useful books he has sent to our reading-room. The present is very acceptable, and we should be much delighted if other friends would remember us in the same way. Our people here are much pleased with "The Sailors' Hymn Book," several copies of which have been sold. MILFORD. REPORT OF CAPTAIN J. LEWIS. Since my last report, I have had some little pleasing addition to my general work, by the arrival of a number of riggers, &c., from Plymouth dockyard, who were occupied some weeks in removing the moorings from the quarantine ground; they were nearly sixty in number, and remained about six weeks. I visited them frequently for conversation, besides holding several regular services, which were of a very pleasing and interesting character. Many of them were prevailed upon faithfully to promise (by Divine help) to break themselves of the habit of swearing, which I could not but regret to see prevailed amongst them to a fearful extent. The valuable little tract, "The Swearer's Prayer," was read by most of them, and I have reason to believe this awful practice appeared to them as it had not done before. Many of them were most anxious that I should be with them as frequently as possible. A spirit of inquiry after truth was very apparent among them; and in some was awakened a sincere desire to flee from the wrath to come, which was plainly evinced by an increased eagerness to hear the Word. After holding a service with them on the Sabbath morning, I got into my boat to go to "angle," where I had an appointment among the fishermen. I was surprised to find that most of them followed me, and more serious and attentive worshippers I have seldom seen. They have now left, and I trust the gracious seasons we were permitted to enjoy will issue in the sound conversion of many of those hardy tars. I have also been greatly encouraged in some visits made to the sick and dying. A young shipwright at Pater, who had been some months declining, I found at first very averse to hear anything of death, and the great change which must be wrought in the soul. However, persevering with him, it pleased God to show him his state by nature, and to enable him to cast his soul, by faith, on the atonement. His sufferings were most distressing; but from the time of his being able to trust in Christ, his patience was most exemplary, and all around him were astonished at the change. He died in the full hope and faith of the Gospel, and I trust his death will be blessed to his surviving friends. In no department of my work am I without encouragement. In passing through one of the streets in Pater, a few days ago, a woman stepped out of a house, and asked me if I was the "Sailor's missionary" at Milford. Answering in the affirmative, "Then, Sir," she said, "I have something to show you.' Upon which she produced a letter from her son, dated from the West Indies. It contained a touching account of a work of grace in his soul; and you may guess my feelings when I discovered that this happy change was providentially brought about through my stopping him in the street at Milford, to give him some tracts, accompanying them with exhortations and advice. The Spirit was pleased to carry it to his heart, and he has yielded himself to the service of God. When this youth left home, the parents, who were pious, had many anxious fears, knowing that he was thoughtless, and addicted to the vices of his age. They did not fail, however, to recommend him to God in prayer; and He has been pleased to answer beyond their expectation. For the summer season, we have had more than an average number of vessels put in leaky. The crews of each have been duly visited, and books and tracts distributed among them to the extent of my means. The crew of the Cinderella, of Jersey, bound for Rio, seem to have especially prized the opportunities afforded them; the captain and mate setting them a noble example. Reviewing the labours of each month, I feel constrained to praise the Lord for his assistance in the work. May he continue to shine upon us, and bless and prosper the work of our hands! YARMOUTH. REPORT OF MR. J. VALLINS. about When I wrote my last report, I anticipated holding more Bethel meetings than I have hitherto realised; nevertheless, we have had a few excellent meetings, for the Lord has been in our midst to do us good. On more than one occasion, owing to unfavourable weather, we were obliged to take the cabin, which, being small, was crowded, but still found to be the gate of heaven. At a meeting on board the A- of S, Captain Rsixty persons were present, several of whom were masters; five engaged in prayer. The captain had kindly raised an awning, and fitted up seats for the occasion, but said that the meeting was a sufficient reward for any pains he could take to accommodate us, and hoped he should never be weary of forwarding the sailor's cause while it was in his power to help it. In my visits to vessels, I have often been cheered by the eagerness with which many ask for tracts, which they have either seen or heard of among their shipmates, and by their readiness to converse or listen when opportunity serves. I met with a Dutch captain who had recently lost his wife by death; he believed his drinking habits had hastened her end: he possessed a Bible presented to him by his wife, with her name inscribed, and an earnest request that he would make it his guide. This book had been submerged in the Thames, and was much dilapidated from being long under water; but since he had been brought to reflection, this Bible had become a treasure which no wealth would buy. I saw him several times, and this was always his theme, as he pressed it to his bosom and wept till utterance was choked. He always finished with, "Say no more." I spent hours with him at different times in conversation and prayer, for whenever he saw me he would almost force me into his cabin. The ship, which was a fine one, was his own, but he seemed to value nothing but his Bible and his soul. My visits to the sick and dying have not been in vain, as an instance or two will show. An old captain at sea, and one who formerly led the singing at the Mariners' Chapel, requested that I would visit his wife, whom he feared was near death, but unprepared for her solemn change. I complied, and found her in great anxiety about her soul; I directed her to the Sinner's Friend-"the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." I had the happiness of seeing her for some weeks calmly resting on that great atonement, and then, in the full assurance of hope, depart to be with Christ, which is far better. The old captain, who had been a mere formal professor, now became deeply conscious of the reality of religion, and his own utter destitution of it, and at once gave himself unto prayer, for he longed to enjoy the peace he had witnessed in his partner, and to follow her to her rest in heaven. His wish was soon realised, for in ten days after he exchanged mortality for life. So, at least, we are led to hope, for he appeared a true penitent. A few hours before he expired he requested me to make some improvement of this circumstance at the Mariners' Chapel, and especially to mention the tranquil sufferings and death of his beloved wife, and to urge on all, but on sailors particularly, their need of personal religion. I fulfilled his request, and redeemed my pledge, by preaching from Ecclesiastes xii. 6 and 7, to a large and deeply affected congregation. It was a solemn time, and will not be easily forgotten by the members of the family, for a daughter shortly afterwards called to prove the truth of my text-her dust having returned to the earth as it was, and her spirit to God who gave it. In my visits to the hospital I have been encouraged by seeing those who had been careless brought to reflection, and anxious for religious instruction. One I believe was truly penitent. He has been restored to health, and will, I trust, be useful to his brethren of the deep. In another, I saw complete tranquillity of mind and acquiescence in the will of God, for, like Job, he could say from the heart, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." This man had long enjoyed the favour of God, and had been a member of a Christian church several years. May every sailor seek and find the same grace also. SUNDERLAND. REPORT OF MR. J. MILNE. Having been from home for some time, and previous to that a good deal engaged in a movement for the purpose of closing certain houses harbouring prostitutes and frequented by large numbers of seamen, I am not able to give many statistics of labour at present. But I may say, that more or less of my time is occupied daily in visiting the vessels in the river and docks, and in holding religious meetings in our two Bethels and elsewhere. I am also often visiting among the families in the lanes and streets of our town. During the year the Sunderland docks were opened, and are now frequented by a number of vessels. Most of these I visited yesterday, conversing with those on board, and leaving behind me some religious tracts for their instruction in righteousness. Our seamen and others have had many a solemn warning this year to prepare to meet their God; and I have paid a number of very affecting visits to those who have been left widows. At Bahia, this summer, a large number of seamen fell victims to the raging fever, and among those were found many belonging to this port, who have left behind them widows and orphans to mourn their loss. There were three especially, who were well known as Bethel captains. They carried with them the Bethel flag, and took a deep and lively interest in the work of God among seamen at home and abroad, but they have ceased from their labours and have gone to their rest. Their names were, Captain Robson, of the William Thomas, Captain Buckhouse, of the Mercia, and Captain Lewer, of the Monarch. On the improvement of such a distressing event I preached a sermon a short time since in our Seamen's Hall. The service was one of a deeply solemn and impressive nature, while the Hall was well filled. The text was, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain "-Phil. i. 21. On Sabbath last, a brig arrived from Hamburg, and laid close by our North Bethel. On board of that vessel one of the sailors had died very suddenly of cholera, and he was taken straight away to the churchyard and buried. His poor widow, who had been expecting him at home, had not even the opportunity of seeing his corpse. Oh, how many and trying are the disappointments of life. I learned, on going aboard, that previous to sailing I had been on board; and I remember well holding conversation with the crew, and with him among the rest, solemnly calling their attention to the necessity of being prepared to meet God, seeing that we know not what danger an hour may bring forth. Poetry. THE LOSS OF "THE OCEAN MONARCH." A noble bark, The Ocean Monarch hight! Shall yield to grim despair or frenzied fear, Mid blackening sails its way portentous wends: Despair and hope, life--death-eternity Goads on the maddening mind, and fires the frantic eye. What time thou blastedst with pestiferous breath How dreadful then! but trebly dreadful now- Cast wistful looks on Albion's distant shore, To shun the conflagration's deafening roar- Of blazing spars that reach the hissing main: It falls the shuddering heavens hear again And is there none to succour? none to save? While hundreds find a sad untimely grave, The smouldering wreck their bier--their winding-sheet the wave! When succour comes. All-bounteous Providence, (The Ocean's Monarch HE, and HE alone,) * An emigrant ship, destroyed by fire near Liverpool, 24th August, 1848, when, out of 396 persons, 177 were lost. Mid fiery judgment makes his mercy known: And hope breaks forth and shines, though shaded still by far! Spring to the rescue in this time of woe: And one, whom erst she counted as her foe, Aside the flaming brand, the murderous steel, But some there are who rescue but to slay, Aghast we turn aside our eyes, and then Sit down and weep to think that we are also men.* Remain in man: for can it be forgot How dauntless JEROME through the bubbling brine To rouse within her sons the flame that warms thy breast. To paint a burning vessel's fate in vain Has been attempted; but what tongue can tell Of earth in ruins, and a blazing hell, Already kindied? Where shall then be found, A refuge from the fiery ocean's swell? Lo, you tall Rock! reach but its hallowed bound, SAMUEL COURT. *According to a statement of a correspondent of the Times, some of the sufferers were taken on board a small vessel, and there robbed of money and even clothes while they were asleep. All, however, escaped from this den of thieves, except one young man, respecting whom the most painful apprehensions were entertained. |