Mariners' Cause in Boston. 639 who can leave the ship will be expected to accompany him to church: and that they shall have half a day in the week to go out and purchase what things they may need, or attend to other business, and that money shall then be furnished them for the purpose. We feel a confidence that this plan needs only to be mentioned. Its influence, if generally adopted, on the church, on boarding houses, on seamen generally, and on the world, must appear too important not to engage the attention, and secure the patronage of every master, whose heart is engaged in this good work. "We might specify many other circumstances, but time will not permit; neither do we think it necessary. The evidence is almost irresistible, that the opinions of the world, respecting the character of seamen, are undergoing a great and rapid change. "The friends of benevolence in every quarter, as if inspired by some general impulse, are rallying to their posts, to seize the advantage of the happy moment. It is hoped the members of this society will not linger. Though our province may seem to be but a humble one, let us remember, that the defence of nations is the common soldiery; that the energies of the world lie in the humbler ranks of life; and that diligence and perseverance are the sure paths to success. May the Lord increase our numbers, direct our efforts, inspire our prayers, and bless our labours; and may the cause which we have espoused, go steadily forward, until the abundance of the sea shall be converted to Him, and every isle shall wait for his law."-pp. 14, 15. MARINERS' CAUSE IN BOSTON. UNDER the patronage of the "Society for the moral and religious instruction of the poor," the Gospel has been statedly preached on sabbath mornings to seamen in the Port of Boston, by the Rev. WILLIAM JENKS. The sixth annual report of the above named society, for the year ending November, 1822, presents an interesting account of their various benevolent labours, but in this place we shall only notice what they have done for seamen. The report states, that the greater portion of seafaring hearers at the "Seamen's Meeting" "are of the class of fishermen and coasters, and but few comparatively attending from the merchant ships." This is an important fact; and it may be true with respect to other ports. It shows that the best means have not yet been devised for procuring the attendance on the ordinances of the Gospel of that class of seamen which, of all others, have the greatest influence over the great body of their brother sailors, and over other men, in the Christian and pagan countries they visit. The seamen in the merchant service, as we have elsewhere remarked, are peculiarly "connected with all the coasts, islands, and rivers, and cities of our earth." It is of the utmost importance that this class of seamen "should become so influenced by Christianity," that when they visit other climes "they may show forth its excellence" in both Christian and pagan lands. To us the Bethel meetings appear to be the best means yet devised, for meeting the merchant sailors on their own element with the offers of salvation, for when once their hearts become affected with its solemn truths they will seek out those churches and meetings on shore, where they may hear the Gospel preached. But we must hasten to the report before us. and "One instance may show, that there is occasionally found a disposition to cherish the impressions made during the seasons of worship. A captain bound on a foreign voyage, whose attentive deportment had already attracted the notice of the preacher, expressing to him his conviction of the duty of prayer, and inabili ty to discharge to the edification of others, requested that a book of devotions might be recommended-which he received and took with him--and it is hoped has already, like the Psalmist, found it good to draw near to God. A similar request was made by a young man, steward of a vessel bound on a voyage of some years, who expected that the duty of maintaining Divine Worship on board would devolve upon himself. A third application was made in behalf of another young man under similar circumstances, and received the same attention.* "In order to facilitate the intercourse of the preacher with the hearers who attend at Central Wharf, one evening in each week has been assigned by him for the purpose of religious inquiry. "Among those who have occasionally attended these friendly conferences was one young man, the son of pious parents, who, sensible of his need of instruction, and of the influence of the grace of God that bringeth salvation, proposed to spend several months on shore, solely that he might enjoy the diligent use of the means employed under the Gospel for the benefit of mankind. He has not, he trusts, been left without the fruits of this resolution-forming, as unhappily it does, a singular and novel calculation for a seaman."-pp 23, 24 The reception of a Bethel Flag from the friends of seamen at New-York was amply noticed in the report of last year. It is proper in this place to remark, that, as soon as the season permitted exposure to the evening air, the system of Bethel meetings commenced, agreeably to previous design. This was on the first Wednesday of June; upon the evening of which day Divine Worship was celebrated at Commercial wharf on board the brig Caspian. For four months these meetings were continued once a week, until the second Wednesday of October, when it seemed prudent to desist and seek a shelter for the hearers in some convenient room, of easy access from the shore. "Our friends at New-York urged the formation of a Bethel Union Society' for the support of these meetings, but no such society has been formed. These meetings were conducted more in the manner of an ordinary lecture than of a meeting for prayer-and your Secretary was occasionally aided by the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, Rev. Mr. Collier, Rev. Mr. Fay, of Charlestown, Rev. Mr. Bingham, and once by Rev. Mr. Truair, preacher to the seamen at New-York. To an impressive discourse of this latter gentleman, delivered in Park-street church, we are indebted for the exertions before alluded to, for filling the seamen's Meeting with those, who otherwise might pass the hours of the sabbath in rambling, indolence or dissipation. "To the praise of Divine Grace let it be noted, that the second officer of one of the vessels, on board of which the meeting was twice holden, has appeared, in the judgment of charity, to give evidence of a renewed heart. At several of these meetings, brethren of different churches, captains, and in more than one instance a seaman offered prayer. One of the latter class, in a peculiar manner, addressed the audience with affection and propriety-and it was found he belonged to a crew, of which five, with their captain, were professors of religion. But it is not known that stated meetings for social prayer are yet held among the seamen. Tracts have been distributed to a considerable extent, and a printed card giving notice of our institutions specially designed for the welfare of seamen. "In connexion with these subjects of remark, another effort of the Directors to advance this welfare should be mentioned. In consideration of the great number of American vessels which touch at the Sandwich Islands, they have presented their Bethel Flag to the interesting Mission there-trusting that, in the interval, before the season for hoisting it again in our own harbour shall arrive, its place will be supplied by the zealous kindness of Christian friends-and hoping that our benefactors of New-York will not think their esteemed present less regarded by the Board, because it has been put to a use so honourable and promising." SAILORS, PRAISE YE HIM. "Ob that men would SAILORS redeemed from endless wo, By Christ's atoning blood, Now let your lips with praises flow, . praise the Lord."-Psa. 107. He is your PROPHET, PRIEST, and KING, The "Seaman's Devotional Assistant" may be recommended in such cases. PUBLISHED BY The United Domestic Missionary Society, For gratuitous distribution to those who contribute to the Funds. No. II.] NEW-YORK, FEBRUARY, 1823. VOL. I. Extracts from Letters and Journals congregation, or upon two or three of Missionaries. [It is thought expedient, generally, in these extracts, to omit the names of persons and places. plan which has been adopted, and of which some notice was taken in the preceding number of this publication.] such congregations united, on condition that the people themselves raise the same object; and on condition of once, or twice, or thrice, that sum for The following is from a minister in the employment of a suitable man as the western part of this state, who has their minister, and making report stabeen employed for a few weeks as a will be brought into operation at the tedly to the Society, &c. more means Missionary on behalf of this Society, time-the gospel will be preached to It has relation chiefly to the subject of assisting feeble churches to support be aided and directed more effectually larger congregations-churches will pastors, and is calculated to strengthen in maintaining the faith and order of the confidence of the Society in the the gospel-and those that are thus assisted will, in a short time, become active in imparting aid to others. "These remarks are applicable, I am "No special and general serious- persuaded, in the regions in which I ness has originated under my ministra- live. Within a few miles of me are a tions while in your service. I cannot number of congregations, whose cirbut hope, however, that the order and cumstances call for the kind of aid edification of some churches have which I have just mentioned." * been promoted-that the feeble have [Here the writer mentions, particubeen somewhat strengthened and es- larly, a number of towns and villages, tablished-that the inquiring have in one of which a minister has since been instructed-and that some who been settled by the aid of this Sociewere scattered abroad have been so ty.] gathered and united, that the concentration of their strength will prove a permanent and valuable improvement of their condition, in regard to the privileges of the gospel. "In all these places churches are formed, and respectable congregations may be collected; and in all of them something is done from time to time to obtain a preached gospel. But none "I take this opportunity to say, that, of these congregations has a pastor; after several years experience and ob- because no one is able to furnish a miservation in new settlements, I am nister with comfortable living. The convinced, that one of the most effec-aid, and encouragement, and excitetual methods of accomplishing the ment of an annuity of even fifty dolgrand purpose of a Missionary Society, lars in money, to continue for two or is furnishing feeble congregations such more years, would do much toward aid that they may be able to provide furnishing most of the congregations themselves stated preaching. Some-above-named, with the constant enthing indeed, must be done, and much joyment of gospel privileges. It is needs to be done, for the spiritual be- much to be desired, that the "United nefit of those that are scattered in the Domestic Missionary Society," would wilderness. But the itinerant Mission-remember, among all the objects of its ary, who scarcely revisits the place charities, this region.” where he has once preached, sows, the "precious seed" at great disadvan- [The following is from a Missionary tage. Whereas, by the bestowment who has been under the patronage of of $50 to $200, per ann. upon a feeble the Society for the year past, and has B had the charge of two churches in the county of D, N. Y.] "The means that have principally been used among this people, are the "Perhaps one of the greatest obsta- preaching of the word and other pascles to the establishment of the stated toral duties, and the circulation of reand regular administration of the ordi-ligious knowledge in the form of zances of God's house in this region, Tracts; among which are included a as well as in most of our new settle-considerable number of the larger and ments, is the mutiplicity of sects found smaller Catechisms of the Westminster among them. Destitute as they are assembly. Within the hounds of A. and of proper means of a thorough inves-Mduring the past year, a Female Tract tigation of religious truth; or of form- Society has been organized, consisting ing enlightened conclusions respecting of three branches, and numbering ia the authority or ability of men to in-all about fifty members, who are to pay struct them in the doctrines of reli- fifty cents a piece, annually, for progion. They frequently fall a prey to curing Religious Tracts, to be circulasome of those many delusions by ted in their own immediate vicinity. which the cause of error is promoted, "More than one instance of the beand which are palmed upon them by nefit of Religious Tracts may be enumen who have little to recommend merated among us; and one instance them as religious instructers, but an in particular, of one who was a blasappearance of sanctity and upright in-phemer and reviler, who now manitentions. The result is as might be fests himself one of our most consistexpected: people attach themselves ent practical Christians, and firmest to a variety of religious teachers, and supporters of religious order amongst in a country of so sparse a popula-us. A house of worship has been tion as this, a religious society is ne- much improved, and bids fair shortly cessarily spread over much territory: to become a descent and convenient and at a communion season, persons place for the assembling of such as have approached the same sacramen- desire to go up to the house of the tal table, who were members of the Lord with the multitude who keep holysame particular church, and who re- day;" and, if completed, it will be the side no less than 35 miles apart. Such only finished house of worship within instances are, however, rare, and the ten miles of us, in one direction, and greater part of the members are much forty in another." more compactly settled. Such, instances, however, seem to show how religious privileges are prized in this country by the professedly pious. [Application to the Committee from the Elders of a Church for the re-appointment of a Missionary, employed "There have been added to the the preceding year by the Young Men's church, since the commencement of Missionary Society, of this city. Also, my labours among them, twenty-extracts from the Journal of the Misseven members, twenty-four on con- sionary, since his appointment to the fession, and three from sister church-same station on behalf of this society.] es; and though at our several com- "We cannot express in words, the munions the number has been com- gratitude we owe to your Society, for paratively small, yet the aggregate your extensive benevolence throughis such as to keep us from despond-out our country, and especially to us ing, and, we think, to yield encourage-in sending the Rev. Mr. ment to the Domestic Society to per- to preach the gospel amongst us, and severe in their labour of love; and assisting in his support. His labours though there has never been what is amongst us are very acceptable, not termed a revival of religion among us, only to Presbyterians, but to all deinstances of conviction and hopeful nominations. A goodly number have conversion have not been unfrequent, and, occasionally, have excited in the minds of God's people, expectations of a more general out-pouring of the spirit. been added to our Church, we trust of such as shall be saved, and his labours have been blest to many who have not made any public profession. “Our earnest desire is to have him --- have been obliged to conGoue with us, and we should be and W very happy if we could support him, make to finish their house of worship; and not burthen you further; but this the tax for the support of their minisThese Societies are we cannot do yet, though we trust we ter is peculiarly heavy, for at least the shall be able to pay the whole expense present year. In this wilder- now in a flourishing state, and if they after a year or two. ness the harvest is very great, and could be helped a little longer, they faithful labourers are few, and our would, no doubt, be able to assume prayer is, that the Lord of the harvest the whole of a Minister's support. and would send forth labourers to his own They have all signed this year a quarharvest; and also, that he would bless ter more than they did last year, and increase your Society, and enable will probably do in a still greater proyou more and more to continue that portion for the year to come." great and good work which you have begun, till the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as the waters cover the face of the deep." 66 Journal of the Missionary. "In J. -, alternately, one fourth of "There have been some efforts The bably be twenty-five members. My time a few weeks past, has been greatly occupied in making arrangements for the dedication of a Presbyterian Church in A, which has been enclosed for more than sixteen years, but now is completely finished. This house was offered for sale by some of the influential men in this Society last year, for the express "I spent the two last sabbaths in visited more than forty faobject of being converted into a barn. I laboured the last year in the J milies, conversed with almost every ‚W, A fowns of Cand Jindividual upon the nature and necessity of a change of heart; and had the the time in each. there is a small church satisfaction of attending a meeting of of twelve members, two of which join- the Society, in which resolutions were adopted, and funds raised for erecting ed the last year. A, and Ware united in one church; of 40 mem- a house of worship. It will probably bers of the Presbyterian name, twelve be commenced the present season, but of whom joined the past year. In not completed before the opening of C there is a small Presbyterian the next. There are other towns in Church of six members, one of whom this vicinity that might derive good joined last June. There are a number from occasional visits from a Missionin each of these towns that will proba-ary, and as my time is not wholly ocbly join the first opportunity. Some cupied, I wish for permission, if the^ appear to be subjects of deep convic-Society should see fit, to preach distion, anxiously inquiring "what they cretionally in vacant congregations.shall do to be saved," and a few, I hope The subscriptions for these towns, have experienced a change of heart, commencing the first of October, were has subscribed very little, and are walking in the fear of the only for a quarter of the time in each. Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost. As Jwill and my labours will be chiefly confinCW, and Aif I preach once in three raise about three hundred dollars for ed to the towns of C, W. my support the present year, com- and Aweeks in each, the quarter will be mencing the first day of Oct. 1822. "In consequence of the great ex-completed in nine or ten months. I wish this arrangement to be underPrtions which the inhabitants of A |