twenty old numbers of the Pilot and other magazines; twenty-nine books have been lent to sailors in the coal and coasting trade, and four libraries furnished to ships going to Cuba, Calcutta, Australia, and Quebec. One library has been returned with a very pleasing testimony from the master, of the benefit derived by the crew from the perusal of the books during a voyage of eighteen months.

Sailors' Boarding Houses. This part of my duty though arduous has been attended with many pleasing circumstances. I have conversed with sailors from eleven different vessels, who have all had daily prayer during their respective voyages,- some from the South Seas, others from the East Indies, South America, the West Indies, Black Sea, and Mediterranean. Thus is the truth spreading abroad as the early dawn of some auspicious day which shall shine on the benighted minds of the sons of Zebulon.

Hail we thus the glorious dawn, Soon a brighter day shall shineDay to thousands yet unknown.Bright effulgence--light divine; Sailors by this light be led

Unto Christ their living Head.

Services in Long Reach and its vicinity. It is pleasing to learn from the agents labouring in this station, as well as from many of our pious captains that whilst their ships are detained here, from four to six meetings are held weekly, and that already much good has been done.

Five new vessels have been set apart as bethel ships. Thus new scenes of usefulness are opening, and it is encouraging to think that there is not a seaport, of which your agent is aware, in the United Kingdom, which cannot produce pious sailors. What a contrast to the state of things fifty years ago!

Welsh Agent.-Mr. ROWLAND.— The Lord in his infinite mercy has enabled me to make another tour on behalf of the Society, in the principality of Wales, and has graciously preserved me during a long journey, a journey, the results of which, I trust, under the divine blessing, will ultimately prove of permanent support to the Institution.

In the first instance, I attended the first anniversary of the Auxiliary in Aberystwith. The meeting, which was held in the spacious and commodious chapel of the calvinistic methodists, was numerous and respectable. The subscriptions contributed by christians of all denominations were liberal, and collections were kindly allowed in the methodist, independent, wesleyan, and baptist chapels. Since I visited this place last year, the committee have made enquiry as to the number and moral state of seamen belonging to this port, and find that there are one hundred ships, and upwards of four hundred seamen; out of which number there are not more than thirty who who are members of any christian church. The Committee are determined on some effort, and request a Bethel flag, and some Welsh tracts.

At Machynlleth and Aberdovey, in North Wales, I could do but little, the times being depressed. Many who were desirous of contributing, could not afford to do it. I only wonder that I succeeded to the extent I did. It must have been the Lord's doing, and to him be all the praise.

At Machynlleth I had a large meeting convened in the Town Hall, Mr. J. Jones in the chair. Five ministers besides myself addressed the meeting; two of whom had been with me afloat in the port of London, and could speak from personal observation and knowledge of the operations of the Institution, and most warmly did they advocate its claims.

A most kind feeling prevails at Abe

rayron, but from similar causes the contributions were but small.

At Cardigan I was cordially received, but they had recently held a meeting for the benefit of seamen. However, I had the privilege of preaching several times at the baptist and independent chapels. In the former I had a collection, at the latter the respected minister, (Rev. D. Davis) and his friends kindly promised to make a collection hereafter, and transmit it to London. Then they were collecting toward the missionary cause. The subscriptions were very liberal. I waited personally on several gentlemen. But for personal application, my success would have been but small, The committee have a Bethel flag, but are much in need of Welsh tracts: a supply will be sent there, I trust, as soon as possible.

In the baptist chapel at Newport, kindly granted by the friends, I had an opportunity of pleading the sailors' cause. Subscriptions very liberal. Lieut. Rogers, R. N., exerts himself in a praise-worthy manner, as well as others, especially some young ladies, in aid of the cause.

At Tabor, Dinas, I had another opportunity of advocating the claims of seamen, to a very numerous assembly, many of whom either directly or indirectly are connected with the sea. The impressions made on the minds of the audience, were very pleasing. The Lord has also graciously disposed the hearts of the inhabitants of Fishguard and neighbourhood, to come forward in a liberal manner. April 2nd, I had a public meeting in the town hall. The Rev. J. W. James, rector of Puncheston, and magistrate of the county, kindly took the chair. Ministers both of the episcopal church, and of other evangelical denominations, combined and formed an auxiliary, denominated, 'The Fishguard Auxiliary British and Foreign Sailors' Society' The speeches delivered on the occasion, were powerful and appropriate, and the resolutions

proposed, were unanimously adopted. The committee are:

President,-Rev. J. W. James. Treasurer,- Mr. Thomas Richards. Secretaries,― Rev. H. Nathan, and Lieut. E. Rogers, R. N.

They are anxious to visit the shipping, if supplied with tracts.

At Solva, both the baptist and independent ministers, with their congregations, received me most cordially. Preached three times in their chapels, on the sabbath I was there, and had collections.

On Monday, April 13th, a public meeting was held in the grand and spacious shire hall, Haverfordwest, which was quite full; and another auxiliary formed under the name of 'Haverfordwest Auxiliary British and Foreign Sailors' Society.' James Griffiths, Esq. mayor, presided. The Rev. James Thomas, a clergyman of the Church of England, and ministers and gentlemen of other denominations of christians, advocated the claims of seamen. A committee was formed, including Sir R. B. Phillips, Bart., M. P., President. John Walters, Esq. Banker, Treasurer. Capt. John Lewis, and Mr. Joseph Clare, Secretaries. Great interest has been excited through the medium of the public meeting, among all classes, and, it is hoped that this auxiliary will be of permanent help to the parent institution.

The inhabitants of Milford Haven, Hakin, Pembroke dock, Pembroke town, and Tenby, I found kind and liberal, as well as the naval officers and other gentlemen in her Majesty's dock yard. In these places, I had the pleasure of holding several meetings, and of pleading the sailors' cause. I owe a debt of gratitude to the clergy of the establishment, as well as to the dissenting ministers of all denominations, for their liberality and assistance in promoting the important object of my mission in most of the places that I visited. Also to several ladies, in different parts,

who, last year, took collecting cards, by means of which, some of them had collected a considerable sum of money.

Wales is now coming forward in aid of the best interests of sailors. Auxiliaries have now been formed at Aberystwith, Cardigan, Newport, and Fishguard; Haverfordwest, Carmarthen, Llanelly, Swansea and Neath, Cardiff, and Newport, Monmouthshire. All the more important towns of South Wales, are thus engaged in the good work; and it is hoped that the period is not distant when some provision for the spiritual improvement of the sons of the ocean shall exist in every port in the United Kingdom.

May He, who is the hope of all the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea,' hasten the period, when his spiritual dominion shall extend from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth!'

Second Station. Mr. PALMER.Diversified have been my engagements, extending from London bridge to below the tower, on the north side of the river Thames. I have met with impediments to our Bethel meetings on the week-evenings, arising from the lateness of employment, in loading and unloading ships, during the summer months. I make it a point not to press the crew to attend our services till the work is done, that neither the business of the captain nor the merchants may be neglected. Often after eight o'clock many seamen join our services, which makes me frequently not commence the meeting till half-past seven.

Several encouraging services bave been held on board the Yarmouth vessels off the Custom-house. One of the best meetings I have ever attended in this part of the river, was held in the hold of Isis, which was fitted up for the occasion. Two of the oldest Bethel captains opened and closed the meeting with prayer.

Continued, and increasingly good ef

fects are being manifested among the Guernsey seamen lying off the tower, a specimen of which, I had at a meeting held on board the 'Navarino,' a short time since. I have also preached on ship-board on sabbath afternoon.

I have been much refreshed by visiting the ships trading from Barnstaple, Bideford, and Brixham, to London, many of the captains of them being excellent and devoted men.

I have also entered upon a most important field of labour,—the preaching of the gospel to seamen at Long-reach, near Gravesend, who, according to a recent regulation of the river authorities, are stationed there, previous to bringing their cargoes into the port of London. I spent the fourth sabbath of last month among them. There were from about one hundred to one hundred and fifty vessels lying there. Our Bethel flag was seen flying with a fresh breeze in the centre of all of them from eight o'clock in the morning until the middle of the day. I preached in the morning, at eleven, on board the L-O- of Newcastle, Capt. D— J—. There was a good attendance, and great attention on the part of the seamen. After this, I went, accompanied not only by the captain and his crew, but by the captains and crews of other vessels, on shore at Greenhithe, and preached in the methodist chapel in the afternoon, and independent chapel in the evening, to good assemblies. The different congregations are much pleased with the arrangements made by our Society, and think they will not only be beneficial to seamen themselves, but the means of reviving the interests of religion at Greenhithe itself.

Nor has home been overlooked, for in addition to my stated labours on the river, I have preached eight times at the Sailors' Chapel. While publicly preaching on the decks of some ships, an opportunity has been afforded of conveying the truth to the crews of

other ships around, who could not attend with us.

Fifth and Sixth Stations.—Mr. BENSON. Your agent, has held, during last quarter, forty-two meetings on board ships, embracing a number of six hundred seamen, to whom he has endeavoured to impart religious instruction. His labours have been most gratefully received. He has supplied many new ships, and Scotch vessels, and on many occasions the attention paid to the reading of the scriptures has been truly gratifying. The men on board of these, have been uniformly of one mind as it regards the necessity and importance of such services. Both the captains and the men have expressed much astonishment at the desecration of the Lord's-day on the river. Our coasting-traders are not apparently so much interested in such services. There are, however, some captains of sterling

piety, who invariably, when convenient, admit your agent on board ship.

sure.

Your agent labours twice a week among the colliers, and can speak of their general character with much pleaMany of them are decidedly pious and praying men, and are often heard to express great thankfulness for enjoying the means of grace on board their ships. They pray most earnestly for the conversion of their fellow-seamen.

Your agent visited Greenhithe, where he preached on board ship at Longreach, the morning of the second sabbath of last month; and at the wesleyan and independent chapels on shore, the other parts of the day, to a goodly number of seamen, among whom, were several of the Coast-guard. He believes there is an increasing respect for religion among them.

May the work prosper till our seamen universally become religious men !