an old regulation of that Board itself, originating in a fear of improper publications being disseminated in the Navy, it ought to be repealed, as not only useless in regard to the Tract Society's publications, but exceedingly mischievous. Those publications, from their plain, simple, and scriptural character, are better suited than any other works whatever, except the Bible itself, “ to the character of seamen; and to prohibit them is to prohibit one of the greatest instruments of reformation to a class of men, who unhappily, though of unsurpassed bravery, carry to foreign lands the character of deplorable ignorance and licentiousness. We hope

some persons of influence will take up this question; and that if the Board of Admiralty should decline to repeal its pernicious order, the matter will be brought before Parliament."

SCENES IN THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Mr. EDITOR,

I perceive with much pleasure your announced intention of giving to the PILOT some improvement in appearance, and I think it well worthy of it. I have felt some ambition to contribute to your new series, and shall be glad if you shall be pleased to let my present communication have a place in the first number of your improved impression. I feel persuaded that the PILOT is conducting its readers in a safe channel-toward the best haven. I feel interest in seamen, with whom, although myself a landsman, I have had formerly much intercourse, and with some of whom I have yet pleasing and christian converse. In a recent letter from New Zealand, there is a serious lamentation of the hindrances in the way of the success of the gospel, by the wickedness of the seamen, (even under the British flag,) who touch at places contiguous to missionary stations. Like complaints are made from the South Sea Islands; what zeal then ought this to excite in England, that

British Sailors may become Christian sailors, exemplifying its doctrines by holy practice! The Royal Navy are better in conduct than our merchant ships; and, Ĭ believe, I must say, that ships of the United States, whether government or mercantile, afford many an example for the imitation of those from the old country. Let us still hope for the best, from the vast progress making by present earnest endeavours for improvement! My present object is to give to you, from "Williams's Narrative of Missionary Enterprises," (a book I peruse and with increased pleasure,) a delightful scene reperuse of the interest taken by the Christian natives of Raiatea, on Mr. Williams being about to leave them, to see his friends in England, after his very long absence on missionary labours in the South Sea Islands.

With sincere desire for the success of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, I remain, Mr. Editor, your's truly,

Essex, Nov., 1837.

A RETIRED SHIP OWNER.

Mr. Williams, after describing the natives as to their physical characteristics-their intellectual capacitiestheir wit and humour-proverbs and similes-their ingenuity and good sense, says, that in eloquence! they excel. "I have not," he says, " only seen all the passions of the human mind called into exercise, but have myself been so wrought upon by their addresses, as to forget where I was, and in what I was engaged." He then adds:

"Having preached to a large congregation, and feeling rather exhausted, I called upon one of the members to engage in prayer, prior to the administration of the Lord's Supper; and being delighted alike with the piety and beauty of his expressions, (this was on the Sabbath prior to our embarkation for England,) I wrote them down as soon as the service was concluded. He commenced by saying,—

"O God, the high and blessed Jehovah, we praise

thee for all the goodness thou hast wrought towards us : and now that we are assembled around this table, do thou be with us. While we see the bread broken in our presence, may the eye of the heart be looking at the body of the Lord Jesus, as broken on the cross for us; and when we see the wine poured into the cup, may the ear of the heart be listening to the voice of the Lord Jesus, saying, 'This cup is the new testament in my blood, which was shed for the remission of sins.' Let not what the apostle says, be applicable to us; never may we eat and drink condemnation to ourselves. Forbid that we should take nails, and fasten the Lord Jesus again to the cross. Once he has been put to pain for us, may that suffice; may we never take the spear of sin, and pierce again his side, thus crucifying him afresh, and putting him to an open shame. In partaking of this sacred feast, may our hearts be warmed, may our love to the Saviour be made greater, and may our faith be made stronger.'

"He then prayed affectionately for his beloved missionary, and his family, and for the church of which he had been a member twelve years; and closed with these beautiful petitions for us, who were to embark for England on the following morning :

"O God, tell the winds about them, that they may not blow fiercely upon them; command the ocean concerning them, that it may not swallow them up; conduct them in safety to their far distant country, and give them a happy meeting with their relatives, and then conduct them back again to us; but should we never meet again around the table of the Lord below, may we all meet around the throne of glory above.

After relating the above, Mr. Williams states, "A few weeks after I had taken leave of Raiatea, for England, I had occasion to return to that island; and a short time subsequent to my arrival, I found that a meeting had been convened, which I was requested to attend. I knew not its object, until the king's speaker arose and told me, that they had met to request me to abandon my intention of visiting England.

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"After many interesting addresses a Chief arose, and, with great gravity, said, Mr. Williams, I have been reading to-day what Paul wrote to the Philippians, I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better; nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.'

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Now we all know that you must wish to see your friends, and visit your native country, after so long an absence; this is very reasonable; but don't you think, if Paul was willing to stay even out of heaven, to do good to Christians upon earth, that you ought to forego the pleasure of visiting England to do good to us?'

"This was a touching appeal; and, feeling it deeply, I replied, by expressing my pleasure at this proof of their affection; and promised, on revisiting Tahiti, to consult Mrs. Williams, and if we could not remain ourselves, to persuade one of our brother missionaries to reside with them till our return.

"I had no sooner made this declaration than another arose, and, after thanking me for promising to endeavour to find a substitute, exclaimed,

"Isaiah's prophecy:-They shall not hurt nor destroy, in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious!' Isaiah xi. 9, 10.

"But although we have ten thousand instructors in Christ, we have not many fathers, for, in Christ Jesus, you have begotten us through the Gospel." 1Cor. iv. 15.

MERCHANT SEAMEN'S BIBLE SOCIETY.

"SIR,-In looking over some papers which were put by some years ago, I have found the enclosed relating to sailors, and now nearly twenty years since. The

address concerning sailors was drawn up with great care, and partly by some who were principally concerned in the formation of the Port of London Society,' and who were desirous, that while the Scriptures should be (as in consequence of the proposed meeting they were) in a large measure supplied to the British Merchant Seamen, the word should be preached and urged by the living voice and it appears to me that at a distance of twenty years it may now fairly be permitted a republication. If it be so entitled, where can it be better found than urging its arguments on seamen and the public in the new series of the PILOT? This remains for the decision of its respectable Editor. Your's, AMICUS."*

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ORIGIN OF THE MERCHANT SEAMEN'S AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY, FOR SUPPLYING BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPS WITH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

At a meeting of the merchants, ship owners, and others, connected with the commerce of the Port of London, held at the Jerusalem Coffee-house, on the 30th December, 1817, for the purpose of considering the best means for supplying the British Merchant Seamen with the Holy Scriptures;

WILLIAM T. MONEY, Esq. M.P., in the Chair.

Many of our readers will feel interested in learning, that the Merchant Seamen's Bible Society was formed at a meeting held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1818, the Lord Mayor in the Chair. Admiral Lord Gambier, J. Thornton, Esq. M.P., Rev. W. Dealtry, W. Wilberforce, Esq. M.P., W. T. Money, Esq. M.P., Capt. Pakenham, J. Dyer, Esq., C. Grant, Esq. M.P., (now Lord Glenelg,) Rev. G. Clayton, Rev. Mr. Marks, and the Rev. Dr. Wilson, (now Bishop of Calcutta,) were the advocates of the Seamen.

Only two days after, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 1818, the "Port of London Society, for promoting the Religious Welfare of Seamen," was formed: R. H. Marten, Esq. in the Chair. Dr. Rippon, Rev. Messrs. Lacey, C. Hyatt, G. Evans, Shenstone, and Flemming, and Messrs. G. Green, Napier, Munn, Tanner, Thompson, A. Brown, &c. advocated the cause.