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powering me, in ardent supplication unto the Hearer of prayer, that he would have mercy upon us; would spare us the judgments of His providence; and redeem from death the lives exposed to a watery grave.

As to the poor fellow who had fallen from aloft, I at once gave him up as lost; thinking it impossible that after the shock which he must have received in striking the water from such a height, he could keep himself afloat the additional time which would now be requisite to his rescue. But, happily, one of the life buoys floated so near him, as to attract his bewildered observation; and seizing it, he was enabled to retain his grasp, and keep himself from drowning till picked up by a boat, lowered as soon as practicable with better success than the first two.

Most happily, instead of many being drowned, all escaped with life, some, who could not swim, by clinging to the boats; three, by getting upon the life buoys; and three by swimming. A moment's longer delay, however, in the arrival of a boat, and one, if not two, of these last must have perished. One of the lieutenants, a fine officer and a favorite both with his messmates and the crew, after struggling till entirely exhausted, and begging aid from a companion at his side -which to have given would only have been to involve both in the same fate-exclaimed, "then I must go!" and had twice sunk and risen again, and was already a third time under the water, probably to rise no more, when the boat approached so near that one of the crew, seeing the extremity of the case, by throwing himself into the water, and seizing the drowning one by his hair, succeeded in drawing him into the cutter. He was entirely insensible, however, when brought

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on board; and after being resuscitated, endured great agony till thrown into a deep sleep.

The scene was a severe shock for the time, but the kind providence manifested in the issue of the casualty, crowned the whole with conspicuous mercy.

On approaching the Brandywine, the Guerriere saluted the flag of Commodore Jones with thirteen guns; which were returned as we passed under her stern, and dropped anchor inside of her, in a range with her consort the Vincennes. The St. Louis, at the same time, took a station outside the Vincennes in a line with the Brandywine: the schooner Dolphin in stern of the whole, making up the number of the squadron. An English and a French sloop of war, with a fleet of merchantmen lie inside of us; from which boats, according to naval etiquette, were quickly along side the Guerriere to pay a customary compli- · ment to Commodore Thompson.

Night beginning to approach, I did not leave the ship till next morning, when I paid my respects to Captain Finch of the Vincennes and the officers of his ship, with whom I am soon to be associated. I was delighted with my visit. The Captain received me with much politeness; and I am happy to hear him universally spoken of, not only as a highly intelligent and accomplished officer, but also as an amiable man and pleasing companion. Lieut. Stribling, the first officer, is professedly pious, and all the gentlemen of the ward-room I am told bear an excellent character. The Vincennes, a sloop of twenty-four guns, is said to be the most beautiful vessel of her class, and the fastest sailer in our navy. She appears in admirable order. The cabin is quite a pavilion of

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elegance; and the ward-room as neat and comfortable as a parlor at home.

Captain Finch had already received from Commodore Jones the orders transmitted to him from the navy department, directing his return to the United States, by the Islands and Chinese sea; and apprising him of the intended transfer of myself to his ship. He will not sail, however, for ten days or a fortnight; which I was pleased to learn, as it will allow me the benefit of a few days on shore; and a peep at Lima, before being called to go to sea again.

While on board the Vincennes, I received an invitation from Commodore Jones to visit the Brandywine. Previous to the arrival of the Guerriere, that day had been appointed for the departure of this vessel for the United States, whether the relief squadron should reach Callao or not; and it was still determined that she should sail. Every thing on board was in the bustle of preparation; but the commodore kindly insisted on my remaining to dinner; and, besides himself, I had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with Dr. Boyd and Mr. Cox, the surgeon and purser of the frigate, and of meeting Dr. M'Call, late of the Dolphin, a former friend and college companion.

At three o'clock orders were issued for weighing anchor; and as the frigate swung from her moorings, the Guerriere, Vincennes, and St. Louis, gave her three cheers that made the welkin ring, and every American bosom thrill with excitement. An answer, filled with the enthusiasm of homeward affections, was given by the five hundred of the Brandywine's crew, hanging like so many birds in the shrouds; and immediately after, as we took a hasty leave, she bore

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away on her destination. The Vincennes in compliment followed her into the offing, and, after exchanging farewell salutes, stood in again, to take her station under Commodore Thompson's flag.

There is much etiquette in these movements. On Friday, as we came in, the moment the blue pennant of Commodore Jones could be distinguished with a glass, that of Commodore Thompson was hauled down, and one of red substituted-Commodore Jones, so long as he remained, being the commander of the station. And it was not till the Brandywine had left the bay, that the blue again floated from the mast-head of the Guerriere.

Expecting to be in Lima the next sabbath, the only one that will intervene between the present time and the sailing of the Vincennes, I yesterday preached a valedictory sermon to my charge here; and had full évidence of the interest and affection with which I am regarded by the ship's company. It was not till then generally known, except among the officers, that I was to be transferred to the Vincennes. The introduction of the subject at the close of my discourse, led many of the latter during the afternoon to speak in the most gratifying terms to one desirous supremely of securing their kind feeling toward points of the highest moment to their future destiny. "O Mr. Stewart I am so sorry you are going to leave us!” was heard a dozen times from the younger officers; while the crew, wherever they were met, looked kindly but sad, as they said, "Mr. Stewart, we all feel that our best friend is going from us; we did not know that we were to lose you; it is the whole ship's talk, and we know not how to bear it."

And when night

came, under an impression that I would join the Vincennes to-day, my room was crowded like a levee with the honest fellows, anxious to the last, to testify their respect and good will.

I need not tell you, dear H, that my own heart is deeply affected in view of the removal. I am sincerely and warmly attached to the whole ship's company, and "the redemption of their souls" has indeed been "precious in my sight." I cannot but hope that any efforts I have made, for their temporal and eternal good, have not been altogether in vain. Notwithstanding the great wickedness perceptible in much that is seen and heard on every hand, there is some appearance at least that the "fallow ground" in the hearts of many is broken up, and prepared for the good seed of the word of God. And were I permitted to remain, I might yet see a rich harvest springing up to eternal life. Of that which has already been sown, much may have fallen by the wayside, and at once been picked up by the fowls of the air; much may lie buried among thorns, where it is choked; and much which has sprung up with seeming gladness may prove to be in stony ground only, and, having no root in itself, may wither away and perish. Still I hope that some may have fallen in the good ground of sincere and honest hearts, and will yet yield abundantly of the fruits of peace and righteousness, to the praise and glory of God, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.

If the blessedness of receiving the crown of a true and faithful minister of the gospel of salvation is at last to be mine, I trust that the few gems, among souls redeemed," that may adorn it, there will be some

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