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Seaman's Magazine,

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

NEW-YORK BETHEL UNION.-SECOND REPORT.

IN reviewing the rapid flight of another year, with thankfulness and gratitude we can behold every where rising into notice, new enterprises of Christian benevolence, which so eminently characterize the present day. Every rolling season brings with it fresh tribute to the truths of religion, and new accessions to the triumphs of Christianity.

The Gospel of peace, in its steady and victorious march, is gathering its laurels alike on the ocean and on the land-the King of heaven seems to smile with signal approbation on every humble effort of his people to do good to seamen.

In closing the feeble labours of another year. it is with peculiar pleasure and fervent gratitude to the great Head of the church, that the Bethel Union are once more permitted to recount the mercies of a gracious Providence towards our infant institution.

Commenced, as they hope, with an humble reliance on the God of Israel for help, and believing that " it is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord" that the soul can be renovated, and the sinner saved, they have endeavoured to pursue the same means, as were detailed in their first report, to gather seamen from haunts of pollution and wretchedness, impress their minds with a deep sense of the importance of religion, and of the solemn realities of judgment and eternity. If, through this humble instrumentality, a single soul has been made a partaker of the grace of the Gospel, "not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake."

Whatever may have been the doubts and fears of some in its origin, the beneficial results experienced for two seasons have put to silence the voice of opposition, and in some instances, converted its foes to friends.

Without stopping to offer any general remarks upon this interesting subject, which, we hope finds an advocate in every benevolent heart, we shall proceed to give a succinct statement of facts, extracted from the weekly reports of the committees, relative to a few of the meetings held in this port, and of the advancement of the cause in our own country, and other parts of the world.

During the last winter, two and three prayer meetings were generally held every week, at different sailor boarding houses. On the 6th of February, 1822, the committee who attended at Mr. B's, 275 Water-street, report that the room was filled with seamen, and a few neighbours-singing, prayer, reading the scriptures, and exhortations, occupied the evening.-Some appeared to feel the powerful influen

ces of the Divine Spirit-Mr. B. seemed deeply convicted of sin, and requested some of the committee would come and converse with him about his soul, and said he would have another meeting in his house whenever the committee would attend.

Of another meeting held at Mr. Williams's, 317 Water-street, the committee say the room was filled with seamen-every one brought a solemn countenance.-Twelve seamen were present, who were to sail the next morning, and instead of spending their last night on shore in debauch and revelry, were affectionately commended to the merciful protection of God.-We seldom ever saw more order, attention and solemnity-Three seamen attended a meeting at 65 Front-street. -They had just arrived from London. One of them had attended Bethel meetings in England, and their first inquiry on their arrival was, for similar meetings here.

At another meeting the committee say, the attention was as respectful and solemn as any meeting we ever held, or perhaps as has ever been witnessed in any regular church-After leaving the house, two of the seamen, who had come from the lower part of the city, were heard to say that it was a pleasant meeting, and they were glad they had attended. The effects of these meetings will never be fully disclosed, until the voice of the archangel and the trump of God shall cause the earth and the sea to give up their dead, and all the redeemed of the Lord shall be assembled at the right-hand of the Judge-In the expectation that many poor seamen will be there, let us incessantly cry, that a sovereign God would shed down his gracious influence on our meetings, and cause many, under a deep sense of their sinful condition, to cry out, "God be merciful to us sinners.”

These meetings at sailor boarding houses, which with great frankness and hospitality were opened for our accommodation, were constantly kept up until the season returned which admitted of holding Bethel meetings on board vessels at our wharves. The first meeting this season was held on board the British brig Marshal Wellington, Captain Ayers. The meeting was well attended by seamen, and at its conclusion an affecting interview took place between a sailor and the Rev. Chauncey Lee of Connecticut, who providentially attended, and made an appointment to meet him the next morning, to converse about the interests of his soul.

The committee who attended on board the ship Empress, Captain Sutton, say, that they had three prayers and three short addresses: all the exercises were attended with the greatest seriousness. A seaman (a hopeful subject of the grace of God, through the instrumentality of these meetings, within a few months past) gave a simple relation of God's dealings with his soul, and in an affectionate and pathetic manner urged his seafaring brethren to attend these meetings, by which, he hoped, he had been brought to a knowledge of the truth. There were 70 or 80 seamen and citizens present-and the committee much encouraged.

A meeting was held on board the ship Cincinnatus, Capt. Champlin-a large number of seamen present. The Rev. Dr. Bates, President of Middlebury College, and a Clergyman from Virginia,

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attended-great decorum prevailed; after the distribution of tracts, a sailor went to the chairman, and informed him that a great change had lately taken place in his mind—he appeared so much overcome with a sense of his own ill desert, and the divine compassion, that he could hardly speak.

Of a meeting held on board the Scotch brig Trafalgar, Captain Henderson, the committee report, that probably 60 were present, about 40 of whom were seamen. To the people of God it was a season of refreshment, and to all present apparently an hour of deep interest and solemnity. As usual after meeting, tracts were distributed, which were most gratefully received; and the seamen, with the greatest cordiality, promised to exert all their influence to promote Bethel meetings, and persuade their shipmates to attend. The success which attends these meetings is only a partial fulfilment of the many precious promises of the Gospel, and in accordance with what we have a right to expect. It is high time we should look and pray for greater displays of the grace of God in the salvation of seamen, than we have ever yet been permitted to witness. The signs of the times clearly demonstrate, that the set time to favour Zion is just at hand. Thanks be to God, the happy day is very near when "Holiness to the Lord" shall be inscribed on every vessel, and the Bethel flag shall be the best protection of "free trade and sailors' rights," and one of the surest safeguards against piracy, plunder, and death.

At a meeting on board the packet ship Commodore Perry, Captain Allen, a sea captain, addressed a company of about 150 seamen, their wives and others. The conduct of all present was such as to encourage the committee to greater zeal and perseverance in this labour of love.

On Sunday evening, July 21, a Bethel meeting was held on board the new ship London, Captain Candler. The Rev. Dr. Spring engaged in prayer, and delivered a discourse from Psalms xxv. 11. "For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great." The Rev. Dr. Rice, of Richmond (Vir.) made a few remarks and closed with prayer-upwards of 1000 attended. It was an evening of great interest and we hope of profit.

At a meeting on board the ship Ulysses-after remarks by the Rev. Messrs Truair and Chase, (alluding to the loss of the Albion,) a Norwegian sailor addressed the meeting-he said, he could attest the truth of what Mr. T. had said. He had experienced all the dread and horror of storms, but now he could trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, not by morality, but by a living faith in the heart, and could feel safe amidst all these dangers-about 100 present.

On board the brig Morning Star, Captain Stevens, about 70 were present; a sailor, whom we hope the Lord has lately called to a knowledge of himself, made a short and animated address to his fellow seamen-urging them to fly to Christ as their only hope and refuge.

A most interesting meeting was held on board the Venus, Captain Havens. By the time the first hymn was sung the decks were filled.

and many hearers were on the adjoining wharf. At the close there was an anxious inquiry when there would be another meeting.

On the 13th August, a Bethel meeting was held on board the ship Comet, Captain Moore. We expected that few would be present under an apprehension of exposing themselves to the prevailing fever: but, at 8 o'clock, were delighted to see many mariners and citizens present. During the exercises a sailor stepped forward and said he wished to make a few remarks to his brother seamen. "My life (he observed) has always been spent in this employment, and I have always been an awfully wicked sinner. I have often called on God to damn my soul. Oh! if he had answered my prayers I should now be in hell--this thoughtless and wicked life gave me no uneasiness until on a voyage at sea, the ship was capsized and three of my shipmates swept into eternity. I saw and felt my awful situation. The first sincere prayer I ever made was then, "Lord have mercy on me"-the impression then made never wore off-I prayed continually, and for fear of being seen, went in the night and kneeled at the foot of the bowsprit, and prayed to God that he would have mercy on my soul. As I did not receive any comfort from my prayers, I said to myself, how can I expect it? I have often prayed he would damn my soul and send me to hell, and he did not do it; but for all this I could not give up praying. I begged he would give me an understanding heart, and take away the blindness from my mind-he then heard and answered my prayers, and gave me my heart's desire; and I trust he has made me a new creature in Christ." He then addressed all the seamen present very feelingly, and said: "if you have any conviction of sin, dont do as I have done; I was afraid my shipmates would laugh at me and treat me with contempt. I dared not let any of them see me pray, or let any one know how I felt. But not so now I am not ashamed of Christ, and I hope I never shall be." After he had concluded, another seaman came forward and related many interesting facts. That about a year ago he indulges a hope of having passed from death unto life, and now recommended the Saviour to every one, and begged all present to receive him as their Prophet, Priest and King. The scene was solemn and affecting.

On the 17th August, by request of Captain Basset, a meeting was held on board the ship Fanny, bound to the Pacific Ocean. It was a season of peculiar interest. The committee seldom become acquainted with the effects of their efforts in promoting the cause of God among seamen, and when they are informed of some signal interposition of providence in opening the eyes, and breaking the hearts, of any sinners at their meetings, they do not wish to proclaim it at the corner of every street; but it is cause of congratulation and rejoicing to Christians, to hear of one repenting sinner; angels descend to learn the welcome news and carry the glad tidings back to Heaven; we will state, therefore, what took place after the meeting on board the Fanny. On the 19th, two seamen called on Captain P. for Bibles. He told them it was out of his power to give all the seamen Bibles, and that every person who wished one could afford to pay 75 cents for it but the practice is to supply all persons who cross the At

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lantic with Bibles. One of them said, "I wish I had a Bible now, I never wanted one before." Why do you want one now? asked Captain P. "I want to read it." 66 Why do you want to read it now?" He was so much affected he could not speak. When did you first desire to read the Bible? Now." Do feel that you are a sinner?"I do." How long have you felt so ? Since last Saturday evening, at the meeting on board the Fanny; what was then said, and the prayers that were offered for seamen, gave me great distress; and reading the tract you gave me made me feel more distressed. I have not been able to go out of the house before." He was asked what tract he had-he handed it-it was entitled "The Bible the best of all books."—I have read the tract, said the sailor, ten or eleven times, and I want to read that book, the Bible. His request could not be denied. Captain P. gave him a Bible, and the other a Testament. He then stated what a wicked man he had been. "I am an old sinner-1 am 36 years old. I never had a moment's concern for my soul before; and there were three others on board the Fanny who feel as I do; we have conversed together about that meeting. My distress is so great I cannot tell you how I feel. If I get any comfort in reading this Bible, I will come and see you again. You said there would be a meeting at Burling slip to-morrow evening -I will be there." More tracts and pamphlets were then given them, which seemed to brighten the dejected countenances of the distressed seamen. These men are probably now on the great Pacific Ocean, exposed to the snares and temptations of their deceitful hearts-far from privileges, and far from home,we commend them to your prayers.

At this interesting crisis, our labours were providentially suspended. God who moves in a mysterious way, and discovers not all his designs to shortsighted man, sent the pestilence into our city-and these solemn duties were intermitted until the return of cold weather.

No sooner had the committees returned to their houses, than the meetings at the sailor boarding houses were resumed, and are now continued. It is not necessary to go into a more particular detail of interesting facts at present. We will merely mention, that at a meeting held at 317 Water-street, two sailors most feelingly addressed their fellow-seamen-related their experience of the goodness of God, and endeavoured to impress their minds with the importance of making religion a personal thing-the great business of their lives-and to begin at once.

At another meeting, a seaman rose and said a few words, which had a most solemnizing effect-and then prayed most fervently. As soon as he had finished, another sailor rose and repeated a few verses of a hymn, which was sung; he also made a short address and prayed. Every individual wept-solemn silence ensued. Another sailor then said; my heart rejoices to see so many seamen herethese Bethel meetings are doing much good for seamen's souls. one of them I was awakened to my awful situation, and now I believe I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. It is my earnest desire that

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