brethren, are often very desirable, and especially as it has fallen to my lot invariably to labour alone in the station appointed me. I bear my testimony to the liveliness and spirituality of the meetings in this station; it seems to be the seat of spiritual mindedness, perhaps from its being the especial field of the labours of our missionaries, or from its being the place where so many Bethel captains and men are especially stationed; but we look forward to our stations in general, as promising the same amount of spiritual prosperity and devotion, through the blessing of the Spirit of God."

Rev. J. Palmer reports: "While reviewing my labours for the Society, on sabbath-days, and weekdays, during the past month, in addition to the encouragement usually afforded, as stated in my former reports, certain events present themselves immediately to view. First, a service held on board the Diamond,' Captain Huxtable, when the men were addressed from Acts x. 33, Now, therefore, we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.' I felt at this time a persuasion that I was called to address a Christian company which was exemplified at the close of the service, by the remarks of the captain-a good man-who mentioned he had been at sea between thirty and forty years, but had never been so comfortable as now, having entirely a sober crew; and not only so, but a crew who delighted to serve God. These were his words, I regard the men as my children, and they revere me as a father. One of the men was formerly, and for many years, an habitual drunkard, but now serious; the change being evident by his present language and appearance, in contrast with the past.'

"Another instance, or rather two, combining to prove the same fact, on board the Nautilus,' Captain (off the Tower.) The first service being so well attended, that the captain remarked, he never knew so many attend his ship before, although a Bethel captain: and during the same week, on board the same ship, at the second meeting notwithstanding some of the vessels,

from the same tier were gone to sea, the place was so full I had no seat. I addressed them from the centre, while they were encircled around me. The last Tuesday, April 10th, on board the Queen Victoria,' Captain Steven, of Aberdeen, a new vessel, which tonight was consecrated to the Bethel cause. On this occasion, several ladies, relatives of the owner, came on board, and were present during the service; the men took their bibles from their chests, and read silently, while the Scriptures were publicly read, (which is always done at the commencement of the services.) The crew was from Scotland: the passage chosen as a text, Psalm cxviii. 25, · O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.' The plan as follows: First, the thing prayed for-prosperity;' second, the time when— 'now;' third, the earnestness manifested- O Lord, I beseech thee,' &c. We closed by singing' Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,' &c. After the conclusion of the meeting, the ladies remarked, they never had before been at a Sailors' religious meeting on board of ship, and expressed the pleasure and satisfaction they felt. The captain and men accompanied us to shore; and it being difficult to land, the dear fellows (to use the words of an eminently pious commander in her Majesty's Navy) jumped into the water up to their knees, and drew us on shore, high and dry. The captain, after this, accompanied me about a mile on my way home, and then left me; again and again expressing his great thankfulness for my kind attention, and should look forward to the time when we might meet again, under similar pleasing and delightful circumstances. month, I have been at my appointment half an hour before the time, for the purpose of visiting the surrounding ships, and conversing with the men, which have been attended with good effects."

This

Rev. J. T. Rowland reports::-"That he was kindly admitted on board the V, Captain C, of Bristol, for the first time that a Bethel meeting was held in this ship. He was sorry to find, that neither the captain, crew, nor any other present in this meeting,

were members of any Christian church. However, the captain declared that the V-should be henceforth a Bethel ship. It seemed that they had been eight weeks on their passage from Ireland to London : during which period, they had to encounter the raging of the most tempestuous weather that they could ever remember-lost their bulwarks, jolly-boat,' &c. &c. and never expected to have seen land safe. However, having gained port at last, without the loss of any life; and, notwithstanding the great damage done to the ship and cargo, the master and the men expressed their gratitude in an affecting manner to the Lord, for the protecting care of Divine Providence.

"One evening the flag was hoisted at the mast-head of the C—, Capt. M-; but the cabin being too small to contain those that sought to attend, Captain H-, of the D—, was kind enough to lend his spacious cabin, and even this proved too small-the sky-light was taken off, so that those who could not gain admittance, either to the cabin or to the state room, might be able to hear the word on deck.

"On another evening we met on board the A-, Capt. W—, who at the time was very ill in bed; and, being a man of God, seemed to appreciate highly the means of grace brought to his bed-side afloat.

"A meeting was held also on board the M-, Captain S-, who belongs to the Church of England-the Agent considers him to be a truly good man- -(the only churchman, on board whose ship this Agent ever conducted Divine service,) his vessel has been consecrated to the Bethel cause for the last ten years. The captain read a portion of the word of God, both from the Old and New Testaments, at the commencement of the meeting, and had kindly and conveniently arranged the hold for the accommodation of the meeting. And, it was highly gratifying, that Baptists, Churchmen, Independents, and Methodists, should co-operate on the same occasion, in the worship of God."

This Agent has met with much encouragement during the last month, both in visiting Boarding Houses

ashore, and in preaching the Gospel afloat. On one occasion, in particular, six captains being present, and a very numerous company of seamen, most of whom came to the Agent after the meeting was over, as they were going up from the hold, and thanked him for coming among them, from time to time, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Some said that it was this Agent they had first heard preaching the Gospel to seamen in the Port of London.

All the captains that attended on the ministry of this Agent, during the last month, approved of the " Voice from the Ocean," and subscribed their names thereto. This Agent had seven meetings on the Thames, during the last month: and preached the Gospel of peace to 131 seamen; and desires to record that the last month was one of the most happy that he has spent during twelve years, in the evangelization of Sailors.

Captain Prynn reports, that in consequence of family bereavement, he has been called, during the past month, into Cornwall; during his short stay, however, he made there, he was enabled to bring the claims of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society before the Christian public at Falmouth and Penryn-by preaching at the Independent, Wesleyan, and Primitive Methodist Chapels at Penryn--and at the Independent and Wesleyan Chapels at Falmouth, and visiting the most influential persons in both those towns; left six two-guinea Cards with friends. He obtained two annual subscribers. He was happy to find that the Rev. T. Wildbore, and Rev. Mr. Birchall, were earnestly engaged in carrying forward the work of the Lord amongst Sailors, having a very commodious Bethel Chapel, and Reading Room, where Divine service is weeklyconducted, and where much good appears to have been done. The Reading Room is open at all times from nine till six, for the use of Sailors. "I was happy (says Captain Prynn) to find so many persons favourable to the objects and designs of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society.-However, I have been enabled to hold six Public Meetings on the river Thames, which were well attended, and many

were the pious breathings and earnest prayers of our brother sailors. So great is the desire to have religious meetings held on board of ships, that after I had finished preaching at the Sailors' Chapel, a pious captain ascended the pulpit stairs, and said, I must have Divine Service on board my ship to-morrow evening, as I am to sail on Tuesday morning, for Miramichi. On another oc

casion, I was called to hold Divine service on board ship, at seven o'clock in the morning,-the ship being about to sail at mid-day; many tears shed, whilst commending this ship's company, in prayer, to the God of all grace.

"Several pleasing interviews have taken place on board the Missionary ship Cambden,' going out with the Rev. Mr. Williams, and other Missionaries. The pious Captain Morgan, and his chief mate, are old friends of mine; and, although arrangements were made for my holding a farewell service on board, at Gravesend, I was prevented but this delightful service was performed by my esteemed friend and colleague, Mr. Welch."

Mr. Welch, in addition to the report of his visit to the "Cambden," already given in this PILOT, states, My mission in the last month has several times extended as far as Gravesend, in the visitation of shipping bound to distant lands; at which place I have been enabled to hold two religious services, under the most affecting circumstances. One on board the ship Westminster,' the day before she sailed for Sydney, with emigrants. At 3 A. M. we assembled on her quarter deck, for Divine worship; the only place large enough for the purpose. The captain very kindly ordered all hands to be present on the occasion; the number present, including the crew, passengers, watermen, and visitors, nearly three hundred precious souls. The Rev. Mr. Taylor, a Wesleyan superintendant at Gravesend, accompanied me, and gave the first address, from Godliness is profitable for all things,' &c. He directed his remarks particularly to the emigrants, on their undertaking; after which, myself endeavoured to