Capt.-'It was indeed, sir.' "The prayers of the seamen were scriptural?' Capt. They were, sir.' 'One seaman particularly.' The captain smiled, evidently wishing me to continue my remarks; and when they were ended, he said,—— 'He is the best of men: that seaman, sir, is my father! In early life, I was taught in a Sunday school, where, I trust, serious impressions were produced on my mind. I afterwards was apprenticed to a sea-faring life; and, unfortunately, fell in with a blaspheming master and a drunken crew. The Lord occasionally visited me during my apprenticeship; but evil communications corrupt good manners. I resolved in my own strength, at the close of my apprenticeship to serve God; — but through the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the deceitfulness of the human heart, my course was the path of unrighteousness. So I continued for some years, God occasionally visiting me. At last I resolved to marry, and live to God; accordingly, looking out for a suitable person, I became a husband, and still deferred that attention which was necessary for the salvation of my soul. In the end, my father was taken ill. His illness increased; no one expected his life. Happening to be at home at that time, I sat up with him several nights; and on one night, which night I shall never forget, while he and I were alone, he fixed his eyes full upon me. I said, 'Father, there is something on your mind?' In a half-whisper, for his voice was nearly gone, he said,— My son, there is, and it is you; I have prayed for you-I have prayed for you for many years. I cannot pray for you now!' This broke my strong heartbrought me to my knees; and in language which I cannot now describe, I cried to God for mercy. God was gracious to my soul; he pardoned my sins, and blessed me abundantly. My father, seeing this, rejoiced; from that time he gradually recovered. He is now with me in this ship. We are uniting to serve God together; and, if I can help it, I will never separate as long as I live.' A short time since, a captain's son, an interesting lad eighteen years of age, whose father had a service on board his ship, after attending the prayer-meetings several nights, was favourably impressed. He bought a sailors' hymnbook for his use at sea, and signed the pledge to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. Tuesday, May 18th, preached on the deck of the 'Ann,' of Goole, Capt. S., a Bethel captain in Regent's Dock, Limehouse. The captain of this ship hoisted the Bethel flag, for the first time, at Goole, on his last voyage home, on board his vessel. The service was attended by 300 persons. The inhabitants have requested a Bethel flag for the place. The ministers of different denominations offered to co-operate in the sailor's cause; and the owner of the ship was so much interested, that he offered ten pounds towards a place for seamen, where they might assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God. I have felt pleasure in being able to attend to additional labours, for some of my brother agents, who have been prevented from fulfilling their engagements, by afflictions and bereavements in their respective families. I also continue to attend the Lord'sday evening service, on board the large steam ships, as previously reported. At one of these services, some of the officers of the British Queen' attended, and expressed their gratification, and invited me on board that spacious steam packet. Amidst all the changes of men and events, I am cheered by meeting again with our tried friend, Capt. R., who is not only a Bethel captain at home, but abroad, just returned from Hamburgh, etc, where Bethel meetings have been held on board his ship; and at which place, he states, the sailor's cause is going on well. He told me, that his pledge-book, in favour of temperance, contains the names of sixty seamen. Several new ships I have dedicated to the Bethel cause. A sailor's daughter has been benefitted by the preaching of the gospel, at Bell-wharf chapel, and become a teacher in the Sunday school. In addition to a variety of requests from seamen's wives and seamen's mothers, publicly to pray for their husbands and sons, while far off at sea, I received a special invitation to meet at a sailor's house, some time ago, with his family and friends, on the last night before his departure on a foreign voyage; the benefit of which, to himself, he has since acknowledged with gratitude and praise to the Divine Being. Would to God that engagements, similar to this, were more frequent among seamen generally; but, alas! they are singular-they are rare! The principles of total abstinence are widely prevailing among many of the sailors whom I have met, at our different religious services. Fourth Station.-Mr. EDWARDS.— During the last three months, your agent has held meetings in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth stations. These meetings have presented much to en courage (yet not without some things to depress the spirit) while employed in the delightful work of sowing the seed of the word of God among our seamen. On many occasions the services have been well attended; and in a few instances, more would have been with us, had there been room; while some have appeared to be much impressed under the word. May it, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, prove effectual to the salvation of their souls. In other instances the numbers in attendance have been few, although there were many in the tier where the flag was flying, inviting them to the footstool of divine mercy. Yet amid those discouragements it was good to be there the Lord mercifully fulfilling his gracious promise—'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' Many prayers have been presented to God for the outpouring of the Spirit on seamen and that the time may speedily arrive, when they shall all, with one heart and voice, praise Him with joyful lips, for his great love and mercy manifested toward them in Christ Jesus. May these prayers be heard, and the publication of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour produce this happy effect. There have been seven vessels set apart for the worship of the Almighty, during the above-mentioned time. BREME N. Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Kæving, during the year 1840. At the commencement of the present year, our friends the Rev. E. E. ADAMS and Captain PRYNN, were deputed by the Board, to visit the principal sea-ports and towns in the north of England, with a view of more fully bringing before the public the character and condition of our seamen, and of urging the claims of the Society to renewed and enlarged support. In several places, the influence of local circumstances, and of the general depression of trade and commerce, operated unfavorably on their mission. Still they were kindly received, and their object, if not liberally, yet cordially supported. The following is an outline of their tour. At HULL, where we were kindly and hospitably received by W. Gibson, Esq., we found the local Sailors' Society actively at work, and doing much good. At SCARBRO', the ministers of various denominations cordially entered into our arrangements. We spent a sabbath here, during which we preached three times; and on the Tuesday evening following, a public meeting was held in the spacious Town Hall, at which the mayor (Robert Tindale, Esq.) took the chair. The meeting was numerously attended, and was marked by deep and general interest. A Ladies' Association was formed in connexion with the parent Society, and several new subscribers obtained. At WHITBY, we found that the Rev. Dr. Young (the staunch and attached friend of the seaman's cause) had made the necessary arrangements for five sermons and a public meeting. At the meeting, John Canpuri, Sen., Esq. (a very extensive ship-owner) presided, with all that promptness and kindness which marks his christian character; and the ministers of the respective congregations, rendered most efficient aid. At Whitby there is an auxiliary, which has been in successful operation for several years; and there are many influential friends who feel a lively interest in the more extended operations of the parent Society. At ROBIN HOOD'S BAY and GUISBORO', sermons were preached and collections obtained. At MIDDLESBORO', in addition to sermons preached, a public meeting was held in the Wesleyan chapel, which was well attended. At STOCKTON, sermons were preached in chapels connected with the various orthodox denominations; and a public meeting was held in the town hall, at which Thomas Walker, Esq., kindly presided. The excellent and estimable chairman, in his opening speech, ably advocated the claims of the Society. The meeting was one of deep interest. At HARTLEPOOL, the first public meeting in connexion with the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, was held in the Wesleyan chapel, at which an association was formed to carry out its objects among seamen visiting that place. There are some pious friends there, who are desirous of exerting themselves in this good canse. At SUNDERLAND, a public meeting was held in Bethel chapel, during which, a spirit of holy excitement was produced in the minds of many. It is more than probable that some more enlarged and efficient plan will soon be adopted in reference to this important place. At NORTH and SOUTH SHIELDS, sermons were preached, and collections obtained. At South Shields, a public meeting was held in the Rev. J. Lawson's chapel, at which that old and tried friend of seamen, Christopher Waune, Sen., Esq., took the chair, and most ably opened the business of the evening. The meeting, which was well attended, was forcibly addressed by several ministers. Several ladies took collecting cards; and it is hoped, that something efficient will be done. At NORTH SHIELDS, the public meeting was held in the large Union Schoolroom, at which our highly esteemed friend, Robert Pow, Esq., took the chair; and in a lucid speech, very fully explained the objects of the society. This meeting was crowded to excess, and many could not obtain admittance. Here we look for much fruit. At BLYTH, three sermons were preached, collections made, and a public meeting held in the Methodist chapel, at which an association was formed, connecting Hartley and Seaton Sluice therewith. The public meeting was well attended, and the cause ably advocated by several resident ministers. At NEWCASTLE and GATESHEAD, sermons were preached, and a public meeting held in the primitive Methodist chapel. Measures are now in progress for the establishment of a permanent agency in this port. It is in contemplation to have a chaplain wholly devoted to the seamen, and to the advocacy of their cause in the town and neighbourhood. At WALLSEND, the first public meeting in connexion with the society was held in the Independent chapel, at which an association was formed to carry into effect the objects of the parent institution. And it is but justice to say, that we were most kindly and affectionately received by the christian friends in this place. At DURHAM, circumstances prevented our doing any thing more than receiving the annual subscriptions. At DARLINGTON, preached in the Wesleyan chapel, and obtained a collection, -visited the annual subscribers, and obtained several donations. At YORK, preached two sermons with collections, and held a public meeting in the Merchant's Hall, at which Esq., a worthy alderman of the city, took the chair; and with much energy urged the object of the meeting on the minds of the auditory. Here is a field for much good. At SHEFFIELD, sermons were preached and a public meeting held in the town hall. Many new subscribers were obtained. Here the cause may be permanently established. At LEEDS and DERBY nothing could be done for the present, but promises were given for the ensuing year. To the various ministers, congregations, and friends in these different localities, the Directors offer their best thanks for the kindness and support extended to the deputation; and hope that no means will be neglected to keep alive the feeling of interest and solicitude which has been awakened in so many bosoms. Printed by J. W. Maddox, Dockhead, Bermondsey. |