I feel this act of kindness the more, because our recent repairs are not yet entirely paid for.

"In a paper now before me containing memorandums respecting the engagements of Mr. Saxby, allusion is made to the pleasing interest which some of the captains in the foreign trade now manifest in the welfare of their His interesting statement thus concludes:

crews.

"The captains and mates of many vessels, lying in the West India Docks, have expressed the pleasure they have felt in distributing tracts among the ship's company, on Sundays, observing it was better to be employed reading them than drinking grog.' The following outward bound have been supplied with tracts. The Sappho, Alice, Osbert, Duke of Bronte, West Indian, London, Tullock Castle, Hector, West India, Jane Lockhart, besides others whose names I have not obtained.

"The Loan Libraries for the use of the boarding houses I have great satisfaction in saying were kindly received. I have also had the pleasure of holding one sailor's prayermeeting on shore, which was well attended. The meetings I have conducted on board ships lying at Blackwall have likewise been very encouraging; on one occasion it was truly delightful to see the seamen leaving the vessel where the meeting was held, and joining their different vessels. The young man who put me on shore said he had been round before the meeting to a great number of ships, but many were like those in the Gospel who were invited to the wedding, they began to make excuse; and he was like them twelve months ago, but he now thanked God he delights in his service."

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First Thames Station.-Rev. W. Benson reports, in October, During the past month I have met with one event which has deeply impressed my mind with the importance of preaching to sailors. On the 27th of September, on board the Sneaton, lying at Topping's Wharf, I was received gladly by the captain, who informed me he had on board the mate and two lads, who were saved from the wreck of the John and Catherine, of Whitby. This event occurred on September 14, three hours before day break, off Haysborough, near the Yarmouth Roads. It appears the vessel was returning from Dantzic, when a storm arose; the captain, whose name was Ord, attempted to make land, but the vessel struck on the sand, and was now subject to the dashing waves, which soon split her. The captain, sensible of danger, called his men

and boys together, six in number, retired to the cabin for prayer, and, in the act, the sea broke in and carried away the captain and two men! These found a watery grave, and, we hope, a happy world. Their widows and orphans are left to bemoan their loss. Christians, who have no such dangers on land, are called upon to sympathize with such in their distresses;-may the widow and fatherless find Christian sympathy. The mate and two lads flew to the ship's boat, which, as soon as they obtained, was carried into the sea, but survived the storm until several hours had elapsed, when the Sneaton, on her passage to London, fell in with them in their distress, and took them on board. Thus were they miraculously saved and brought to London. I endeavoured to improve the event on board the Sneaton, and, I believe, the service was engaged in with seriousness. I have held meetings on board the John and Catherine, now totally wrecked, and, as far as my recollection serves, the captain was a pious man.

Mr. Benson writes in November, "During the past month I have held only three meetings, having been under the afflicting hand of God: but these meetings were very interesting, there being present several praying seamen, evidence of the work of the Lord.

Rev. J.T.Rowland reports, "that he held three meetings of a very interesting nature on this station during the month, when forty-seven seamen attended the worship of God."

On one evening this Agent could get no congregation, owing to there being but two or three seamen on board the three ships stationed in the place. In speaking to them concerning the salvation of their souls, he found one of them to be a man that feared God.

This Agent held a meeting on board the H., Captain D., who had no Bible in his cabin-intended to supply him with one; but he left port before the agent I could have visited him a second time. This was the first Bethel meeting ever convened on board this ship. The master was not a pious character. This captain, during the conversation that the Agent had with him at the time, evinced that the state of his mind was greatly perplexed. He said, "sailors cannot be good men-I wish I were a converted character-I try often to pray; but I can't— my sins stare me in my face-Oh! I hope the Lord will have mercy on my wicked soul, &c."

This conversation passed after the agent had concluded

his address, which seemed to have awakened the mental feelings of the captain. In this distressed state of mind, the Agent addressed him in a manner the most adapted to his then very trying case, and left him in tears, praying that the Lord would deepen these convictions until this poor sinner should become a decided servant of God.

"On last Wednesday evening, this Agent held a meeting on board the N., Captain S., and was glad to find that Captain S. was amongst the first of those captains who volunteered their ships for Bethel meetings on the river Thames, and was happy to observe that he had not grown weary in this good cause. He introduced the meeting by prayer on the occasion, and his supplications at the throne of mercy were affecting for the salvation of his brother seamen, for the Divine blessing on the ministry of the Gospel among them on that evening, and that the smiles of heaven might rest upon the managers, the benefactors, and the agency of that Society that had sent an ambassador for Christ to beseech seamen to be reconciled to God.

Second Thames Station.-Mr. Barclay writes, "The meetings on this station have been partially suspended during the past month, in consequence of many vessels being detained at sea by bad weather. One new ship has been obtained, at which a service of more than usual interest was held.

I

On reaching this vessel, I was affectionately greeted by the captain, who had been preparing for my arrival. found the adjoining vessels in the tier were Dutch, and I had scarcely taken my seat before the masters of the Dutch vessels, followed by some of their men, made their appearance. Our cabin (a large one considering the size of the vessel) was soon filled. Several who had promised to attend were not present, but instant search being made for them, they very soon appeared, apologizing for being late. During the day they had been engaged in obtaining a congregation for the evening. Although many of my audience could but partially understand English, they listened with much attention. At the close I gave away tracts and small books: they sought for Dutch tracts, but not having any with me, they were content to keep what they had, until they could get them read to them. I have promised to furnish them with tracts in their own language.

It was grateful to my feelings to witness men of differ ́ent nations laying aside national prejudices, assembling to

worship that Being who hath made of one blood all the families of the earth.

Third Thames Station, Welsh.-Rev. J. T. Rowland reports, "Held three interesting meetings on this part during the month. About eighty-two seamen attended the means of grace on those several occasions. Very few Welsh ships happened to be in port during the past month. Fourth Thames Station.-Mr. Edwards writes, "We have had the pleasure of holding meetings on board three ships for the first time in this station this month: the masters and others present were very thankful for our visits among them.

At one meeting, an old seaman poured forth the desires of his heart before God, on the behalf of his brethren of the ocean, earnestly entreating that the Holy Spirit might be felt and enjoyed in his quickening and comforting influence among them—that those who were now polluted with sin, and thus exposed to everlasting ruin, might be cleansed therefrom by the blood of Immanuel, and thereby be made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.

Mr. Abbot writes, " At the close of an interesting meeting, the captain informed your agent that his owners allowed no sabbath sailing; this was truly cheering, and the sincere desire and fervent prayer of your agent is, that the time is not far distant when this will be the case with all our shipowners.

Fifth Thames Station.—Mr. Waldon reports, "I have held, since my last report, twelve meetings on the river. Three new ships have been obtained for me in this station; but I am very sorry that the meetings have been very thinly attended, and that there has been manifested, in every meeting, a serious disregard to the means of grace. One evening in particular, I had to go three times to the crew on board the ship the meeting was held, and could scarcely prevail upon them to attend. But, notwithstanding these discouragements, in the strength of the Lord I hope to go forward in this great work, relying on a promise-making and performing God.

Sixth Thames Station.-Captain Prynn reports, "On this station ten meetings have been held afloat this past month, which have as usual been well attended. Several have during these meetings engaged in prayer publicly, that never did so before. Meetings on board the D▬▬s, N—, Sh, and E- -y, were more than usually well attended; numbers averaging about forty-seven.

Three pious captains, two from Shields, and one from Stockton, have joined the Bethel lists, during this month, on this station. Seven vessels have also this month hoisted the Bethel Flag, on board of which it had not been hoisted before. Temperance, I am happy to say, is progressing amongst captains and seamen in the Lower Pool. Three pious captains and many seamen have, during the past month, enlisted as members of the Temperance Society."

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Seventh Thames Station.-This station has been visited, and Deptford and Greenwich also, with Tracts, which are at all times thankfully received; more especially by the Greenwich Pensioners, many of whom I met with who had sailed under my command. Some of them said, Sir, we wish you would come oftener with Tracts; we have been expecting you this week past." At Deptford boarded the Frances Charlotte, convict ship, bound to Botany Bay, and the ship Margaret, for Sydney, which had, on her last voyage to Sydney, been furnished with a Loan Library. Left Tracts, and back numbers of PILOT on board those ships, and made arrangements to furnish a Loan Library, and 500 Tracts, to Captain Wellbank, of the Frances Charlotte, a pious captain, and who has taken an active part in Bethel meetings for many years, having been the first that hoisted the Bethel Flag at the Isle of France, and also at Calcutta, and who is in the practice of holding Divine service on board his ship when at sea, and in foreign ports. Made arrangements also to hold Divine service on board this ship, and address the crew, convicts and military, previously to the crew leaving Woolwich.