four months in the year, but who are seldom in port, and are principally people from the surrounding villages.

"Second and Third. There is a Sailors' Chapel on shore, capable of containing about 250 persons, at which there is preaching every Sunday afternoon, and every Thursday evening, gratuitously, by the different Ministers in turn. There is a Sabbath school at the chapel every Sunday morning, with about fifty children, principally, but not exclusively, children of sailors.

"Fourth. Four numbers of the PILOT are taken and lent out to sailors. The Committee at its last meeting, Oct. 28, ordered that printed notices should be left on board each ship at the quay, once a week, stating the time of preaching at the Mariners' Chapel; and it was determined that there should be a general meeting at the chapel on Easter Monday next, in the evening, to advocate the cause of seamen.

"The Committee request me further to state, that they would be happy to concur in any plan you may suggest, which would promote the spiritual and eternal welfare of seamen; and if you should have any Agent likely to visit this part of the coast, they would be most happy to render him any assistance in their power."

port.

Gorleston, separated from Yarmouth by the river Yare, with a population of 2,116 in 1831, is a great resort of seamen. Rev. J. Byrne wrote to the Directors about the same time, in reference to the moral condition of that He states, "In reference to Gorleston, where there are so many ships harboured, about ninety pilots, besides a large number of seamen and fishermen, I think much may be successfully done. I would advise the preaching of the Gospel to our mariners, near their residence and situation, our places of worship being too distant. I would also recommend the circulation of tracts, magazines, &c."

Arrangements having been made for a deputation from the Directors, to preach for the British and Foreign Sailors' Society at Norwich, on Lord's day, January 24, and following days, Rev. T. Timpson, one of the Secretaries, visited Yarmouth on the 28th, and preached at Rev. Mr. Creak's chapel in the evening. Having met the Committee of the Yarmouth Bethel Union in the afternoon, the Secretary offered, on the part of the Directors, to return double the amount of the collection in books for the formation of a Sailors' Library at Yarmouth, as one of a series of means agreed upon to be adopted in that port for the

benefit of sailors. A plan was formed for the engagement of an active Agent to visit the shipping and seamen, and new vigorous zeal appeared to animate the friends of mariners in Yarmouth. The Directors having approved of the offer of their Secretary, the books, &c. have been selected and forwarded to Yarmouth.

Gorleston also was visited by the deputation; and arrangements were made for the revival and extension of the work of benefiting sailors visiting that port; among other measures, a grant of books and tracts was made and forwarded, to aid Rev. Mr. Byrne and his worthy coadjutors.

BELFAST SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.

BELFAST is a sea-port of the greatest importance in the north of Ireland, with a population of nearly 50,000; carrying on a direct trade not only with England, but with Holland, the Mediterranean, the West Indies, the United States, and especially with Scotland. The exports are various, those of an agricultural nature are considerable, such as butter, oatmeal, and pork. The gross amount of duties paid into the customs for two years, is as follows: 1826, 364,470l. 19s. 10d.; 1827, 351,3817. Os. 8d. The ballast office return indicates an increase in the foreign trade. Number of vessels entered in 1827, 2,208; registry, 219,148 tons. Number entered in 1828, 2,428; registry, 235,258 tons: and there were then fifty engaged in the foreign, besides 134 engaged in the home trade, belonging exclusively to the port of Belfast. The trade and shipping of Belfast, however, have during the subsequent seven years greatly increased.

Christian ministers and pious merchants and shipowners in Belfast, have become laudably zealous for the spiritual improvement of sailors. Since the visit of our sailors' Minister, Rev. J. Chapman, to Belfast, nearly two years ago, various efforts have been made there on behalf of seamen visiting that port, and during the last autumn arrangements were made for the support of a Sailors' Minister in Belfast, the expense of salary to be divided between the friends in that port, and the Directors in London. They were providentially led to a suitable person for that important office, by the judicious kindness of Rev. Dr. Townley, then in London.

The following extracts from a letter recently received

from the Secretary to the "Belfast Seamen's Friend Society, will be read with great satisfaction :

66

I have been directed by the Committee to apply to you for your proportion of one quarter's salary of your Agent here, 101. You might send 100 copies of the Sailors' Hymn Book, Joyce's edition, as part of payment, and the remainder, &c.

“Mr. Wyvill has requested me to apply to you for such books and tracts as your Society are accustomed to give their Agents for distribution.

"I am happy to state that our Committee feel satisfied with Mr. Wyvill, and his labours are well received by the people; also that our Committee are at present engaged in collecting subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a Seamen's Chapel, and expect to commence the building next month, March.”

MONTHLY MEETING OF THE AGENTS,
Feb. 12, 1836.

AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICE,

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

Do all the friends of seamen receive or subscribe for the PILOT, and read with attention the published extracts from the Reports of its Agents? There is reason to fear that some, at least, pass over this part of the contents of this Magazine but they should rather peruse it with attention, as exhibiting, in a peculiar manner, the spirit of the labourers, and the progress of the work of evangelization among the maritime population.

Ministers of the Gospel, also, especially at the Monthly Missionary Prayer Meetings, would do well to refer to this part of the manifestation of the advancing kingdom of God; and it is probable, that referring to the condition, claims, and improvement of that important class of our fellow-countrymen, would be the means of no small measure of profit and sacred delight.

Brief Extracts from the Agents' Reports.

First Thames Station.· Rev. W. Benson reports, "During the past month, I have witnessed many pleasing and devotional seasons: every meeting has been well attended, and many pious captains and private seamen have poured out their hearts to God on those occasions. Indeed, being present has been a heaven; and I have been constrained to say, What hath God wrought?' I feel persuaded that nothing short of the Divine blessing on our labours could have effected so marvellous a change in the characters of men, formerly so hardened in the ways of iniquity: and though we cannot always obtain immediate knowledge of personal conversion to God, we perceive a manifest improvement generally in the habits of our seamen. I have attended seven meetings this month afloat, two services I have taken at the Sailors' Chapel, and one at Poplar."

Rev. J. T. Rowland states, "I have attended four services on this station during the last month, and had one disappointment, as I could get no waterman to take me over to the ship; the hailstones and rain descending in torrents, while it blew quite a hurricane.

Second Thames Station. Mr. Joyce reported, that on account of indisposition he had only been on board of two ships in the past month. One of them had been commanded for several years by a most zealous and steady friend to the cause of God among sailors, of whom mention has before been made in the PILOT as having received his first serious impressions at a Bethel meeting.

The Lord having prospered him in his worldly circumstances, he has retired from the service, and appointed his trustworthy mate to the command of the vessel, who received the visitors joyfully.

Mr. Edwards states, "In this station I have attended four services; and once, though the ship was ready, business prevented the meeting for worship, but I improved the opportunity by distributing tracts to the seamen. new Bethel ships have been this month added to our list. Mr. Barclay reports four meetings on this station during the month, all of which were interesting.

Two

On board one vessel, which for the first time had that day hoisted the Bethel Flag, he held the meeting in the

hold; but while proceeding with the service, he was interrupted by a violent knocking, which was soon ascertained to be caused by the removal of a partition which separated that apartment from the cabin, in which the captain was confined by indisposition. Being unable to attend the service, he ordered one of his men to remove this impediment to his participating in the means of grace, when the worship was resumed, and many besides the captain listened with deep attention to the Word of God. After the service," says Mr. B., "I spent nearly an hour in conversing with the captain on his eternal interests. Justification by faith alone formed the leading topic of our conversation. He was evidently resting his hopes of salvation on a sandy foundation, the fallacy of which I endeavoured to expose, and lead him for life eternal to Jesus Christ. He listened with much attention to my observations; and, after thanking me for the care I had taken to instruct his men, he expressed a wish that I would hold another meeting on board his vessel before he left the port of London.

"Sailors appear still more desirous of instruction in the things of salvation by Christ, and to obtain tracts and books, especially hymn-books, which we are able to furnish. A young sailor, bound for Sidney, came off to attend one of our Bethel meetings, previously to his embarking on his long voyage, and we supplied him with a few Tracts and PILOTS.

"I cannot but remark, that masters of vessels appear to manifest increasing interest in the welfare of their men.'

Third Thames Station.-Rev. J. T. Rowland states, "I was enabled to hold four meetings also on this station; and the attendance was very good, considering that there were very few Welsh ships in port. Mr. Waldon kindly accompanied me once, and held a meeting on another occasion himself, when I could not attend; and I am happy to state, that though the services were in English, they were highly appreciated by the ancient Britons. I had one new Bethel ship."

"Here

Fourth Thames Station.- Mr. Edwards states, I have been at seven services, three of which my worthy colleagues were not able to attend. At one of them I observed five masters; all of whom expressed themselves much delighted, and desired to have similar services on board their own ships, at any time when they were in port.