Junior Thames Missionary.-Mr. J. WELCH.-In prosecuting my closing report for another eventful year, I desire to record my obligation to the Father of mercies, for that shield of protection which he has cast over me, and for that measure of success with which he has crowned my feeble efforts in the important work to which his providence has called me.

In comparing my various reports with my private journal, I am happy to find, that one half of even the visible good which has been effected, hath never been told; and that much must remain concealed till the heavens are no more. How many sailors who have heard the life-giving word in a Bethel meeting, perhaps for the first time, have gone to sea, to reflect on what they have heard, and have never returned to tell us of the growth of the incorruptible seed; but have sunk amidst the fury of the storm, or died upon a foreign shore! I merely mention this that the divine goodness may not be overlooked, and that the sailors' best friends on earth may be prepared for renewed and determined exertion during the opening year. But I must be short in my details. In consequence of the absence of my colleague my missionary labours on the river have been very pressing; and yet my difficulties in obtaining ships for the

Society's agents have been fewer than usual; having procured at least thirtyseven vessels, exclusive of those obtained by the watermen. I have distributed a large number of tracts, and have spoken the word, I trust, frequently in season to the unthinking sailor. I have held twelve services which have been refreshing to my own mind. I never feel more happy than when crowded in a ship's cabin with twenty or thirty around me, and when listening to the artless prayers of the newly sin-convinced sailor, ascending to Him who is mighty. I have had the honour of dedicating to the bethel service two new ships, and two fresh captains have signed the Bethel covenant; but alas, concerning some others, death hath signed their warrant, and fixed their state in an unchangeable eternity!

It has been my painful duty again, only a few evenings since, to improve to a cabin-full of sailors, the heart affecting end of another poor fellow, who was drowned by the side of his ship the previous night. He had not been many minutes from the public-house,has left a wife and lovely family to lament the loss. Oh! when will these distressing scenes come to an end! I hope the day is now beginning to dawn, as will appear from the fact, that a series of tee-total meetings have been

recently held on the river, on board ships in connexion with the bethelwork, and that not only individuals in numbers, but in one or two instances whole crews have cheerfully signed the pledge.

May this be the beginning of good days, when the reproach of our sailors will be blotted out, and as our representatives they will bear better tidings wherever they go. To the Author of all good redound the praise.-Amen.

Additional Report.-In looking back on the past, the year has wound up well in the sailor's cause. Our last meeting in 1839, was held on board the Elmsworth, Capt. R., when she was dedicated to the Bethel service, by solemn prayer to God, followed by exhortation. Every heart seemed melted by a sense of past sins, and present mercies. There were present seven captains, and about thirty sailors. I was kindly assisted on this interesting evening by several Bethel masters and mates. It was a solemn season; but especially to one of our number, who, on the first day of the year, met a premature death. The victim was a fine youth, who fell from the boat, and we never saw him more. It is some consolation, however, to the weeping mother, that he was present at this service, a season of more than usual prayer and confession to God. Surely in the midst of life, we are in death! But, to return. About ten o'clock we adjourned our meeting to the land, with a host of converted captains and sailors, who, as we crossed the still stream, joyfully sung,

"Thy truth shall spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more."

And having entered one of the chapels, we spent the remainder of the watch-night with the people of God,

* In confirmation of this fact, we refer our readers to page 52 of the present number.

many of whom were not a little interested to see such an accession to their already well filled place. An opportunity was kindly afforded to address the assembly, which was at once embraced, and I spoke from Acts xxvii. 40,"And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made towards shore."Thus, in the midst of the congregation, was the Bethel cause committed afresh to the great Head of the church, by earnest and repeated prayers.

If I were to judge from the present signs of the times, I would say, they promise a prosperous year in the cause of the Redeemer amongst sailors. The spirit of prayer seems to be poured on the increased numbers, that have of late been seen at the Sailors' Chapel; the character of the meetings in general; the union that has attended the word preached,-and the benefit derived by many,-all indicate the approach of better days.

On Friday evening, the 3rd of January, according to mutual consent, a meeting of Bethel captains was convened in Capt. Prynn's house, at which the Rev. R. Ferguson presided. The evening was spent in holy conference and prayer, bearing on the best interests of seamen,-when the spirit of zeal, unity, and brotherly love, kindled into a holy flame. Since then, the same spirit has spread in different directions, and has brought an unusual number of captains and sailors to the chapel, and to our meetings afloat, to hear the word preached. On the first sabbath after the meeting, each service was numerously attended by sailors: some of whom remained behind at the close, to return thanks for the benefits received. On the second sabbath, the attendance was still great.

Another happy feature is the abandonment by many seamen, and by some ships, of all intoxicating drinks. I am

happy to state this cause is progressing. I have held three public meetings on the river, and have received twenty-six signatures to the tee-total abstinence pledge. Temperance tracts are much wanted, I am asked for them by sailors, almost every day. It has frequently done my heart good, to see some of those, who have long been the veriest dupes of the publican, now sitting in their sober mind, listening to the instructions of the gospel on board their ships, instead of running to join their former companions.

Since my last report, I have held eight services on the river, which have been well attended; have held five services on shore; visited the docks-sailors' boarding houses-the sick, on shore and afloat; distributed nearly one thousand tracts; obtained for the Society's agents, in connexion with the watermen on the different stations, thirty-four ships; and have had the pleasure of supplying seven libraries to vessels bound to the South Seas, Cape of Good Hope, Rio Janeiro, Naples, Gibraltar, Malta, Corfu, and Zante, besides several Bethel flags.

Second Station-Mr. PALMER.-It is a source of pleasure to me, in reference to seamen, to know, not only the commencement, but the continuance, progress, and increase, of morality and religion among them. This, on the part of some, may arise from supposition, but on my part it is the result of knowledge, of observation, and experience. I am prepared to state, without fear of contradiction, that there is an evident and decided change for the better in the minds of many sailors. The captains of ships, in a way unknown before, are now taking the lead of their men, and influencing their crews to act in correspondence with the requirements of the law of God. This is manifested abroad as well as at home, at sea as well as in port, with

strangers and foreigners, as well as with friends and acquaintances.

Having been partially called away (other arrangements being made with me to promote the interests of this Society) from my engagements on the river Thames, on my return I find no indifference, or neglect, as is the case in some instances, or even satiety, but an increasing desire for instruction, edification, and improvement. There was a time when I prepared to address seamen as drunkards, blasphemers, &c. but now their minds, being informed by ship libraries having been lent them, through the varied means and labours of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and plans adopted in various other ways for their benefit, but especially the accompanying blessing of the Spirit of God, in answer to the prayer of faith, this cheering and desirable effect has been produced. Not but among the body of sailors generally there are still, I am sorry to say, hundreds, yea, thousands living in sin and dying in iniquity. But my soul has been much encouraged when meeting old friends again, and meeting them where they are sure to be blessed, namely, at the throne of grace. I have also met occasionally with strangers, in various parts of the river; and have found them, too, exceedingly desirous to serve and glorify God. The principal cause of my rejoicing, during the last two months has been from visiting Scotch captains, with their crews, and French captains and their men. In connexion with the former, I was surprised and pleased to find the ship's bell tolling, just before the commencement of the service, to summon the seamen from the surrounding ships to the worship of God, which was exceedingly well attended: and in reference to the latter, requests were made to continue my stay on board their ships, even after the close of the appointed services, for the purpose of explaining the word of God to them individually.

I was informed, at one of the meetings held on the river, that the Rev. Mr. Knight of Hamburg, is actively engaged, and that he attends five meetings in the week among seamen there; two on the sabbath day, and three on other days.

At another Bethel service, the recital of an extract was peculiarly affecting, namely, that when one of the sailors, then present with us, was attending a prayer-meeting at Yarmouth, but a short time before, the attention of the minister was directed to a woman, who appeared to be much concerned for her soul's welfare; and while he was endeavouring to impart spiritual instruction to her, she fell dead at his feet.

A captain, also, whose ship I visited

a week since, left his wife (a good woman) well at Gloucester, and came round to London, he sent for her on his arrival at Gravesend, but received in answer, the painful intelligence of her sudden death, and found, on immediately repairing to Gloucester, that she was not only dead, but had been buried some days. I have been surrounded of late, by many similar instances, and have heard of others. How necessary to be ready and waiting for the Lord's coming, whether it may be in the morning, at evening, or at noon-day.

Most of the captains whose ships I have visited, since my last report, are good men, and occasionally take part in the various services. Many of the sailors, too, are members of different christian denominations.

PROVINCIAL

OPERATIONS.

It is with much pleasure I present my quarterly report of the Kentish Coast Mission. In each of our three principal stations, Ramsgate, Margate, and Broadstairs,-including their various rooms, much encouragement has been afforded to those who attend and witness the deep interest manifested, especially by our seafaring men. Ramsgate station comprises the sailors' room, with rooms on the beach,at Pegwell, at Cliff-end, and at Northshore. Our regular services at Ramsgate are seven each week, at which we have good congregations. We are sometimes crowded; and after increasing the number of seats, and making every accommodation, some have been unable to enter, and not a few have retired unable to bear the pressure. Se

veral converted fishermen now begin to pray in public; and when the time to close has arrived, they have begged permission to stop another half houroffering to pay for gas, if allowed to protract their meeting. Several have come from vessels of this port, and from ships to pray. Tracts are usually given at the close of our services. The wives and families of fishermen, &c. attend, and read the books we lend from our library. Instances of usefulness are heard of not unfrequently. The room on the beach is mostly full, and the same people come also to the sailors'

room.

Pegwell service every Friday, is well attended, but we need a better place to meet in.

[To be continued.]