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ing in the most piteous manner as they rushed from their beds. The vessel soon after went to pieces, and the whole on board were plunged into the sea. About twenty-two, by clinging to the wreck, were carried to an island about nine miles distant. Of these, seven died from exhaustion; the others remained on the island about a fortnight, subsisting on a little flour that was drifted ashore, perriwinkles, and a sort of kangaroo which they were providentially enabled to catch, by means of two dogs that belonged to a vessel that was wrecked a little before, and which escaped with two men; and were finally, with the remainder of those wrecked in the Neva, landed in Laun

ceston.

"Much more might be added to the above; but I think sufficient has been stated to cause us to interest ourselves on behalf of the sailor, whose life both at sea and on shore is in constant jeopardy, from the captain to the little cabin-boy. Of the former, a sudden instance occurred last Monday. Captain Gray, of the Amity, after performing his voyage in safety, on coming ashore from his ship, slipped into the water, and sunk to rise no more alive!"

REVIEW.

CEPHAS, or an Account of a Shipwrecked and Converted Sailor: intended as a Warning to Youth, and as an Incentive to the Faith of Pious but Discouraged Parents. By his Father. Second Edition. 18mo. Cloth. pp. 108. Ward and Co. London.

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Warnings to Youth," adapted to every class, are peculiarly desirable; and the affecting narrative of "Cephas" seems well adapted for usefulness among boys of an unsettled disposition. The folly of the youth in forming an acquaintance with wicked companions his rashness in resolving on going to sea his entering on board the Woodford East-Indiaman the lamentable wreck of that fine vessel, after springing a leak, about five hundred miles from Madagascar - the, return, repentance, and death of Cephas, at the age of eighteen are highly in

structive.

Correspondence and Proceedings of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society.

LIBRARY FOR THE "SAILORS' HOME."

SAILORS are not generally devoted readers; but they read far less than they would, and infinitely less than would be for their improvement and happiness, and indeed for the advantage of their employers, if a choice selection of books were placed within their reach. Those interested in the moral and spiritual welfare of seamen cannot do better than make such provision for them, as rational and especially as immortal beings. Illustrative of their utility, it would be easy to give the testimony of most experienced commanders and owners of ships; but we need only refer to the pages of the PILOT.

Public institutions also, for the welfare of sailors, ought to be judiciously supplied with religious and entertaining books for their use; and the writer of this note remembers with delight receiving the testimony of Sir William Burnett, chief physician to the Admiralty, that the provision of libraries for the inmates of the naval hospitals, as recommended by Mrs. Fry, had been incalculably beneficial in preserving order in those great establishments.

The Committee of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society had great pleasure, therefore, in granting eighty volumes of choice religious books, to form a Sailors' Library for the Sailors' Home; to which grant the following letter refers :

"23, Well Street, London Docks, Nov. 24, 1835. "Dear Sir,

"I must confess that we have been very remiss in having so long delayed to acknowledge the gift of books presented by your Society to the Sailors' Home three or four months ago. We are very thankful to you for the addition you have made to our Library; and we pray that the blessing of God may rest upon the use of these books by the men whom we have from time to time under our care. God bless you, my dear Sir, and strengthen you in every good word and work for his name's sake.

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"Believe me to remain, on the part of our Committee, Most sincerely and faithfully yours, "R. J. ELLIOT."

"Rev. Thomas Timpson."

GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF A COLOURED SEAMAN FOR A BIBLE, &c.

TO THE REV. J. UPTON.

"REV. SIR, I return you my most sincere thanks for the Bible and book which you were kind enough to give me, from those who feel a deep interest for my spiritual welfare. I hope that your prayers, and the desires of my friends where I reside, may be answered in respect of the Bible which you so kindly gave me.

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"Dec. 15, 1835."

Sir, I remain yours, with respect,

"JAMES O. of the brig Christopher."

The Bible was presented to this grateful sailor under peculiar circumstances; and there is reason to hope that the gift will be rendered useful to the soul of its possessór.-EDITOR.

AN OLD BIRMINGHAM FRIEND TO SAILORS. BIRMINGHAM Christians, so deeply indebted to sailors, cannot read the following letter without considerable emotion, and a determination to inquire concerning their obligations to seek their evangelization.

TO THE REV. DR. COX.

"Rev. and dear Sir,-Having been a soldier myself, and in consequence qualified from experience in some degree to sympathise with sailors and their privations, both of a social and spiritual character, from the period in which their claims were first presented to my notice, I have cherished a lively interest in the objects contemplated by the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. I think that about two years ago I had the pleasure of forwarding a small sum as a token of my regard for your Society,-while, at the same time, I may be allowed to say that my principal exertions have been given to another society, bearing a similar title.

"I have, however, lately been endeavouring, by the circulation of the PILOT in the neighbourhood in which I reside, to awaken the sympathies of others in the behalf of seamen, and in favour of your society; and I much regret that I have experienced so small a portion of success. military veteran has most kindly given a donation of halfa-sovereign, and with a few shillings from other indivi

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duals, I have the pleasure of sending the sum of fifteen shillings, together with a few books for the Loan Library. I have the pleasure of informing you, that the Christian Society to which I am attached, viz. of Bond Street, have annual sermons preached and collections made in support of the Seaman's Society. These sermons were preached and collections made on the past Sabbath; and I do hope that a moiety of the contributions will be granted to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, as I am endeavouring to interest our friends in your favour.

"Birmingham is certainly deeply indebted to our seamen, as your correspondent in this month's Magazine correctly states; and I think that every Christian congregation ought to admit their claims, and contribute to the support of societies for the promotion of their spiritual and eternal welfare. I rejoice in the manifest tokens of encouragement granted by the "Lord of all," to your Society, during the year that is past, both of a spiritual and a pecuniary character; and I pray that it may continue to prosper abundantly, until the dominion of Messiah shall extend from sea to sea, and he shall reign triumphantly in the hearts of those who do business on the mighty deep, until they shall become a praise throughout the whole earth. "I remain, dear Sir,

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"Yours respectfully and affectionately,

'JAMES EDWARD MOGRIDGE, Lieut. H. P." "P.S. I should indeed much rejoice if your society could succeed in establishing an Auxiliary in this great commercial town; and I hope the time is not distant when your claims, in this respect, will be cordially and generously admitted."

N.B. For the remittance, see List of Donations.

MONTHLY MEETING OF THE AGENTS,

Jan. 8,
1836.

2, Jeffreys' Square, St. Mary Axe, London.

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Unusual darkness and dense fogs over the river Thames,

during December and the first week of January, seriously interfered with the regular operations of the Society's Agents in their Bethel meetings. Sometimes the watermen would not venture to take them off from the shore to the ships engaged for them, fearing the dangers of the oppressive fogs; and several providential deliverances in their perilous labours on the river, they have recorded to the praise and honour of God It is manifest, however, that the Divine blessing has attended the religious exercises at those meetings which were held on board the ships, and great reason appears to believe that many were edified in the saving doctrine of Christ.

Brief Extracts from the Agents' Reports.

First Thames Station.-Rev. W. Benson, in his report, says, "As the month has been so inclement, I have had but five meetings. One of these was in consequence of a spontaneous effort on the part of a very pious captain carrying a Bethel Flag on board his own vessel; and not having a ship provided by our Missionary, I observed the light, and went on board. The last meeting I had was of an interesting character. Every eye was fixed upon me while addressing them, regarding the intelligence as one of high moment; and your Agent never felt greater interest in his life in preaching. He has preached on account of the Society during the past month once at the Sailors' Chapel, and once at Poplar."

Rev. J. T. Rowland reports two meetings on board the same ship, the Tagus, Captain D. who kindly had the hold of the ship conveniently arranged for the meetings on both occasions, which were well attended. On the last occasion he took for his text, Jer. xxviii, 16, "This year thou shalt die ;" and endeavoured to improve it adapted to the season, especially with reference to the precariousness of the life of seamen. It seemed to produce a deep impression on the minds of those present. O! may that impression be of a lasting and a saving character, for "this year" some of those that heard it may meet with a watery grave!

Fourth Thames Station.- Mr. Abbott reports, that the meetings he has attended during the past month have been better attended than usual, and on all occasions he had been received in the most cordial manner. On board the A-the captain received him twice; the last time he addressed the hardy mariners from Hag. i, 7, "Consider

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