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and St. Katherine Docks, and Regent's Canal; and I have held much more conversation with sailors coming from foreign ports. I have also distributed more tracts amongst them than heretofore; and I have derived much satisfaction from the various conversations I have held with these hardy men.

I had much pleasure in addressing the ship's company of the Mary Ellen, bound to the South Seas, before they left Gravesend. The crew, twenty-seven in number, were very attentive; and I trust the word spoken, from 1 John iii, 1, was not in vain. A supply of tracts was given to this ship's company, and a Loan Library from the Society.

Sailors' Chapel.-The Sabbath attendance at this place of worship is much the same as in past months; our numbers vary but little. There are, however, evident proofs of much good doing, for which we desire to give all the glory to God.

Loan Ship Libraries-Three Loan Libraries have been supplied this month to South Australia, the South Seas, and the Mediterranean, together with supplies of tracts to each ship. Seventy-six volumes of books have been lent to sailors going coastwise, &c., and 1,706 tracts have been distributed to sailors, watermen, lightermen, and others. More than three hundred foreign tracts, German, Dutch, Prussian, and French, have been distributed. Much good seems apparent amongst some German sailors and Belgians, whom I have conversed with on spiritual things; and on board some of their vessels there has been preaching in their own native language, which we trust. will be abundantly blessed. I have preached once this month at the Maritime Penitent Female Refuge, to about sixty of the inmates; it was an interesting service.

German Bethel Meetings in London.-Foreign sailors, crowding the port of London, for the purposes of commerce, are entitled to the generous sympathy of Christians. Seldom do they find any ministers of the Gospel from their respective countries to proclaim to them "the unsearchable riches of Christ ;" and generally each may exclaim, in the language of inspiration, "No man careth for my soul." Their moral condition has, however, engaged the anxious solicitude of the Committee of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society; and various efforts have been made by them to carry into full effect their benevolent purposes. These have been partly

accomplished; especially by the supplying of the crews of foreign ships with religious tracts and Bibles, by conversations with them, and occasional preaching to them in their respective languages. Difficulties have, however, arisen, in obtaining the latter kind of agency; but they have much satisfaction in giving an extract of the report of a devoted Prussian clergyman, who is labouring in connection with the Society among the German seamen in London.

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"Sept. 16," he writes, "Concerning the German Bethel Meetings, I have preached the gospel during the last four months every Sunday afternoon, in the London Dock. I am happy to assure you that I have been very cordially welcomed on board three German vessels, where I have published the gospel to the seamen. The German captains, especially Captain W and Captain B, have not only been willing, but very happy to have their vessels used for prayer meetings or places of worship. Both captains are very pious and godly men, who hoist the Bethel Flag with all their hearts; and wish that the knowledge of the gospel may be preached constantly among all the German sailors. I hope that these two captains may be willing to form a little German Sailors' Society,' which, by the blessing of God, can forward its objects among Germans. If it should be successful, and the British and Foreign Sailors' Society would summon the German Christians of Hamburgh, Bremen, and other ports, to take care of the present and eternal interests of seamen, I hope that Senator Dr. H—, in Hamburgh, will be deeply convinced that mariners need Christian instruction, and that he will employ his power to promote the Bethel service.

“I believe that the godly ministers in Bremen, as well as Mr. L, and other pious friends and clergymen in London, will manifest a laudable concern for the spiritual improvement of sailors, from their several nations. Mr. L, I hope, will be induced to make an early call upon the Christians in France to form a "French Sailors' Society," which may be supported by the counsel, and probably by a little of the money, of the English. Such assistance would be successful to forward this important object among the French Christians. The large field in which the British and Foreign Sailors' Society has to operate will encourage its endeavours, and will excite it not to rest until the last mariner of the uttermost part of

the world has heard the voice of the gospel. Blessed is the man who can spend his time, his property, his faith, his hope, his love, and all his strength, in the service of the Lord Jesus. "A. K."

PROVINCIAL AGENTS.-EXTRACTS OF REPORTS.

North Shields.-Rev. J. Bilson reports in September-"I take this opportunity of informing you that the work is going on amongst sailors here. The Lord is blessing our labours. Three or four sailors have united in church fellowship this last month. I have visited the ships on the North and South sides, as well as those up the river, as far as five and six miles. I have preached out at the New Quay and other places; given away six or seven hundred tracts; but the expense of visiting the ships up the river will cost 2s. per week. Will the Committee pay this or not? Let me know when you write. I would remind you of the utility of sending me some small boxes that will contain from ten to twelve books, to lend out to ships going foreign from this port; and also a supply of

tracts.

Mr. Bilson reports in October-"I have received the Sunday School books, and with them your letter; and I am exceedingly grateful for the trouble you have been at in sending them down, and also for the interest you take in my welfare in the good cause in which I am engaged as your agent; and could I spend the whole of my time in promoting the objects of the Society, it would be the greatest pleasure of my life, for there is plenty of work in this large field of this part of the world. I hope we shall extend our labours by raising an Auxiliary here. I have visited ships in the river since I last wrote you, to the number of 105; and given away about 700 tracts. greater number of sailors attend Divine service than ever; and I received one into church fellowship last night. The sailors with their families increase upon me, so that numbers have to go away; they cannot find a sitting. I have received three Testaments, with the Psalms, as a gift to the Society; and Mr. Brown, a friend, has promised to make the same present to the Society every year. I have shipped for Algiers one of the small Libraries you sent I wish you to send me a supply of French and Dutch tracts."

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Sunderland.-Rev. R. Carr writes, "Sept. 12. I have visited and preached at Whitburn three successive weeks.

Last time I was there, I had some fishermen from what is called the Bent,' where I have placed a 'Sailors' Loan Library;' and I am solicited to continue my labours at Whitburn.

66 My congregation at Phoenix Hall vary in numbers. On one occasion, lately, we had a much larger number of sailors than we have had for some time before. I account for this from the fact of our worthy friend and brother sailor, J-S————, being in the harbour, and giving invitations to his brethren of the sea to attend. On entering the pulpit one evening, I was pleased to find the following note, which had been sent by the writer, a mariner I suppose, on the previous Sabbath :—

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My brethren and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ; the desire of your brother, J- C-, is, that you with him will render thanks to God for his especial deliverance, in saving him from being drowned in the water yesterday morning, and in sparing him to the church and his family a while longer, and that he is in a way of recovery; which salvation I attribute solely to my confidence in God in the face of death. O, my brethren, to Him be all the praise. I am yours in the best bonds, J— C—.’

"About Seaham, I can say but little, as I have not visited that station this month. It is indeed worthy of attention; yet the poverty of the people who are favourable to the cause will prevent the execution of their design, except some foreign aid can be obtained. There is work enough for two missionaries, at least, in this (Sunderland) and the neighbouring ports of Newcastle, Shields, Hartlepool, &c. &c. It is greatly to be deplored that a sea population so numerous, perhaps nearly 20,000, should be neglected. May the Lord thrust forth labourers into his harvest; and may the day come when mariners shall be no longer thorns in the sides of our worthy Missionaries abroad, but the fair representatives of the religion of every real Christian in Britain."

Seaham.-Mr. G—, a valuable auxiliary of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, writes, “August 5. I duly received the PILOTS and tracts, for which I know not how to be grateful enough. Rev. Mr. Pengilly has promised to visit Seaham, accompanied by Mr. J. Angas, of Newcastle after their visit I will write to the Committee, to inform them of the most likely method of promoting, in this place, the cause of our Lord.

"Mr. Carr has preached to us once again, and has also

promised to come another time: we were well attended. On Tuesday evening we had a prayer meeting, and six masters of ships prayed. In future I intend to open my school-room for the same purpose on Lord's-day evenings, when I read the Scriptures, and expound a portion, as occasions offer. I have this day been at the Coast Guard station, near this place, and had a most interesting conversation with Mr. S-, the chief boatman. He is an interesting well-informed man, and I hope not destitute of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, whom to know is life eternal.' He says that some of their men are decidedly pious, but they have no meetings for worship; yet they meet to read some book every day. I suggested the propriety of social prayer meetings; and I hope they will act on that suggestion. A few tracts or PILOTS will be of invaluable use here, when opportuity offers to send like the present. Mr. Carr gave me a few numbers of the PILOT; I lent them to the Coast Guard, and they say that they are the best books they see or read. I am sure you will find this place deserving your attention. May your operations be crowned with the blessing of God, as they are intended to promote his glory."

Mr. Graham, in September, says, "A sailor that had lost by shipwreck his chest and clothes said, the other day, that he was greatly in want of a Bible; and spoke of the loss he had sustained in the want of one. I was truly sorry that I had it not in my power at that time to supply that suffering mariner with a copy of the Scriptures.

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Compared with the facilities here to benefit sailors there is little doing; the principal that is effected is done by my going on board as long as my tracts will serve, distributing to each seaman; and I am always kindly received. I also open my school-room for worship on the Sabbath."

Gorlestone.-Rev. J. Byrne writes, "Sailors in this place are favoured by the grant of books and tracts which your Committee sent me on my application last January. I regret that I am not enabled to report some decided benefit resulting from their perusal; but I have circulated most of the tracts, and the books and pamphlets I lend to those who apply for them after the service of each Lord'sday. The seamen here are very hardened and independent, and appear to think but little concerning their eternal interests. I have invited them in various ways to attend the means of grace, and offered to all the loan of the publications referred to; but to very few "is the arm of the Lord

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