these meetings, and the seriousness which pervades the audience, indicate the increasing interest which seamen feel in means adopted to promote their spiritual welfare.

GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY.

Letter from Thomas Phillips, Esq. Corresponding Secretary to the British and Foreign Seaman's Friend Society and Bethel Union, to the Editor, dated

London, 25th March, 1822. MY DEAR SIR-Your letter of the 19 ult. arrived three days ago, with the First Report of the "New-York Bethel Union" read at the general meeting on the 31 December.

We are truly rejoiced at the prosperity of the cause in America, and hope continually to hear of the Bethel Flag being introduced to new stations on your coast, till they shall be found in every port in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This is not too much to expect, for we have a promise performing God, who has declared that "the abundance of the seas shall be converted unto him." The "little cloud" has spread-every day it appears more visible, and it will spread till it covers the earth, and showers of blessings descend upon the seamen of every nation, who will become most effective missionaries.

When I take a retrospective view of this business, I am astonished and delighted at the wisdom of God, who has in such a wonderful way brought it about, and raised up instruments to carry on the work with so much zeal in different parts of the Globe almost simultaneously. Thirty years ago, a circumstance occurred to the writer, which ultimately led him to take a part in this interesting, and very honourable work. May we not say, "It is the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Do my dear (though unknown) friend, let us frequently hear from you, and our other Christian friends, with all the good news you can from a far country; and when we read the accounts at our Prayer Meetings, you will have the prayers of British seamen at a throne of grace for American seamen-for your committees and all who take an active part in societies, which are formed to seek after the salvation of sailors. Often have I seen and heard them wrestling with God, with tears, for a blessing on their kind friends. I am happy to inform you that a Bethel Union Society has been formed at Gibraltar. This is a most important station, and I shall copy the letter which has just been received.

"To the Secretaries of the British and Foreign Seamen's Society, and Bethel Union in London.

Gibraltar, 1st Jan. 1822.

GENTLEMEN-I am desired by our Committee to communicate to you for the in formation of your Committee, that a Bethel Society has been established here by a few individuals, for the purpose of conveying the word of God to the too long neglected race of men, seamen. It was established in September last, and I am particularly happy to say, that it has hitherto succeeded far beyond the expectations of many. I am desired further to say, we shall be extremely happy to communicate, as well as receive every information relative to so interesting a subject, and at the same time to request you will be pleased to forward to me by one of the first traders to this place, your annual reports from the commencement, with two sets of the Sailor's Magazine, complete from the commencement also, with any other your benevolent Society may think proper, which will be thankfully received by this young, but I hope growing Auxiliary. With the hope that this my request may be attended to with the utmost dispatch, I conclude

Gentlemen, your very sincere servant,

JOHN W. BAILEY, Lieut. R. Navy.

Resident Agent for Transports, Gibraltar.

In a letter written by Lieut. B.-three days after to a lady, he says, "The Bethel Flag has been hoisted on board a Buenos Ayres national frigate at this place." The Committee of the Society here had voted a Flag for Gibraltar three weeks before the above letter was received, and will be hoisted, I trust, before you receive this. The American navy has been the first to encourage Bethel meetings on board. I hope ere long, the British navy will follow the example, and that the time will soon arrive, when" Swords shall be beat into Plough Shares, and Spears into Pruning Hooks," and when every man of war shall become a floating chapel. The Prayer Meetings on the Thames continue to increase in interest and num¬

bers

We have noticed several who seem to be under a concern about their souls, who, I have no doubt, pray in private, but have not resolution to pray in public. The fear of man is a very great enemy, but I doubt not that will very soon be got over. At our last monthly meeting 13 seamen, 1 lighterman, and 1 waterman, engaged in prayer, and there were at least 20 more seamen present, who would have engaged if time would have permitted.

Our Society has commenced calling the lightermen and watermen of this river together, for divine worship. They form a very numerous body. I am told from 6 to 8000, and a great majority of them very depraved characters. The Cambrian Seamen's Society offered us their chapel for sabbath afternoons, and we have made use of it for about six weeks. From 80 to 150 have attended, and many have brought their wives and families with them, to whom Tracts have been distributed, and they attended with great seriousness.

I do hope that some have felt the power of that word which is able to raise the dead. Next sabbath evening a lecture will be commenced on the north side the Thames, and I anticipate great things; for the Lord never put a desire into the hearts of his people to work for his glory, without designing to bless their endeavours.

Your letter came just in time to forward the Magazines you write for, by the Cincinnatus, which sails to-morrow, and I hope will arrive safe.

With them I inclose a Tract just printed, but not circulated, and I shall always esteem it a pleasure to attend to any of your requests if I can be of service, and shall be happy to communicate any intelligence which may be pleasing to you or the friends of seamen beyond the Atlantic. The command of Moses to the children of Israel was, "Go forward." May I not say, that the Lord commands the Societies in America and England to "Go forward?" and has he not given us abundant reasons to say, "We will in thy strength." I am glad you have had an eye to the West Indies, and that Bermuda is possessed of a Flag. I sent by the Robert Edwards, a parcel containing a Bethel Flag, for Philadelphia. I trust it has been forwarded, and hoisted before this, and our venerable father Eastburn has preached under it to "his dear boys."

I wish to impress upon the mind of every friend, that we are greatly in arrears to our seamen-we have criminally neglected them-and that there is no time to be lost, for the Night cometh."

CHARLESTON BETHEL UNION-CIRCULAR.

Charleston, April 6, 1822.

THE first meeting for the formation of a Bethel Union in this port, was called at the Mariner's Church, on Tuesday evening, the 26th of March. A committee was then appointed to draft a Constitution. The report of this Committee was made at the same place on Friday evening, the 29th ult when the articles annexed to this circular were read and adopted as the Constitution of this Society. The objects of the Association are perhaps sufficiently explained in these articles ;* and the members of it take this mode of inviting their Christian Brethren of all denominations, to aid them in the good work they have undertaken. They call it a good work. It commends itself as such to the benevolence of every Christian, and to the good sense of every humane and intelligent mind. They lay no claims to originality, but urged by the affectionate and earnest solicitations of those who have preceded them in this labour of love in numerous seaports of Great Britain and the United States, they desire to obey what seems to be a manifest call of Providence, "to stand in their lot," and to be found seasonably and faithfully performing the part assigned them in carrying forward the glorious purposes of Divine Mercy among our fellow-men. They cannot read the history of Christian efforts for seamen, detailed in the "Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine;" especially, the reports and correspondence of the British and Foreign Seaman's Friend Society, and of the New-York Bethel Union, without feeling "provoked to love and good works." They would feel criminally destitute of compassion, and deeply condemned at the bar of their own conscience, if they should suffer the numerous seamen who frequent this city, to leave it, without a hearty, united, and persevering effort on their part, to afford them the same spiritual privileges which are found in other ports. They wish to see the Bethel Flag often inviting their sea-faring brethren to a place

* The Constitution is nearly the same as that of the New-York Bethel Union.-Ed

of prayer, and to provide them, when on shore, with a refuge from those houses which are "dens of vice," and "ways to hell!"

But in order to accomplish the objects contemplated in the Constitution of this Society, system and co-operation are necessary. All therefore who feel interested for the spiritual good of seamen, are respectfully and earnestly invited to unite, according to the articles of this association, in active exertions:--First-To support prayer meetings at the boarding houses of seamen, and on board vessels in port.Secondly-To encourage secret and social prayer by a ship's company, while at sea.-Thirdly-To encourage public worship on the sabbath, and persuade seamen to attend.-Fourthly-To promote the distribution of Bibles, Reports of Societies, Tracts, and other religious publications, particularly to aid and encourage the establishment of libraries in cabins, and at the boarding houses of seamen.-Fifthly -To patronize such boarding houses for sailors as shall be governed by the rules of sobriety, good order, and religion.-Sixthly-To increase the circulation of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine.

To promote the systematic exertions which are necessary to the success of such a Society; it is proposed to divide the Members of the Union into committees, whose duty it shall be to act in rotation in arranging and conducting prayer meetings.

A Standing Committee also will be appointed to provide vessels or houses in which to hold these meetings, and to notify the Chairman of the Committee whose duty it is to superintend the meetings for that week. When thus notified, it will be the duty of the Chairman to give public information of the time and place of meeting, by a notice in one or more of the daily papers; and if on board ship, by hoisting the Bethel Flag at the mast head during the day, and the signal lantern at night, and to notify his co-members, and, with their assistance, or that of such ministers and Christians, as may be invited to attend, to conduct the exercises of the meeting.

Having made this representation of the objects and plan of effort proposed by the Charleston Bethel Union, the members of it confidently hope that many will cordially join them in their humble attempt to advance the glory of our Redeemer, and the temporal and everlasting good of seamen,

HORACE UTLEY, Secretary.

THOMAS NAPIER, President.

JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

THE season having returned which admits of holding Bethel prayer meetings of board of vessels at our wharves, the Committee convened last Tuesday evening on board the British brig Marshall Wellington, Capt. Ayres, lying at Murray's wharf. The exercises commenced with singing and prayer. The Rev. John Truair, made a short address, and was followed by the Rev. Chauncey Lee, of Colebrook, Con. Divie Bethune, Esq. President, made a few remarks, and engaged in prayer: after singing a few verses from the Hymns, added to Burder's Sea Sermons, the Rev. H. Chase pronounced the benediction, and the Committee distributed Tracts to the sailors, a good number being present. The exercises being concluded, there was a general congratulation amongst the friends of sailors on the favourable auspices attending the Mariner's cause, and the following interview took place between A Sailor and his old Instructor.

A hardy looking sailor went up to Mr. Lee and announced himself as A-- Bformerly one of his pupils. "I could not" said the trembling sailor, as the big tears started from his eyes, "I thought I could not wait until the meeting was done, before I come and spoke to you. I knew you as soon as you came on deck, I want to see you, I want to talk to you a little, when shall I come to see you?" Mr. Lee stated that this man was the son of pious parents who now live in Utica; and that he was a pupil of his at Colebrook more than twenty years ago. Six o'clock the next morning was appointed for the sailor to call on him. May the Lord bless this singular interview to the spiritual benefit of the wandering sailor.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States met in Philadelphia on Thursday last. We have not room to notice their proceedings in this number.

TO READERS.

Several articles prepared for this number are unavoidably delayed.

The Christian Therald,

VOL. IX.

SATURDAY, June 1, 1822.

No. II.

Miscellany.

THOUGHTS

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE GENERAL OUTPOUR ING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

WITHOUT the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit, all our efforts in the cause of the Gospel will fail of their desired end;—and hence we may be excused for dwelling longer on the important subject of this paper, and endeavouring to stir up the minds of our readers to the more frequent exercise of prayer for the DIVINE INFLUENCES. With these considerations we have determined to enrich our pages with the excellent and catholic conclusion to Mr. Stewart's essay, notwithstanding the number of pages it has already occupied in our Miscellany.

BUT though I first address the clergy of my own Church, I would by no means wish to confine these suggestions to them. The object proposed, is one which equally concerns the ministers and pastors of all Christian Churches. In our present state of infirmity, there are some points in which our sentiments may vary; but here all whom the Lord Jesus has sent forth to preach His Gospel agree. Every Christian minister believes that the Holy Spirit is the great blessing we all need. That now that "Christ has died for our sins and risen again for our justification," what mankind especially require is the complete fulfilment of "the promise of the Father," the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Permit me, then, to entreat you, my Christian brethren, you who are the pastors of the flock of Christ, by whatever particular name you may be called, permit me to entreat your aid in this interesting subject.

It is one which, as you reverence our divine Lord, will be dear, very dear to your heart; for it regards His glory, and the spread of His name throughout the earth.

It is no private or peculiar question, no doubtful point, which connects itself merely with the separate tenets or discipline of some peculiar church. It is a subject which claims the regard of all the churches of the saints.

For as "no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost," (1 Cor. xii. 3.) all who desire that Christ should be honoured, have an equal concern in the general outpouring of His divine influence. It is delightful to consider, that there are some subjects upon which all Christians agree, and in which they can all in heart unite. This is one of these subjects.

VOL. IX.

5

LET, THEN, EACH MINISTER OF CHRIST EXERT HIS UTMOST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SUCH A SPIRIT OF PRAYER AMONG THAT CLASS OF CHRISTIANS TO WHICH HE MORE PARTICULARLY BELONGS.

If there be any contest among the servants of the Lord, let this be the only contest; who shall be most zealous in the service of his divine Master, most earnest in prayer, most patient in hope, most lowly and gentle in spirit. "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." This is the only contest worthy of the ministers of the Lord. The time past has been quite sufficient for other differences. We have had enough of strifes, and divisions, and controversies. Satan has too long observed, with malicious joy, the distressing spectacle of Christian ministers wasting their strength in internal disputes. Let the world now witness another scene. Let them now behold the ministers of Christ, like the leaders of a great and well-appointed army, each in his proper place, each waiting for the signal, each encouraging the troops, and all, as with one arm, manfully fighting under the great Captain of their salvation. " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." O that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of life and of love, may thus unite the hearts of all his servants! Then, indeed, the Church will appear "fair as the moon, and clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." (Canticles, vi. 10.) But whilst I thus attempt to stir up the pure minds of ministers, I would endeavour to impress upon Christians generally, and O that the Lord would himself do this! that this subject addresses itself to every sincere follower of the Saviour. Success principally depends upon this supplication for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit being the general prayer of the Church of Christ-"Ye are a royal priesthood, a holy nation." (1 Peter, ii. 9.) Every child of God has free admission to a throne of grace. The Lord says to every one of his family, "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm lxxxi. 10.) “ Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John, xvi. 24.) The priests indeed accompanied the ark in going round Jericho; but it was when all the army shouted, that the walls fell flat. (Joshua, vi.) Your ministers may take the lead; but, unless you follow, the army of the Lord will want its soldiers. No one can be left out in this summons-" The Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the batttle." (Isaiah xiii. 4.) "Who is on the Lord's side? Who will go and pray before the Lord?" Each, when invited by his neighbour, must say, "I will go also." (Zech. viii. 21.) O then let each Christian consider himself as a centre, from which this union for prayer may proceed. Remember, it requires no extensive talents, no large funds, no costly sacrifice. The only question it asks is, Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, pray that his kingdom may come. Have this settled as a principle in your mind, that never can the Church of Christ expect to rise in height, or to extend in breadth, till there is a much more abundant grant of the divine influences of the Holy Spirit. There may indeed be a great outward appearance. The vision of Ezekiel may be repeated. There may be a noise and a shaking, bone