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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 moment, 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. I 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 particulars 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.

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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 being 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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willing to go except Jackson, a man of colour, (there were amongst them four coloured men, the steward, and three others,) who still refused. "Come, Jackson, my lad, go with us, we will do you good." "No, I'll be d-- if I go till I have a quid of tobacco!" Well, Peter, (to a pious sailor) give Jackson a quid of tobacco." Peter gave him a quid out of his pouch. "Now Jackson to your word. Come, go with us." "So I will, master!" The whole of them went, and remained during the service. After, it was ended in the usual way of shaking hands. "Well, Jackson, did you find it good to be here?" "O, yes! and I'm glad I came; for I had not been in a place of worship for ten years before!" The chief of them regularly attended Cotton-street chapel and the Stepney meetings, of their own accord without any solicitation, while they continued on shore ; and when they sailed, they requested Tracts to take on board.. There was evidently an outward reformation in several of them.

JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

(Continued from page 96.)

To

Friday, June 14, 1822.-A Bethel meeting was held this evening on board the Scotch brig Trafalgar, Capt. Henderson. Probably sixty persons were present, about forty of whom were seamen. the people of God it was a season of refreshment; and to all present, apparently, an hour of deep interest and solemnity. The usual exercises of singing, exhortation and prayer. After the meeting, the tracts which were distributed were most gratefully received, and the seamen with great cordiality promised to use 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 the only safeguard against piracy, plunder and death.

H. H.

Tuesday, June 25.-Packet ship Com. Perry, Capt. Allen. From 120 to 150 seamen, their wives and others, present. Capt. H. a man in whose heart the work of grace has been deep, was very animated when speaking to his seafaring brethren on their perilous situation, their exposure to sudden death, their temptations from wicked companions, their long indulged habits of drunkenness, profanity, &c. and pointing them to the Lord Jesus Christ, with a tenderness and affection which elicited a hearty amen from all present.

The Committee, before the exercises commence, usually request those who engage in prayer, particularly to commend to a merciful and gracious God. the officers and crew of the ship, that he would give

the winds and the waves commission concerning their safety; that he would make it manifest, by succeeding the owners in the voyage, that He is the hearer of prayer, that He alone maketh rich, and without this, all their schemes will be blasted. "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men."

The conduct of the assembly was such throughout, as to constrain the Committee to thank them for it. Meetings were then announced for Wednesday evening in the Mariners' Church (as usual,) and for Thursday on board the Six Brothers, and the seamen tenderly urged to attend. The Committee distributed tracts, and retired praising God for the pleasing encouragement to perseverance and increased zeal in this labour of love.

Thursday, June 27.-The Bethel Flag was flying all day on board the ship Six Brothers, Capt. E. Williams, and the Signal Lantern in the evening. At 8 o'clock the Committee, with citizens and seamen, assembled on board, and commenced our exercises by singing a Sailor's Hymn. Mr. J. T. who presided, addressed all present who were to take a part in the devotions, either in prayer or exhortation, and urged them to be short, not to exceed six minutes, and not to stray away from the object for which we had assembled, and to pray for the captain, officers and crew of this ship, and all other officers and seamen sailing out of this port, and all parts of the world. The meeting was solemn, and great attention was given by all on board--and on the wharf. Tracts, Reports of the Bethel Union, and some Nos. of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine were distributed.

(To be Continued.)

THE SEAMEN'S CAUSE IN CHARLESTON, S. C.

C. P.

THE Bethel Union Society in Charleston are making encouraging progress in their exertions to convey the Gospel to seamen. Bethel meetings are held; a more particular account of which will be given in a future number.

The Rev. REYNOLDS BASCOM, in his report to "the Female Domestic Missionary Society of Charleston, S. C." gives an interesting detail of his arduous labours among seamen and their families, from which we shall make a few extracts.

Stated public services have been held by Mr. B. and Mr. Warner, at Pearce's Hall, at the Sail Loft, and afterwards at the Mariners' Church, where a respectable assembly has been uniformly collected to hear the word of life. Among the evident indications of the favour of Providence on the benevolent designs of this Society, those "which deserve particular notice are, the opening of the Mariners' Church, the formation of a Bethel Union, and the commencement of a system of family visiting on the plan of the Local System."" (To be Continued.)

For Answers to Correspondents, &c. see Herald.

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REMARKS ON THE CHARACTER OF THE REV. LEVI PARSONS, LATE AMERICAN MISSIONARY TO PALESTINE. THERE are departed friends, whom we recollect with profit, as well as painful satisfaction. So happily decided and prominent was their character, that we connot easily recall their beloved image, without the accompanying recollection of their useful attainments and Christian virtues. The living examples of practical godliness presented in beings of like capacity, relations and opportunities with ourselves, is a most instructive object. But the recollections of the deceased saint, have a more sacred and powerful charm. We cannot,

in our imagination, so easily separate his virtues from the approbation and favour of that eternal Being to whom he is gone. His righteous example appears to address us now, from the eternal world and bright abodes of the blessed.

With sensations like these, has the writer heard of the recent death of the Rev. Levi Parsons, Amer. Missionary to Palestine ; and, to him, a most endeared and valuable Christian friend. His decease is an event too deeply interesting to the friends of missions, and his services to the Church are by far too important, to fail of eliciting from some pen, a more complete account of his life, than I should be able to give. I cannot, however, deny myself the mournful satisfaction of sketching a few prominent traits in his private and missionary character, which an intimacy of some years, afforded me the best opportunity of inspecting.

Mr. Parsons was the son, and, if my recollection serves me, the oldest child, of a respectable clergyman, in the state of Vermont. He received a very liberal education, having added to the academical course of the principal College in his native State, a three years' preparation for the sacred ministry, at the Theological Seminary in Andover, (Mass.) His talents for literary and philosophical acquisitions, though not of the first order, were quite respectable. He left College with the reputation of being among the first Scholars in his class. Nor did his qualifications for the sacred ministry, and his first efforts at public speaking, in the least, disappoint the most sanguine expectations of his friends. He was indeed, richly furnished with the gifts which are required to constitute the active and useful pastor. With VOL IX.

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