He wrote two Cape letters, and forwarded them by the Pilot; one addressed to his wife and the other to myself

"MONTEZUMA, Delaware Bay,

}

Friday, 21st March, 1828. "Dear Harriot :-Last night I found the flannel-gown very comfortable-am thankful you provided it. I am in possession of the large state-room, next the ladies' cabin, having four births in it, but all to myself-plenty of blankets and every comfort. The passengers are eighteen or nineteen in steerage. One cabin passenger, son of professor Barton, a young gentleman accustomed to travelling. The Captain an agreeable man. We three sit down-grace is said at table. Three Bibles are furnished to the forecastle one put in the steerage, from Philadelphia Bible Society. Plenty of books of various kinds on board.

A goat gives us milk, and there are fowls in abundance. We have a fair wind, and are sailing rapidly down the bay. Twenty miles below Reedy Island, at this time a few. minutes past eleven. Every prospect that to-night we shall get to sea. Therefore, while there is not any motion in the ship, 'tis best for me to write. A good supper last night; good breakfast this morning. These things, though small matters, are proofs that all is comfortable.

Return thanks to the Bible-class, Mrs. S. and all friends. Mrs. Dixey's husband has just arrived. I saw his ship, the Algonquin, yesterday. "Tis possible that my passage home in the fall may be with him. Thus you see every thing is much more pleasant than we all expected. So, doubtless, will it be the whole journey through. He who holds creation in his arm, and the stars in his right hand, just as surely keeps those that trust in him, at sea as on shore. He will preserve me as the apple of his eye. He has been my FRIEND in a thousand dangers. He will guide me by his counsel, and receive me unto glory. Kiss the

382

MEMOIR OF REV. BENJAMIN ALLEN.

dear children for me. My love to Margaret and her children to Thomas also-to yourself not the least portion. "Your truly affectionate B. ALLEN.

"Love to every body."

The following was to myself

"Almost out at Sea,}

21st March, 1828, afternoon.

"Dear Thomas :-The prayers of the congregation please offer for my safe passage. We are going on with a charming wind: nearly all sail set-fair prospect. The Lord is kind, and his people's prayers, if continued to be offered, shall never be in vain. Let all continue thus to pray for an unworthy friend.

"Love to Margaret. Tell her I hope the Lord may be with her. Love also to and all-say to them they must take good care of Sunday-schools-and do you take good care of the people, especially the Bible-class. to dear father when you write-say, We, I hope, may finally meet where happiness eternal may be our's.

Love

"Offer prayers for a person going to sea in Bible-class also. As ever, your's, BENJAMIN."

CHAPTER XXV.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS, FROM HIS LEAVING AMERICA TILL HIS ARRIVAL IN LONDON.

It is, indeed, matter of grateful joy to me, that I am enabled to present so valuable and interesting a document as my brother's Journal of his proceedings, from the time of his leaving his native country until a short time previous to the prostration of his system. It was arranged by him with reference to our Magazine, in which the chief of it was published.

"For the Christian Magazine.-A DIARY AT SEA.

"March 21st, 1828, Friday afternoon, 4 o'clock.—Left the Capes of the Delaware-with a fair wind, and beautiful weather: a fine smooth sea before us. As in the morning of life, man enters upon the ocean with all things flattering and fair. In this instance, however, a sense of the power, mercy, and goodness of that God, who will never leave,' was more cheering than any of the smiling aspects of creation. The motion of the vessel occasioned sea-sickness : which continued, Friday night, throughout Saturday, and until the morning of the day of the Lord.

"It was no small cause of thankfulness to find myself on that morning, renewed in strength. The passengers in the steerage were eighteen or nineteen in number: the sailors more numerous still. Almost fifty souls were in the ship; and for so many to permit the hallowed hours to

pass unoccupied by public worship, was painful to reflect upon. My desire to be enabled to address them, or at least to unite with them in prayer and praise, was gratified. Captain West very cheerfully prepared for their assemblage; and at half-past ten, the hour when our Christian friends were lifting up their voices at home, we were bowed upon the deck of the ship, praying, in the language of the expressive Liturgy to that Almighty One, who is alike the God of the waters as of the land. In the company no one was found to join, as is desirable, in the services, so that, so far as voice was engaged, I had to act alone. In the Scriptures, the 107th Psalm, presented itself as peculiarly applicable, and from that I gave an exhortation.

"In the afternoon, my state of health forbade a repetition of public worship. Having distributed, however, a few of the Bibles of the Philadelphia Bible Society, and several Common Prayer and other books, from the Church Missionary House, I was gratified with the thought that, at least some were well occupied in reading.

"Sea-sickness came on the evening of the Sabbath : and, with little intermission, continued during Monday, 24th, and Tuesday, 25th.

"During the comparative solitude (in my state-room) of this period of sickness, the comforts of the Lord refreshed my soul. The attention of those on board was great. Every thing was provided that could relieve. But time is the best remedy. Discharges of acrid bile, most abundant, intimated that the sickness would be to me a benefit. Indeed it seems as if that Providence which permits such severe attacks upon the human frame permits them in love. Like some of the diseases incident to childhood, they are undoubtedly designed to effect salutary changes in the constitution; and thus lay a foundation for future health. "On Tuesday evening, March 25th, I found myself

among a few sailors on the forecastle. They being unemployed, my strength having in some measure returned, I talked to their increasing numbers, as to a congregation. One of them was, two or three years since, wrecked, and on a spar at sea, for the space of seven days. The event had made a strong impression on his mind, and, with other circumstances, afforded theme for much exhortation. My little audience listened attentively, and concluding with a short prayer, I bade them good night. 'Tis pleasant thus to labour! Wednesday evening. March 26th, found me in the same place on the forecastle: my congregation increased in size. In the strain of my remarks, I made the parable of the rich man and Lazarus my theme. All listened with more apparent eagerness than when on shore, and united in prayer with much solemnity.

"The state of my system recovering slowly from seasickness, caused the days to pass unmarked by any striking degree of usefulness or effort. It afforded me much pleasure to remark, that scarce a profane word was to be heard from any one of the crew. In the steerage, the passengers assembled, were orderly, attentive to religious converse, and generally well disposed. Indeed, a part of them highly respectable.

“Thursday, March 27th. Enabled to commence partaking of my meals with those in the cabin. Only a single passenger, a youthful traveller to France, an American, was there beside myself. This afternoon sprang up a favourable wind. The evening fine and warm. The moon shone sweetly above us. Orion, and two or three more strikingly beautiful constellations, invited our gaze. My renovated strength made all more delightful. An hour of the evening had scarce passed away, when a few of the passengers from the steerage began to sing the Portuguese Hymn. This, followed by several other hymns, drew my attention. In an hour more, almost all on board the ship