6 we have not the prospect of, nor the means of securing it, if one should offer. But who hath despised the day of small things?' as God has not, we are not without hope that this small beginning may, under his blessing, increase. We solicit an interest in your prayers, and if in any way you can assist us in this work we shall be gratified. PROVINCIAL AGENTS-EXTRACTS OF REPORTS. Scilly Islands.-Rev. C. Rogers, in his journal, writes, in July," Although few vessels put in here while the fine weather lasts, yet, blessed be the Lord, I have not been altogether unemployed. I have visited some vessels and pilot boats, conversed with the men, and distributed a considerable number of books and tracts among them, as I found they were destitute of any religious works, but very anxious to receive them. Several seamen have attended our chapels, drawn in a great measure by the "Bethel Flag." It rejoices me to see my poor abandoned fellow-sinners sitting under the sound of the Gospel of God our Saviour. As I have no Bibles or Testaments but what belong to the Naval and Military Bible Society, I purchased a Testament for a poor fellow who was desirous of procuring that treasure, but had not the means. I have been visiting the Loan Library Deposits, and find the books kept in better order than might have been expected from the number of hands into which they fall. It has been suggested that I should do well to get a supply of cards printed, to the following effect, Mr. — Agent to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, requests permission of the Captain or Officer in command to visit his ship, for the purpose of conversing with, and furnishing religious books to, the ship's company.' Such a plan might be serviceable; because it would introduce both the Agent and his business at the same time." Mr. Rogers writes in August,-"I have been visiting the Loan Libraries in the off islands, and regulating the delivery and return of the books; and I am happy to inform you that they are read with much interest by many, and kept in as good condition as could be expected. I hope this bequest will be lastingly useful, and the Holy Spirit will sanctify them to the hearts of the people. "The Lord is blessing his word in these islands; many have lately been separated from the world; and, blessed be the Divine name, he has made me the humble instrument of considerable good in the conversion of sinners. We are in expectation of a further increase, for there is great feeling after God and the word of his grace." your "September, Mr. R. writes, "I have been making arrangements for the regular issuing of the books during the approaching stormy season, when I may be prevented from personally attending the depositaries. Nearly the whole trade population of these islands are sailors, professedly connected with the sea; and thus every sermon I preach is to those who are the objects of the regard of Society. I have supplied with books and tracts every vessel, with very few exceptions, which has touched here during the past summer, and have obtained permission for the Bethel Flag to be hoisted on board the Lord of the Isles,' and 'Lady of the Isles,' of this port, whenever they reach London and are visited by your agents. I called on the captain of a ship from New Orleans, who was on shore, when he informed me that they were supplied with the Scriptures, books, &c., but expressed himself friendly to the cause of religion among seamen. It is certainly an object of some importance to supply the shipping of this place with the means of grace and of spiritual improvement, and to this part of my duty I have paid, by Divine assistance, all the attention in my power.' October, Mr. R. writes," Since my last I have visited nine vessels, and distributed among the seamen two hundred and eleven books and tracts. I cannot, however, state particularly the number of sailors that have attended during that period. Our congregations are never destitute of seamen; and the Lord has lately been pleased to add several souls to our church, some of whom go down to the sea in ships." November, Mr. R. writes," Since my last communication, such scenes have occurred here as have not been witnessed for many years. During the tremendous gales of last month, one vessel was lost on the western rocks, and all perished except one, who was saved almost by miracle. Another brig was thrown on her beam-ends, and all who were below, the captain, mate, and four men, were drowned;-after some time her masts gave way, when she righted, and being loaded with oil, she became waterlogged, but did not founder. The remainder of the crew, three in number, clung to the wreck, and on the second day were descried from hence, when assistance was given, and the vessel towed into this harbour. The dead men were found and interred on the following day! Thus fourteen are known to have found a watery grave, while, from fragments of wreck found on the shores, many others, it is to be feared, have been lauched suddenly into the eternal world. Had any stimulus been wanting to interest me in the cause of sailors, those scenes would have been sufficient to call forth all my energies for that purpose. "I embraced this melancholy occasion to preach on the necessity of immediate preparation to meet the Lord. I published my intention, and had the satisfaction of addressing a considerable number of seamen, on whose minds I endeavoured to impress the importance of being converted unto God. Considerable feeling was evinced; but, alas! in too many instances, those impressions are like the morning cloud and the early dew; the effect must be left to Him who doeth all things well." with "Since my last I have supplied H. M. S. books and tracts. I take every opportunity of furthering this good cause: may the Lord bless my very imperfect efforts." North Shields.-Rev. J. Bilson writes, October 29, "It is with the pleasing sensations of a grateful heart, that I now inform you that I am in a state of convalescence, having taken cold while visiting the ships; the day was severe, and I perspired considerably with the exertions, and not having on any extra clothing, I took cold. The work of God is going on: my congregations increase, so that my chapel is too small. I have not room enough for those, chiefly sailors and their families, who flock to hear the word. Something must be done to obtain room. O, Sir, here is work for the labourers. Winter is coming on, the ships will be laid up, and thousands of sailors on shore. At Newcastle, Hartlepool, South Shields, Seaham, and Blythe, scarcely a sermon is preached directly to seamen: or nothing worthy the importance of the cause is done to evangelize them. I again ask, What must be done for the many thousands of seamen in these towns ?" Dublin.-Rev. R. Williams reports, in October, " During a short absence from home, prayer-meetings were held, in which seamen engaged in leading the devotions. After my return, when resuming my labours in visiting sailors on board, I was heartily welcomed by those who were in Dublin during my absence; they acknowledged the care of him whose kingdom ruleth over all, on my return to my labour among them. This last month the attendance of sailors on the various means of grace has been very encouraging; a considerable number of tracts distributed, and I hope some good done. Those sailors who can be got to attend public preaching, seem very eager to catch every word, and anxious to understand what they hear. With those, whom hitherto I cannot get to attend, I converse religiously on board, and leave tracts with them; and, above all, we can bear them on our hearts at the throne of grace.” MONTHLY MEETING OF THE AGENTS, AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICE, 2, Jeffreys' Square, St. Mary Axe, London. Rev. J. Upton offered prayer. Resolved, That it would be highly gratifying to the Agents of this Society, to be favoured in future with the presence of one or more of the Directors, believing that much practical good would arise from such a measure. Captain Prynn, the Thames Missionary, was unavoidably absent from the meeting; the melancholy occasion of which will be seen by the following extract of a communication to the Secretary. "I have forwarded my report this evening, by my brother Edwards; the reason of this is, I have been unexpectedly called upon to improve the death of a sailor who has been drowned, whilst attempting, in a state of intoxication, to swim to his ship. Oh the awful effects of intemperance! When will those torrents of iniquity cease? Addresses of this kind have been on past occasions abundantly blessed. I trust the present will not be without benefit. Accept my best wishes that the presence of the Lord may be with you and my dear brethren in conference this evening; trusting I am in the path of duty by attending this call, "I remain yours, in Christian bonds, &c. "B. PRYNN." "The Poplar and Blackwall.-Rev. J. Upton reports, past month has been most interesting to the sailors' cause. The awful shipwrecks which have occurred have made a deep impression on many hearts in reference to sailors. Anxious to improve these dreadful occurrences, I announced, by bills, my intention of delivering a sermon on the subject. I had not the most distant idea of such an assembly of sailors and others, as presented itself to my notice when the time arrived. The text chosen was Jer. xlix, 2, 3, 'There is sorrow on the sea' it was a memorable evening for sailors. "These events have given a deep interest also to our services on board; and though the nights have sometimes been very dark and dreary, the meetings have repaid us for all danger. I have been received with peculiar kindness on board the large ships lying in the East India Docks; the chief officers cheerfully taking the charge of tracts, assuring me that they should be distributed; some of them manifest an interest in the Society which is very pleasing. I have furnished them with Reports, &c. Having had an opportunity of sending to my dear missionary correspondents, both in the East and West Indies, I have not forgotten the sailors' cause. I have sent Reports, Pilots, the little book What have I to do with Sailors? &c. &c., 1 hope to have pleasing intelligence in due time. The demand for libraries continues. We have received a supply from Captain Prynn, but they will not last long. I furnished one to-day to a vessel going to the South Seas. "As a considerable number of the congregation have the Society's boxes, I have requested that they may be sent in as soon as convenient; they are coming in gradually, and perhaps, in my next report, I may be able to state the amount they contain. One thing I feel bound to state, to the honour of our deacons, that the boxes at the door, which formerly were used for donations to the debt on the chapel, are now devoted to the cause of sailors. |