Jan. 2nd.-Visit the people assembled in the prison, and instruct them on the obvious and fearful tendency of an arbitrary forgiveness of sin, or of such a forgiveness as would have no respect to the requirements of law, the claims of justice, the principles of sound government, the best interests of the universe, or to the character of Him who pardons. They are also again shown what are the essential elements of hell, and the essential elements of heaven.

In the evening, a cloud was brought over us all. Three of the youngest prisoners were found guilty of disobedience of orders. Disobedience to lawful authority being one of the most heinous and destructive crimes which any man can commit, the three unhappy offenders are placed before the assembled prisoners, and their sin, after presenting fervent prayers at the throne of Divine mercy, is made the subject of a serious and earnest address. All are fervently entreated to turn this act of disobedience-an act which was not repeated during the voyage,—to the best possible account, and to learn from it the character and tendency of sin, and the necessity of absolute conversion to God. "Satan must be disappointed! he must lose his object, the lawful captives must be delivered! Christ Jesus the Lord must have his own! Let all his children, amongst us devote this night to wrestling in the most earnest prayer to God, for the promised out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon us all, for the conversion of these three offenders, and

of all amongst us who have not yet returned to the Lord by the belief of the gospel. We are to agonize in prayer, and, as it were, to travail in birth, like the apostle of the Gentiles, till we see Christ, the hope of glory, formed in the heart of every fellow-sinner entrusted to our care.

The appearance-the unconcealable appearance of impression on the minds and hearts of the people cannot be described: dead silence, sorrowful or averted countenances, and other symptoms of sadness of heart, mark the depth of their feelings. All at once retire to their berths for the night.

On the following day, (Jan. 3rd,) notwithstanding that my unfavourable symptoms had multiplied, I visited the sick amongst the prisoners, one of whom had been seized with an alarming illness; and again earnestly exhorted the assembled people from last evening's painful but most instructive

text.

The night appears to have been in a great measure, if not entirely, spent in earnest prayer and heart-searching-by those at least who know and love the truth. The prisoners are examined on their knowledge of justification, sanctification, and the nature and extent of the redemption of Christ. Refer, for illustration, to a prisoner placed at the bar, he is guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, he is condemned: if not guilty, he is discharged as innocent of the crime with which he was charged. All men are found guilty before God; and are, therefore, condemned-condemned to death! On

what ground can any man be discharged? not on the ground of his innocence, for he is convicted. He can be treated as if he were righteous, and discharged from the bar, on the ground only of the obedience and death of his Divine Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, relied on by faith; a faith which purifies the heart, and reforms the life.

The 4th of January found my symptoms considerably aggravated; not so much, I think, by my labours amongst the people as by the unprecedented and trying circumstances in which I was placed. The sacred work was, however, too momentous and too encouraging to admit of my absenting myself. All our meetings to-day were marked by peculiar solemnity. All who profess to be on the Lord's side, are especially exhorted to follow him fully— to beware of being ashamed of their Lord and his cross. Exod. xxxii. 26; Acts xix. 1–9, 20; Josh. xxiv. 14-28; 1 Kings xviii. 21, &c.; Acts xx. 7; v. 13; Eph. v. 11; 1 Cor. xiv. 25; furnish a specimen of the portions of Scripture to which the minds of the people were directed.

At our second meeting, after the people's dinner hour, a solemn address was given, on decision of Christian character;* especially directed to the professed followers of the Lamb.

* Mark viii. 38; Rom. i. 16; Acts xxvii. 23.

CHAPTER VII.

More of the prisoners profess to follow Christ-Brief account of some of them-Extracts from rough Journal continued-Resolution adopted by prisoners-Meetings for social prayer— Arrival at Hobart Town-Prisoners' address to their surgeon superintendant-Number of apparent conversions-The prisoners receive their farewell address-Debarkation-Summary statement of the advantages the prisoners had enjoyed on board-Extracts from a prisoner's letter, written on the eve of debarkation.

THE number of men who had evidently been brought under conviction of sin, and whose inquiries after salvation had, to all appearance, issued in a believing reception of Christ, an open confession of his name, and, as far as human eye could discern, in consistent and holy living, had now increased to eighty-one. These being assembled together in the ward below, are, in the presence of their fellow-sufferers, briefly addressed as now sustaining the character of professed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The bystanders are also addressed, and further proceedings deferred to our next meeting, which took place in the evening; when the portion of Scripture read, after singing a hymn, was 2 Cor. vi. and vii. 1, together with some of the texts last referred to, on the duties and privileges of Christians. All

158 MORE PRISONERS PROFESS TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

are faithfully exhorted in reference to the duties which they owe to themselves, to their Christian brethren, to the people of the world, and more immediately to God and to his cause in the world.

At the close of the meeting an opportunity is taken, to speak again on the subject of temperance; the evils connected with the abuse, frequently even with the use of ardent spirits; and the fearful dangers attending drunkenness, especially in the colonies. We explain the nature of the usual temperance pledge; and intimate that it will be submitted to them on the ensuing day, for voluntary subscription by those who care for their souls, or even desire restoration to character, and to virtuous society, and who have wisdom and resolution to enter into the engagement, and set to their names. A cheerful readiness of mind to enter into the proposed agreement, is manifested by the great body of the people.

This has been a day of calm and peaceful enjoyment in the soul, and truly a great day on board the Earl Grey. I humbly trust that the Lord Jesus is honoured this day, on board this ship, and his rich and free grace magnified;—that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over these sinners, who have this day publicly professed their adherence to his cross and his cause; and that this solemn profession will be found connected with a holy and useful life, and terminate in the full enjoyment of everlasting bliss.