Foreign Intelligence.

STATE AND ASPECT OF FOREIGN STATIONS.

Taking the entire maritime population throughout the world at THREE MILLIONS, it must be allowed that a very wide and important field, for the operations of enlightened philanthropy and christian effort, is opened before us. How this field is to be adequately and efficiently occupied, is the great practical difficulty. The church is not yet prepared to supply the needed agency; or if men could be obtained, competently qualified to enter on the work, the pecuniary resources are altogether too scanty to justify their being engaged. There is not a sea-port of any consequence on the face of the globe, in which an agent might not be stationed. And could Great Britain do the work alone, she would reap an ample reward. But this is impossible; and, therefore, we cannot fail to rejoice in the increasingly enlarged and efficient exertions of our trans-atlantic brethren, pledged with us to the same cause, and directing their energies to the same high moral end. They have taken the precedence in foreign labour. The stations they have opened, and the chaplaincies they have established in distant lands, give them the decided advantage, and entitle them to the highest commendation. In confirmation of this, we shall here just glance at a few of the ports in which they are now carrying on their operations.

At Havre, signal success has crowned their labours, and still continues to be realized. At Cadiz, there are found, among the seamen, not a few who fear God, and work righteousness. During the fourteen years they have sustained their operations at Baltimore, their work of faith has not been in vain. A mariner's church has been erected,-a society for the relief of indigent widows and orphans of seamen has been established, a boarding

house, or seamen's home, has been opened, in which the comfort, interest, and moral improvement of the sailor is consulted; and the regular organization of a church is now in prospect. At New Orleans, the seaman's cause, which has struggled for existence for many years, has been greatly revived; and, it is believed, from henceforth will rise and flourish. At Oahu also, in the Sandwich Islands, a Bethel church has been formed; and on ground broad enough to admit all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. At present, it consists of only eight members; but there can be no doubt this little company will multiply and increase, as there is much more interest manifested and felt on the great subject of religion than before.

These simple references are sufficient to satisfy every candid mind, that the work of moral renovation is progressing among seamen. And since the moral power of the two first nations of the earth is being combined to secure this design, we may rest satisfied, that, under the divine benediction, it will very soon be fulfilled.

EXERTIONS AT CALCUTTA.

Nor is it less animating to know, that Asia is beginning her career in the same line with Europe and America. The exertions at Calcutta promise a very happy result. Confining ourselves to the latest quarterly report of the Agents there, which has reached this country, addressed to the Committee, it appears, that the scene of their labours has presented many encouraging circumstances. On board several vessels, they have met with a welcome reception; a desire to co-operate with the Society has discovered itself in not a few; and for some weeks there have been public services in two, and occasionally in three parts of the river every Lord's-day. On these occasions the audience is not always limited to the individual ship's crew; others are invited, and sometimes they come; hence the number of hearers on board

one vessel is frequently considerable. The sight at these times is peculiarly pleasing. All are clean and neat ;-with a few exceptions, all manifest a becoming attention; and though their singing may not be the most scientific or harmonious, yet to a devout mind it is by no means devoid of interest, particularly as it mingles with the sound of waters, and the hum of the swelling gale. Nor can it be less acceptable to Him who regards the lispings of babes, and the melody of the heart, more than even melliffluous accents, though sung with a syren's voice, and accompanied by the harp and the lyre. What a contrast between a ship's company thus employed, and one joining in the song of the drunkard, and listening to the mirth of fools!

It further appears that there has been a regular system of visiting maintained during the quarter; that not an English or American vessel has entered the port without being visited by one of the agents, who, in doing so, has always endeavoured to converse with the men on the great subject of religion, to supply those who wanted, with Bibles or Testaments, to circulate religious tracts, and to induce an attendance on public worship as often as possible. In attending to this important department, much of a painful nature has sometimes been experienced. Not unfrequently has there been a total indifference on the part of both captain and crew to the object of the agent; but after a few visits of this kind it has been truly gratifying to witness the eagerness, with which tracts have been received by the same individuals, and the delight manifested on their perusal. So intent have the recipients been on ascertaining the contents of the few pages, that they could not possibly attend to any thing else. This has in some measure compensated for the labour of gaining their attention at the onset, and amply atoned for the unpleasantness experienced at the commencement of the first interview. Nor can it be but satisfactory to know, that, besides preaching frequently on board other vessels, Divine service has been conducted regularly four times a-week on board the Bethel. On these occasions there have been many

things to encourage, and some having an opposite tendency. Though the attendance has not been so large as it could be wished, yet it has been quite one-third larger than formerly; so that the average monthly attendance may now be stated at four hundred, or twenty-five on each occasion. These efforts are a part of that vast apparatus devised and employed by God for accelerating the arrival of that blissful era, when "He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth."

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

It was stated in the last Annual Report, that the Committee had established an Agency here, in consequence of the representation of the Cape Instruction Society, as to the prejudicial conduct of British and American Seamen in that distant possession. Since then they have been favoured with two communications from the Rev. J. Pears, their Agent, from both of which it may be safely inferred, that the scheme promises to be productive of the highest moral results. Mr. Pears seems to be thoroughly devoted to his work; and notwithstanding the almost innumerable difficulties and discouragements which crowd his path, is resolved to persevere. His short journal, which he has transmitted to us, contains some pleasing and interesting details, and admits us to some of the scenes which he has lately witnessed on board several ships, from this and other lands.* We may be too sanguine, or mistaken in our calculation, but we anticipate much from this field of labour. We may sow in tears, but we shall reap in joy.

Whatever amount of labour may be there expended, will sooner or later produce effects which will bear on the whole seafaring population throughout the world. It forms, as it were, a centre, and the lines of holy action may be made to diverge to any point in the great circumference of the globe.

Is is our intention to give a few extracts from this journal in our next publication.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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VISCOUNT HORATIO NELSON.

The greatest naval hero of which England could ever boast was Nelson, the son of a clergyman, and born in Norfolk, in September, 1758. In his twelfth year he became a midshipman, under his uncle, but soon afterwards sailed to the West Indies in a merchant vessel. On his return he was admitted on board one of the ships sent out, under the orders of Captain Phipps, on an expedition to the North Pole. He then went to the East Indies,-soon obtained the rank of lieutenant; then post-captain, and was appointed to the command of the Hitchinbroke; in which he sailed to the West Indies, and distinguished himself in an enterprise on the Spanish main. In the war with France, he was nominated to the "Agamemnon," of 64 guns, in which he proceeded to the Mediterranean, and was at the taking of Toulon. He was also present at the seige of Bastia; and lost an eye, while engaged before Calvi. In 1795, he was engaged with Admiral Hotham, in the action with the French fleet; and in the same year took the island of Elba. In the engagement with the Spanish fleet, which soon followed, and which terminated in a complete victory on the side of the British, Nelson greatly distinguished himself; and, as the reward of his daring intrepidity, was honoured with the order of the Bath. Though subsequently defeated in one or two of his efforts, such as his attempt to bombard the city of Cadiz, and take possession of Teneriffe, in which he lost his right arm and almost his life, yet his successes and his honours continued to multiply and increase.

In 1798, he rejoined Earl St. Vincent, who sent him up the Mediterranean to watch the progress of the armament at Toulon, designed to convey Bonaparte and his army to Egypt. In making an effort to escape, this fleet was followed by Nelson; and on the Bay of Aboukir he commenced an immediate attack, which