the labours of this Society, may we not hope that many of our long-neglected sailors will be made savingly acquainted with the truth as it is in Christ, and eternally saved."

Visitation of Shipping.-"Whilst I have met with many discouragements this month, in this department of my labours, yet, I thank God, I have had sufficient proof that those services are abundantly blessed. Whilst some set at nought the offers and invitations of the Gospel, and refuse to hoist the Bethel flag, that Divine service may be held on board their ships, there are those who most gladly and willingly welcome us on board, and hail the auspicious hour when this flag shall wave at the mast-head of their ships; and thanks be to God, the number of those increases, whilst many are from month to month added to the list. I have been enabled this month to visit 311 vessels on the river, and 67 in the various docks and canals, distributed about 1,800 tracts, together with small quantities of tracts given to captains of ships going to foreign ports, for the use of their respective ships' companies, whilst absent, &c. about 750.

"I have been much strengthened in my mind this past month, by having much more spiritual converse with sailors than at any former period; there is an apparent growth in grace amongst many of them, and many earnest inquirers after truth are found. God Almighty grant a continued increase amongst those men of such as shall be eternally saved."

Sailors' Chapel.-We still continue to be informed by many, who constantly, when their ships are in London, attend the means of grace at this place, that the Lord blesses them there; and then many very pleasing instances are brought before us to this effect, that the labours of the servants of God, in this place, have been and still continue to be productive of much good. The Sabbath attendance of sailors much as usual, varying only in reference to the number of ships in the Lower Pool.

Open Air Preaching.- In consequence of the weather being unfavourable, I have only been able to preach twice this past month, at the corner of Dean Street, near the Sailors' Chapel, but those addresses I trust have not been without the Divine blessing, inasmuch as on former occasions some of our guilty neighbours have been brought to attend the means of grace at the Sailors' Chapel, which I hope will be made a blessing to their souls.

Visit to Gravesend.-Arrangements having been previ

ously made with Captain M. of the Harriett, I gave an address on board this ship, to the ship's crew and passengers, previously to their leaving Gravesend for Hobart Town. Great attention was paid to the word spoken, and several sailors who knew me, welcomed me on this occasion. An extensive library and supply of tracts were furnished to this ship, the kind and pious captain assuring me that every attention should be paid to the distribution of those tracts, and the lending of the books to the ship's company. After the close of this service I held another on board the Sarah of Newcastle, bound to the Mauritius, where I was most kindly received, and much attention paid by the master and crew; this ship was supplied also with books and tracts.

Loan Libraries.-Three ships have been supplied with loan libraries and religious tracts, one bound to Hobart Town, one to the Mauritius, and one to South Australia. Four Bibles, two Testaments, and one Common Prayer Book, in addition to the Loan Ship Library, have been furnished the Guiana, bound to South Australia: may the Lord grant his blessing.

Sailors' Boarding Houses. Much time has been set apart this month for the purpose of visiting sailors' boarding houses, and it is hoped that many may be found where the sailor may be taken in, and secured from the evils he is now exposed to, through the conduct and character of those by whom he is too often way-laid, robbed, and ruined. Every effort should be made use of to connect the sailor's temporal welfare with his spiritual interest: let but this work be set about in the strength of the Lord, and much good may be effected; it is worthy of the trial.

Mr. Welch, in his last Missionary Report, states, "In reporting my labours in the past month, would to God I could state that hundreds of my brother-sailors had been converted to Christ. Although I cannot say that is the case, yet I am thankful to find that my missionary labours have not been in vain in the Lord.

"In consequence of the absence of many of the Bethel ships and captains from the Upper Pool, my labours have been much more than usual during the past month. Nevertheless, other friends have been raised up, and fresh vessels have been visited every day, and not a few where religion is an entire stranger. Much though there is doing, yet much remains to be done.

"On board of one ship where we were holding a service,

the cabin being full and some on deck, after the address one poor fellow put his head down the sky-light, and said, 'This is the first time I have heard the word of God for TEN years; and repeated it again, I believe, with tears. O that the whole church of Christ could have heard him! In my daily visits among the ships, I have found, from time to time, that the labours of my brethren, the agents, have not been in vain in the past evenings among the sailors. I met with one, who was much affected on account of his sins, who had been mercifully saved from a watery grave a few hours before the meeting.

"I have had much pleasing conversation with pious captains respecting the results and influence of our Bethel meetings. One captain, on board of whose ship we held a meeting before he sailed on the past voyage, informed me, that, since that meeting, his crew had begun to pray for themselves, for which he was thankful. This, with many other such-like circumstances, I have met with ; and been able, thank God, to take courage and go forward. I visited one sick captain on board his ship, and had much spiritual conversation with him. He regretted much that he had not done more in the Bethel cause, but was happy in being able to take refuge in the sinner's Friend. O that all pious captains may hear this voice! What thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.'

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During the past month, I have been enabled to hold thirteen services afloat; to obtain 36 ships for agents; to visit 260 ships on the river and in the docks; and to distribute about 1,100 tracts and bills, persuading men concerning the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus."

Poplar and Blackwall Station. - Rev. J. Upton reports, "It may not be improper to remark, that I have been called this month to sow in tears,' in connection with deep domestic affliction, issuing in the death of an amiable, pious, and tenderly-beloved daughter, aged nineteen years. Yet I have endeavoured to keep in mind the saying of a certain writer, that 'weeping must not hinder sowing.' Indeed I may say, that the last has been with me a peculiarly busy month in the sailors' cause, and one in which I have felt peculiar sweetness and encouragement, in setting before them those precious truths which have been the support of my own sinking mind.

"An unusual number of large East India vessels I have this month supplied with Tracts. Some are to have Libraries for the first time. I have, in the course of my vi

sitation, had much conversation with gentlemen connected with shipping. I never saw so deep an interest in the work before; and my own impression is, that, before many years have passed away, something will be done at Poplar on a scale more worthy of the vast, the national importance of the station. I beg leave to enclose you a paper for insertion in the PILOT, which was drawn up some years ago, and which embodies in it the real wants of the locality.

"One Library has been safely returned, with many thanks; and another has just been sent on board a brig going to the West Indies.

"This month has furnished much encouragement to supply sailors with Bibles. A letter is now before me, written to a friend by a sailor to whom I gave a Bible some time ago. The letter is from Rio Janeiro. He assures his friend that it is the only book he can fly to for comfort in his most lonely hours. Another sailor, just returned from Jamaica, has assured me that his Bible was not only a blessing to him, but also peculiarly so to a poor aged African apprentice, or rather slave, who used to come to him as often as possible on purpose to hear God's word read. This poor grey-headed negro peculiarly delighted in hearing him read Psalm lxvi.

"I am happy to enclose an humble offering of 6s. 71⁄2d. from a few poor children in a branch Sunday School connected with our place of worship, which they send as an expression of their love to sailors. Let this stimulate others. An immense sum may be raised for the sailors' cause from Sunday Schools alone, if suitable means be employed. This offering has arisen from the introduction of one of the Society's boxes by a devoted teacher.

"The preaching on board continues as usual on Tuesday and Friday evenings. It is but seldom we have a disappointment. Several new ships have been obtained lately. The attendance varies, but the attention given to the word is most encouraging. I have lately been favoured with the company of several respectable gentlemen, who, having heard there was preaching on board ship, desired to witness the nature of the service. From one of these I expect the Committee will receive a communication expressive of his views and impressions. On Tuesday last I had four friends with me, one of whom has made nine voyages to India.

"I have now to add that which will perhaps surprise the Committee-viz. that my large supply of Tracts is

exhausted; and I must wait for a fresh supply, in order that I may furnish ships in the West India Docks. I cannot regret this; but am encouraged to hope, that, as I proceed, the demand will increase, and that Poplar will become in this respect a very expensive station. But I have no fear on this head. I feel confident, that, if we are really concerned faithfully to do the work, the Lord will provide all needful means.”

DONATIONS, COLLECTIONS, AND SUBSCRIPTIONS IN AUGUST, 1837.