want of tracts; invited them to the chapels in the village, and arranged for a meeting on board on Friday evening. Friday, 5th.-Visited the Charlotte, Capt. Annison; had conversation with the men. Visited also the Effort, Capt. Scott. Preached on board the Charlotte; had a prayer-meeting afterwards. Four of the men engaged in solemn prayer to God: had a most refreshing season. The mate told me after the service, that he had been of late impressed by the pious example of his captain; that he had now made up his mind to give his heart to God, and wished for aid to do so. Saturday, 6th.-Held a prayer-meeting, and gave a word of exhortation on board the Charlotte, Capt. Annison; had no flag; felt very much the want of one on this occasion. Sunday, 7th.-Took a local preacher from Essex with me on board the Charlotte, who gave us an excellent sermon. We had here a very gracious time. Tuesday, 9th.-Held a meeting on board the Effort, Capt. Scott; feel very much cramped here for want of tracts. Visited all the wharfs; could give away hundreds of tracts if I had them. Friday, 12th.-Had sickness in my family; had to go for doctor, which prevented me getting a ship for this evening. Saturday, 13th.-Held a meeting on board the Resolution, in the Reach, Capt. Banbridge; few present; I could not get a flag in the Reach. Sunday, 14th.-My family still ill, and myself unwell. I took cold coming on shore last evening in the rain; got my feet wet. Tuesday, 16th.-Gave a number of handbills, which had been given me, to sailors. Held a meeting on board the Aurora, Captain Foster. Captain Bulmer gave a very impressive discourse; six men engaged most earnestly in prayer afterwards. We had from twenty to thirty present. Arranged for a meeting on Friday. Capt. Foster having a flag of his own, we hoped to have a good meeting. Friday, 19th.-Visited some ships at the wharfs; gave a number of handbills; went three miles according to previous appointment. The wind being boisterous, the flag was not hoisted; felt much disappointment; feel the want of a flag of my own. The Lord give me grace to guide me, for I feel increasing need thereof! Saturday, 20th.-I feel anxious about getting a ship for the evening; the Lord direct me to one. Went on board two ships at the wharfs; gave handbills; discoursed with the men on things concerning their Lord and Master; all appear willing to receive instruction. Went half way up Long Reach; gave handbills to those I met. Held a fellowship meeting on board the Aurora, Capt. Foster; we had from thirty to forty present; and, the best of all, God was with us. Several related the manner of their conversion to God, their present religious experience, and hopes of future glory. During the meeting, a young man, whom I saw weeping, got up, told his intention of giving his heart to God at once, and commenced in prayer, that God would save him. Another, who was an elderly man, and had been a backslider for several years, was melted down, and reclaimed from his wandering, and gave us the history of his departure from God, which was through drink; he has now taken the total abstinence pledge. Eight or nine prayed. It was a most solemn time; the power of God was there. Tuesday, 23rd.-Visited an Irish schooner; gave handbills; talked to the men about the things of God. Preached on board the Gleaner, of Scarborough, Capt. Wilson; cabin and steerage as full as it could be stowed in; eleven captains present, ten of them pious men; all belonging to one owner. The Lord gave me liberty to speak in his name, after which twelve men engaged in prayer. We had a gracious time. Gave handbills. Engaged a ship for Friday. Friday, 26th.-Visited the Charlotte, Capt. Annison; Eliza Edwards, schooner, Capt. T. Edwards; barge, Capt. Gore; gave handbills to them. Walked about three miles up Long Reach; gave handbills to all I met, and a word of advice with them. Much good may be done in this way, as there are numbers of men and boys continually on the sea-wall. Preached on board the Retrieve, Capt. Scott; sixty present; the largest and most attentive meeting I ever saw on board of ship; nine captains present, and a blessed time we had. Saturday, 27th.-O Lord, go with me again to-day; thou art blessing and saving sailors. Visited the Lady Emma, barge, Capt. Gairn; Bell, Capt. Robbins; Portland Lass, Capt. Davies; Capt. Fleighty; these three schooners. Gave handbills to them; talked to them about their souls. Went on board the Aurora, Capt. Foster. Had a fellowship meeting; nearly fifty present; about twenty related their experience; an affecting meeting. Visited the Reaper, Capt. Bulmer; had reason to bless the Lord for all his mercies. Monday, 29th.-Visited the Enterprise, Capt. Elliott; Margaret, Capt. Dousley; Willing Mind, Capt. Shudley; and Paragon, Capt. Sim. Gave tracts, one to every man and boy, amounting to about thirty-two. Conversed with them about the things of God. May the Lord bless this conversation to them! Tuesday, 30th. - Visited the Imogene, Capt. Wratten. Preached on board the Prospect, Capt. Bulmer; cabin and steerage full. The Lord was present to bless. Six or eight men pleaded with God for the extension of his kingdom among their fellow-seamen ; one of them, an old man, whom the captain assured me was one of the wickedest men at one time, had sailed with him several times, but he had as often been obliged to part with him through drunkenness. I thought to hear this man pray, who the other day was blaspheming the name of God, must be a proof of the power of saving grace. Thursday, Feb. 1.-Visited the Martha Pope, Capt. Jones. Tracts refused by all but the captain and one man; found they were Roman Catholics. How deepseated is that prejudice which forbids all further inquiry! Popery is always the same. Friday, 2nd.-Felt uneasy because I could not fulfil my engagement in going on board the Prospect, Capt. Bulmer, to preach, it being so very rough. Saturday, 3rd.-Visited the Victoria, of London, Capt. Thomas; and the Perfection, Capt. Gave tracts to about twenty persons, and conversed with them. Sunday, 4th.-Had an invitation to preach on board the Ann, Capt. Hog, this evening, but weather had disappointed our people of a preacher at chapel, and I spoke for them; Capt. Hog and most of the crew present. Tuesday, 6th.-Went half way up Long Reach, to preach on board the Ann, Capt. Hog. He had got his order, and was gone. It was the same on Saturday; this will no doubt often occur. Visited the Fame, Capt. Burrows; gave handbills to all the men. O Lord, bless them to their souls! Thursday, 8th.-Visited the Gazelle, Capt. Brown; Welcome, Capt. Watson. Friday, 9th.-Visited the Royal Eagle, Capt. Allen; the Pilot, Capt. Bradley; the Elizabeth Ann, Capt. Ferguson; True Briton, Capt. Brown. Gave handbills to them. The Lord bless them! have attended the services held, and 32 vessels have been obtained for agents; 4 new Bethel ships. The fellowship meetings at Bellwharf chapel still continue, I trust, to be a means of increasing good. Several sailors have lately returned from long voyages, and on their attendance have expressed their gratitude for being brought to the place where they had received their first religious impressions, and have acknowledged it to be their spiritual birth-place. We hailed their arrival amongst us with much pleasure. A circumstance worthy of notice may be here remarked. For three weeks past I had observed a person in appearance as a master of a ship, accompanied with several sailors, attend the services at the sailors' chapel on the Sabbath, and also on the week-night on Monday last, at our sailors' Christian fellowship meeting. This captain gave an account of his conversion, and engaged in prayer, in a way that bespoke he was no stranger to the exercise. I have since visited him on board his ship, and spent a very pleasant hour in religious conversation and prayer. Mr. ABBOTT-Fourth Station.--In taking a review of my labours for the past three months, (though nothing new or striking has occurred,) there are several indications of the Lord's approval, and of his blessing resting upon the means employed. The attendance, on the whole, has been very good; and, on some occasions, the interest discovered by the men has been such, that the master of the vessel where the meeting has been held, has spoken of it. The attendance of masters has been very good. The interest taken in these meetings is manifested by the arrangements made for our accommodation-by the kind manner in which I am often received, and by the expressions of gratitude on leaving, accompanied, as they often are, with a request for similar visits. In many vessels family prayer is observed, as regularly as the weather will permit. I am often cheered with the testimony borne of the general benefit arising from the labours of our society. To many they have proved eminently useful, in bringing them to a knowledge of salvation, and a full enjoyment of its blessings. These facts more frequently are made known in prayer than in conversation. On such occasions utterance will be given to sentiments like these: "O Lord, I thank thee for what thou hast done for my soul at these meetings." During the last few weeks I have not held quite so many meetings as usual, on account of the badness of the weather, and the thick fogs on the river. On recently returning from a meeting, I had a very narrow escape of being drowned; but was mercifully preserved; for which I desire to be truly grateful. REV. T. MUSCUTT.-Sixth Station.Tracts are valuable-valuable in proportion to their relative connexion and importance. A single fact in any science, is worth a thousand speculative fancies. One fact in history is of more value than many fables. There are some facts which no one can deny. Who can deny the fact that the sea is grand-vast-useful -majestic-dreadful? Who can deny the fact, that the men who float on its rolling waters, either in great or small vessels, are in constant jeopardy, exposed to numerous sufferings, and endure many privations? Who can deny the fact, that many of these men are thoughtless, dissipated, foolish fellows; that fear not God or man? Who can deny the fact, that there is such an Institution as the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, what is called "methodism" is very much lessened. There are still some who feel a great opposition to the "meetingers," as the clergyman here has termed us; but the example of others operates favourably upon them notwithstanding. All these things are encouraging. May the Lord make me useful, and get glory to his name in the salvation of sinners here! Yours affectionately, E. E. ADAMS. P. S.-At one of our monthly concerts for missions, I took occasion to represent to my people the sad condition of the Lascars in London. The small sum collected at the meeting has been sent you. We wish it may be devoted directly to the relief of those poor fellowcreatures, without regard to the existing debt, because they suffer far more than any other class. A lady of my congregation is deeply interested for the Lascars; she has requested a brief statement which she can present to her friends here, and in Paris, from whom she hopes to realise something more for you. We are few, and can give but little; but that little we wish to give to the most necessitous. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AUXILIARY AT CHATHAM. THE annual meeting of this efficient auxiliary was held on Monday evening, March 18th, 1844, at the Independent chapel; the respected pastor of the church, the Rev. P. Thompson, M.A., in the chair. The Rev. Messrs. S. Davis, of Bow, and C. J. Hyatt, represented the Parent Society on the occasion. The report stated that there was a considerable increase in the funds of the Auxiliary during the year, so that, whilst the local operations of the Committee have been fully sustained, a larger amount has been received by the Parent Society than on any former occasion. FAVERSHAM.-The deputation proceeded on the following day to Faversham, where a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, at which Mr. John Bate presided. Though the assembly was not a large one, considerable interest was excited on behalf of the sailors, and an auxiliary was formed, to co-operate with the Parent Society. Mr. Jull, comptroller of the customs, kindly engaged to act as treasurer, and the Rev. H. J. Rook, as secretary. About a dozen collecting books and cards were distributed at the close of the meeting. cause. FORMATION OF AN AUXILIARY AT MANCHESTER. Ir affords us unmingled satisfaction to announce the formation of an association at Manchester, which promises to be a valuable and efficient auxiliary to the sailors' For some years, the Seamen's Friend Society at Liverpool, and our own, have received assistance from the liberality for which that important town is so distinguished. It was, however, deemed undesirable, that two societies, seeking to promote the same object, should have distinct associations for the purpose of raising funds. An union, therefore, has been effected in Manchester, and the proceeds of the auxiliary are to be divided between the two institutions. The public meeting, at which the auxiliary was formed, was held at Grosvenor-street Chapel, on Wednesday, March 21, 1844, on which occasion, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, presided. An adjourned meeting was likewise held on the following Monday, February 25th, at Chapel-street Chapel, Salford, the Rev. J. W. Massie in the chair. At these meetings, the Rev. Messrs. Adey and Hyatt represented the British and Foreign Sailors' Society; and Captain Hudson, that of Liverpool. The sum received by the deputation in the shape of collections, subscriptions, and donations, exceeded £100. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted at the meeting held in Grosvenor-street Chapel: "That this meeting recognises the claims of seamen to the sympathies of British Christians, and their combined co-operation in seeking the diffusion of Divine truth among that long-neglected class of our fellow subjects." accumulating facts, which show that grace can change a sailor's heart, and make him a new creature in Christ. To God be all the praise! It is a fact, confirmed by nautical experience, that a pious commander, acting under the influence of religion, can rule his men when out at sea. One proof of this may suffice. In conversation with Captain B not long since, I received, in substance, the following communication. He was, at the period to which it relates, bound to a port in the Mediterranean. His crew, when he shipped them, were all strangers to him; he had not proceeded far, before he heard one of his men uttering dreadful oaths; he immediately called him, and said, “Now, my good fellow, I allow no swearing on board my ship." The sailor in a low, grumbling tone, and with a surly countenance, muttered, "This is a pretty thing indeed-what, no swearing al1wed?" The captain replied, “No, none-and if I hear you, or any one else utter an oath, I shall give you and them extra work to do." He then reasoned with the man, and tried to show him the evil of such a habit. The sailor said, "Why, I did not mean any harm, I'm sure." "But suppose," said Captain B, "God had answered your prayer, your oath, what would have become of your soul?" No more profane swearing | did the captain hear; his determination was soon spread fore and aft. Captain B. soon found that his men were totally destitute of religion; and anxious to do them good, like a prudent man, he not only prayed, but watched for a fitting season to introduce sacred things to their notice. That season came in a somewhat singular manner. He had retired to his state-room to hold communion with God. Something occurred on deck, which, in the opinion of the chief mate, required the cap the captain did not reply. He called again; but all was silent. Thinking something might have happened, the mate hastened below-came to the door, opened it, and saw the master on his knees in prayer; he withdrew, without speaking a word. The man of prayer was soon on deck. The mate, evidently confused, apologised for disturbing him. "I did not know; I would not have come, had I known;" and such like expressions were employed. Captain Btook this opportunity of speaking to his officer on the importance and value of prayer, which led the mate at last to say, 'Well, I'm sure it's a good thing; I wish I could pray; will you pray for me?" The request was at once granted. This was the beginning of good days. The mate became thoughtful, hopeful, an altered man. Prayers in the cabin were regularly continued. By degrees the crew, one after another, joined the devotions, and at length, not one on board refused to attend. The captain, himself a good singer, soon taught his men to sing some of the songs of Sion. He had evidence, before the voyage was completed, that some of his crew were renewed men. "Now," said the captain, "now happiness reigned from the cabin to the forecastle; order and peace prevailed the whole of the passage. I had no trouble with my men; we were as comfortable together as possible." So true is it that religion can diffuse its blessings, and promote good-will among men in all places-can open a fountain of pleasure on board a ship, when she is far, far away at sea. It is, however, a fact for lamentation and mourning, that there are thousands of our brave sailors without religion. Many of our ships, it is to be feared, leave our ports without a Bible--without a tract or religious book of any kind on |