Missionary Operations. PORT OF LONDON. MR. H. V. BAILEY'S REport. In reviewing my journal, I find abundant cause to thank God and take courage. As my report will include two months' labours, perhaps I cannot do better than give a few extracts from my journal, hoping they will be to our friends proofs that our labours are not in vain in the Lord. June 10th. Visited during the day 30 vessels, and held a service on board a vessel lying in the Upper Pool. A Bethel service had not been conducted on board this vessel before. At the close of this service, a master belonging to a sloop requested me to step on board his vessel, as he wished to have a little conversation with me. On entering his cabin he said, "I am very happy to see you. I have not seen you since you conducted that very interesting service on board a Sunderland brig lying a tier above this, about three months since. Never shall I forget that service. There the Lord imparted light and liberty to my soul. There and then I was constrained to open my lips in prayer, and from that night I have enjoyed sweet peace of mind. I have often longed to see you, in order to encourage you in your work of faith and labour of love." June 20th. Visited 35 vessels. Conversed with a goodly number of seamen. In the evening held a service on board a Sunderland trader. Our cabin and steerage were crowded. Seven seamen engaged in prayer. One sailor wept much during the service. In prayer he acknowledged the discourse had been made a blessing to him. He confessed his backslidings of heart to the Lord, and before the service closed he seemed in a much happier state of mind. June 24th. Visited several vessels lying in the Lower Pool. In the evening held a service on board the Harmony, of Sunderland. In going on board, I found the master, as usual, away with his boat, visiting the different tiers of vessels, inviting masters and men to attend our service. We soon made a good muster. A verse of a hymn was sung upon deck: we then repaired to the cabin, every part of which was soon filled. At the close of a short sermon, 13 (including masters and men) engaged in prayer. At this service some were rejoicing, others were weeping, and crying, "What must I do to be saved?" But soon their sorrow was turned into joy. One sailor in prayer (in a spirit and manner which seemed to affect almost all present to tears) said, "O Lord, thou knowest well what a wretched and miserable young man I have been. For some time my conscience has been burdened with guilt, but now thou hast taken it away, and adopted me into thy family." Another sailor professed to receive good. At the close of the service, Capt. Groombridge said that he never remembered such a service being held on board his vessel before. I found it difficult to close at a few minutes before 10 p.m. July 2nd. Visited several vessels, and held a service on board the B-, of W One cabin, state-room, and steerage, were filled. At the close of the sermon, eight engaged in prayer. Several captains were present. The master informed me that a Bethel service had not been held on board this vessel before. July 17th. Visited the Lower Pool, and held a service on board the M--of S. The master of this vessel has lately been brought into the liberty of the Gospel; consequently, I met with a very kind reception from him His cabin is now at our service whenever it is convenient. At the close of the service he said, "This means of grace has been a blessed season to my soul." A My visits to the sick and dying, I trust, have also been owned of God. One case I will just give:-A few months since, I was requested to visit a young man, who was a sailor. His parents were members of a Christian church. I found him, to all appearance, in a rapid decline. I was happy to find him deeply concerned about the things which belong to his peace. I endeavoured to set before him the way of salvation, pointing out to him the gracious invitations of the Gospel, and the willingness of Christ to save. few days after, in calling upon him, I found him trusting in Christ, and rejoicing in the liberty of the Gospel. I was with him about an hour before he departed this life. On seeing me enter the room, he said, "You see, Sir, I am dying. Yes, I am going fast home." I replied, calling him by name, "Yes, no doubt but you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death. But tell me, what are your prospects respecting the future? Is Christ precious to your spirit?" Instantly he clasped his hands, raised bis eyes, and exultingly exclaimed, "Blessed be the name of the Lord, he is still with me. All is well. A few more struggles and I shall be with Jesus." At the request of his friends I attended his funeral, and felt assured that his body was committed to the dust in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life. Since my last report, I have held 26 services afloat, attended by 398 seamen, out of whom 97 engaged in prayer. Also held 9 services ashore, and preached twice at Barking. Paid $49 visits to vessels, and 239 visits to seamen's lodging-houses; also 14 visits to sick seamen. Sold 26 English Bibles, and 14 Testaments; 1 German and 4 Welsh Bibles. Distributed 3,434 tracts, and 113 of Captain Allen's magazines. CAPTAIN PRYNN'S REPORT. Although there is a sameness in our missionary labours, in relation to the object we have in view, yet the variety of circumstances connected with this labour are of a peculiar nature, and tend to show forth its importance. This only can be faintly ascertained by referring to our journals, as a record of what takes place from time to time. A few extracts from my journal during the past month may therefore not be unacceptable. On boarding the brig Europe the master recognised me, and welcomed me on board his vessel, saying, "I well recollect you. When I was an apprentice in the Georgiana, Captain Longmuir, at a Bethel meeting held by you on board that vessel my soul was blessed. Oh! I am glad to see you, and shall be glad to hoist the flag for you to-night." We held much conversation, whereby I was informed his religious sentiments, conduct, and piety, had recommended him to the notice of his employers. He had risen from the apprentice to the mate, and from mate he became captain. He remembered and spoke of our late friend, Captain Longmuir, who was called hence by an attack of cholera; but he was taken from his labours, which were untiring amongst sailors, to an eternal weight of glory in Heaven. I had the pleasure of enjoying much of his company and fellowship here below, and prized it much. I may be pardoned for referring to a particular deliverance of my friend, Captain Longmuir, from drowning. His vessel, the Georgiana, was laying in the London docks, near the Wisbeach, Captain Bufham. I was about to hold a Bethel meeting on board the Wisbeach (which vessel lately foundered on her passage to the United States, from Newport, an account of which appears in the Sailors' Magazine of August last). On inviting my friend, Captain Longmuir, to the Bethel meeting, he said, "I am just preparing to go by steamer to Aberdeen, and my time is up-I must away." Wishing each other well we parted, I to conduct my meeting, and my friend for the shore, to join the steamer. I was just going below to commence my meeting, the sailors being waiting, when I heard a plunge in the water, in the direction Captain Longmuir was going on shore. Instantly looking round, I found he had fallen overboard from the edge of the wharf, a height of at least 15 feet. An alarm was instantly given, and in three or four minutes he was most miraculously rescued. I left the meeting for a few minutes to attend my friend to his vessel, and his mind being a little composed, I returned to my service. We had commenced, and Captain Bufham had engaged in prayer. No sooner had he closed, than Captain Longmuir, who had by this time made one of our company, most unexpectedly broke out in prayer, in such a powerful manner as to bring tears from the eyes of many present-not 10 minutes before being so near the eternal world, and now pouring out his heart in thanksgiving to God for his deliverance, and earnestly pleading for future blessings. Never shall I forget this scene. From this period he set himself to the study of the Scriptures, and to be useful amongst sailors. He used frequently to hold meetings on board vessels four or five times a week, when laying in the docks, and when the sailors could not get on shore to hear the word of God. His usefulness was extensive. My information has been derived from many who attended his meetings held when far away, as well as those at home, and who had sat under his addresses with much profit and delight. At a meeting held on board the H——, of L——, there being 42 sailors present, I was deeply affected with the powerful petitions offered up by the captains and sailors, seven of whom prayed. Here were captains praying for their ships' crews, and sailors praying for their captains. One of the captains prayed thus-"Oh Lord, thou knowest my heart's desire is that my ship's crew should be converted to the truth in Christ. Convince, oh convince them of sin, and plant thy fear in their hearts. Oh Lord, save them for thy name's sake." And a sailor, in prayer, offered up this petition-" Gracious God, change the heart of our captain, now bowed before thee, and cause him to see the error of his way before it be too late. Oh! that those who command our ships commanded in the fear of the Lord." I addressed them from Amos iv. 13, "Ye were as a brand plucked from the burning." The word spoken appeared to take a deep effect upon the minds of many present, and I trust will tend to the glory of God, and the good of souls; then will the end be answered for which our Bethel meetings are held. In the course of my visitation, one morning I met two Roman Catholics, with whom I was called to have some conversation-the one a captain, the other a mate. They were well informed men, but their prejudices to truth were great. After using every scriptural argument I could advance, they turned round and said, "You are a heretic, and we'll say no more to such a fool." So I had my labour in vain. May God convince them of their error. In visiting the West India Docks, I met four captains who are in the act of furnishing the Scriptures and religious tracts to their ships' crews when on foreign voyages. Their recent voyages had been Callao, Berbice, Valparaiso, and Honduras. Held a meeting on board the Superb, Captain W---, a pious man, but once a very different character. Twenty-five years ago he sailed with me as a sailor. What a change! This change had been brought about through hearing a sermon, some years since, at Bell Wharf Chapel. He said he was ashamed to see me whilst labouring under conviction for sin, although he had often made the attempt. However, it appears he made his case known to some pious sailors whom he met with at a Bethel meeting. He was enabled to give up his drinking habits, and soon became a follower of the dear Redeemer. At this meeting seven others prayed. There were present two sailors earnestly seeking the pardon of their sins; they were urged to cast themselves by prayer and repentance on Christ as the only Saviour of sinners. Especial prayer was made for them. After my return from preaching on a Sabbath evening at the Sailors' Church, a person who was present inquired where I lived and followed me to my house. On my meeting him at my door, he said, "I much wish to speak to you; I am just come from the Sailors' Church, where you have preached.” His appearance being mean, he said, "I want no pecuniary assistance, but I wish to speak to you of the state of my soul." He came in, and being seated, gave me such a detail of the state of his mind as I had scarcely ever heard. I gathered from the whole that he had been a member of the Wesleyan denomination; a man of some Christian experience, and conversant with the Scriptures; but had, in an unguarded hour, given way to temptation, and was labouring under deep distress of mind, and to use his words, "I am wandering hither and thither to find peace, and in a most singular manner was led to your place of worship this evening; I was therefore resolved, if possible, to see you, in order to unburthen my mind." I spent some time with him in conversation and reading appropriate passages of Scripture, and prayer. On parting, I asked him to attend the prayer meeting at the Sailors' Church on the ensuing evening. He said, "Oh, Sir, I live many miles from this place, and shall probably never see you again. I thank God I was directed to the Church this evening; it was a mysterious Providence brought me there. I am obliged for your kindness in granting me this interview." Tears prevented him for a few moments; then, rising from his chair, he said, "Farewell, God bless you; pray for me." I was myself so affected on this occasion, as only to be able to reply, "Farewell, farewell!" May this poor wanderer be restored to the favour of God. Sailors' Church.-The cause of God at the Sailors' Church is such as to encourage the hearts and strengthen the hands of those that labour there from time to time. Reference might be made to particular cases; one may suffice. A person recently brought under deep convictions for sin, and I trust earnestly seeking peace and pardon, after attendance at the Sailors' Church, has acknowledged to me the services there had been made a blessing to his soul, and he hoped he should attend there more constantly in future. This is not a solitary case, so there is great reason to rejoice that God is blessing the instrumentality there employed for his own glory. Sailors' Lodging-houses.-I have met, this past month, seventeen cases of men whose character appeared to bear some faint resemblance to the Christian character, from what I could gather from their experience and conversation; but what is this amongst the great mass with whom we meet from time to time? Some of those men have attended the Sailors' Church, and appeared very attentive to the word spoken. May that word be made the power of God unto the salvation of their souls. I have held thirteen Bethel meetings afloat; 179 sailors have attended; three public services on shore; visited 383 vessels; visits to sailors' lodginghouses, 192; distributed 1841 tracts; sold 41 Bibles, 3 Testaments; gave away 27 old magazines. Poetry. A SAILOR'S PRAYER. "When the lonely watch we keep, Eye that never slumbers shed When the Sabbath's peaceful ray Sabbath to the muttering sea! When the raging billows dark, Thou who hear'st us when we pray-- When in foreign lands we roam, Fitting those who follow Thee!" LINES ADDRESSED TO A MISSIONARY'S WIFE, ON SEEING A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW SPANNING HER OCEAN PATH, ON THE EVE OF HER DEPARTURE TO AUSTRALIA, ON BOARD THE THOMAS CHADWICK," NOVEMBER, 1849. |