of the impressions Divine truth has made upon their own minds, and also exhorting their companions to a life of holiness. Such meetings have the peculiar advantage of collecting together, where prayer is wont to be made, many who would not take the trouble to prepare themselves and go a little distance to church; and if they become interested in any thing they hear, they will soon overcome the obstacles in the way of a regular attendance on public worship. We think, on many accounts, such meetings are peculiarly calculated to be useful to seamen, and we see nothing wanting but a greater number of active and faithful men to engage in the work, to render them extensively beneficial to the spiritual interests of those who visit this port."-pp. 9, 10. In relation to the second object mentioned in the circular, viz. "To encourage secret and social prayer by a ship's company, while at sea,” the report observes, that some effort has been made to introduce "the Seaman's Devotional Assistant,* which is peculiarly adapted to aid and encourage in the performance of such duties." "To encourage public worship on the Sabbath, and persuade seamen to attend," is noticed as the third object of the society, and has had a large share of the attention of the managers. Some of them have uniformly attended the Mariners' Church, and made efforts to render the service profitable and acceptable, and have used their influence to procure the attendance of seamen. The fourth object is," 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 boarding houses of seamen." Some attention has been paid to each of these particulars. Books and tracts have been received with great eagerness. "To patronise such boarding houses for sailors as shall be governed by the rules of sobriety, good order and religion," is the fifth, and a very important object of the Union. We shall quote the report on this topic entire. "Your Board feel happy in saying, that they have commenced a series of operations, which they believe will terminate in important results, though very little as yet appears to be accomplished. They have examined the state of the board. ing houses, and have become more than ever sensible of the importance of a reform. They have appointed a committee for the purpose of consulting masters of vessels on this subject, to ascertain how far they are disposed to patronise such boarding houses, as the circular specifies, and to receive any suggestions, relative to the best method of establishing them, which their experience might enable them to communicate. The better to carry their design into effect, this committee were instructed to appoint a time and place, and invite ship masters to meet them and discuss the subject in a friendly aud familiar manner. One such meeting, they have notified and held, and to the great satisfaction of the committee, the masters present expressed a willingness to unite in any measures which would have a tendency to improve the moral character of seamen. They expressed a strong desire to see a reformation in the boarding houses, and declared it to be their decided opinion, that their present state was one of the greatest obstacles * The Seaman's Devotional Assistant, designed to aid masters and seamen in the daily worship of Almighty God, while at sea, is published by the "Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen," and is for sale by J. P. Haven, 182 Broadway, New-York; S. T. Armstrong, Cornhill, Boston; Anthony Finley, Philadelphia; Capt. Horace Utley, 10 Vendue Range, Charleston, S. C.; Armstrong and Plaskitt, Baltimore; W. T. Williams, Savannah. The prices are 50 cents-62 1-2 cents-$1 and $2, according to the quality of the paper and binding. Discount of 25 per cent. is allowed to booksellers. Orders to be addressed to "The Editor of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine, No. 182 Broadway, New-York." to the improvement of seamen. It was mentioned 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 good habits and faithful services, and that when masters ship sailors, they apply to this office, and give such men a preference. The masters present on the occasion, unitedly said, they would cheerfully give encouragement to such an institution, and they thought it might be of essential service. It is believed, that much might be done in this way to induce sailors to take lodgings at good boarding houses, as such might always be recommended to them, when they call at the office to deposit their certificate, and the fear of losing their good name, might prevent them from wandering to other places. It is believed, that the united efforts of shipmasters, Bethel Unions, and Port Societies, might do immense good, by adopting and pursuing this course, and we have no doubt, but something of the kind will soon be attempted. The committee have been pleased to find one keeper of a sailors' boarding house, who is said, by all with whom they have conversed, to regulate his house as well as circumstances will permit; and who is willing to take charge of a larger establishment, if a suitable building can be obtained. To this subject, the efforts of your Board, will, in future, be specially directed; and they have resolved to address a circular to shipmasters, Bethel Unions, and Port Societies, generally, soliciting and encouraging a union of council and effort upon this important object, throughout the world.”pp. 11, 12, 13. · The last object specified in the circular is, "To increase the circulation of the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine;"" the report observes : "Soon after the formation of the society, the board directed the agent to procure for them ten copies of this valuable work, and to put them into the hands of the standing committee for the use of seamen. One copy has been regularly left at the Marine Hospital. The others have been circulated amongst seamen, and put on board vessels about to sail, for the benefit of the crew, during the voyage. They have also endeavoured to recommend the work to the perusal of their friends"-p. 13. At the time this report was presented, the Bethel Union had been in existence about eight months, half of which time the peculiar climate of Charleston prevented many seamen from visiting the port: when this circumstance is considered, and that the subject was somewhat new, we have reason to congratulate our brethren there on the encouraging success with which the Lord has followed their labours, and to unite our hearts with theirs in ascribing glory, and praise, and honour to God, our Father, and Christ, our Saviour, for the signal blessings which He has conferred on these efforts to carry the knowledge of salvation to poor perishing sailors. With the following extract to which we earnestly solicit the attention of shipmasters, we shall close. "The interest which shipmasters are now manifesting in the moral improveinent of seamen, we must say, animates our hope, more than any other circumstance, connected with our operations. Such is their influence, that whatever they sanction by personal efforts, will go forward. "If they say profanity must be laid aside among seafaring men, the thing is done. If they say seamen must observe the sabbath, and be regular attendants at church, the result is sure. "And we have had recent testimonies of their disposition to take such a stand, which we cannot but consider as highly favourable to this important cause. Besides their increasing attendance at church with their crews, one, and we do not know but more in this port, has recently adopted a course which we think too important to the interests of sailors to be passed unnoticed. Instead of the comnon custom of giving his men money on Saturday night, or sabbath morning, he has told them that in future no money will be given them at that time; that no work whatever, except of real necessity, will be done on the sabbath; that all who can leave the ship will be expected to accompany him to church and that they shall have half a day in the week to go out and purchase what things they may need, or attend to other business, and that money shall then be furnished them for the purpose. We feel a confidence that this plan needs only to be mentioned. Its influence, if generally adopted, on the church, on boarding houses, on seamen generally, and on the world, must appear too important not to engage the attention, and secure the patronage of every master, whose heart is engaged in this good work. "We might specify many other circumstances, but time will not permit; neither do we think it necessary. The evidence is almost irresistible, that the opinions of the world, respecting the character of seamen, are undergoing a great and rapid change. "The friends of benevolence in every quarter, as if inspired by some general impulse, are rallying to their posts, to seize the advantage of the happy moment. It is hoped the members of this society will not linger. Though our province may seem to be but a humble one, let us remember, that the defence of nations is the common soldiery; that the energies of the world lie in the humbler ranks of life; and that diligence and perseverance are the sure paths to success. May the Lord increase our numbers, direct our efforts, inspire our prayers, and bless our labours; and may the cause which we have espoused, go steadily forward, until the abundance of the sea shall be converted to Him, and every isle shall wait for his law."-pp. 14, 15. MARINERS' CAUSE IN BOSTON. UNDER the patronage of the "Society for the moral and religious instruction of the poor," the Gospel has been statedly preached on sabbath mornings to seamen in the Port of Boston, by the Rev. WILLIAM JENKS. The sixth annual report of the above named society, for the year ending November, 1822, presents an interesting account of their various benevolent labours, but in this place we shall only notice what they have done for seamen. The report states, that the greater portion of seafaring hearers at the "Seamen's Meeting"" are of the class of fishermen and coasters, and but few comparatively attending from the merchant ships." This is an important fact; and it may be true with respect to other ports. It shows that the best means have not yet been devised for procuring the attendance on the ordinances of the Gospel of that class of seamen which, of all others, have the greatest influence over the great body of their brother sailors, and over other men, in the Christian and pagan countries they visit. The seamen in the merchant service, as we have elsewhere remarked, are peculiarly "connected with all the coasts, and islands, and rivers, and cities of our earth." It is of the utmost importance that this class of seamen "should become so influenced by Christianity," that when they visit other climes "they may show forth its excellence" in both Christian and pagan lands. To us the Bethel meetings appear to be the best means yet devised, for meeting the merchant sailors on their own element with the offers of salvation, for when once their hearts become affected with its solemn truths they will seek out those churches and meetings on shore, where they may hear the Gospel preached. But we must hasten to the report before us. "One instance may show, that there is occasionally found a disposition to cherish the impressions made during the seasons of worship. A captain bound on a foreign voyage, whose attentive deportment had already attracted the notice of the preacher, expressing to him his conviction of the duty of prayer, and inabili ty to discharge it to the edification of others, requested that a book of devotions might be recommended-which he received and took with him-and it is hoped has already, like the Psalmist, found it good to draw near to God. A similar request was made by a young man, steward of a vessel bound on a voyage of some years, who expected that the duty of maintaining Divine Worship on board would devolve upon himself. A third application was made in behalf of another young man under similar circumstances, and received the same attention.* "In order to facilitate the intercourse of the preacher with the hearers who attend at Central Wharf, one evening in each week has been assigned by him for the purpose of religious inquiry. "Among those who have occasionally attended these friendly conferences was one young man, the son of pious parents, who, sensible of his need of instruction, and of the influence of the grace of God that bringeth salvation, proposed to spend several months on shore, solely that he might enjoy the diligent use of the means employed under the Gospel for the benefit of mankind. He has not, he trusts, been left without the fruits of this resolution-forming, as unhappily it does, a singular and novel calculation for a seaman."—pp 23, 24 "The reception of a Bethel Flag from the friends of seamen at New-York was amply noticed in the report of last year. It is proper in this place to remark, that, as soon as the season permitted exposure to the evening air, the system of Bethel meetings commenced, agreeably to previous design. This was on the first Wednesday of June; upon the evening of which day Divine Worship was celebrated at Commercial wharf on board the brig Caspian. For four months these meetings were continued once a week, until the second Wednesday of October, when it seemed prudent to desist and seek a shelter for the hearers in some convenient room, of easy access from the shore. "Our friends at New-York urged the formation of a Bethel Union Society' for the support of these meetings, but no such society has been formed. These meetings were conducted more in the manner of an ordinary lecture than of a meeting for prayer-and your Secretary was occasionally aided by the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, Rev. Mr. Collier, Rev. Mr. Fay, of Charlestown, Rev. Mr. Bingham, and once by Rev. Mr. Truair, preacher to the seamen at New-York. To an impressive discourse of this latter gentleman, delivered in Park-street church, we are indebted for the exertions before alluded to, for filling the seamen's Meeting with those, who otherwise might pass the hours of the sabbath in rambling, indolence or dissipation. "To the praise of Divine Grace let it be noted, that the second officer of one of the vessels, on board of which the meeting was twice holden, has appeared, in the judgment of charity, to give evidence of a renewed heart. At several of these meetings, brethren of different churches, captains, and in more than one instance a seaman offered prayer. One of the latter class, in a peculiar manner, addressed the audience with affection and propriety-and it was found he belonged to a crew, of which five, with their captain, were professors of religion. But it is not known that stated meetings for social prayer are yet held among the seamen. Tracts have been distributed to a considerable extent, and a printed card giving notice of our institutions specially designed for the welfare of seamen. "In connexion with these subjects of remark, another effort of the Directors to advance this welfare should be mentioned. In consideration of the great number of American vessels which touch at the Sandwich Islands, they have presented their Bethel Flag to the interesting Mission there-trusting that, in the interval, before the season for hoisting it again in our own harbour shall arrive, its place will be supplied by the zealous kindness of Christian friends-and hoping that our benefactors of New-York will not think their esteemed present less regarded by the Board, because it has been put to a use so honourable and promising." SAILORS, PRAISE YE HIM. "Oh that men would praise the Lord."-Psa. 107. SAILORS redeemed from endless wo, By Christ's atoning blood, Now let your lips with praises flow, He is your PROPHET, PRIEST, and KING, The "Seaman's Devotional Assistant" may be recommended in such cases. The Christian Herald. VOL. IX. SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1823. No. XXI. Miscellany. [ REVIEWER REVIEWED, CHRISTIAN UNION, &c. (Concluded from page 612.) To the Editor of the Christian Herald. SIR-Under the second head of Mr. Strong's sermon he proposes to point out "some of the probable causes of this judgment,"* and observes, "in our remarks on this head, we are speaking of our sins as a city, as a community, as a people." With this assurance, we did not look for a great degree of individuality in his remarks, either as it regarded churches, or persons, but still we find him offering a few specifications of the sins of each. When he therefore came to notice the sins of the church, we did expect his rebukes to have fallen on her for her divisions, and jealousies, and party feelings. For these we have long felt to be a sore evil in the church on earth; and indeed her great and crying sins in the ears of the God of Zion, who regards all, even the most weak and imperfect of his saints as the apple of his eye. The church, by her divisions, party feelings and contentions, has done more injury to the cause of Christ, and been the means of hardening more souls in impenitence, than all the infidels in the world could have done, had she set before them an example of union, peace, and brotherly love. The Christian church must be united in one fold, under one shepherd. Until this be her happy state," the king's daughter" cannot be "all glorious within; her clothing," or external appearance, cannot be " of wrought" or beaten "gold;" she cannot be presented "to the king in raiment of needlework," nor will her "garments smell of myrrh, &c." Will there be “envying, and strife, and divisions"§ in the church, in the day of which God has said "the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them,"|| &c., and "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain?" Entertaining such views, and believing in the fulfilment of these, and many other similar prophecies, what think you, Mr. Editor, was my surprise to learn that the author of this sermon, considers the damning sin in the churches of New-York to be a spirit of union among different sectaries!! Is it possible that Mr S. wishes division and contenPsalms, xlv. § 1 Cor. iii. 3, The late Pestilence. + Sermon, page 12. 81 |