with their neighbours, the Laplanders and Russians, for other neces-saries. On these scattered islands are several small modern churches, accor ding to the number of inhabitants, and they are supplied by an itinerant minister, who has charge of two or three churches, in which he officiates alternately. On the Island of Drago Norge is a church in which service is performed once in three weeks. I mention this because the good old lady insisted I should both eat and sleep at her house, while I remained there, and the minister's chamber was to be mine, as he would not be there for a fortnight to come; after these arrangements were made we ascended an elevated peak at the end of the island, when my old friend interrogated me as to which way I came in ;-here we had a commanding view of the coast, as far as the eye could reach, and saw distinctly the three openings mentioned in the former part of this narrative, which all led into the place I then was;he pointed to each in succession and inquired if I came in there? I answered no, and showed him the round hill in another direction, and told him I came there. He held up both hands, and exclaimed "God your pilot, you cannot come dem tree ways, you came the long way, the right way God bring youyou cannot come alone, me not with you"; and so he continued for some time when we descended to his dwelling, and closed another stormy day. I was then showed to my room, my limits forbid me entering into particulars, let it suffice to say-I found it furnished with a bed, a stool, a fire-place, and a candlestick; with the minister's bible, and psalm books. I was forcibly reminded of the Prophet's chamber in the book of Kings, here my soul was melted down at the recollection of the mysterious leadings of a gracious providence, and the fulfilment of that divine promise "fear not for I am with thee", &c. After a stay of thirteen day and I had got my shattered barque re-fitted as well as I could my kind host killed me two cows, made about two cwt. of bread, and furnished me with what other provisions and necessaries he could supply me with: and declared that had I got to any other place within twenty miles, I could not have been supplied, as he had to assist his poorer neighbours though the rigour of a northern winter. I felt thankful to the poor man as an instrument, and to my gracious God as the giver of every good and perfect gift. After a succession of gales and constant labour at the pumps, we arrived at Stromness with my sails blown away and one day's provision on board. Here I got supplied and temporary repairs, and again proceeded -the weather still very stormy and unsettled-at length in crossing the Kent, the wind easterly, it came a thick fog, when we ran against the floating light, at the North-sand-head, and were thereby providentially prevented from running on the Goodwin-sands. The next day I arrived safe at Dover, and was surveyed by hundreds of spectators; and to close the scene, after I had got my custom-house business done and all arrangements made for discharging the cargo, the steward upset a pot of boiling coffee over both my feet, by which I was severely scalded from my ancles downward; thus ended one of the most disastrous voyages I ever made. But my soul was kept in peacemy confidence in God unshaken-and the fulfilment of His gracious promise realized in my experience. I have very briefly gone over the most trying parts of this voyage, but there are many incidents that I have not named at all, lest it should be thought they were exaggerated; for I know the sceptic would ridicule them, and the infidel would sneer, and worldly minded men would treat the whole with contempt;-well let them, God and my own conscience know they are simple facts, and that is sufficient for me; and if you, sir, think this account is likely to stimulate others to trust in God, or do good in any way, it is much at your service, to make what use you please of. I leave it with you and pray for you soul's prosperity, while I subscribe myself yours in the bonds of Christian fellowship. W. HEASMAN. Monthly Chronicle. AGENTS' MEETING HELD FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 5, 1845. The following statistics were presented by the agents at their last monthly conference. Bethel meetings, 70; sailors in attendance, 964; tracts distributed, 2880; services held on shore, 26; vessels visited by the missionaries, 779; lodging-houses visited, 115. At the boys' school the average attendance has been 85; at the girls', 76. The services at the Sailors' Church have been well attended, and the prayer meetings deeply interesting. We refer to the following article, supported by Mr. Fieldwick, our assistant secretary, as illustrating the interest frequently created at these hallowed seasons. A SAILOR'S HEART. The place was the Sailors' Church—the time was Sabbath afternoon-the occasion, the commemoration of a dying Saviour's love-the assembly, a few of ocean's hardy sons-the text, "the place that was called Calvary." The preacher dwelt in earnest tones upon the scene transacted there. He pointed out the guilt of the murderous rabble-the grief of the sorrowing women-the condescension-the agony-and the love of the dying sufferer. We saw the marred and stricken countenance, the bleeding forehead, and the wounded side. We heard the cry of anguish, marvelled at the godlike prayer, and heard from heaven a voice exclaim, "the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth- us from all sin." Before us were spread out the visible memorials of the amazing scene. We all but trod upon the very ground, and mingled with the exulting crowd. Jack heard he saw-he felt! The sigh was but half suppressed-the watery eye but ill concealed. Hats and pockets must be searched for 'kerchiefs, for the tear will flow... Again, 'twas Monday night. A little company had met, and the theme of converse was, "what God had done for souls." One and another speaks, and now a sailor rises. He praises God, for Sabbath privileges—he rejoices in the services of the sanctuary-he speaks of the day that is past, and refers to "the place called Calvary!" "I thought my heart would burst-I felt as if I couldn't hold in any longer," he exclaims. He pours out his thanks at the throne for a salvation so full and so free; and prays that he and his brethren may at last assemble in that world of joy, where they shall see Him as He is, and praise Him as they ought. Here is a Sailor's heart. It had braved, unmoved, the dangers of the mighty deep. The thunder's crash, the lightning's gleam, the ocean's fury, had thrilled it through, but had only nerved its chords with stronger energy. But it sits for a moment beneath the cross, and the genial influence of a Saviour's dying love dissolves that heart to tenderness, and kindles such a fire within, that it expands almost to bursting. Oh Jesus full of love and grace, shine forth upon the world of waters; shed down thine heavenly influence upon our seamen; oh melt their frozen hearts; break off their icy fetters and teach them to sit and weep around the cross of Calvary ! AGENTS' REPORTS. sincerity are seldom absent from the devotions of our converted sailors. And then again the hardy tar has to brave the dangers, and undergo the hardships of his calling. CAPTAIN LOWTHER'S RRPORT. - In looking over my journal, I find I have cause for thankfulness to God, for his love and guardian care. I have had some very interesting meetings afloat; in some Again his stay in port is but of which I have had as many as five and short; he has not time to lose sight of six engaged in prayer. The life and occu- or forget his dependence on God, so that pation of the sailor are truly interesting with the thanksgiving of those recently and eventful. If his mind be enlightened returned from sea, and the hearty and by the Holy Spirit of God, if he has tasted sincere supplications of those who are aof the good word of God and felt anything gain about to sail for the blessing and proof the power of the world to come, there tection of God, our Bethel meetings are are various causes arising out of his own truly times and seasons of refreshing from life and circumstances for both praise and the prescence of the Lord. Our friends prayer. If there be a possibility of over-will doubtless see that we are now speaklooking or forgetting our mercies and blessing of our God-fearing sailors. This is ings on shore of our hearts becoming cold and ungrateful--our prayers and praises lifeless-our harps unstrung and hung on the willows because our obligations to God are not so clearly and constantly before our eyes; yet this is not so frequently the case with the godly sailor coming off his voyage after seeing the wonders of God on the great deep-his kind providence in constant exercise to preserve his life-the goodness of God in his frequent deliverances from sudden death and a watery grave, his heart is truly affected with a sense of his obligations to his heavenly father; and at our meetings they pour forth the feelings of their grateful hearts in strains and language simple it is true, but sincere and affecting; simplicity and godly not the case with all that have received help and deliverance in times of hardships and dangers; multitudes do not repair to the house of God and Bethel meetings to pay their vows, and offer their thanksgiving. There is no gratitude to God, notwithstanding His hand hath been frequently stretched forth for their deliverance. They have been brought through the same dangers-have received the same kind interpositions of His providence as their more grateful brethren, but they have not yet received the truth in the love thereof. The means are taken into their ships; they cannot say with truth that no man careth for their souls, and yet some of them go on shore from the very ship where the flag is hoisted and commonly from the neighbouring ships, thus literally treating with contempt the kindness of their best friends-despising the mercy of God and the means of grace. At the same time, although our labors are not crowned with that amount of visible success we desire, yet we are not left without cause of rejoicing, good is done. The number of praying sailors is still on the increase, and since I reported last my soul has been refreshed and cheered in meeting with a goodly number who have lately been brought into the way of truth. We could give the names of several, of whose sincerity and piety we have no doubt. One pleasing thing to us is, that amongst our Yorkshire sailors the Lord is at work at the right end of the ship, that is with the captains: not that the captains' souls are of more value than that of the men or boys, but that they have more influence, and may be of great blessing to the cause of God; both by their efforts and example. Whilst prosecuting my labors of visiting the shipping, I met with a captain, with whom I had some pleasing conversation. When I returned from vi siting the other ships in the tier I bid him good morning, he said, "I suppose you cannot spare time, sir, to come below into the cabin; I should like to have some more conversation, with you, on those important matters before we go away." This was glad tidings to my soul. I have known the man some time, but never heard of or from him anything of a religious nature before. Yes, all thanks and praises to our God; the leaven is at work in the minds of our brethren. I am happy to be able to say, the services of our church are well attended and the word preached is owned and blessed of God. One Sabbath afternoon-the second of last month-four of our hardy tars were seen to be affected, even into tears. We have also a gracious influence vouchsafed us at our more private means. Our land 66 brethren unite with us sometimes at these means, and blend their prayers and praises with ours, and find it good, thus to help and share with us on those occasions. One of our friends, who is also one of the committee, was with us at the prayer meeting after service on a Sabbath evening. He said to me, as he shook me by the hand, 'we get our hearts warmed when we come to see you, captain." I do not remember meeting with any christian brother or sister whose hearts are right with God, but who approve of, and delight in the opportunity of mingling their prayers and praises with our pious sailors. During last month I have visited 61 sailors' lodging houses, and have been well received-have made a point of visiting on Sabhath mornings with tracts and bills inviting them to the church, holding conversations with them and have succeeded in prevailing on a goodly number to attend our services; and who can tell the good resulting from this part of our labors. Our cause and church are truly of a missionary character, and the extent or amount of good done by our labors cannot be known until the great day, that shall reveal all things. I believe other churches are benfitted and multiplied by our efforts; we beat the bushes and they catch the game. We have prevailed on many, to take the flag, that never had it before. During the past month, I have held 13 services afloat and 12 on shore; I have obtained 42 ships for myself and other agents; distributed 1298 tracts; 43 times prayers have been offered at my meetings afloat; have visited 461 ships; 61 visits to lodging-houses; I have never failed to obtain ships for myself and others, nor have failed in holding meetings, where my flag has been hoisted; for this I have indeed cause for thankfulness. I have prevailed on a number of the captains to attend and have had seven at one service. Some of them have assisted in the service Five have engaged in prayer at one meet ing, of them my excellent friend and brother captain Arnold gave us a very pointed and soul-stirring discourse one eveningfrom Acts ix. 6. Since last I reported, I have several times visited the West India Dock, Regent Canal, London and St. Katherine's Docks. These we visit weekly, and have given tracts to ships going abroad to different parts of the world. I have lent books to several, and sold several Bibles. And now Lord, what wait we for, but for thy blessing! What availeth all this human effort, and human instrumentality! Breath on these dry bones that they may live! Speak and it shall be done. Command and it shall stand fast! J. PALMER'S REPORT.-My report for the present month is not so cheering as on former occasions, having met with several disappointments in my services. But these were on board new ships, obtained by our Missionaries for Bethel Meetings. The captains of the vessels residing in London had left their ships for the night, and the sailors taking advantage of their absence resorted to Ratcliff Highway; which it appeared had more charms for them, with all its dissipation and depravity, than instructions from the bible and prayer to God. Such discouragements as these give us to know, that although good is done in numerous instances on shipboard, yet, that there still remains much more to be done before God's promise, respecting the salvation of seamen, will be accomplished. Some disappointments, also, have arisen from contrary winds, which prevented the vessels from coming into the River Thames; so that the number of them were so few, that ships could not be obtained for me to hold Bethel services on board. But amidst the forests of masts in Mill-hole tiers, extending from Rotherhithe Church to the Shadwell or Lower entrance to the London Docks, many pleasing events have occured. I have attended meetings in some very old Bethel ships. The former captains of several of which were good men. And it is pleasing to know that, although their places have been filled up by others, yet, that God has graciously provided captains, younger than they, but equally devoted to the great and good cause. Sometimes I have been led out of my regular course, but afterwards have seen this to be of God, for good;-so that His truth has thus been brought in contact with the mind of a bargeman, a lighterman, also a a revenue officer, who had not heard a boarded a ship which had just come in, sermon for months before. One nigh I the captain was unusually attentive to the word spoken. He had made eight voyages to Quebec-the principal part of his time was employed at sea-the means of grace with him were few and far between no wonder then that he listened so atten tively; he said "there is a small chapel for seamen at Quebec, a merchant is attentive in visiting and exhorting sailors, although the people generally are indifferent to religion; they oppose and deride the sailors' friend while engaged in his efforts to do good from ship to ship." In this port the Bethel Flag is hoisted by many of our friends, pious, and zealous captains, well known to us in our meetings on the River Thames. Memoranda.-A captain and his crew, men of prayer, in Ratcliff-cross tier. A crowded attendance in Coal-stairs tier, the captain of the ship, in his state-room, excited to address his brother sailors for the first time, with great effect. I have visit、 ed the large Dundee steamer, and preach seasons. ed to the crew; found a new crew since but an attentive company as at previous my last visit, and some of the old officers, Sailors' Church, Wellclose Square; and I have preached twice at the have distributed Magazines and tracts, as usual, at the different services I have at tended. |