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on board the Eliza Moore, one of the ships I had the privilege of preaching on board of at Ramsgate, when last there. We held this meeting on the deck, an extensive awning being spread. At an early hour, the deck was well filled all heard with much attention; and although none of the captains or seamen took a part in the serviceas is usual with those on board of colliers-yet I trust, from the great attention paid to the word spoken, it was a profitable opportunity. After this meeting, I had much conversation with some of the captains on the subject of temperance amongst sailors. Sorry am I to say, that the evil of intemperance is the greatest barrier and impediment to the progress of the Gospel, amongst our dear brother sailors, that now is or ever was. I long for that day when the use of ardent spirits shall no longer be known on board of British ships; then shall we not long want missionaries to preach to sailors the unsearchable riches of Christ.'

Visitation of Shipping.—I have visited 480 vessels this past month. On the river Thames, and in the docks and canals, 1 have distributed about 1100 tracts, and about 70 back numbers of magazines. Much pleasing conversation with captains, mates, sailors, and others.

"Sir,

Loan Libraries.-Two Loan Libraries have this month been sent to Hudson's Bay and Sierra Leone. One Loan Library has been returned from the ship M., from Hobart Town, the master bearing most pleasing testimony to the benefits resulting from the books lent. He said, present my respects to your committee, and assure them I feel much obliged by the books lent, and am satisfied they have been read attentively by most of my crew, to whom, I trust, they have been rendered useful. One thing I can say, since they began to read the books, I have never heard an oath on board the ship. I shall want another box of books when I again go out on my voyage. Much pleasure has arisen from the issuing and receiving of single books to and from sailors. Most satisfactory accounts are given by sailors of the benefits arising from the perusal of those books."

Sailors' Chapel.-This place still continues to be attended as heretofore. Many pious sailors have been amongst us within the past month. A ship's company who have during the past month sailed for St. Petersburgh, in Russia, when taking their farewell, after engaging in solemn prayer, said, "We this evening covenant, if spared, to

remember you daily at a throne of grace whilst absent, and trust we shall have an interest in your prayers. Το which I replied in the language of good old Samuel, "God forbid that I should cease to pray for you." Never shall I forget this scene; tears rolling down the cheeks of our hardy tars whilst they uttered the parting farewell. Blackwall and Poplar.-Rev. J Upton reports, "The past month has been peculiarly interesting in reference to the work of visitation, which has been carried on in our district to a greater extent than ever. I have had much conversation respecting our Society with the officers of the large ships in the East India Docks, and have offered them libraries, which I expect some will accept; but the following vessels are largely supplied with tracts, which the officer promised to deliver on their voyage to the East: The Boyne, Roxby Castle, Walmer Castle, Euphrates. I had also the pleasure of supplying with tracts a large Russian steamer, on board of which were many English sailors.

"Much time has been devoted to the West India Docks. My visits, generally speaking, have been well received. The following vessels, chiefly West Indiamen, have been largely supplied with tracts for the voyage:-The General Brock, Ceres, Juno, Richmond Hill, Dorothea, Underwood. I have just received a letter from an officer, whom I supplied with a library some months ago. On his return from Demerara, he requests that the box of books may be continued another voyage, asssigning as a reason, the great benefit the ship's company received from them.'

"I am sometimes a good deal interested in notes which are handed up into the pulpit, respecting sailors going out or returning. The following is an extract from one this month :

'It has pleased the Almighty in his goodness once more to restore my affectionate husband in safety, and has in a wonderful manner preserved him through great dangers it is the earnest desire of my partner to be remembered at the throne of grace.'

'Rev. J. Upton, Cotton Street.'

"I am ready now to wish I had preserved many of those interesting documents.

"A few disappointments have occurred, in consequence of vessels being called to remove just before the meetings were to be held, but this is not matter of surprise. I was

a little amused one morning to receive the following note, after great efforts had been made to get a ship :—

'I am sorry to inform you that I cannot get a ship; there are very few at Blackwall, and some are going away. One captain objects because he is a CHURCHMAN. They all with one consent began to make excuse.'

"This, however, is very unusual; and the meetings. continue to be most interesting and delightful.

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"We have now twenty persons who take in and pay the PILOT. Mr. Saxby is endeavouring, if possible, to increase its circulation. I forbear further enlargement, supposing that you will, this month in particular, be limited for room."

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Mr. Saxby reports, "The visitation of ships lying at Blackwall has continued during the past month as usual; the tracts are always well received, and the services I have conducted have been very interesting, in reference to numbers and attention. Since the last report I have several times visited the ships lying at the Regent's canal basin, and distributed tracts. The lodging-houses are also visited as usual, and the tracts are kindly received.

Scilly Isles.-Rev. Mr. Rogers writes, in May, "I must beg to acknowledge the receipt of 5l. 15s., and to express my thankfulness for the remittance; assuring the gentlemen of the Committee that their kind and generous conduct will add to my desire to promote the object of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society in these islands. Every thing in my power I will gladly endeavour for the furtherance of the spiritual and eternal interests of sailors.

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Although the season of the year is past for shipping to frequent our ports, I have the pleasure of stating that the hoisting of the Bethel Flag brings many seamen uuder the sound of the Gospel here, who otherwise would not hear the word of life; and the mate of a schooner, especially, gives pleasing evidence of his having savingly embraced the truth of Jesus Christ."

Mr. Rogers, in June, writes, "During the past month something more has been done for the benefiting of the souls of sailors; though, in the summer season, but few foreign vessels put in here, as this is a refuge in time of need and danger. I have been visiting and distributing tracts amongst the vessels and boats of these islands; also coasting and French mackarel boats; and have

to some

distributed many tracts, some books, and one Testament. I assure you my hands are full of work, as I have seven, and sometimes eight public services to attend, besides the Loan Libraries and visiting the shipping."

Dublin.-Rev. R. Williams, and the other Agents, report, in May and June, favourably of the improving character of sailors, through the various means of grace with which they are favoured, proving the Gospel to be the power of God unto salvation.

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DEPUTATIONS TO FRANCE AND BIRMINGHAM. PARTICULARS of the Rev. J. Chapman's visit to the ports of Boulogne, Rouen, Honfleur, and Havre, will be given in the PILOT for August; and also of the Deputation to Shrewsbury and Birmingham: with the names of Donors and Subscribers to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society of 1107. 14s. 8d.

C. WOOD, PRINTER, POPPIN'S COURT, FLEET STREET.

OR

SAILORS' MAGAZINE.

NEW SERIES.

FOR AUGUST 1836.

ENGLISH SEAMEN'S CHAPLAIN IN CHINA. CHINA is an object of deep interest to many in England, both as merchants and as Christians. Its vast extent of territory and its prodigious population, estimated at about 350,000,000 human beings sunk in the most debasing idolatry, afford various subjects of anxious speculation to many. But its choice productions render China a place of resort for wealthy merchants and factors, and for a large body of seamen from Great Britain and America.

Chinese commerce with England was, till the year 1833, restricted to the East India Company; but in that year an Act of Parliament was passed abolishing those restrictions; and since that period the trade has greatly increased, through the enterprising activity of British merchants. Tea and silk in amazing quantities are imported from China into Great Britain, affording employment for a very large aggregate of our mariners.

The following account of the progressive quantities of tea imported into England, cannot fail to be interesting to many of our readers, and to call forth their best sympathies towards the teeming millions of the idolatrous Chi

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America also has for many years carried on an exten

VOL. III.

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