ling boys, partook more or less of it. This was the evening of the sixteenth day. They ate again late at night, and some greedily: but the thirst, which was before at least endurable, now became craving; and, as there was no more blood, they slaked it with salt water. They then lay down to rest, but several were raving and talking wildly through the night; and in the morning the cook was observed to be quite insane his eyes inflamed and glaring, and his speech rambling and incoherent: he threw his clothes about restlessly, and was often violent. His raving continued during the succeeding night; and in the morning, as his end seemed to be approaching, the veins of his neck were cut, and the blood drawn from him. This was the second death. On the night of that day, Michael Behane was mad; and the boy, George Burns, on the following morning. They were both so violent, that they were obliged to be tied by the crew; and the latter was eventually bled to death, like the cook, by cutting his throat. Michael Behane died unexpectedly, or

he would have suffered the same fate.

Next morning the captain came off deck, and feeling too weak and exhausted to keep a look-out any longer, desired some one to take his place above. Harrington and Mahony went up very soon after: the latter thought he could distinguish a sail, and raised a shout of joy, upon which those below immediately came up. A ship was clearly discernible, and apparently bearing her course towards them. Signals were hoisted with as much alacrity as the weakness of the survivors would allow; and when she approached, and was almost within hail, their apprehension of her passing by, like the former vessel, was so great, that they held up the hands and feet of O'Brien to excite commiseration. The vessel proved to be the Agenoria, an American. She put off a boat to their assistance without any hesitation, although the weather was so rough at the time, and there seemed to be such an apprehension of its swamping, that the crew came out in their shirts. The survivors of the Francis Spaight were all at length safely got on board the American, where they were treated with the utmost kindness.-Limerick Star,

SOCIAL PRAYER ON SHIP-BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PILOT.

SIR,-I have for many years been conversant with the affairs of ships and their captains, and not unfrequently with mates and sailors; and have always felt a strong desire to be serviceable to them and to their families. I feel thankful that I have lived to see a great change among them for the better; so that religion is in higher esteem, both in the navy and in the merchant service, than it was a score or two of years ago. An officer, a ship-master, a mate, a foremast-man, is not now, as once formerly, ashamed to say, "I fear God, and strive to serve him, whether afloat or on shore." Nor is it now an unfrequent case to hear of pious captains maintaining, as weather may permit, daily social worship at sea; and especially remembering the Sabbath, to keep it holy." Those who have been so on the Lord's side to serve him, have found that godliness is profitable; and all will find it so, who will honour that God who has promised to bless his servants.

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I have just been reading Abbot, on the Influence of Family Prayer; and as, while reading it, my mind was impressed that it might be usefully brought under the eye of masters of merchant ships, I determined to copy the striking paragraph for insertion in the PILOT, if you, Mr. Editor, shall be of the same opinion.

Mr. Abbot says, and very justly, "The effect of family prayer upon the domestic circle must be very great. Nothing can have a more powerful tendency to soothe the feelings, to promote mildness and kindness, and to induce all the members of the family to be faithful in the discharge of all their various duties. All our devotional duties bring with them TEMPORAL BLESSINGS.

"Family prayer is invaluable, if we regard it merely in reference to domestic economy. It is the oil which removes friction, and causes all the complicated wheels of the family to move smoothly and melodiously. It is the stimulant which is best calculated to excite to fidelity and exertion. Can the circle which has been cordially uniting in the prayer that God would give them control over all their passions, and make them meek and lowly in heart, become at once transformed into a scene of irritation and

strife? No! The influence of the hour of prayer must reach onward through the duties of the day: it must promote harmony and affection."

Yes, Mr. Editor, it would promote the peace and the comfort and the happiness of a ship at sea, as well as it would promote the same in a family on shore. The latter

has been my privilege for many years, for which I lift my heart to God in many a grateful acknowledgment. I know of ships, whose pious masters have made the declaration, that the hour of prayer and the Sabbath of instruction have made their ship a very Bethel-a house of God!

Contrast such a ship with the horrors disclosed by the letter in the PILOT from a pious sailor under a drunken captain, and then say if godliness be not profitable for the life which is, as well as for the life which is to come.

"It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after that the judgment." Are not sailors included in this sentence? Let the mariner dwell on this truth; and, asking Divine assistance, resolve to follow the dictates of his conscience when enlightened by frequent perusal of the Sacred Scriptures, and he will be compelled to give his voice in favour of social prayer at sea as on shore with, Mr. Editor,

Yours and the Seaman's Friend,

Lloyd's, Feb. 2, 1836.

MERCATOR.

INFLUENCE OF A CHRISTIAN OFFICER.

THE following letter was written by a Mr. E. U—, chief mate on board the ship C, of Liverpool. She sailed from Bombay, and from thence to Canton; but, encountering a heavy gale of wind off Holyhead from the S. W., was put back on the Monday following with the loss of her main and mizen top-masts. She sailed again on the 15th December, 1834. Mr. U. was formerly captain of a ship in the New Orleans trade; but having disputed with his owner about giving the sailors grog he being a member of the Temperance Society rather than yield, he left the employ. He was eight months out of a situation; and, in the interim, was severely afflicted with the small-pox, which nearly proved fatal. The letter is addressed to his brother-in-law.

T. S.

Bombay, April 23, 1835.

As an opportunity is offering to forward a letter to Liverpool, I embrace it with delight, not doubting but such a messenger will be as welcome as any thing by which an absent friend can be recalled to memory. During the time that I was out of a situation, nothing did I dread more than the idea of acting as chief mate of any ship again. So great was my antipathy, that I thought I would almost as soon be a soldier. However, it came to pass that nothing else seemed to offer; and God be praised that I did not go in the one that I first accepted. Yea, I repeat it, God be praised; for it was of his mercy and goodness and so was my mind influenced by some hidden impulse, which I could not then understand, that I felt perfectly convinced I should not go there.

But against the present situation which I now occupy, I feel no antipathy. Now let us trace the mighty working of the wisdom and goodness of God, in his providence even towards me: yea, and how he can accomplish His will and His designs of grace, by means which seem most unlikely. You know I felt as if a trial awaited me, before I sailed, concerning my being absent from the formal round of prayers, &c., that is practised being read on Sundays in the cabin; but shortly after we sailed, I was enabled to give a bold and full explanation of my views of those subjects, so that they would have been as surprised to see me present, as they would have been to see me absent without such an explanation. But thus having declared my principles as a follower of the Lord Jesus, and an enemy to every thing which I could see contrary to his commands and the practice of his Apostles, as left on record in his Holy Word, this set them all a wondering what sort of a character I was. at the same time broke the ice, which led to a sea of happy consequences, such as I could not have expected. Yet it opened the way for me to declare the Gospel of the grace of God in a simple but earnest manner, day by day, at every opportunity. Such effects followed, as sometimes almost burst my heart with joy. I believe the captain was the first to whom I addressed the truth with effect. I presented before his mind the consequences of being found an enemy to God. The effect on him was cessation from swearing, and he began reading the Scriptures and observing the Sabbath. All

excellent, so far; and toward myself great respect and familiarity, so that we became company, and our conversation mostly turned upon some of the truths of the Gospel.

Next (not least, as regards wickedness) was Mr. J., second mate. He was at first much opposed to Dissenters. I wrote out a pretty plain description of the Church of Christ. After reading it, at one blow he cut the cords of his former opinions, and began to search the Scriptures whether these things were so. Not long after, what do you think? I heard the voice of prayer in his berth. Guess what were the emotions of my soul at that moment. I returned and prayed for him, and the Lord gave him to me. He then became my scholar; and I, through mercy, have endeavoured to lead him to the only refuge for guilty

man.

Next, the doctor! What, that swearer, that terrible swearer? Yes! him I brought also to hear the truth; and the Holy Spirit seemed to bear witness to it. Sitting in my berth one morning, I thought I heard a strange sound; and, tracing it, was led to the doctor's berth. Peeping through the key-hole, I saw him upon his knees, which was a sight very interesting. Soon after, I found he adopted the practice of bending the knee with the other passengers.

No doubt you will be gratified with such accounts; but I cannot report these things as the genuine fruits of a living faith in God: but I fear, in some respects, manifest effects of the natural disposition of man, which is found in all men to do something to be entitled to a hope of heaven. Such impressions, you know, generally vanish with the existing cause.

Next was the sail maker. I was led to lay before him, in plain and honest terms, the state of his heart, and the natural enmity which is found in the heart of every unregenerate man. The truth conveyed conviction to his conscience instantly, in so powerful a manner, that he was thrown into consternation; and began to see himself a lost undone sinner, except mercy was found in another. I then endeavoured to lead him to the Scriptures, to the love of God manifested in Him who alone is the righteousness and salvation of his people. He is now under my teaching, and listens with great eagerness: he is the most hopeful of all the cases I have mentioned; and I trust the