• We

our flag for the first time, was very cordial, and said, much need you among us, I think much more than we have had your services; we want to be greatly improved, for we are a very wicked set.' After the service he expressed a desire to see us again during his stay in this port, which was granted him. After this service he ordered six of Mr. Joyce's hymn books, with which he was supplied the next day.

"Another master, who had never hoisted our flag before, expressed himself very thankful for our visit, and said he should feel a pleasure with our company at any time when he was lying in this port. Six new ships for Bethel in this station this month!"

"The

Fifth Thames Station.- Mr. Maddox reports, meetings during the past month have not wore quite so encouraging an aspect as in former months. In some instances, your agent was compelled to put forth a great deal of effort in order to get a meeting at all; such mournful apathy marked the objects of our solicitude. Upon one occasion I was disappointed through all hands being at work, a circumstance rather of rare occurrence in the lower pool. Twice I was prevented going afloat through indisposition, but Mr. Waldon very kindly took my duty. These little discouragements render seasonable and valuable the apostolic exhortation-Therefore be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'

We

"Mr. Edwards states, "In this station eight meetings have been held, some of which were thinly attended. have had one disappointment, the men being unexpectedly obliged to work until after eight o'clock. The mate and some of the crew appeared to feel it very much. They said it happened the same to them the last voyage. endeavoured to supply the deficiency by giving a double portion of tracts, for which they expressed much thankfulness, and hoped they should not be disappointed their next

voyage.

We

"Two masters have accepted the Bethel flag this month in this station for the first time."

Mr. Waldon writes, "Most of the meetings have been well attended: I have had two new ships. The captain of one of these expressed himself highly gratified in having the flag, but he apologized for not having a Bible, and hoped I had one with me; adding, this is only the second voyage, she being a new ship, and having so little time

in port I had not time to purchase one; but I hope the next time I see you I shall be provided with one.' The very next ship I visited, the captain remarked, 'I think we are very much neglected by the. Bible Society in not furnishing our ships with the Scriptures; as many of the owners and masters are subscribers. This is the only one on board, and it is my own, and I send it to the men every Sunday morning.' He added, 'You must understand I am a Churchman, but I like these meetings, for I think they are very good things; therefore you are welcome to my cabin when I come in the pool.'

“One evening, I had a large congregation on the Third Station. The young man who brought me on shore, I perceived wished to speak to me, but he appeared much agitated. I shook hands with him and said, “Well, my young man, how long have you been on the Lord's side?' I think,' said he, it is about three or four years;' and as soon as he overcame his feelings he asked me if I knew the name of the missionary at Russia. I said ، the Rev. Mr. Knill. Do you know him? ، Yes, and I bless God that ever I saw him; he was the gentleman who fell in with me and my shipmates after we had been wrecked, and lost our all; and in a foreign land we found in him a true friend; he took us home and kindly supplied our wants. I shall never forget his prayers for me, his admonitions and advice. It was he who first led me to Jesus, the friend of sinners. Can you tell me if he is in London? I would go anywhere to see him and thank him for his great kindness to the young sailors. '

Sixth Thames Station. Captain Prynn reports, "The meetings on this station have not been quite so interesting as the past month, in consequence of many of the pious sailors having gone on foreign voyages, to the Baltic and America; nevertheless, I have held eight meetings, which have been well attended; and eleven sailors, whom I had not met before, have on those occasions most earnestly addressed the throne of grace. Three captains have also joined the list of Bethel captains, who are at all times ready to hoist the Bethel-flag. One morning prayer meeting on the sailing of a ship for St. Petersburgh, has been held. The sailors were very earnest in prayer and attentive on this occasion; and I trust our meeting was not in vain. I am convinced the numbers of pious sailors amongst those in the coal trade are increasing; and my earnest prayer is, that thousands more of them may be gathered

into the fold of Christ, and be eternally saved. Happy, glorious period, when the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto God!

Seventh Thames Station. Two meetings have been held on this station: one on board the H., Capt. W., from Memel, at Limehouse Hole. I am happy to be informed there is much good doing amongst our English sailors visiting that port. Another meeting was held off Commercial Dock: my meeting was held on board the Mary, Capt. Donald, from St. Petersburgh. Many Bethel meetings have been held this year on board the British ships lying at Cronstadt. Those meetings have been chiefly conducted by pious captains, mates, and seamen. Thus we trust the work of the Lord amongst sailors is going forward, and much good doing. Both those meetings were well attended, and several sailors joined in prayer.

Visitation of Shipping.-Much time is occupied in that branch of my labours, and much conversation takes place with captains, mates, sailors, and various others, on spiritual things, it is hoped to their edification. I have visited 407 vessels, and distributed 1517 tracts, which, in most instances, were most thankfully received. The back numbers of the PILOT are highly prized amongst sailors.

"Sailors' Chapel. This place of worship continues to be attended as heretofore, and many, it is hoped, will have reason to bless God for a preached gospel within those walls, and for the various other means of grace here enjoyed. It is pleasing to find sailors coming from Blackwall, Greenwich, Deptford, Limehouse, and many other parts, on Sabbath days, to worship at the Sailors' Chapel.

"Sabbath Morning Open Air Preaching. My brother sailors, who assisted in this labour of love, having gone to sea, I have only held one meeting; the other Sabbath mornings have been occupied at an early prayer meeting, from seven to eight a. m.

Loan Libraries. These have been furnished on board the Wm. Hutt, bound to South Australia, together with a large supply of religious tracts for distribution in this new colony and among the passengers going out; to the Britannia, bound with passengers, &c. to Vera Paz, Central America, a loan library has been furnished, and a quantity of religious and temperance tracts. May the Lord bless these books and tracts going to so remote a part, where gross darkness covers the minds of the people.

"One person; a seafaring brother, stands proposed, in

addition to the four admitted last month, as a member at the sailors' chapel. Thus the Lord seems adding unto our number, and we trust they will be such as will adorn the Christian character, and finally be numbered with the saints in glory. Notes for prayers to be offered up for pious sailors, bound on foreign voyages, have not only been sent by many leaving the port of London, but also from sailors leaving the ports of Newcastle and Bristol.

"From on board the Harriet, Capt. H., a sailor came to me and said, 'Sir, I am glad to see you alive, may God bless you.' I replied, I did not know him. No,' said he, 6 that may be, but I know you, and shall ever recollect you;' and, with tears running down his cheeks, said, 'Do you recollect preaching at Havre de Grace, when you was captain of a ship?' I said yes. Well, then,' said he, there, under one of your sermons, the Lord awakened me, and I bless God I ever saw and heard you. I well recollect your text-' Unto you is the word of this salvation sent.' And I am here to bear testimony this day, that the word was truly, and powerfully, and savingly sent to me. I shall come to hear you on shore at the Sailors' Chapel.' This he did, and I had much conversation with him respecting spiritual things; may the Lord keep him faithful to the grace given."

PROVINCIAL AGENTS.

• In my last I

Sunderland.-Rev. Robert Carr reports, informed you that I visited a fishing station of some importance at Whitburn; since that time I have twice visited this station. I furnished a library to lend, which is under the care of one of the fishermen, about a fortnight since. I waited upon a respectable religious inhabitant of the village to ask if I could be permitted to preach in the Wesleyan chapel, with a more especial view to benefit fishermen. I was very kindly received, and the chapel promised. I accordingly occupied it last evening, which being fine, and the sea smooth, I was deprived of the attendance of many of the fishermen, as they take the advantage of fine weather for going out. However, the congregation was upon the whole encouraging. After the sermon, an arrangement was made for me to occupy another chapel in the village, as often as I can visit it; and I hope to be at this station every fortnight. My presence on the Sabbath is desired, but I cannot comply on account of my own charge.

"I was at Seaham a fortnight since this day; when I was desired to preach in the Wesleyan chapel. I acceded, and a bellman was sent round the town to announce the service. Desires are expressed at this station to have the sailors' cause carried on among them.

the town.

"My congregations at the Phoenix Hall have been rather better lately; but summer is the worst time for getting sailors to attend here. As the rent of the hall is very heavy, I have thought it advisable to look for another place for meeting in. I have found one in a very suitable part of It was formerly occupied by the Unitarians as a chapel. I have engaged it for Sabbath days, and one night in the week, at a rent of 51. per annum. I therefore intend to give up the Phoenix Hall, and occupy this very commodious place as soon as possible. I am quite out of tracts, so that I cannot distribute any. If I could have a parcel by any of our Sunderland Sailors I should be glad. I received the bills of announcement."

[The great length of our extracts from the important Parliamentary document at the commencement of the present number, obliges us to postpone the interesting Reports from our other Provincial Agents till next month.]

TEMPERANCE BETHEL FLAG.

HABITS of excessive drinking, it is notorious, are fearfully prevalent among sailors. This is gravely reported in the 19th resolution of the " 'Shipwreck Committee of the House of Commons." To correct or annihilate these pernicious habits, is indispensable in the promotion among sailors of the knowledge and blessings of Christianity.

Captain Prynn, the laborious Thames Missionary, has happily succeeded to a great extent in promoting the cause of temperance among seamen visiting the port of London; and, during the past month, he has made arrangements with Mr. Woodlaw, secretary to the British and Foreign Temperance Society, for calling the attention of sailors to their interests in this respect, an auxiliary to the preaching of the gospel of Christ. For this purpose a large Temperance Flag has been prepared, five yards in length, and nearly four yards in width, with the words, "TEMPERANCE MEETING," in large blue letters, sewed upon a white ground.