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dered the unavoidable evils of the world, owe their origin to the weakness and the wickedness of man, to the ill directed and the shortsighted views of human policy,-by which the produce of the earth is rendered so much less available to the general welfare of the human race than the exuberant bounty of Providence has made practicable. St. Domingo. A rumour has recently been in circulation that a French fleet had arrived at St. Domingo, and that an intercourse had been opened between it and the President of Hayti; the cbject of which is supposed to be the cession of some part of that island to the French. What confidence may be placed in the rumour we know not should it prove true, it will probably be an event of much importance to this part of the world, and we shall make it the occasion of some reflections on this very interesting country. At present we shall content ourselves with hoping, for reasons satisfactory in our own view, that it is but an empty report.

Mexico.-In Mexico, the chieftain under whom the revolution has been conducted, has caused himself to be declared Emperor and one of the Bishops to be created a Pope. Thus the new world seems to be growing apace, having now an Emperor and a Pope: how stable the power of the former, or how certain the infallibility of the latter will: prove, time alone will determine.

DOMESTIC.

Commercial Treaty.-Nothing of importance has lately taken place in our domestic affairs. A commercial treaty has been recently concluded with France, regulating the commerce with that country, rather on the basis of equalizing the destructions to the trade of the two countries, than placing it on a basis of reciprocal accommodation. We hail it however as the commencement of a series of more friendly measures, since an agreement as to the mode of differing seems a natural forerunner of friendly intercourse.

Piracies.-The piracies in the West Indian seas continue in deplorable frequency, and accompanied with circumstances of great barbarity. The island of Cuba seems to afford the pirates a rendezvous and protection, either from a connivance at the piracies, which we shall be slow to believe, or from an inability in its government to restrain these crimes. If the latter be the case, we shall rejoice at seeing it transferred to other hands; and we may before long see the commercial powers interested in the trade of the new world, finding it necessary to protect themselves from the plunders and murders thus originating, by a transfer of this country to a government of greater efficiency. Such an one we could name, to whom that country would in some respects be a valuable acquisition, equally beneficial to the island itself and to the interests of the commercial world. How far the possession of Cuba would subserve the interests of the country to which we allude, is a question of great delicacy and difficulty, which we have no desire to agitate. And we freely confess that speculations like these are to be classed among projects that are possible rather than probable or practicable.

June 29, 1822.

Seaman's Magazine,

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they [sailors] glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Psalms.

SAILING ON SUNDAY.

To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.

SIR-I rejoice very much to see it announced in the daily papers, that the owners of the Charleston Packets, Franklin, Empress, President, Amelia, and Com. Perry, have agreed to despatch those ships on Thursday of each week, from New-York, and on Monday from Charleston, instead of fixing (as is too often the case with packets) the Sabbath for the day of sailing. I hope that all passengers, who profess to fear God, will make it a matter of conscience to give these vessels the preference over all other ships, steam ships &c. which are despatched on Sunday, either statedly, or when convenient, without regarding the feelings of Christians, the interest of religion, or the awful threatenings of God's word. The sailing of vessels on Sunday is the greatest hindrance to the success of the efforts now so generally making for the salvation of the souls of seamen and I have often been grieved to see the names of ministers of the gospel, and other professors of religion among the passengers who have encouraged the violation of God's commandments, by their patronage of those vessels which were advertised and intended to sail on the Sabbath. Could they go.with some of those who devote an hour on Sabbath morning in visiting the boarding-houses of seamen, to invite them to Church, they would witness effects of the sailing of vessels on Sunday, the sight of which, if it did not induce them to forego all the advantage they promise themselves from this species of contempt of God's law, would certainly convince them that the evil complained of is a great one. Nor do I despair, Mr. Editor, that the time is near, when Christians, Christian Ministers, and Doctors of Divinity, will feel that the influence which may result from their example, on the eternal state of only a common sailor, is more to be thought of, than the saving of a day, as it is called, or the convenience of going in one vessel in preference to another.

I was pained to know, last fall, that several reverend gentlemen, whose known piety leads us to impute the fact to a singular inadvertance, went out on Sunday, in the steam ship. I have understood that the Rev. Dr. Mason, in taking a passage for England, stipulated that the ship should not sail on Sunday-and I know another instance when two passengers engaged their births on the same condition, and actually by this means induced the master to sail on Saturday, thereby avoiding the profanation of the Sabbath.

The objections to sailing on the Sabbath, I should suppose, would readily suggest themselves to every pious individual.-The neglect, or interruption of the appropriate duties of that holy day, not only with respect to those who sail, but to many others. Boarding-houses and private families are disturbed by the bustle of preparation; waiters, porters, hostlers, coachmen, and sometimes cartmen, must be employed, filling the streets with the confusion of other days; friends must call or be called upon to take leave, or perhaps, accompany them to the ship," and seamen are also prevented from attending Church: and, in short, all are prevented from enjoying the public and private privileges of the Sabbath, when an attempt is made to sail on that day, whether it be successful or not.

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I could mention some captains and merchants who are too conscientious to sail or despatch vessels on the Sabbath; and the time will, I trust, shortly come, when all who profess to follow Christ will be too conscientious to do it or encourage its being done. Let all think of the judgment day, and I am persuaded they will be much more afraid to trifle with God's command, to KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.

Yours &c.

SIR MATTHEW HALE.

THE CHARACTER OF SEAMEN, AN OBSTACLE TO MIS

SIONS.

ONE of the Missionaries of the Sandwich Islands, in a letter to a friend near Boston, published in the Boston Recorder, suggests the importance of making some special effort to remove the obstacle to foreign missons which the wicked practices and the general character of seamen present. "A premium" says he, "has been offered in France for the best book for prisoners. Might not a premium be offered in America for the best book for SEAMEN; with particular reference to their influence on the cause of foreign missions, and the spiritual and eternal welfare of the heathen whom they visit? Or, for the best plan of promoting the usefulness of" seamen " who might declare to every heathen tribe they visit, that there is a God in heaven whom they worship solely, whose name they love, whose Sabbath they sanctify, and whose salvation is intended for the whole world?"

NORTH-EAST LONDON AUXILIARY SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY AND BETHEL UNION. (Continued from p. 61.)

Capt. W. H. ANGUS.-Ladies and Gentlemen,-I rise with great pleasure on the present occasion, and I think it an additional honour to follow my reverend friend. I will beg to bring forward a matter of fact or two on the subject of this Society. Fifteen years ago I commanded a vessel in the merchant service; it fell to my lot to lodge under the roof of a pious widow, who had a son, the stay and support

* See an account of his ordination as a Missionary to Seamen in our last No.

N. E. Lon. Aux. Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union. 125

of her old age. This lad, who was about sixteen years of age, conducted himself with great propriety in his situation; but all in a mo ment, like a clap of thunder, the report came to his mother's ears that he had committed an offence, which, though morally speaking, was not of the most heinous nature, was nevertheless sufficient to touch his life. The poor mother, by the advice of some friends, was induced to send her son to sea on board a man-of-war; and who would have thought that, in sending him there, he was to meet the God of salvation, and be brought to the knowledge of the truth! But God has his way in the deep. He had not been long on board H. M. S. the S- -, before he got acquainted with a corporal of Marines, the only man on board that ship who knew the truth, and lived in the love of it. He began to speak to him, as every good Seaman we hope will do, about the love of Christ, as exhibited on the cross, for poor sinners. This was the very conversation suited to his heart, whose crime was yet on his conscience; and the pious man was glad to make ··· known to him the only way of comfort in the word of life, which says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This conversation was blessed to him, till he became a decided Christian. Thus these two small sparks in the midst of the ocean came in contact, and here they met under the scoffs and sneers of a licentious and wicked crew. These two became three, and then four, and five, and so on, till, in the course of time, fifty of their shipmates, among whom were some of the officers, became with them worshippers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You will readily believe how glad the heart of the poor widow was, when she had the first letter from her son, to find that the storm which had seemed to threaten nothing but destruction to her peace, should break in blessings on her head. This vessel was four years on the Mediterranean station, and was engaged in some of the most bloody battles, in particular one, with the Turkish squadron; and in that and other battles these humble followers of the Prince of Peace, despised as they were, gave the strongest proofs of their valour and their attachment to their king and country. When this vessel arrived in port, and was paid off, and every one rolled in money, and every thing tended to induce them to break their allegiance with the Prince of Peace, they gave the noblest testimony that the work of God on their hearts was divine. I bring this fact to show the great effect and excellence of prayer-meetings among Seamen.

Rev. W. STILMAN.-Being at Liverpool, I had the pleasure of preaching on board of two vessels, where I addressed perhaps 8 or 900 Sailors, and other persons. The deck of one was crowded, and there were many on the deck side ;-they heard with deep attention; and, by intelligence I have received, that discourse was made the means of restoring an individual from a state of backsliding to a renewed determination to "make his calling and election sure." This Society deserves our support, if we consider that these men are not only employed in conveying to us the blessings of life, but also in conveying to distant lands those men of God, who proclaim to them salvation through the atoning blood of the Lamb. Therefore, sir, they

deserve our most minute attention, both as it respects prayer at the throne of grace on their behalf, and the pity of every Englishman. ! therefore propose,-"That this meeting is rejoiced to hear that prayer meetings and preaching on board of ships have so extensively increased during the past year; and humbly hope that the mighty and powerful influences of the Spirit of God, so manifestly poured forth, may be still continued, until Sailors in every port are provided with the means of instruction, and taught the way to everlasting life."

[To be Continued.]

STEPNEY MISSION.

THAT good work lately announced under the head "Bethel Mission" is still going forward in a most successful way. Some particu lars may be interesting:

Sailors in the Fields.

The pious Sailors, going on their usual rout to serve the purpose of the mission at Poplar, met some Sailors smoking their pipes, going to Bow for a walk, having been to the Ben-Johnson Public House. They were accosted in the usual way as shipmates, and requested to go to the meeting. They said, "they had been to a meeting." However, by persuasion one said, "I'll go if Jack will go. D-me, Jack! we all came out together; let us go together with the gentleman." They said "what meeting is it?" They were answered "Come and see." All then agreed to go excepting Jack; and a Sailor called Bill was desired to ask Jack to go. Bill then goes to Jack, takes hold of him, and endeavours to persuade him. They all then came together to the meeting, and behaved orderly. After the service was ended, they were taken by the hand and addressed, "Well, my Lads, you could not spend an hour better." They replied, "No, sir; and we thank you for asking us to come. Is there any meeting here on a week night?" "No, only on Sunday evenings." Several continued to attend regularly until they got ships and sailed.

A Black Sailor with Pipes.

On the mission from Stepney to Poplar, we met a black Sailor with a handful of pipes. Well, my Lad, what are you doing with all these pipes?" "I have bought them; and my shipmates are going to smoke." "There is a Sailors' meeting at Cotton-street chapel ; come, go with us, my lad." "No all my shipmates are here; we have just dined, and are going to smoke." "Where are you stopping, my lad ?" "Just above." "We will go with you." The black lad said to his shipmates, "Here is somebody come to invite us to go to some sailors' meeting, but I do not know what they mean." We entered the house, and found the whole ship's company. "Well my lads, we are come to give you an invitation, and hope you will attend to it. A meeting for sailors at Cotton-street." A tract was given to each of them. The mistress of the house apologized for the house heing so dirty. "There needs no apology. A boarding house is like a ship's half-deck; we are all acquainted with it." All seemed

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