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Liverpool Bethel Reports.

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morning, they begged of the captain to purchase each of them a Bible. The captain, therefore, called at the depot of the Marine Bible Society, and purchased a Bible or Testament for each of his men.

"It is too late for me to begin."

An old sailor, who was very ragged, and whose white head spake the lapse of many years, was leaning against a post in conversation with another sailor. A member of the Bethel Union spoke to them, and particularly invited the old man to attend the prayer meeting. His companion, after hearing the nature of the invitation, said, Thomas, go in!-Come! come! man, go into the meeting; it wont hurt you.' ." Puh! Puh! cried the old seaman, I should not know what to do with myself. I never go to church or prayer meeting; besides, I am too old. I am upwards of seventy, and am very wicked; and I have always been so it is too late for me to begin : it is of no use: all is over with me: I must go to the devil." After a moment's pause, the member, looking with pity upon the old veteran, whose hard weatherbeaten face bore proof of seeing much service, answered, "You are the very man the prayer-meeting is held for." " How so?" (with much surprise.) "Because Jesus Christ came into the world to save the chief of sinners." "When young, I suppose, (said the friend) you were tempted to think it would be time enough to be religious when you came to be old." "Ah! that I did." "Now you are old, you say it is too late. Listen no longer to these suggestions come with me: no time is to be lost, for Jesus is waiting to save you, poor sinner, or he would have sent you to that place where hope never comes before this; your sins deserved it." His companion then said, "Thomas, go to the prayer meeting. You have need, at your time of life, to prepare to die." He attended the

prayer meeting, and has been since seen there on almost all occasions. About a fortnight after, he was asked, "Well, my aged friend, do you think you are too much in years to be saved; too old in sin for the blood of Christ to cleanse you?". "No, Sir," said he, "bless God, I do feel hope, a blessed hope, which I would not give up for worlds; a hope which encourages me to think that God will be merciful to me and pardon me, old sinner as I am."

"The Bethel Flag Seamen."

A respectable master of a vessel trading from this port usually to the Brazils, was stating to one of the Secretaries of the Bethel Companies, that for many voyages, until the last, he had great trouble and irritation owing to the irregular conduct of his crews. Unfortunately he had fallen in with reprobate swearing men, and, to use his own expression, (he being hasty and passionate,) it caused him to commit much sin, and swear "above a bit." The last trip he shipped a mixed crew as he had done on former voyages, but he was astonished to find them always in good humour, living and conversing with each other like brothers, remarkably active in duty, and quick to do his or the mate's orders without the least murmuring or show of dissatisfaction, and that in all weathers, night or day. One thing

which surprised him more than any other, was, that they never swore. During the whole voyage, he never heard an indecent or profane ex pression drop from their lips. Never did he pass a more agreeable voyage. He thought, on hearing them sing sometimes, that, from some recollection he had of the tunes, they were singing psalms. He should not wonder but these men were some of the Bethel Flag

Seamen.

The Meetings.

We cannot conclude our report without making some particular reference to the services on the Sabbath morning at half-past ten o'clock, and in the evening at half-past six. The audiences on these occasions are composed of seafaring men with their wives. They behave in an orderly and devotional manner. These meetings have presented the most delightful scenes. From 3 to 600 have

been present; captains, mates, seamen, &c. The services are con ducted in the following order :-Singing and prayer: either the lessons for the day read, or suitable chapters from the Old and New Testament prayer; a short exhortation, or exposition of one of the Parables and then conclude by prayer. Several respectable tradesmen and merchants have been present at these services.-On one occasion, several gentlemen, at the conclusion of the service in the morning, introduced themselves to one of the members of the Companies, and observed in very respectful terms, that they had felt great pleasure in attending, and that they cordially approved of the mode adopted for conducting the devotions: it had removed from their minds every unpleasant impression which had been made by reports of the meetings being irregular.--One Sabbath evening, on concluding the exhortation, part of the fifth report was read from a proof sheet; which, we trust, under the blessing of God, from the visible effects it produced, led many to feel as David, when Nathan, by the command of God, said unto him, "Thou art the man!" On the following day, several seamen furnished themselves with Bibles who had none before.

Sailors on the Quarter Deck.

A captain of a vessel taking an evening walk with his wife, was passing down Pool-lane. They observed the Bethel flag flying. From feelings of curiosity, the captain was prevailed upon by his wife to turn into the prayer meeting. What was his surprise to see the whole of his ship's company on their knees in humble prayer before God!

SOUTH AMERICA.-THE BETHEL FLAG. Extract of a Letter from Rio de Janeiro, addressed to the Committee of the Liverpool Bethel Union. Rio de Janeiro, 15th December, 1821.

DEAR SIR,-The praise you are pleased to ascribe to me for what is going on among Seamen here I certainly do not merit, for praise is

South America.-The Bethel Flag.

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not due to one who is but simply doing his duty, and, after his performance, has to confess "he is but an unprofitable servant." For the little which has been done, I bless my Heavenly Father: the prospect is cheering; and I hope, at no great distance, on the Lord's days, the decks of many vessels will be covered with the worshippers of God, in place of only one, as is at present. The introduction of the Bethel Flag among the British shipping in our harbour, I had nothing to do with. Capt. STEPHENSON, of the Mary Ann and Isabella, had this honour; he was the first that hoisted it, and had engaged his crew for that voyage upon the express proviso, that divine worship was to be attended to on board of his vessel twice every day, and that the Sabbath was to be kept sacred, whether at sea or in port; an example worthy, of imitation by all shipmasters. This pious and modest youth, had shown the flag for two Sabbaths, and of all the British vessels then in the harbour, which were many, only one ship's crew, the G. of London, with the captain, attended. Of this I knew nothing until Cap. S. informed me, regretted his want of success, and requested that I would go on board and preside at these meetings on Lord's days, which would afford him the opportunity of going round to every British vessel in the harbour, to request the attendance of the crews; a request he had hitherto felt a delicacy in making, as it was like asking them to hear himself speak. I confess such a proposal afforded me much joy : I consented with much satisfaction, and ever since, (I commenced in the month of May) a few friends, particularly my worthy friend Mr. J. T., with myself, have pursued our course with steady perseverance, humbly depending upon the blessing of our Heavenly Father, who does all things according to the pleasure of his own will, and who has promised that his word shall not return to him void. In this we endeavour to confide.

I ought also to mention that Capt. D. of the U. was another with Capt. S. who contributed very materially to give these meetings effect. This pious and simple hearted man, appears on all occasions a father among seamen; he and his friend S. held prayer meetings on board on Lord's day evenings, and many were induced to attend on these occasions. The next vessel which followed was the T. Capt. T. also a pious character; and since his departure, Captain S. of the A. of your port, and Capt. F. the bearer of this letter, in the most handsome and polite manner volunteered their ships for divine worship; and for next Sabbath, it is arranged to be held on board of the J. Capt. F.

It is proper also to mention, that Capt. S. of the C. of your port, gave us much encouragement while he was here; for the two Sabbaths he spent in our harbour, he appeared at our meetings with thirty-two of his crew, and expressed himself gratified at such efforts for the good of Seamen, and had circumstances permitted him a longer stay, we should have had the use of his capacious deck for worship.

The numbers at these meetings, of course, vary according to the number of ships in the port; since our commencement, the number has run from twenty to fifty; last Sunday, including our friends from

the shore who may be stated from eight to twelve, our total number was eighty-three.

We have a Bethel flag left us by Capt. S.; since his departure it has been handed from ship to ship, and I trust never shall see the shore of Rio de Janeiro.

THE SAILORS' CAUSE.

LIKE a ship on the ocean, the magnitude of this object increases as we approach it. However important this cause appeared in the outset, it was not until the field had been entered, that its vast extent could be known, or scarcely conjectured. THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL AMONG SEAMEN have entered it; they rejoice to find others on the way, and desire to have the company greatly increased.

Many witnesses have testified to the need, and ability, and success of their labours, and now they call upon the friends of the cause to come forward, and again embark in a real charity, which has heretofore produced its fruit so early and so abundantly. They trust the public will not suffer an institution which has so successfully and repeatedly proven its claim to patronage, to decline in the energy of its operations through indifference or parsimony. Or should there be some who still doubt the practicability of their efforts, they would refer them to the respectable shipmasters of our port, and to the abundant testimony which the SEAMAN'S MAGAZINE has recorded during the last eighteen months.

The Mariners' Church, we hope, will be safely reopened in the course of a few days, and our seamen permitted there to assemble and offer up praise and thanksgiving to the great Jehovah, for the preservation of their lives, and the inestimable privileges of God's house.

Donations for the Church received by J. Little, Esq. President, No. 635 Broadway, by Rufus Davenport, Esq. Treasurer, No. 519 Grand-street, and at the Herald Office, No. 384 Broadway.

THE STORM.

Horrida tempestas cælum contraxit.-Hor.

THE angry sea is foaming,
And dashing on the coast,

From port my vessel's roaming

Where many a wreck is tost;

O Thou whose cloudy chariots fly,
When troubles rise, be ever nigh.

Hark! the winds in conflict rise,
Deafening billows louder roar,
Floating 'neath the starless skies,
I am beaten from the shore;
O Saviour, bid the tempest cease,
And I shall reach the port in peace.

Rapid lightnings darting round
Gleaming show the rocks are nigh;
Loudest thunder!-awful sound!
Rends the terrific sky.
Rise, Sun of Righteousness, arise!
Disperse the clouds,spread brighter skies

I sink the storm is raging

My shattered bark's at sea;
The boist'rous flood's presaging
Hope's ever fled from me.
No one can rescue from the deep.
Jesus my soul in safety keep.
J. M.

The Christian Werald.

VOL. IX.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1822.

No. XII.

Miscellany.

SERIOUS REFLECTIONS.

To the Editor of the Christian Herald.

SIR,-The demoralizing effect of public amusements, is a matter of every day observation in your populous city. Our smaller towns are not without their "balls" and "fashionable tea parties," where the thoughtless and giddy sacrifice their substance and precious time at the shrine of their idol, Vanity. A young lady of our village had engaged to be present at one of these "revels" and a sense of duty, and a desire to promote her true happiness, impelled me to address to her a few serious reflections, which, being a little enlarged, I send for publication in your useful pages. Though your list of patrons may not number many such persons as my young friend, still these thoughts may meet the eye of some, equally careless and gay, who, I hope will find them useful

Reflections before, at the time of, and after attending a Ball, or Fashionable Tea Party.

SOON, my dear friend, you anticipate the arrival of an hour which, you may expect, will bring along with it peculiar satisfaction, and enjoyment of no ordinary kind. If your heart beats with the hope of finding it so, if you exult in the prospect, allow me to suggest a few reflections, which the voice of friendship, and your best, which are your eternal interests, call upon you to consider.-At the end of each sentence, please make a solemn pause, and for this once be honest with yourself.-Let conscience do its designed office.

By and by you will be busily employed in arraying that body which is now actuated by a precious immortal principle. When engaged in fitting the mantua and ruff, carry yourself, in imagination, to a sick and dying bed. Ask, is this body, now so much caressed, soon to be placed upon a bed of languishing, its strength being prostrated? Am I soon to be surrounded by my friends and acquaintances, to whom I must bid a last, a long farewell, having no prospect of seeing them again in the flesh? Am I soon to leave my beloved father and mother, brothers and sisters, my companions and associates, and be severed from all terrene objects and earthly scenes, to try the solemn and awful realities of death, judgment, and eternity? I say, when you retire to decorate that clayey tenement, about which there is so VOL. IX.

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