's, Newfoundland, for London; the brig Astrea, of Weymouth; the Wilhelmina, of Aberdeen; the Gosnell, of Newcastle; the Sylph, of Leith; and three others, the names of which are unknown. With the exception of the latter, the crews were saved. Most of the unfortunate vessels were heavily laden, and their losses in total cannot be far short of £100,000.-Observer.

WRECK OF THE "ORION" STEAMER.-FIFTY LIVES LOST.

The Orion, a regular packet, running between Glasgow and Liverpool, sailed from the latter port on Monday afternoon, June 17th, and was wrecked on the rocks off Portpatrick. This event is thus officially announced:"Portpatrick, June 18th.

"Sir,It is my painful duty to report the melancholy loss of life which occurred this morning by the wreck of the Orion steam-ship near this place, on her voyage from Liverpool to Glasgow, and having on board upwards of 200 persons, including the crew. The Orion passed close by the Lighthousepier at 40 a.m., the weather calm and hazy, and having run with great force on the rocky projection of the coast, about 400 yards north of the harbour, rebounded off, and sank in five fathoms water.

"So fearfully rapid was this awful calamity that scarcely seven minutes appear to have elapsed from the vessel striking until her hull sunk under water, and it is feared that many of the unfortunate sufferers had not time to leave their berths.

"The circumstances were partly witnessed from the shore, and the alarm being speedily given, the harbour boat, with every available boat in the port, was, with myself, soon at the wreck, and it was our unspeakable happiness to assist in rescuing those persons who still clung to the rigging and upper rails of the hull.

"From information up to this time, I have reason to believe 150 persons have been saved, leaving the fearful number of 50 whose fate is doubtful. I beg to enclose the names of those survivors who have been actually seen, which, with 35 of the crew, amount to 140.

"I feel bound to express my admiration of the activity shown by the boatmen of the port in their exertions to save life, and the manner the inhabitants gave up their beds and clothing to the sufferers as they were landed.

"I have, &c.,

"EDWARD HAWES, Commander R.N.,

"General Superintendent, Portpatrick Harbour."

The particulars will best be understood by our readers from the following narrative of the melancholy catastrophe, so far as it was under his own