few months ago, exclusively for the benefit of the seamen at Leith, has already been able to carry into effect an important part of its proposed plans. On Sabbath last, September 17, sermons were preached, for the first time, on board the Westmoreland, lying in the second dock. Public worship was performed at eleven and two o'clock, on the deck of this elegant ship, below an extensive awning. Agreeably to the liberal constitution of this Society, the service in the morning was conducted by, the Rev. Mr. Henry of Leith; his text was taken from Matt. iv. 13-22; and the Rev. Mr. Atcheson of Leith preached in the afternoon, from Eph. v. 4, 5. Although the number of vessels in harbour at present is few, yet on each of these occasions the congregations were numerous, and must have exceeded 400. A scene so solemn, and so deeply interesting, has never, we believe, been witnessed in this place; the service commanded the most devout attention, and from the favourable impressions which appeared to be made, the happiest results may be anticipated. with an olive branch in its mouth, and the words "CYFARFOD GWIDDI," signifying Prayer Meetings, in large white letters, adorned the centre. Mr. S. stood by the helm abaft; a studding sail boom was raised perpendicular close to bin, and supported by two seamen; one part of the Flag was lashed to the upper part of the boom, and the fly of it was carried out, and made fast to the main rigging on the larboard side. The service commenced at eleven o'clock with reading and prayer; a pious captain and sailor, from the Lower Pool, implored a Divine Blessing. Mr. S. then addressed the assembly from Psalm xx. 5." In the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.” He remarked, that banners or standards were usually raised to distinguish an army, to invite to battle, or to announce a triumph. Thus the Flag Bethel was hoisted by English sailors, and CYFARFOD GWIDDr by Welsh. Whenever these were hoisted, they would distinguish them as the friends of religion and social order; invite them to the conflict of faith; and The Society, we understand, has it announce these triumphs through Christ, in contemplation to purchase a vessel, the great Captain of their Salvation. The and fit her up as a permanent place of minister then, grasping the pole, expressed worship, similar to the plan of the float- his high satisfaction in presenting his ing chapel for seamen on the Thames.brother seamen of Wales with the signifiThis object, as important to the welfare of this meritorious class of men as it is to the prosperity of the nation, we trust will be warmly encouraged and supported by every friend of seamen, and by every friend of his country. PRESENTATION OF A WELSH cant Flag; he had long been a Flag Officer in Lord Nelson's fleet, and raised many a Flag, but none with so much pleasure as this. When England was threatened with invasion, Volunteer Corps were formed, and Colours were presented unto them; but these invited to the shedding of human blood, and the destruction of our species. "CyFARFOD GWIDDI," on the contrary, was the Standard of Peace, the Star directed to the Saviour, the Dove announced the wrath of Jehovah assuaged, and the words CYFARFOD GWIDDI enjoined prayer for all men, and for all in authority. The church of old had sung," His banner over me is love." Such is the SOME months since a Cambrian Society was formed, to promote preaching in the Welsh language on board of ships in the Thames. At a recent Meeting of the Committee, the Rev. G. C. Smith of Penzance recommended the establishment of Welsh Prayer Meetings, and of-Flag now presented to you; it breathes fered to have a Flag made, as a signal. love to God, to Christ, o Man, and to On Sunday last, the 5th inst. this minis- one another. By this shall all men ter, accompanied by captains and sea- know that ye are Christ's disciples, if ye men from different parts of the Thames, love one another. To-day you see on and members of the Bethel Union So- this deck sailors and friends of all deno. ciety, attended on board, the " Hope," minations, who meet to hail your progress Capt. Jones, of Aberystwith, to present in Christianity. May CYFARFOD a Welsh Flag publicly, on the part of GWIDDI" soon be hoisted in every port this Institution, to their brethren of the in Wales, and in every part of the world Principalities. The "Hope" lay in a where a Welsh ship sails. This interesttier of ships off Pickle Herring Stairs,ing service closed by a captain and sailor opposite the Tower; her deck was crowd- belonging to the Upper Pool publicly ed-several respectable females attend- commending their Welsh brethren to ed-the New Flag was very large; a God. The approaching Annual Meeting blue ground, yellow star, and a dove of the British and Foreign Seamen's FUMIGATION. To purify rooms, and to prevent contagion, set a saucer upon hot sand. Put upon the saucer half an ounce of common salt, and then pour upon the salt a little oil of vitriol. Stir the mixture, which is of the consistence of paste, with the end of a glass tube. A white smoke will arise, and form in the room a slight mist. Repeat the operation from time to time, frequently stirring the mixture. Be very careful that the oil of vitriol do not touch any part of the body, or any linen, &c. as it burns every thing it touches except glass. This is with glass. A tobacco pipe, however, or the only reason for stirring the mixture a stick, may be used. Stop the oil of vitriol bottle with a glass stopple. Poetry. LINES ON READING THE LIFE OF MRS. HARRIET NEWELL HARRIET, farewell! thy bright career is o'er, For thou hast gain'd in peace the promis'd shore, And disappoints the hopes and schemes of man. } British Missionary Report. THE Committee of this Institution are fully aware, that a great part of the intelligence which they receive is of such a local nature, as to be destitute of that interest which is usually felt in perusing reports from a remote field of labour. Whilst this may account for their not entering into minute details concerning the prevalence of ignorance, or the progress of knowledge (which would be to describe what most persons of observation have often witnessed for themselves), yet amidst the numerous appeals which are constantly made to the benevolence of the Christian public, it is but just that every one should be distinctly heard: and they trust, that the claims of this Society will ever be regarded with the comparative interest which we should naturally feel, on being informed of the raging of the plague in a foreign land, or among our kindred in our own country and nation. It is with peculiar satisfaction that the Committee notice the increase of Auxili. ary Societies to this Institution; and earnestly hope that they will continue to grow and multiply. The following is an Extract from the "First Annual Report of the West London Auxiliary" to this Institution, which was read at the annual meeting, held on the 30th of May last, in the Baptist Chapel, Blandford-street, the Rev. John Keeble in the chair. which his holy teachers have left, doubtless in the moments of transport, imagines that a happy land indeed, every hamlet and village of which must have been, blessed as he is with these heavenly tidings, before they could have spared their Missionaries for him. O that this was true! O that in the window-sill of every cottage, there was seen a Bible! O that every village had its Gospel preacher ! It is scarcely necessary to point out the essential advantages resulting from Auxiliary Societies. They are continually increasing. They appear however to be less general among our denomination than in others, and fewer in connection with the Itinerant Society, than most others of equal importance. The Auxi liary Society brings home the object to the lowest walks of life; and presents the humblest individual with the privilege of co-operation. It collects and con→ centrates the feeblest efforts, and diffuses a general interest in the object for which it pleads; and, while, if constituted as ours, it brings into contact the various members of different religious Societies, it promotes a true spirit of Christian benevolence and zeal among them. Your Committee deeply regret that they have not to report any very material success hitherto resulting from this Society; but they are firmly convinced, this has rather been the result of tem❤ porary causes, than of any want of bene. volence on the part of the Christian friends resident within the district. They have only to report the small sum received by your Treasurer of £15 1s. 6d. but as the usual allowance of the Parent Society to assist an active Minister in his itinerant journeys is £5 per annum, they may indulge the satisfaction of having contributed to the encouragement of "There are moments in our experience, when if our resources were as large as our desires, there is not a benevolent object but should share our bounty, and doubtless we rejoice in the success of every effort that aims at the real welfare of our fellow-creatures. We behold with delight, and acknowledge with gratitude, the progress of the Missions in India and Ireland, but with peculiar joy we observe every extension of the Redeemer's King-three laborious Village Preachers. dom at home. We would indulge the flow of affection to every sincere disciple of Jesus Christ, of whatever colour or whatever clime; but, as long as we inhabit this lower world, there are the consistent claims of country and kindred that entwine about the heart, and that may not only innocently, but properly, give the first direction to our benevolent exertions. The convert in heathen lands, as his thoughts dart across to the Island VOL. XII. They have in conclusion, only most earnestly to invite your zealous cooperation in this very important work, that should we be spared to witness the return of another Anniversary, they may have such a report to present as will more fully excite your joy and gratitude to the great Head of the Church. Signed, on hehalf of the Committee, J. DAWSON, Secretary, 36, Hunter-street, Brunswick-square. $ 9 CORRESPONDENCE. often prayed that such officers as might be sent to us might be men who feared To the Gentlemen, the Committee of the God." On my inquiring how long he had British Missionary Society. RESPECTED BRETHREN, I rejoice to hear that you are at your posts, and that the Heathen at home are the objects of your care. I would ventore to present the case of the county in which I reside, viz. Devonshire. Many, many enger inquiries have been made by respectable friends concerning its moral state. Letters have been answered: but! the vortex of iniquity is so great, so overpowering, that no one ventures to engage a vessel. I have stated by letters, by conversations, by sermons, its moral depravity so far as I could collect; and I just repeat the outline. We have 472 Parishes, more than 383,000 Inhabitants, a general darkness pervades the whole, and I do not think that 30,000 of them hear any thing like the Gospel!~ -A Church has been collected at Cre diton of about 47 members; but their Minister has been driven from them by starvation. But, Gentlemen, shall it be left? sixty pounds a year might support a labourer at that place; and there is not a more important missionary station in Hindoostan. Brethren, I appeal to your hearts as men, as Christians, and as managers of the public money of the British Missionary Society. Pray do not suffer this station to be utterly forsaken. I am, Gentlemen, with all due respect, yours very sincerely, Exeter, Sept. 27, 1820. S. KILPIN. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Jeffery to the Secretary, dated Scilly Islands, July, 1820. REV. AND DEAR SIR, Your last kind favour came duly to hand; and as you are already in possession of almost every particular respect ing the different congregations on the islands, I will now state a few particulars concerning seamen and schools. During the little time that Mr. Crossman of St. Just spent with me, (when he came over to assist me in baptizing,) as we were at breakfast one morning, a sea captain knocked at the door, the purpose of whose visit shall be given in his own words. "Last evening, (said he,) when the lads on board were getting ready for divine worship, I took an opportunity of talking with the Custom-house officer, who was on duty with us, and was greatly rejoiced to find him a serious man; for I and my poor fellows had experienced the goodness of our Covenant Lord, and been taught by his Spirit to seek mercy through the blood of the cross, "O Sir," said he, bursting into a flood of tears, "five-and-twenty years ago I was awakened by the Spirit of and for some time I enjoyed the peace God from my guilty sleep of ignorauce, of God which passeth all understanding; but getting acquainted with some Antinomians, I was captivated with their opinions, and was for more than twenty and there should I still have been, but years upon that enchanted ground;for the grace of that Great Shepherd, who seeketh out his flock in the dark and cloudy day. One evening, about a month ago, when we were at Charante, my mate informed me of a prayer-meeting on board a ship lying near us, and begged permission to attend. Yes, said thought 1, is very miserable; but I'll I, you may go. My present state, go with the mate: and, what a meeting I was constrained to cry aloud for mercy did that prove to me and all my crew! but, O! what could my men think when they heard a rebel crying for mercy at the feet of Jesus, who had but a little before been b-sting their eyes and limbs, and calling for d-nation on my own soul! And, blessed be God! my mate and three more of the men, are daily crying for mercy." In another letter, dated October 20, 1820, Mr. Jeffery writes. "For several weeks our harbours have been crowded with vessels taking shelter from the late violent storms. Yesterday I preached on board a large brig, called the Maria.' As she lay in a conve nient situation for the crews of other vessels hearing, there were hundreds, both of soldiers and sailors, who listened very attentively. After sermon 300 tracts were distributed, and several of the sailors and soldiers followed me to Qld Town, and also some of the passengers, who seemed deeply affected with what they had heard. Captain Palmer observed, that some may think it a disgrace to have the worship of God on board their ships; but I count it no small honour to have the gospel preached on my deck, and an interest in the prayers of good men.' The bymus published by the Tract Society are ge nerally used when seamen are present: more than 500 common sailors have applied for this tract in two days, and, alas! I had not more than 50 copies to give them. "With regard to the schools, when If commenced my labours among these islands six years ago, there was but one school among 3000 inhabitants, and the public were then told that was quite sufficient. Now that hundreds have been taught to read and write, and schools established on each of the islands | by your servant, and at your expense, we hear that large sums are voted to establish national schools on each of the islands, with a view to gather in the fruits of your exertions into the esta blished church. (Be it so if our zeal should stir up others, and the work be done, we shall unfeignedly rejoice.) Many letters from seamen are now by me, some extracts of which I hope soon to forward to the Committee. I am, with true gratitude for all your exertions on behalf of poor Scilly, your obliged friend and servant, I was anxious, as far as it lay in my power, to ascertain the real state of the parishes around me, with regard to their moral condition; and for that purpose have walked in different directions through forty parishes. I found it a difficult task to obtain particulars respecting their condition, and whether the gospel was preached among them, by any denomination. One obstacle I found in my way to obtain any correct information was, the people in general where I called had some secret apprehension I was what they call, a" Methodist parson;" against all such they have such an aversion, that many of them would shun them as beasts of prey. I could scarcely prevail on them to take a tract from me in some places; they in general told me their parson preached the gospel, but they appeared to know nothing about it. The best way I found to ascertain their meaning was, that in some places they called the parson a Methodist, if he never went a hunting, shooting, &c.; but out of the forty parishes, the gospel is not preached in more than ten by any denomination whatever! I intend shortly visiting them again, and hope to be able to obtain a more enlarged knowledge of them, and distribute every Sabbath, from June to September. At those places they meet in the churchyards, some hundreds together, fighting and gambling, and in many places you may find the clergymen among them. I know now of a place where a Missionary is much needed; and it appears the people are anxious to hear the word of truth. About seven miles from Madley, a farmer's daughter sent Mr. Wright of Madley, a pressing invitation to preach in her father's kitchen. It is within four miles of Long Town, as dark a place as any in the world. I have more places at present than two persons could well supply; and more I may have, if I had any probability of being able to supply them, I have opened three new places lately, where the gospel was never preached before: one in the village of Foundhope, and the other two on Commons. I preach out of doors on the Commons, and have more than one hundred hearers at each place; and very many appear anxious long neglected them! On the Commons to hear, and ask me why we have so there are above three hundred children, and through poverty and neglect, very few know a letter. If I had books and a convenient room, I would endeavour to establish a school there immediately. I have one Sunday School, with seventy children and six teachers. Next Sabbath fortnight, I hope, God willing, to baptize six persons. Amid all the darkness and gloom, blessed be God, the light begins to shine here; and may it greatly increase for his Son's sake! These are but very brief specimens of the correspondence which the Committee continues to receive, and consider at their monthly meetings; and there are at present four or five most important stations, where as many missionaries might be immediately employed, could suitable labourers be obtained and means to support them. But still "the labourers are few," and our means of supporting them but scanty; and we regret to state that the following communication, addressed to our Treasurer, is the only reply which we have received upon the subject to which it refers. SIR, Four friends in Northampton, highly approving the views of a subscriber to the Baptist Itinerant Society, expressed in a letter inserted in the Supplement to the present five guineas for the same purpose Philanthropic Gazette of July 5, page 224, a few more tracts. The name of the blessed God in most places is taken in vain, by old and young, rich and poor; and in many places they have wakes on the Sabbath-day evenings, which they keep up in rotation from place to place, July 15, 1820. To BENJ. SHAW, Esq. and on the same terms. |