injuries inflicted by ungodly British seamen on other nations. Missionaries can, and do appeal to us on the impediments they meet with, through the intemperate and ungodly practices of those who sail from the ports of Britain. Let us then resolve in the strength of God to attempt more than has yet been effected. Let us increase our exertions-add to our contributions-be more importunate in our prayers, until sea and land shall echo the universal cry-"Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth." The following Resolutions were then submitted to the Meeting, and passed unanimously : Moved by Rev. R. KNILL,-seconded by Rev. P. LORIMER, I. That the Report, now read, be adopted, printed, and circulated, under the direction of the Committee. Moved by Rev. R. FERGUSON,-seconded by Rev. J. Young,— II. That this Meeting hails with delight the intelligence of the advancement of the work of God among seamen,-taking special pleasure in the holy resolution entered into by so many Bethel Captains; and feels called upon, from these statements, to attempt more for the evangelization of seamen in all parts of the globe. Moved by REV. J. CARLISLE,-seconded by Rev. Dr. BENNETT,— III. That the President, Treasurer, and Secretaries, be requested to continue in their respective offices; and a Committee was nominated for the ensuing year. Moved by Capt. GILLETT,--seconded by Rev. W. Spencer,— IV. That the best thanks of the Meeting be presented to Rear Admiral Sir J. HILLYAR, for his kindness in presiding upon this occasion. AGENTS' MEETING:---HELD ON THURSDAY EVENING, 9th APRIL. No power is adequate to bring the moral nature of man into a likeness to his Maker, but the invincible energy of the Holy Spirit exerted in connexion with the atonement of Jesus Christ; and therefore the more we are brought to rest our dependance on this supernatural aid, the greater and more manifest will be our success in the work of the Lord. Prayer is the expression of this dependance, and effort without prayer is presumption, while prayer without effort is mockery! AGENTS' REPORTS. Thames Missionary.-Capt. PRynn. With unfeigned thankfulness I review the labours of another month. I am convinced, that, under the divine blessing, the work of evangelization is progressing amongst sailors. Many, we have reason to hope, have been made the subjects of divine grace, and have fled for refuge to the hope set before them in the gospel. Still there are thousands of them heedless of eternal ruin. For them we offer up our prayers to the God of all grace, that he would cause the light of divine truth to shine upon their minds, and make them experience the blessings of that gospel which alone can impart comfort and consolation in the distressing hour. Oh that the means employed may be rendered effectual-that tens of thousands of the strayed sons of Zebulon may be brought into the fold of Christ, and be finally numbered with the church triumphant in glory!— Hasten on the glorious period; Hail the great auspicious day; All converted ;-own his sway. Visitation of Shipping.-In prosecuting this labour, I have had intercourse with several captains, mates, and sailors, which has been truly profitable and refreshing, and whose desire is to further the cause of Christ amongst their brother sailors. Those brethren are not confined to London; some of them are from the remotest parts of Scotland; others from the farthest shores of Erin; whilst Cambria's sons have most gratefully acknowledged the gracious dealings of God. Amongst sailors from the north of England, tokens of good have appeared; whilst many from amongst the western and southern parts of the kingdom have discovered a spirit of piety and godliness in their life and conversation. There are many of the latter who totally abstain from all intoxicating drinks; and much good has resulted from it. Several of our North American ships set out on their voyages this year on the total abstinence principle. An old Bethel captain (who has been furnished with a library and Bethel flag) commanding a ship of nearly 1000 tons, and thirty-two men, bound to Quebec, has been enabled to obtain the whole of his ship's company on this principle. Visiting a ship in the city canal a few days ago, bound to the same port, the master kindly shewed me a letter of introduction from his owner, who is a pious man. I read as follows:-'Sir, I have commended you and your ship's crew in prayer to God, beseeching him to watch over, direct, and preserve you and them whilst on your voyage. this is not sufficient: it is expedient that you pray also. Take every opportunity of calling your people together But for this purpose. Conduct yourself before your ship's company as a man of God.' In another part of his letter he writes thus:-'I strictly charge you to have no duty done on the sabbath-day but what is absolutely necessary.' This is as it should be. Would that many more ship-owners were found thus praying and instructing their captains !– what good might be expected to result from such a measure, as well as glory redound to God. I have held 14 services afloat on board vessels going abroad, sometimes at the request of their pious captains, when I have seen the knee, but little accustomed to the exercise, bent in prayer; -have heard the sigh ascend, and the cry for mercy arise. I trust good has been done, which the day of eternity alone will unfold. Above 1300 tracts have been distributed, together with twenty-one volumes of books. My services on the river have been well attended, except on three occasions arising from the removal of ships at the time of meeting. Vessels have been regularly obtained for the several agents on their respective stations. Three hundred and three ships have been visited on the river and in the various docks and canals, and the Sailors' Chapel attended to. Loan Libraries.-Five loan libraries have been furnished to ships going to Odessa, Australia, Quebec, and Montreal; these have been accompanied with religious tracts and a few words to the captains or officers relative to their distribution. One loan library has been received, with a statement from the captain, that he believes the books have been made a blessing to some of his crew. Visitation of Sailors' Boardinghouses. Several hundreds of sailors have crowded these houses, some of whom, after very long and painful voyages, I have had an opportunity of conversing with; but, oh! the darkness and ignorance that pervade their minds. Very few of them seem at all inclined to attend the means of grace, and in fact many are indifferent respecting the reading even of religious tracts. I have been often repulsed and severely pained in this part of my duty during the month. I do not think above 30 or 40 have attended the Sailors' Chapel out of all I have held intercourse with. Oh! that they were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! Sixth Station. MR. PALMER,—Difficulties and discouragements frequently press those who endeavour to promote the glory of God and the best interests of men ;-to these I am not a stranger but still I feel bound to declare (and it would be ingratitude in the highest degree not to make it known) the continued goodness of Almighty God, in accompanying my labours on the river Thames among seamen generally, and, as far as I am acquainted with the efforts of my brethren, the labours also of the other agents of the Society, with his blessing and favour. I have often seen the tear of gratitude glistening in the eye of the mariner during a bethel meeting, and have been richly rewarded by the hearty, sincere, and unaffected expression of thanks from captains and others. On many minds there rests at this moment a delightful and blessed feeling. This has been evidenced by the increase of the Bethel captains, from ONE to more than TWO HUNDRED since the first publication of the Voice from the Ocean, about a year ago. A few extracts from my journal may serve to confirm the preceding state ments. November 5th, 1839. On board the G. of A. Capt. L. This captain has acted most devotedly. His efforts at Rigo and other places-in distributing tracts-imparting instruction to seamen -reproving his brother captains for their improper conduct, and showing forth an example worthy the imitation of all, cannot be too highly commended. 19th, On board the R- and Mof G-. The captain was present with his crew, as well as the sailors belonging to other ships. Great attention on the part of all. I was much pleased to see written in the cabin of this ship, in letters of gold, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." January 17th, 1840. On board the A- of S-. The captain is a man of prayer, and his mate also. A good attendance. One of the crew, in conversation after the service, said, that the instructions of his former captain were blessed to the conversion of his soul. This man had not long before been mercifully preserved from shipwreck, the particulars of which he then related. Here a altogether destitute of religious instruction for some time to come. March 3rd. On board the N-Aof G-, Captain. This man attends regularly the ordinances of religion, when on shore ;-has been from childhood a sailor;-has been for twentythree years in the same merchant's employ; and during that whole time, God has graciously preserved him. This he acknowledged with great thankfulness. Since my last report, I have preached nine times at the Sailor's Chapel, and on board eight new ships. I have distributed many hundreds of tracts, and other interesting and instructive publications. PROVINCIAL OPERATIONS. KENTISH COAST MISSION. [Quarterly Report of the Rev. J. CHAPMAN, Missionary.---Continued from page 64.] Cliff End and North Shore are wellattended, seven persons have united in christian fellowship. The increase of sailors in the chapels in Ramsgate is encouraging. Margate station includes the sailors' chapel, a room at Westbrook, and one at Newgate. In the chapel, we hold four services each week. I preach on Sunday morning and Friday evening. This is too far from the pier to give much hope of success, as Ramsgate sailor's room. Yet several sailors are always in attendance, and, at times, the chapel is nearly full. Westbrook has been favoured with several interesting instances of usefulness. There have been many united from this and the Newgate station in church fellowship. Broadstairs station comprises the chapel, a room on the cliff, and another at Kingsgate. The chapel is well filled. The communicants have been as numerous as twenty. The congregation has nearly paid for a considerable improve ment. The room on the cliff is filled, and two individuals have, I hope, been truly awakened. At Kinsgate the attendance is very good, and much gratitude is expressed by the people, four have united in christian fellowship. My occasional labours have been principally among the Sandhills, where I have four rooms. There have been ten services there this quarter. Many soldiers who have occupied a battery near them, have been occasionally in our meetings. I have held twelve other services at Deal, Dover, and other places between them and Dunginess, and four at Westgate and Epple Bay. Kingsdown chapel is regularly supplied on sabbath days by our Wesleyan brethren in Deal. Without including such services as are held by sailors, which amount to a considerable number, you will see our regular services amount to very many. Of course help is obtained, but I have performed thirteen in one week; and scarcely ever less than eight. Besides that I visit the harbour to distribute. tracts, and go on board vessels, and converse with sailors. A few days ago, a report was in circulation that an American ship ran down a French fishing vessel, and that twenty-two lives were lost. The American came into our harbour. The captain stated his belief that the Frenchman was not run down. It now appears that he was correct. She escaped destruction, and made Boulogne with twenty-two on board, before the five men who left her and got on board the American, arrived here. I begged the use of the Ocean (the American) to hold a thanksgiving service. The Ocean is about 400 tons burthen, and clear between decks, excepting copper and other materials for repairs; we comfortably seated about two hundred, principally sailors, and fishermen, and their wives, on Wednesday the 18th December, when I preached from-'O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,' etc. As the captain expressed his gratification, I obtained his promise that I might again preach there on Sabbath evening. The men were delighted to see our Bethel flag hoisted at the masthead. We have had thanksgiving services in our Sailors' room and at Broadstairs also, most of the crew attended, and each place was crowded. SERMONS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. On Tuesday the 14th ult. a Public Meeting was held at Birmingham, when Rear-Admiral Sir. J. Hillyar, C. B., K. C. H., kindly presided, and the Rev. John Adey, and Rev. T. Timpson, attended as a deputation from the Parent Society. SERMON ON BEHALF OF CAMBERWELL AUXILIARY. On Thursday evening, the 24th ult. a Sermon was preached on behalf of this local Association, at the Rev. E. Steane's, Camberwell, after which a collection was made, amounting to £10. 2s. The Rev. Dr. Fletcher, who was announced as the preacher, we deeply regret to say, was prevented by sudden and severe personal affliction, from fulfilling his engagement. The Secretary of the Parent Society, undertook the service. We trust a deeper feeling of sympathy and solicitude was awakened in favour of the poor sailor. GRANT FROM THE WEIGH HOUSE CHAPEL. Again have the pastor and friends of the Weigh House Chapel, expressed their heartfelt interest in our great cause, by a grant of THIRTY-FIVE POUNDS from their Society in aid of missions, and have thus set a noble example to our Metropolitan congregations. The following ministerial gentlemen have each kindly fulfilled a mission on behalf of the Institution :-The Rev. G. R. Hewlings, Edmonton, in Lincoln,-the Rev. F. W. Meadows, South Molton, in parts of Devon,-the Rev John Adey, in parts of Oxford and Berks, to whom the Directors feel under special obligation, and rejoice in the kind reception which they everywhere met. Mr. Rowland, one of the Agents of the Society, has just completed his tour in Wales, and generally has succeeded beyond expectation. Maddox, Printer, Dockhead, Bermondsey. |