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nary wars. They have had one war for the right of establishing a government for themselves, and eventually succeeded. The government they restored was a bad one. They are now to have another, in which the evils of that government will be arrayed against the vigour and patriotism, by the mistaken efforts of which it was restored. We observe that the catholic clergy, and what may be called the high church party, are on the side of the French. We think the tendency of this will be to wean Spain from its catholic superstition, to impress a belief on the people that the catholic clergy are its enemies, leagued with strangers against their country, and sacrificing its glory, peace, and best interests, to their own selfish plans. We think that no event will tend more strongly to shake Popery in this its strong hold, than such a war as seems impending; and, we may be assured, at least in these days, that breaches in a shattered superstition are not easily repaired. Another circumstance adds interest to these views; France, with its infidelity and superstition, are siding with the catholic clergy, while England is likely to take part with Spain. We hope, therefore, that by a connexion with England, the head of Protestant Europe, and a war with infidel, popish France, both the blankness of infidelity, so generally the successor of superstition may be avoided, and the pure doctrines of the Reformed Religion be established. If war shall take place, no doubt Divine Providence will make it subserve His best purposes. We, therefore, rest more sanguine in such anticipations as we have above indulged in.

A war with Spain will, we hope, also give independence to the Spanish colonies. We trust that a nation struggling for the rights of self-government, feeling its inability to maintain an effective control over its colonies, will have the magnanimity which distress so often excites, and by relinquishing its claims to sovereignty over the colonies, free them from a useless war, and secure them as friends and allies.

No news from South America has been received which can be depended upon. Various and contradictory reports are afloat as to the successes or reverses of Morales.

DOMESTIC.

No domestic events of great importance have taken place. Perhaps, however, the deaths of Mr. Van Ness, formerly Judge of our Supreme Court, and of Judge Livingston, of the Supreme Court of the United States, are exceptions. They have been cut down, the one in the flower of his years, the other in a green old age, and both in the meridian of usefulness. It is consoling to us, and honourable to our country, to be able to say that both expressed great sense of the value of the Christian religion, and confidence in its claims to our faith and obedience. We rejoice in seeing our lawyers, men qualified by their acuteness and experience to judge well on this subject, and yet tempted to scepticism by the secular character of their occupations, and their frequent occasions to judge ill of human testimony, bearing testimony to the truth of the Christian religion. We now can add to our venerable Jay, and lamented Hamilton, the deceased worthies above named, increasing the class of those who bow their lofty understanding, profound learning, and great acquaintance with mankind, to the simple, honest testimony of the Apostles of Christ. May this our glory never be dimmed, nor ever depart from us!-March 31. 1823.

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. Psalms.

THE CHARLESTON BETHEL UNION,

To all Bethel Unions, Port Societies, and Ship Masters, send Greeting:

BRETHREN AND FRIENDS-Though an infant institution, we hope we shall be pardoned for the liberty we are taking in addressing those, who are greatly our superiors in knowledge and experience, when we assure them, that our object is not to teach them wisdom, but to solicit their assistance.

In exploring the field of our labours for the purpose of ascertaining what is to be done, and how it is to be accomplished, we have endeavoured not only to make such personal observations as circumstances would permit, but also to avail ourselves of the knowledge which shipmasters have acquired from experience. To facilitate an acquaintance with the feelings and habits of seamen, we have conversed with masters individually, and have also adopted the plan of giving a general invitation, as often as it shall be deemed expedient, to those in port to meet a Committee from our body on board some ship, for the purpose of holding a free discussion upon any topic relating to the moral and religious improvement of seamen. The result of our investigation has been to establish in our minds a firm conviction, that all the deficiencies, which are found in the character of seamen, beyond what are daily exhibited in other classes of the community, are owing to their want of the same means and the same

motives.

As to the means of their religious instruction in this place, we hope that in future they will be constant. But as a handmaid to the truths of the Gospel, some other motive seems to be necessary to encourage sailors to aim at a higher elevation of character-to stimulate them to strive for that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

To other men this motive is furnished by the common circumstances of their situation. Placed in the midst of their acquaintances, and in the bosom of their family, their reputation, their livelihood, and even their daily comfort, depend upon their maintaining a regular and decent deportment. But the sailor is often far removed from the watchful eye of kindred affection, and his character and conduct wholly unknown to any individual of his former acquaintance. If then he can be as readily employed and obtain as much wages, while rioting in the paths of dissipation, and revelling in the haunts of sin, as in the pursuit of any other course, what motive, unless he possesses moral principle, will draw him away from the jaws of the destroyer, and induce him to aim at what is virtuous and praiseworthy?

VOL. IX.

88

With a view of furnishing the motives most likely to operate in the case, "shipmasters have informed us, that in some ports in Europe a Register Office has been established for the purpose of recording the names of such sailors as should be able to obtain from the last master with whom they sailed, a certificate of their correct habits and faithful services, and that when masters ship sailors, they apply to this office and give such men a decided preference." That such an institution may have the desired effect, it should be distinctly understood, that in connexion with it, there must be good Boarding Houses, where the means of rational entertainment and solid improvement may be enjoyed-where no imposition shall be practisedwhere the sailor of every clime shall find his friends and his home; and also, that those, who apply at the office must uniformly be recommended to these houses, and that such as do not comply with their directions, but take lodgings in places not patronized by the managers of the institution, are to be considered as forfeiting their certificate and losing all claim to employment or protection. Shipmasters with whom we have consulted, have with one voice assured us, that if institutions of this kind can be generally established under proper regulations, they will give them their hearty sanction and their uniform patronage. They also say they are decidedly of the opinion, that they would be among the best means of improving the moral character of seamen, which have yet been devised, and which are so practicable in their operation. But, at the same time, they remind us, that our exertions must be exceedingly embarrassed, if we attempt such an enterprize alone; and that the good effected will be comparatively small, if it is undertaken only in a few other places. If the sailor needs such a motive in one port, he needs it through the world. If the master and the owner find it for their happiness and interest to know the character of the men they ship in one port, it would be equally for their benefit to have the advantage of the same information in every port round the globe. In short, masters assure us that although disposed to make every effort in their power, they shall not be able to afford all the encouragement to an institution of this kind, which we hope soon to establish, that it may deserve, while standing alone. For when in other ports they must be always liable to ship sailors who have no certificate, and leave those who have, because there is no regular method of making the distinction. And this, brethren and friends, is the special reason of our communication. Our minds have been deeply impressed with the importance of the object, and we have felt ourselves imperiously called upon by the indications of Providence to make an effort. But sensible as we are, that our influence must be exceedingly limited, unless something of the kind shall be attempted in other ports, we have taken the li-, berty of addressing the friends of seamen generally, for the purpose of soliciting their co-operation. And we trust we shall be permitted earnestly to entreat all bodies organized for their benefit, to give the subject a speedy and careful examination. Would it not be expedient for all such bodies to invite either stated or occasional meetings of shipmasters, in which a Committee from the body shall meet them

South Sea Whalemen.

684

and discuss freely any subject pertaining to the welfare of seamen. And if upon suitable investigation it shall appear advisable, to esta blish institutions of the kind which has been proposed, may we not anticipate the united exertions of Marine Associations, ship owners and ship masters throughout the world? We feel assured there is a kindred spirit glowing in the bosom of the friends of Zion of every nation. The unusual interest which has of late been excited in behalf of seamen, and the special success which has crowned the recent exertions for their welfare, encourage us to indulge hopes of no ordinary kind. And when we reflect on their number, the hardiness and energy of their character, and their constant intercourse with every part of the globe, what may we not expect from them, should they become Christians, towards evangelizing the world? Every thing we do to elevate their character will have a tendency to bring them under the influence of the Gospel. Shall we not then in obedience to the indications of Providence, summon our energies, combine our exertions, and make one effort corresponding, at least in some degree, with the movements of the day in which we live, earnestly supplicating that blessing, without which all human endeavours will be utterly fruitless, and with which the feeblest may accomplish wonders.

With much respect, we have the honour to be,
Brethren and Friends,

Yours, most affectionately,

In behalf of the Charleston Bethel Union,
THOMAS NAPIER, President.

JOSEPH BROWN, Corresponding Secretary.

Charleston, S. C. January, 1823.

P. S. Any communications from abroad will be gratefully received by this Society.

SOUTH SEA WHALEMEN.

From the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Beverly, to the Publisher of the Watchman.

DEAR SIR,-The following is extracted from a letter received, a few days since, by a brother in our church, from one who is a member of the same church; and now on a whaling voyage, in the ship Beverly, of Boston. If you think it will in any measure subserye the cause of religion among seamen, you are at liberty to publish it in your useful paper. N. W. WILLIAMS.

"South Seas, Dec. 26, 1821.

"DEAR BROTHER,-We take the earliest opportunity in sending you pleasant news. It has pleased that God who rules the seas, to hear your prayers, with those of the religious public, in behalf of us poor seamen. It hath pleased the Holy Spirit to convince three young men on board this ship, of righteousness, and of judgment to

come.

They now stand as criminals at the bar, hearing God's law ringing in their ears and in their hearts: the word of God and their consciences bearing testimony against them. They are daily searching

the Scriptures, to know what they shall do to be saved. We verily believe they stand in the good old way, to be directed to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. Judge for yourself, sir, whether we are comforted? Any man, whose heart is not as hard as a stone, must bow with thankfulness to Him who hath wrought this work.

"We send our hearty thanks to the honourable Bible Society of Boston, for their Christian charity in furnishing us with Bibles, previous to our sailing. These have guided our minds through the dark clouds of depravity, to the glorious liberty of the children of God. The seed sown has sprung up, we know not how; but we both see and feel the salutary effects, in a well ordered life and conversation. We wish them a rich harvest of rest from all their labours. We also send to the worthy Bostou and Andover Tract Societies our hearty thanks. Their labours of love are not lost on board this ship. The godly reproofs and consolation they have afforded us, in our retired hours, demand our humble thanks. May the God of the seas grant them every needed help to pursue their labours of love; and crown them with honours in the great day. We also desire to send our humble thanks to the teachers of those Sabbath Schools, who have instructed our children while we have been absent from them; thereby guiding them in paths of virtue and happiness. The "Guardian," with which we have also been favoured, has been a rich treasure to us. It has caused the silent tear to roll down the cheek of some of us, hard hearted seamen, while perusing it.

In these seas, there are generally from fifty to seventy ships, which remain from two to three years; and the crews of these ships are without those means of instruction, which are essential to their present and everlasting welfare. That they may be favoured with such means as they can improve, we are desirous of pleading with their honourable employers to encourage those benevolent societies that are disposed to furnish to seamen religious books and tracts. We are concerned too, for our children, lest they should perish in their iniquities; and earnestly desire that schools for ther instruction may be generously encouraged.

For our seafaring brethren in general we feel concerned; and to our honourable employers we look, as the captive Jews did to the king of Persia, who, with the greatest benevolence, granted them all the assistance which their indigent circumstances required. Our employers have furnished us with all the necessaries of this life, and the best of ships, to brave out the storms of the ocean; but we do plead for the rich treasure of the means of grace to be afforded to seamen in particular; that every ship may be furnished with Bibles and tracts, and every port with a seaman's church, where they may be taught to steer their course to the haven of eternal peace. We are very thankful to those liberal merchants, and others, who, by their great benevolence, furnished us with a seat in the house of the Lord in Boston. May the Lord fill their storehouses with the treasures of the seas and land, and their hearts with joy and gladness, when they may lie on the bed of languishing."

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