Bethel captains and Bethel ships are thus multiplying every year. Nor can we but hope as we are borne along the course of time in the chariot of inspiration, that the day is rapidly approaching when every vessel that leaves our shores will rest on the bosom of the deep as the ark of God—the immediate scene of his presence and Spirit, and when every sailor shall be the subject of redeeming love.

TEMPERANCE AND SAILORS' BOARDING HOUSES.

Intemperance is the curse and ruin of the sailor. To save him from this, we must save him from his friends falsely so called-the crimpthe publican-and the lodging-house keeper, and find for him some safe retreat, either in the private domestic circle, or in those public homes, which now adorn the metropolis.*

INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS TRACTS.

It is a principle in the divine procedure to accomplish every design by the simplest means. Now we can scarcely conceive of any simpler means in the economy of enlightening and evangelizing the souls of men, than the distribution of religious tracts. A tract is so scriptural in its doctrines-so clear in its announcements-so direct in its appeals-so artless in its style-and so likely to be understood by even the most unlettered, that we must regard them as amongst the most efficient means we employ. And the benefits of those publications among seamen are beyond dispute. We shall confine ourselves to one single instance, furnished by one of your missionaries. He writes :

In

"I gave a tract to a sailor proverbial for drunkenness and other vices.-He carelessly put it into his pocket where it remained for several days. When it again came to view poor jack read its title THE NECESSITY OF REPENTANCE. Oh (said he) this is just what I want-repentance. He read the traet, and having in early life been brought up in a Sunday school, and having a bible in his chest, he was led to read the bible and the tract together. They became his daily companion. Soon after he was found bowing before God in prayer. He was then far away at sea. But a change had taken place, which was evident to all his shipmates. the course of the voyage the captain was taken ill, and his mind becoming distressed, the mate was requested to read and pray. But he knew nothing of religion. He stated to the captain that one of the sailors in the forecastle was often reading the scriptures and praying. He was sent for. He read he prayed-and God blessed his humble efforts. The mind of the captain was relieved his health restored, and there is every reason to hope that he received the truth as it is in Christ. The sailor was esteemed for his piety and zeal. And having laid aside the sin which had hitherto so easily beset him-the sin of intemperance, his sobriety soon afterwards recommended him to the notice of a pious captain who made him chief mate of his ship. In this relation he gave much satisfaction to his employers— was soon promoted to take the command of a vessel of 200 tons, and is now the captain of a ship of nearly 700 tons greatly respected for his piety and general deportment. And this is the sailor to whom I gave the tract on repentance."

* The Sailors' Home in Well Street, under the superintendence of capt. Elliot, R.N. and the Sailors' Home, East India Road, Poplar, built at the expense of R. Green, Esq. a splendid monument of christian beneficence.

Through the continued and repeated generosity of the Religious Tract Society to whom your committee feel under the heaviest obligations for many large and liberal grants, they have been enabled to make a free distribution to the various local associations, and to pious seamen going on distant voyages. We know not but each tract may prove an incorruptible seed, which under the genial and vital influence of the divine Spirit may yet" spring up and yield in some thirty, in some sixty, and in some an hundred-fold!"

In connexion with the distribution of tracts your committee have it in their power to state, that they have on board ships sailing to almost every port in the world not fewer than from five to six hundred

LOAN LIBRARIES.

But they are doubtful whether the books are generally read or valued. It is not much time that the sailor can command, still if the moments which are left to him were but employed in replenishing the mind with religious and useful information, from how many temptations and vices might he be preserved. The mind least or most partially informed is the most likely to be brought under the action and influence of evil agencies. But to give to the mind a taste for knowledge we must begin with the child. "The child is father of the man," and just according to the early training will be the later habits and pursuits. It is therefore with no small satisfaction that the directors refer to their

DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

During the past year these have been placed on a more efficient plan of operation. Mr.J. Stumbles has been appointed master, and Miss Hempstead mistress of the society's day schools, established for the education of both sexes. In both departments there has been a marked and delightful improvement. The applications for admission are more numerous than can be entertained. The following is from the report of the Superintendent of Thames agency :—

"Our day schools are in a flourishing state. The actual attendance of boys has amounted to 142, and of girls to 107-a number considerably higher than the report of last year recorded. By the judicious efforts of the master and mistress who have lately been appointed to the office, the system of the Borough Road School has been brought into more complete and efficient operation; and in the gradual increase of attendance a satisfactory proof is afforded of the general improvement of this valuable department of our agency."

"Our Sabbath Schools still languish for want of efficient teachers. From the fluctuating and unsettled nature of the congregation at Bell Wharf we are compelled to look elsewhere for aid, and the churches in the vicinity have so many claims upon their resources both of agency and pecuniary means as to be unable to assist us. We give honour to those valued friends who are engaged in the work, and regret that they are not better supported in these labours."

From among the boys it is not unlikely that many of them may prefer a sea-faring life, and therefore it may be expected that the next

generation of seamen will better appreciate your libraries and demand a higher order of books. Nor is it too much to hope that the early impressions of truth and religion which are now made on their minds not only in the day-school, but especially by the instructions communicated on the sabbath will invest them with a purer and more virtuous character on the distant shores to which they may go, and on which their intercourse and conduct will be most powerfully felt.

THE SAILORS CHAPEL.

In your last annual report it was stated that arrangements had been made to form a christian society in connexion with the chapel, composed of pious seamen of all denominations, who on being furnished with a recommendation from their respective pastors should be admitted to membership—monthly partake of the Lord's supper, and hold themselves pledged in every way possible to promote the kingdom of Christ among their brethren of the deep. This has been done. And now nearly two hundred have been enrolled as communicants, and around the table of redeeming love, heart has blended with heart in sweet and satisfying communion.

Those thus associated have their weekly fellowship meeting when in the port of London, in conformity with the practice of former saints who feared the Lord, and spake often one to another.

"The object of these meetings" (says the senior missionary) is to put each other in remembrance of the great things God has done for their souls, as well as to stimulate one another to diligence in spiritual things. In these meetings the burthened sinner has often cast his load upon the Saviour;-the contrite and the humble have experienced the consolations of the gospel, and the believing soul been encouraged to go forward looking unto Jesus. Many of our brother sailors after long and protracted voyages have gladly attended, and have found that in mercy the great Redeemer there "disclosed his lovely face and smiled away their fears."

The Superintendent of Thames Agency writes:

"The attendance at the sailors' chapel varies according to the number of seamen in port. Generally speaking however that attendance is not so encouraging as could be desired and not until the long-cherished wish of the committee has been realized and a sanctuary worthy of the society and attractive to sailors has heen erected can we hope to see a numerous congregation assembled. Whilst however we may regret the occasional paucity of numbers gathered, we have ample evidence that good has been effected and that many souls have been converted to God."

SUPERINTENDENT OF THAMES AGENCY.

The more successfully to carry on their operations in the port of London, the directors have deemed it expedient to place the entire agency under immediate personal supervision. To this department, the Rev. C. J. Hyatt was unanimously chosen and appointed shortly after the last annual meeting. The arrangement (which has been effected without any additional expenditure) has more and more approved itself to the judgment of the committee, and they feel confident that its results will be yet more apparent, especially as some very material alterations have recently been made in the agency, which will contribute both to its directness and its power.

And here it may be proper to state, that with the consent and approval of the board, your junior missionary, (Mr. J. Welch) has removed to the port of Hull, and is there engaged in the same work under the auspices and support of the local society. Another missionary has been appointed to the Thames in the person of Mr. Fieldwick, who has been introduced to the committee with the highest testimonials, and of whose superior qualifications they are fully satisfied. With these new arrangements the directors would enter on the present year with renewed confidence and hope. God has hitherto vouchsafed his blessing, and in humble dependence on promised influence they look forward to still greater success. Much remains to be done. And for its accomplishment there must be a loftier devotion,—a warmer zeal,-a more manly energy.

THE LASCARS.

It having been ascertained that the Lascars and other Asiatic sailors who are yearly brought into the port of London, are in many instances reduced to great privation and suffering during their abode in this country, your committee, after the fullest and most searching investigation of the matter, were induced to make an appeal to the public on their behalf. A sufficient fund was obtained to rent and fit up two small houses as a temporary refuge for the most destitute of these men-make a limited provision for their support and engage an agent to impart religious instruction. But nothing on a large and comprehensive scale could be attempted. The appeal though addressed to the merchants, shipowners, and inhabitants of the first city in the world, was met with but a feeble response. And your committee having thus made the experiment are fearful that they must now abandon the scheme. Is it not a national disgrace that while thousands of the heathen are every year to be found on our own shores, they should be unheeded, uninstructed, and allowed to leave us heathens still? Where is the spirit of missions -the spirit of love-the spirit of Christ?

PROVINCIAL OPERATIONS.

It is the happiness of the directors to be able to report not only on the continued existence and operation of your local agencies, but on their multiplication and increase.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.-It was stated at the last anniversary, that here an association had been formed, and the Rev. Thomas Robinson been appointed seamen's chaplain. Since then the local committee have prosecuted their design with great energy. Their first annual report has just been published, in which they say

"It affords us pleasure to reflect that through the instrumentality of this auxiliary, hundreds of British seamen have heard words whereby they might be saved,' and that upon their own admission repeatedly made, seamen visiting this port have not to say during the past year, 'no man careth for our souls.' Christians cannot too earnestly pray that the gospel which they have heard publicly and from ship to ship may prove a savour of life unto life, and not of death unto death. From the list which your missionary has kept of meetings held, tracts distributed, &c. it

appears that up to the present time 339 services have been conducted, considerably upwards of 200 have been held on board ships;-5500 tractshave been distributed and put in circulation ;-about 2200 vessels visited ;—and about fifty copies of the scriptures sold or gratuitously bestowed. Your committee have also to state, that owing to the wideness of the field ofo peration, they saw it necessary to engage an additional agent in the work."

The agent engaged is Mr. Milne, who was himself a sailor, and for some time before his appointment was employed in making known the gospel among his brother-seamen in Dundee. His labours now are

chiefly directed to

SUNDERLAND.-Where another local society has recently been formed including five or six sea-ports, with an active committee in each place. The objects contemplated in the formation of this auxiliary, and in the appointment of a permanent agency are as follow:—

1. To visit the vessels lying at the quay and the different stations on the river, for the purpose of holding religious conversation and distributing bibles and tracts.

2. To visit the families of the sailors and watermen resident in the neighbourhood of the port, with the object of imparting spiritual instruction and consolation.

3. To hold meetings for exhortation and prayer on week-day evenings, at a time and place convenient on shore for the attendance of sailors.

4. To conduct divine service on the afternoon of sabbath days, in the sailor's chapel, for the special benefit of sailors, and occasionally on board when the weather will permit.

5. To superintend on the morning of sabbath days, the religious instruction of the young, belonging to the families of those sailors and waterman who reside near the port.

6. To furnish ship libraries of religious books on loan, to vessels bound to foreign ports, and also to provide a reading room in connection with the chapel for seamen.

7. To procure the assistance of gratuitous agents, who shall conduct devotional services, and expound a portion of the word of God on board such vessels as shall be obtained for that purpose.

8. To spend one month in the year in visiting through the county, for the purpose of recommending the seamen's cause to the attention of the public and of strengthening the society's funds.

9. To pay occasional visits to the neighbouring towns and vilages for the promotion of the same objects."

NORTH AND SOUTH SHIELDS.-Since your last anniversary, Shields has become an affiliated branch of the parent society. An association has been formed, a missionary appointed, and the work of instruction among the seamen commenced with the most pleasing prospects of success. The report of the agency has just been received, from which we make the following extract:—

66 'Having been appointed as your missionary agent to seamen at North Shields I commenced my labours on the 1st September, 1842. I found the number of vessels on the river, and consequently the number of sailors far greater than I at all contemplated or expected. Indeed the forest of masts' on the Tyne resembles (frequently) that on the Thames, and it is obvious, that a powerful and efficient society here, with direct and exclusive reference to seamen, is as necessary, and must be as important as in any port of the kingdom. Seamen from every part of the English coast, as well as from foreign climes, are constantly visiting the river, and while some of them are pious and a blessing to the nation, others, and by far the larger number, are without hope,