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and in that neglected maritime region we again see the love of liberty which has always characterized commerce, and the courage in its vindication which has ever distinguished seamen. Should the independence of Greece be established, an opening for Christian exertions will be made in that quarter of the seas, which will be of the most extensive character and highest importance.

South America.-Colombia. The royalist general Morales (contrary to the information communicated in a former number) still holds possession of the places where he first landed, and the reports as to his success are very contradictory. We are sanguine, however, in the hope of the eventual success of the Colombian arms. Having tasted the pleasures of independence, and begun, in some small degree, to find the advantages of self-government, we shall be slow to believe that the people of this country will submit themselves again to the yoke of colonial servitude.

Mexico. The insurrection in Mexico is said to be repressed. The general who headed it after some inconsiderable success, was defeated, and a degree of tranquillity restored.

From the countries on the Pacific Ocean no recent intelligence has been received.

Ministers have been appointed to all the states of South America by the President of the United States. We hope from this measure not only an advantageous intercourse between the United States and these countries, but that the latter may be drawn by our notice of them to a closer imitation of our example.

DOMESTIC.

Congress have been occupied for a considerable period in discussing the question of a new tariff, with a view to the further protection of domestic manufactures, but no law on the subject will probably be passed. There are too many conflicting interests and diverse opinions on this subject, to render an agreement in the details of such a law easy. For our own parts, although we think that government may with advantage give a protection to its own manufactures, shipping, and productions, so as to prevent, in a degree, the vicissitudes which an entire dependence on foreign commerce will create, yet we consider that its interference cannot be too cautious, and that the clearest necessity should be made out in order to warrant it.

Our state legislature has been occupied with its usual quantity of local busines. A variety of plans on the subject of taxation are in agitation, in order to render our system more equal and effectual, which create much discussion in the commercial community. It is foreign from our duties to remark on this subject further than to say, that old systems to which we are accustomed are actually better than new ones, which if acted on first might have promised greater advantages. We hope that what is done eventually, will be done through pure views, and with a regard to the public good; and that the prevailing fears of an hostility between the country and city interests will prove as unfounded as the reality of it would be mischievous February, 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.

For the Seaman's Magazine.

THE FUNERAL AT SEA.

Ir was a morning at sea. The sun had just risen, and not a cloud appeared to obstruct his rays. A light breeze played on the bosom of the slumbering ocean. The stillness of the morning, was only disturbed by the ripple of the water, or the diving of a flying fish. It seemed as if the calm and noiseless spirit of the deep was brooding over the waters. The national flag displayed half way down the royal mast, played in the breeze, unconscious of its solemn import. The vessel glided in stately serenity, and seemed tranquil as the element on whose surface she moved. She knew not of the sorrows that were in her own bosom, and seemed to look down on the briny expanse beneath her, in all the confidence and security of strength.

To the minds of her brave crew, it was a morning of gloom. They had been boarded by the angel of death; and the forecastle now contained all that was mortal of his victim. His soul had gone to its final audit. Grouped around the windlass, and left to their own reflections, the hardy sons of the ocean mingled their sympathies with each other. They seemed to think of their own mortality. Conscience was at her post. And I believe their minds were somewhat impressed with the realities of eternity.

They spoke of the virtues of their deceased messmate—of his honesty, his sensibility, his generosity. One remembered to have seen him share the last dollar of his hard earned wages with a distressed shipmate. All could attest his liberality. They spoke too of his accomplishments as a sailor. Of the nerve of his arm and the intrepidity of his soul. They had seen him in an hour of peril, when the winds of heaven were let loose in all their fury, and destruction was on the wing, seize the helm and hold the ship securely within his grasp till the danger had passed by.

They would have indulged longer in their reveries ;-but they were summoned to prepare for the rites of sepulture, and pay the last honours to their dead companion. The work of preparation was commenced with heavy hearts and with many a sigh. A rude coffin was soon constructed, and the body deposited within it. All was ready for the final scene. The main hatches were his bier. A spare sail was his pall. His surviving comrades in their tar stained habiliments stood around. All were silent. The freshening breeze moaned through the cordage. The main topsail was hove to the mast. The ship paused on her course and stood still. The funeral service began; and as "we commit his body to the deep" was pronounced, VOL. IX.

80

I heard the knell of the ship bell-I heard the plunge of the coffin.I saw tears start from the eyes of the generous tars. My soul melted within me as I reverted to the home scenes of him whom we had buried in the deep-to hopes that were to be dashed with wo-to joys that were to be drowned in lamentation. I. E***

"BRETHREN PRAY FOR US.”

To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.*

DEAR SIR,-I have received by the hands of the Rev Mr. Frey the beautiful book (the "Seaman's Devotional Assistant") presented by your honourable society, for which please return to them my sincere thanks and acknowledgments for their kindness. I have also regularly received your "Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine"

The Mariners' Meeting here is still well and most solemnly attended, although many of the seamen are now gone to sea, (to be absent during the winter,) many of them seriously impressed with soul concern. When leaving the port, or Capes, many of them write to me in the most affectionate manner. Last Lord's day I had no less than seven letters to read requesting our prayers. Permit me to give you some of them, in their own style.

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"The crew of the ship Tuscarora address this letter to you requesting the prayers of the Mariners' Church for them on their voyAlthough most of our ship's company are strangers in Philadelphia, we sincerely acknowledge the pleasure we have enjoyed in visiting your church, and hope the cause in which you have so long been labouring may be a comfort to you in the close of your days. You have the sincere well wishes of us all, and [we] will acknowledge the benefit we have received by our reformation in attending to your good advice." Signed by the Crew.

From the crew of the ship Addison.

"Dear Father,We are now just leaving the Capes of Delaware, and earnestly beg your prayers for us. It is with deep regret that we are now to be deprived of your good advice, but we hope that it will be as fresh in our minds on our return as it is now. We all unite in declaring our sincere regard for you, and we all sign our names.” Their names are signed with their own hands, or, with their marks, which is the case with many other crews.

Another crew requested the prayers of the church, not only for their safety, but that their hearts may be changed and lifted up to the Lord in gratitude for his goodness to them.

A captain of one of these ships, when just casting off the fasts, said to a gentleman standing by ; "See, every man is now on board, sober and attentive. This is the effect of the Mariners' Church, and if I was

* Though the letters from which we have made the above extracts were not designed for publication, we feel persuaded the venerable author will excuse the liberty we have taken with them, since our design is to promote the very cause for which he zealously labours. Ed. Sea. Mag.

not afraid Mr. E. would publish my letter, I would write to him and let him know the change I behold among the sailors. They say they have knocked off swearing, and knocked off getting drunk, and attend to the Bible and good tracts."

It is surprising to find so many of different nations attend our meeting. A French sailor stopped me in the street, showing great friendship, and said, "O Sir, me go to your church alway when me come to dis port, and glad to go dare: me go to many port, and some sailor aske me, you know mariner meeting in Filadelfa?' me say, oh, yes, a goot place for de sailor, me go dare."

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Two seamen died here lately, who were under a powerful conviction of their sinful state and condition, and both obtained a comfortable hope of having an interest in the precious Saviour. No one could, in words or appearance, give stronger evidence of a real change of heart than both of them did. One of them was a common sailor: the last words he said were, "I am going to heaven," and died.

But I must stop: excuse my mentioning so many things that seem to bring self too much up; my soul's desire is, if any good is done, that the Lord may have all the praise and glory, for without his blessing all would be in vain; and truly, at best I know I am an unprofitable servant.

With sincere respect, I remain yours, Philadelphia, December 19, 1822.

From another letter we subjoin the following.

DEAR SIR,-I received your pleasing letter of the 2d inst., with the packet from London, by that dear young man, the son of our precious friend, Mr. B. I had not the opportunity of conversing much with him, only seeing him in our Mariners' Church.

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Permit me to give you an extract of a letter which came to hand last Lord's Day, and was read in our Mariners' Church, with others; the writers all earnestly desiring to be remembered in prayer for them.

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Ship Jane, outward bound, Jan. 5, 1823.” "Reverend FRIEND,-With serious pleasure we embrace the opportunity of returning our warmest thanks to you for the many tokens of your labours of love towards us: as respects the salvation of our souls, we sincerely wish that your labours may not have been in vain in the Lord; that the warnings we have had, to flee from the wrath to come, may have an everlasting impression upon us. hope the seed you are endeavouring to sow may fall in good ground, and bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of God our Saviour in all things; that the Lord Jesus Christ may be established in the hearts of all those who go down to the sea in ships, where we see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

We

Oh that all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, would pray for the salvation and safety of all mariners, as well as for pagans, Jews, and others, that they would remember that it was

through the instrumentality of SAILORS that the Gospel was brought across the Atlantic to shine in our happy country, where none dare to molest or make us afraid. We know that the Lord will be merciful to all those who call upon him in sincerity and truth through our Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanseth from all sin; but we cannot know this right without the teaching of the Holy Spirit; if so, oh pray for us, dear friend, for the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. We firmly believe it is the desire of all the crew to fulfil the ninth part of the 119th Psalm, (Dr. Watts's.) There has been no profane language used by any on board, since we left Philadelphia. We sincerely hope the Lord may give you health and strength to carry on the work you have begun, the good effects of which we have already witnessed.' Signed by the crew of ship Jane. The Rev. Dr. Green was present when this was read in the meeting, and delivered a very appropriate and affectionate address to the seamen, and took notice of the letter, and our obligation to pray for them. I have not been well for some time past, but still try to attend to duty. I have spoken in public five evenings last past, beside part of the last Lord's day, and now feel better, the Lord being my kind helper. With sincere love to all my dear friends in New-York, and thanks to you for your kind attention,

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From your poor old friend, Philadelphia, Jan. 17, 1823.

CHARLESTON (S. C.) BETHEL UNION.

AN account of the first annual meeting of this enterprising society, and President Napier's address, are to be found in our number for Feb. 1, p. 574. The first report of the union opens with an extract from their circular address, (inserted p. 31,) stating the object and plans of the institution, and proceeds to mention their progress in the order in which these objects are specified. The first is, " to support prayer meetings in the boarding houses of seamen, and on board vessels in port."

"With regard to this subject, your Board are happy to report, that a regular course of prayer meetings has been established and continued on board of different vessels, with few exceptions, as often as once a week, from the formation of this society to the present time. Masters have very readily and kindly offered their vessels and prepared them for the occasion. These meetings have uniformly been well attended, strict decorum has always been observed, and in many instances, a deep solemnity has pervaded the audience. The exercises have been singing, prayers, and exhortations. Sometimes select pieces have been read, and frequently some clergyman has been present and made an address. In some instances it has been supposed that between three and four hundred seamen were present.

"Prayer meetings have also been held at the boarding houses for seamen, once a week, during the spring and fall, and in the heat of summer they were removed to the Mariners' Church. Those who keep boarding houses have very readily opened them for this purpose and endeavoured to furnish every accommodation. "The meetings in these houses have been interesting. Sometimes more have come than could be accommodated. They have usually been still and solemn. In some instances, masters have taken a part in the services to the great gratification of the committee, as well as of the seamen; and even common sailors have sometimes cheered our hearts by rising, when invited, and giving a frank relation

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