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which surprised him more than any other, was, that they never swore. During the whole voyage, he never heard an indecent or profane expression drop from their lips. Never did he pass a more agreeable voyage. He thought, on hearing them sing sometimes, that, from some recollection he had of the tunes, they were singing psalms. He should not wonder but these men were some of the Bethel Flag

Seamen.

The Meetings.

We cannot conclude our report without making some particular reference to the services on the Sabbath morning at half-past ten o'clock, and in the evening at half-past six. The audiences on these occasions are composed of seafaring men with their wives. They behave in an orderly and devotional manner. These meetings have presented the most delightful scenes. From 3 to 600 have been present; captains, mates, seamen, &c. The services are con. ducted in the following order :-Singing and prayer: either the lessons for the day read, or suitable chapters from the Old and New Testament prayer; a short exhortation, or exposition of one of the Parables and then conclude by prayer. Several respectable tradesmen and merchants have been present at these services.-On one occasion, several gentlemen, at the conclusion of the service in the morning, introduced themselves to one of the members of the Companies, and observed in very respectful terms, that they had felt great pleasure in attending, and that they cordially approved of the mode adopted for conducting the devotions: it had removed from their minds every unpleasant impression which had been made by reports of the meetings being irregular.--One Sabbath evening, on concluding the exhortation, part of the fifth report was read from a proof sheet; which, we trust, under the blessing of God, from the visible effects it produced, led many to feel as David, when Nathan, by the command of God, said unto him, "Thou art the man!" On the following day, several seamen furnished themselves with Bibles who had none before.

Sailors on the Quarter Deck.

A captain of a vessel taking an evening walk with his wife, was passing down Pool-lane. They observed the Bethel flag flying. From feelings of curiosity, the captain was prevailed upon by his wife to turn into the prayer meeting. What was his surprise to see the whole of his ship's company on their knees in humble prayer before God!

SOUTH AMERICA. THE BETHEL FLAG.

Extract of a Letter from Rio de Janeiro, addressed to the Committee of the Liverpool Bethel Union. Rio de Janeiro, 15th December, 1821.

DEAR SIR,-The praise you are pleased to ascribe to me for what is going on among Seamen here I certainly do not merit, for praise is

not due to one who is but simply doing his duty, and, after his performance, has to confess "he is but an unprofitable servant." For the little which has been done, I bless my Heavenly Father: the prospect is cheering; and I hope, at no great distance, on the Lord's days, the decks of many vessels will be covered with the worshippers of God, in place of only one, as is at present. The introduction of the Bethel Flag among the British shipping in our harbour, I had nothing to do with. Capt. STEPHENSON, of the Mary Ann and Isabella, had this honour: he was the first that hoisted it, and had engaged his crew for that voyage upon the express proviso, that divine worship was to be attended to on board of his vessel twice every day, and that the Sabbath was to be kept sacred, whether at sea or in port ; an example worthy of imitation by all shipmasters. This pious and modest youth, had shown the flag for two Sabbaths, and of all the British vessels then in the harbour, which were many, only one ship's crew, the G. of London, with the captain, attended. Of this I knew nothing until Cap. S. informed me, regretted his want of success, and requested that I would go on board and preside at these meetings on Lord's days, which would afford him the opportunity of going round to every British vessel in the harbour, to request the attendance of the crews; a request he had hitherto felt a delicacy in making, as it was like asking them to hear himself speak. I confess such a proposal afforded me much joy: I consented with much satisfaction, and ever since, (I commenced in the month of May) a few friends, particularly my worthy friend Mr. J. T., with myself, have pursued our course with steady perseverance, humbly depending upon the blessing of our Heavenly Father, who does all things according to the pleasure of his own will, and who has promised that his word shall not return to him void. In this we endeavour to confide.

I ought also to mention that Capt. D. of the U. was another with Capt. S. who contributed very materially to give these meetings effect. This pious and simple hearted man, appears on all occasions a father among seamen; he and his friend S. held prayer meetings on board on Lord's day evenings, and many were induced to attend on these occasions. The next vessel which followed was the T. Capt. T. also a pious character; and since his departure, Captain S. of the A. of your port, and Capt. F. the bearer of this letter, in the most handsome and polite manner volunteered their ships for divine worship; and for next Sabbath, it is arranged to be held on board of the J. Capt. F.

It is proper also to mention, that Capt. S. of the C. of your port, gave us much encouragement while he was here; for the two Sabbaths he spent in our harbour, he appeared at our meetings with thirty-two of his crew, and expressed himself gratified at such efforts for the good of Seamen, and had circumstances permitted him a longer stay, we should have had the use of his capacious deck for worship.

The numbers at these meetings, of course, vary according to the number of ships in the port; since our commencement, the number has run from twenty to fifty last Sunday, including our friends from

the shore who may be stated from eight to twelve, our total number was eighty-three.

We have a Bethel flag left us by Capt. S.; since his departure it has been handed from ship to ship, and I trust never shall see the shore of Rio de Janeiro.

THE SAILORS' CAUSE.

LIKE a ship on the ocean, the magnitude of this object increases as we approach it. However important this cause appeared in the outset, it was not until the field had been entered, that its vast extent could be known, or scarcely conjectured. THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL AMONG SEAMEN have entered it; they rejoice to find others on the way, and desire to have the company greatly increased.

Many witnesses have testified to the need, and ability, and success of their labours, and now they call upon the friends of the cause to come forward, and again embark in a real charity, which has heretofore produced its fruit so early and so abundantly. They trust the public will not suffer an institution which has so successfully and repeatedly proven its claim to patronage, to decline in the energy of its operations through indifference or parsimony. Or should there be some who still doubt the practicability of their efforts, they would refer them to the respectable shipmasters of our port, and to the abundant testimony which the SEAMAN'S MAGAZINE has recorded during the last eighteen months.

The Mariners' Church, we hope, will be safely reopened in the course of a few days, and our seamen permitted there to assemble and offer up praise and thanksgiving to the great Jehovah, for the preservation of their lives, and the inestimable privileges of God's house.

Donations for the Church received by J. Little, Esq. President, No. 635 Broadway, by Rufus Davenport, Esq. Treasurer, No. 510 Grand-street, and at the Herald Office, No. 384 Broadway.

THE STORM.

Horrida tempestas cælum contraxit.-Hor.

THE angry sea is foaming,
And dashing on the coast,

From port my vessel's roaming

Where many a wreck is tost;

O Thou whose cloudy chariots fly,
When troubles rise, be ever nigh.

Hark! the winds in conflict rise,
Deafening billows louder roar,
Floating 'neath the starless skies,
I am beaten from the shore;
O Saviour, bid the tempest cease,
And I shall reach the port in peace.

Rapid lightnings darting round
Gleaming show the rocks are nigh;
Loudest thunder!-awful sound!
Rends the terrific sky.
Rise, Sun of Righteousness, arise!
Disperse the clouds,spread brighter skies
I sink! the storm is raging-

My shattered bark's at sea;
The boist'rous flood's presaging
Hope's ever fled from me.
No-one can rescue from the deep,
Jesus my soul in safety keep.
J. M.

The Christian Herald.

VOL. IX.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1822.

No. XII.

Miscellany.

SERIOUS REFLECTIONS.

To the Editor of the Christian Herald.

SIR,―The demoralizing effect of public amusements, is a matter of every day observation in your populous city. Our smaller towns are not without their "balls" and "fashionable tea parties," where the thoughtless and giddy sacrifice their substance and precious time at the shrine of their idol, Vanity. A young lady of our village had engaged to be present at one of these "revels" and a sense of duty, and a desire to promote her true happiness, impelled me to address to her a few serious reflections, which, being a little enlarged, I send for publication in your useful pages. Though your list of patrons may not number many such persons as my young friend, still these thoughts may meet the eye of some, equally careless and gay, who, I hope will find them useful

Reflections before, at the time of, and after attending a Ball, or Fashionable Tea Party.

SOON, my dear friend, you anticipate the arrival of an hour which, you may expect, will bring along with it peculiar satisfaction, and enjoyment of no ordinary kind. If your heart beats with the hope of finding it so, if you exult in the prospect, allow me to suggest a few reflections, which the voice of friendship, and your best, which are your eternal interests, call upon you to consider.-At the end of each sentence, please make a solemn pause, and for this once be honest with yourself.-Let conscience do its designed office.

By and by you will be busily employed in arraying that body which is now actuated by a precious immortal principle. When engaged in fitting the mantua and ruff, carry yourself, in imagination, to a sick and dying bed. Ask, is this body, now so much caressed, soon to be placed upon a bed of languishing, its strength being prostrated? Am I soon to be surrounded by my friends and acquaintances, to whom I must bid a last, a long farewell, having no prospect of seeing them again in the flesh? Am I soon to leave my beloved father and mother, brothers and sisters, my companions and associates, and be severed from all terrene objects and earthly scenes, to try the solemn and awful realities of death, judgment, and eternity? I say, when you retire to decorate that clayey tenement, about which there is so VOL. IX.

45

much concern, interrrogate yourself, How long, and this bedy shall How long before be wrapped in a shrowd, and enclosed in a coffin? the same body will be followed by a train of weeping mourners, and surviving friends to the narrow house of death, and there be deposited beneath the clods of the valley, among the congregations of the dead?

Not only about your body be solicitous, but about your never dying soul also that spirit which is to run parallel with the existence of God. Ask, is my heart right with God? Have I repented of my sins, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of my soul? Have I given up my heart to God and submitted to Christ; receiving him as my Prophet, Priest, and King? Am I now clothed in his righteousness, which alone proves the wedding garment, and thus gain me admission at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Probably you will appear in white this evening. Ask, if you are prepared to "walk in white" with God in heaven?

Contemplating the assembling of those whom you expect as your companions for the evening, you view them coming from various quarters. Having taken this survey of your anticipated circle, contemplate that day, for which all other days are made, when the gathering nations shall come from the North and from the South, from the East and from the West, not at the sound of the viol to which you are now looking forward, but at the sound of the trump of God. This evening calls you, not from duty, but, alas! from inclination, to The sound on that dread morn follow the measures of the bow. will awake those sleeping in the land of silence. Then they will come forth, and that to give in their account. Among the number, solema as the consideration is, among that number you and I shall stand. you will have Ask yourself, how you will stand the test? for there to answer for your talents, how you have disposed of them; your time,-your privileges,-your influence,-the invitations, warnings, commands, and entreaties received from God, in his word, providence, love, and mercy, to turn from your evil ways, and to secure the salvation of your soul, and his favour which is life, and his loving kindness which is better than life.

When you shall have assembled with the intended party, look around upon them and cast one reflection, if no more, to that place, the bar of God, the judgment seat of Christ, where the assembled universe shall meet. What do you behold? methinks you see a great contrast,-those who love God and those who love him not,those who have devoted their all to Him who loved them and gave himself for them, and those, who, in this life, were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Gallio like, caring for none of those things which pertain to the eternal welfare of the soul. When you have taken this view, ask, am I prepared, or am I here preparing to meet God in judgment? Will my situation be at the right or left hand of the Judge of quick and dead?

As you shall stand upon the floor, just ready to trip over a spot, which will ever be a witness ready, in connexion with your own conscience, in scasons of sober reflection, to testify to the vanity of

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