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These created appetite for the holy Word; and now, but few are given, and a large number sold. Does not this present a pleasing prospect?

The mate of one vessel, which was visited by an officer of the Royal navy, on seeing a Bible, said, "That is the book I want; that is the chart I hope ever to steer by. Blessed book! I have much reason to be thankful to God for leading me to search the Scriptures. About two years ago, he opened my eyes to see the richness of its sacred Yes, sir," said the captain of another ship, in reply to a question put to him, "we have the Scriptures of truth; and not only possess them, but it is our custom to read them every morning and evening; and then, sir, we bow the knee."

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He then said, in the presence of the crew, "Surely if sailors are not ashamed to get drunk, and swear, they need not be ashamed to read GOD's holy word, and to call upon him in earnest prayer."

There are other very numerous testimonies to the fact, that sailors are being brought, by various ways, into better habits, and that among them, "the word is not void ?”

That your important undertaking may be honoured to be the "PILOT" of many from darkness to light in the Lord is the fervent desire of,

Mr. Editor, your friend,
MERCATOR.

P. S. I feel grieved to be under a necessity to add, that an increase of funds is urgently required to enable the Society to continue its efforts.

A NAVAL EPITAPH.

Here peaceably, beneath this old oak tree,
Two sailors sleep;

For years, they wandered o'er the fickle sea,
And brav'd the deep
All fearlessly.

They heard the cannons roar, in deadly fray,
When Nelson lost his life, but won the day;
And France and Spain

Their banners humbled and themselves distress'd;
Pride of the main,

Of flags the best.

But not alone amid the battle's strife

A foe they've met;

The gale has seen them struggling for their life;
Storm staysails set,

And mischief rife,

When baffling leaks the carpenters provok'd,
And pumps by swallowing overmuch got choak'd
'Mid heavy swell:

It might be said, whene'er she lurch'd a-lee,
So dropsical from suction would she be,
All's well, all's well,

Malum in se.

Peace and old age at length brought promis'd rest;
They anchored here:
The turf lies lightly on the gallant breast,
That ne'er knew fear
When danger press'd.

Now safe from raging storm or battles din,
Their souls, redeem'd by Him who knew no sin,
Find calm retreat;

And when all bodies from the general wreck
Are mustered by the angel of the cheque,

Their souls to meet

First upon deck!

JEREMIAH JEWELBLOCK.

(From the U. S. Journal.)

MORTALITY AND PIETY AMONG THE SAILORS' IN GREENWICH HOSPITAL.

EVERY class of character is found among the 2,700 pensioners in Greenwich Hospital. This may reasonably be expected, especially considering the origin and former occupations of these old mariners. That any should be found pious, is to some a matter of wonder; considering the general habits of seamen in the Royal Navy during the last war. While it is perhaps justly feared that a large majority of them are regardless of divine things, it is delightful to know that there are some, perhaps more than we may

suppose, who truly fear God, and rejoice in the hope of glory through Christ Jesus.

The following communication is from a worthy and pious pensioner-a domestic missionary indeed-indicating the power of religion among some of that body; and it will serve as an occasion to encourage mothers to store their children's minds with the truths and principles of the Scriptures, in the hope of the seed springing up to mature holiness in their souls, though in their lifetime they may see nothing to delight them, as the fruit of their anxieties and prayers.

Dear Sir,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PILOT.

N- Ward, Greenwich Hospital,
February 4, 1837.

This is to let you know that I am well, hoping that you and the family are all well. I beg leave to say, that I have been indisposed in my health for the last three weeks, which has prevented me going out with the books.

We have had a great mortality here, among the old men-of-war's-men. Within this last month nearly one hundred men have been summoned into eternity! As one of the readers of the Scriptures, in this great house (to the men), by the authority of our esteemed Admiral, Sir Jahleel Brenton, I was desired to remind my fellow-men of the visitations of death, and the call to judgment: teaching them to remember what God has done for them, and to prepare to meet death with faith in Jesus Christ. This was excellent advice, and it is a consolation to me to think we are blessed with such officers now in the

Royal Hospital, who recommend us to arm ourselves against the apprehensions and approaches of death.

Sir, the inclosed prayers were written by the mate of the N- Ward, from his own memory, at my desire. They were taught to him when young at Northampton by an affectionate mother; and I send them for the benefit of young seamen, if you please to enter the same in your Magazine called the PILOT, along with the mementos of the mortality which has slightly passed over our British Israel within the last month, with your own comment on the same in doing this you will very much oblige

Your most humble servant,

M. G

Evening Prayer.

O blessed Lord! the keeper of Israel, who neither slumberest nor sleepest, may it please thee in thy mercy to watch over me this night. Keep me by thy power from all works of darkness: grant me moderate and refreshing sleep, such as may fit me for the duties of the day following. Grant me grace that I may always be ready, that I may not live always in that state of life I shall fear to die in: but whether I live, I may live unto the Lord, or whether I die, I may die unto the Lord; so that living or dying, sleeping or waking, I may be thine, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer.

Blessed and praised be thy holy name, O Lord, who hast comfortably refreshed me whilst I have slept; and now, O Lord! thou hast awaked my body from sleep, so awaken my soul to a life of righteousness. Strengthen and refresh my soul with thy heavenly grace; that I may embrace all opportunities of serving thee and doing good, and may carefully avoid all occasions of evil, more especially those sins into which by nature and inclination we are most liable to fall. (Here any grievous sin that troubles us may be mentioned, to ease a troubled mind.) Grant it for the honour of thy name, and the benefit of my soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; who has ever taught us thus to pray: Our Father, &c. Amen.

Evening Prayer.

Here I lay me down in peace to take my rest, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord! thou God of truth. O Lord! let my bed ever remind me that this body must lie down in the dust, and that my soul must enter upon an eternal state. Grant me grace that I may finish the great work of my salvation, before the night cometh, in which no man can work. O Lord! let thy holy angels have charge over me this night; that being safely delivered from all evils and dangers, and being comfortably refreshed with sleep, may rise forth in the morning to praise and glorify thy holy name. O Lord, hear thou my prayer, and grant me my request; or whatever else thou seest good for me, I do now most humbly beg for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord and

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Saviour; who, in compassion to our manifold infirmities, has ever taught us thus to pray: Our Father, &c. Amen.

Morning Hymn.

go,

When morning comes the birds arise,
And tune their voices to the skies:
With warbling notes and hallow'd lays,
They sing their great Creator's praise.
Should I then from my chamber
Or any thing presume to do,
Before I'd sought the God of Heaven,
And my just morning tribute given?
Lest every bird's harmonious song,
Reproach me as I walk along,
Thoughtless of him whose guardian power
Upholds and saves me every hour.
Come then, my soul, awake and pray;
O praise thy Maker day by day;
Bless him for raiment, health, and food,
And for each peaceful night's abode.

J. N. Greenwich Hospital.

TEMPERANCE AMONG SAILORS.

MR. EDITOR,

I AM SO frequently thinking about sailors, that it has become with me almost a habit; and when an idea strikes my mind as likely to be useful to sailors and their connections, I indulge the thought, and endeavour to give it practical usefulness. I know from observation and experience, that when sailors feel that they are doing right, and when they once act upon conviction, they act "with a will," according to their own emphatic phraseology. A Christian sailor is always, whether on board or on shore, a Christian Missionary. His example, as a Christian, is consistent, for he is a man of fortitude; and his admonition, given in prudence, is never kept back under a sense of shame, for he acts upon principle. Temperance ships are great public benefits: and are private benefits also to the bodies and souls of their navigators. A Christian sailor

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