Seventh Station. Captain Prynn reports, "Three meetings have been held on this station, and all numerously attended, with increased prospects of good. Here is much room for doing good amongst sailors, before their ships come into the Lower Pool to discharge their cargoes. "Greenwich has been visited, and the collegemen and watermen conversed with, and Tracts distributed, which were thankfully received. I have preached once at the Mariner's Chapel, Woolwich, to a numerous and very attentive congregation. This place of worship might be rendered very useful, as it lies near the river's side, and in the midst of a dense population. "I have met with two pious captains this month, who are truly devoted to the cause of Christ, and are engaged, wherever they go, in preaching the glad tidings of salvation; and I am led to believe their labours have been abundantly blest. 66 "I have held two meetings on the second and fourth stations, in which evident tokens of good were manifested. One sailor said, 'Sir, I am very thankful for your visit on board to-night. I trust I shall be enabled henceforth to take the admonition you have given, Escape for thy life, > &c. Both captains gave me a hearty welcome, and assured me they should at all times gladly receive the Bethel Flag." Visitation of Shipping.· "Much more time has been occupied by me than at any past period in conversing with captains, mates, sailors, and others, on board ships on the river, which I find to be very essential to the spiritual interest of those men among whom I am called to labour. I have therefore, during the past month, visited only 371 vessels where conversations with sailors on divine things have been held. I have distributed 1350 Tracts, which are more than usually prized by the recipients. Upwards of fifty-five back numbers of the PILOT have been given to captains, mates, and seamen: I trust they have not been given in vain. "Two Loan Libraries have been this month granted, one to a ship bound to Trieste, the other to a vessel bound to Sidney. One Ship Loan Library also has been returned from the Planet, after having been a voyage to Van Dieman's Land. Seventy-nine volumes have been lent to sailors going on their respective voyages, and very pleas ing accounts received from those who have returned books." Sailors' Chapel.-"The attendance of sailors in this place of worship has much increased during the past month; and four persons, two of whom are pious sailors, stand proposed for church members." Sabbath Morning Open Air Preaching." Sunday, 19th ult., 7 A.M., preached in front of Ebenezer Chapel, Rev. C. Hyatt's, Ratcliff Highway. Many sailors present, who heard with much attention. Our friends, Captains Cowie and Houghton, engaged in prayer. One sailor, who was seen to shed many tears whilst I was preaching, on giving him Tracts, acknowledged he had not attended any means of grace for nine years. I shall long remember the tears rolling down his manly cheek, whilst conversing with him relative to the interest of his immortal soul. "The last two Sabbath mornings, at 7 A.M, I have preached at the corner of Dean Street, near the Sailors' Chapel. Many have attended; and some of the neighbourhood, who had not attended Divine service before that time, have since been seen at the Sailors' Chapel for which we desire to be unfeignedly thankful. And as, by Divine assistance, it is our intention during the summer months to continue this useful mode of instruction, it is hoped it will be made a lasting blessing to many. We need the earnest prayers of all our Christian friends to help forward this good and great work." Blackwall and Poplar.-Rev. J. Upton reports, "The meetings at Blackwall have been, generally speaking, of a very interesting character. The most marked attention has been paid to the Word. In some instances this has been peculiarly the case among the lads on board, who are generally addressed particularly in some part of the dis course. "A striking instance of the importance of keeping some of the Libraries at Poplar occurred lately; one being sent for to my house at past ten at night, for a ship about to sail for the South Seas the next morning. I was pleased to find the next Lord's day morning a note from a friend, whom the captain had requested to ask our prayers for him, that he might be preserved from the dangers of the deep. I am pleased to observe how much these requests for prayer have increased of late. Mr. Saxby has been actively and usefully employed, both in the docks and in obtaining ships. It is only justice to him to say, that I attribute it to the judicious way in which he acts in visiting the ships, and by explanation removing prejudices, that I am almost constantly introduced to vessels where no meetings have before been held. "The attendance of sailors at the chapel, particularly on the morning of the Lord's day, has evidently improved since my last report." Mr. Saxby writes, among other things, "I have visited ships lying in the West India Docks, and have left parcels of Tracts with the captains for the use of the crews. The Loan Library was received with much thankfulness by the chief officer of the Thames,' who is now on his voyage to the South Seas. "The visitation of ships lying at Blackwall continues as usual. I am generally received with kindness by the captains. I am sorry, however, that several disappointments have lately been experienced, which were totally unavoidable, owing to the removal of the vessels. The services I have had the pleasure of conducting have been well attended, and I trust not without some profit." Provincial Agents.-Reports from various of the Society's Provincial Agents have been received during the past month, and their character is encouraging; but the limits of these pages will not allow their insertion in this month's PILOT. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TO DONORS. THE Committee present their best thanks to the Rev. John Hammond, Handsworth, for twenty-two volumes of valuable books in aid of the Sailors' Libraries. They also beg to suggest to their numerous friends, that by presents of books for the Sailors' Library, many might be able without inconvenience to render essential aid to the Society. PRIZE ESSAY. THE Committee beg to inform their friends that no manuscript in competition for the prize of Fifty Pounds can be received after the 1st of August; and that the decision relating to the best Essay, will be made known on the 1st of November. *The sum of 51. of this amount, from Mrs. Glover, and the same sum from Miss Mansfield, intended for this deputation, acknowledged in the PILOT for March. were Maria Winter, Collecting Card... 1 59 Sarah Winter, ditto....... F. W. Cobb, Margate.......................... Mr. Dyer. Mr. R. Joyce................................... Mrs. Upton........ Lord Henly, by Mr. Howard, Col lector 0 16 6 220 100 1 10 0 10 6 2 0 1 1 0 ......... 0 ........ ... 0 10 1 0 0 10 0 0 15 0 Honfleur, by Rev. G. Aubray... 20 0 0 C. WOOD, PRINTER, POPPIN'S COUrt, FLEET STREET. |