the meeting there. At 8 o'clock the President opened the meeting, by stating the object and plans of the society, and inviting the co-operation of cap tains and their crews in promoting the benevolent designs of the society.

The Mariners' (107) Psalm was sung with great animation and feeling, and seamen were immediately seen pressing in from all quarters. After prayer by an aged sea captain, Dr. Spring addressed the seamen-other appropriate exercises followed. The vessel and wharf were crowded-order and solemnity prevailed throughout--every ear was open, every eye was fixed. Tracts were distributed among the seamen, who received them with gratitude. Every circumstance was calculated to inspire the Board with courage and confidence to go forward.

These meetings have been held three and four of a week from ship to ship, whenever the weather permitted, until the evenings became so cold, as to render it advisable to discontinue them until spring. In the mean time the committees have commenced holding meetings at Sailor boarding-houses. In some instances they have been kindly and affectionately received, insomuch that the Board has been encouraged to adopt measures to have them regularly kept up during the winter season.

The limits of our report will only allow us to give extracts from a few of the reports of the several committees.

The committee who held a meeting on board the Haxall, Capt. Holmes, state, that the number of hearers assembled on the deck of the vessel, and on the wharf, was probably 250, among whom we were pleased to see a number of merchants, whose interests for the welfare of seamen will surely be excited and increased by witnessing these solemn, orderly, and interesting meetings. Capt. H. addressed his brother commanders, on the duty and importance of assembling their crews both morning and evening, reading to them a portion of the word of God, and enga

ging in prayer; or where this latter exercise was dispensed with from peculiar circumstances, the reading of the Scriptures should never be omitted. We have since been informed of two captains, who had never attended to the duties so affectionately urged upon them by Capt. H. who assembled their crews that very evening, and, for the first time, read to them a chapter in the Bible, and prayed with them. Two other captains, we have been told, have since followed this excellent example.

The committee who held a meeting on board the ship Empress, Capt. Sutton, say, that it was well attended by seamen. The audience was silent, solemn and affected. The Rev. Mr. Matthews made an address to the seamen. and engaged in prayer.

The committee present at a meeting on board the brig Hope, Capt. Porter, state, that the meeting was well attended-deck covered, and a number on the wharf-people perfectly orderly, solemn, and some much affected. Three prayers were offered, in which mariners generally, and particularly the master, officers and seamen of the Hope, were affectionately commended to the providential care and forgiving mercy of the dear Redeemer. Three short addresses were delivered-one by a sea

man.

Of another meeting on board the Haxall, the committe report, that it was attended by a large number of seamen and others. The whole, including those standing on the adjoining wharf, were supposed to be not less than two hundred. The exercises were solemn and impressive; the audience silent and attentive. A number of tracts were distributed, and received with thankfulness by the seamen. One of the seamen exhorted the association to persevere in the good work, and pray with and for seamen, for they did not know how much good they were doing. Two addresses were made by members of the Union, and two by seamen. One of the seamen, after reading the

reply of our Saviour to Nicodemus, "marvel not," &c. testified his hope that, by the grace of God, since the commencement of this year, he had experienced the new birth; that be was formerly a Roman Catholic. He exhorted his brother seamen to seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.

The other seaman, who declared he was not a professor, very pathetically acknowledged the vanity and emptiness of all earthly pursuits, and commended the service of God, with faith in Christ, as the only solid foundation of comfort and happiness for time and for eternity.

At a meeting held on board the Speedy Peace, Capt. White, the committee report, that the deck and wharf were filled with seamen. They were affectionately addressed by the Rev. J. Eastburn, of Philadelphia, justly entitled the seamen's friend. Much might be said of this delightful meeting. One seaman, in particular, could not leave the brig without making his feelings known to Mr. Eastburn, which were a deep conviction of sin.

The committee who were present on board the ship Panthea, Capt. Eldridge, remark, that it was a very good meeting. Many sailors were there. All the exercises were interesting. The Rev. Dr. Milnor addressed the seamen, who appeared to be solemn, much engaged, and grateful for these exertions in their behalf.

Another committee from on board the brig Spartan, Captain Chapman, say, the meeting was very numerous; not only the deck filled with seamen, but the wharf and the decks of several adjacent vessels, contained numbers who attended the exercises with solemnity. At the close of the meeting a seaman remained to converse with the committee. He stated, that during the evening he had been deeply impressed with a sense of his awful condition as a sinner, in a manner he had never beLore felt; after a few minutes conversation, an appointment was made for

him to call on one of the committee the next morning. A master of a vessel introduced himself to the committee as having, but a few weeks before, as he humbly trusted, become savingly acquainted with Jesus Christ. From all the occurrences of the evening, the association have abundant reason to "bless God and take courage."

At a meeting on board one of the Albany packets, Captain Cobb, which was well attended by seamen, the Rev. Dr. Palmer of Charleston, S. C. made a very solemn address-it appeared to reach the hearts of the seamen-the other exercises were very affecting, and we have reason to hope, have made impressions that will never be effaced. We have great pleasure in noticing a meeting that was held on board the British brig Cambria, Captain Jenkins. Arrangements had been made in the early part of the day for worship in the evening on board the ship London Packet, Captain Thomas. As the committee were providentially disappointed in that vessel, application was made for the Cambria, which was readily granted by the pious owner, who was her commander. The veteran of the cross, who honoured his Master in the established church, took an active part in the exercises, and warmed the hearts of his brethren in America, as they were permitted to hear his appropriate address to seamen, and to unite with him in prayer for the arrival of that period when seamen and landsmen will become "vessels of mercy," and when the ocean and land together, shall form one great altar of praise to the Redeemer.

On the 21st of August, a Bethel meeting was held on board the U. S. ship Franklin 74, Commodore Stewart, lying off the Battery, about to depart on a long cruise. A congregation, consisting principally of seamen, about 800 in number, were present. Dr. Spring, of New-York, Dr. Stoughton and the Rev. J. Eastburn, of Philadelphia, conducted the exercises.

The

utmost decorum and solemnity prevailed. Several of the seamen came up to Mr. Eastburn and thanked him for the many "good things he had told them." The crew were affectionately commended to the protection and mercy of that gracious Being who hath provided a Saviour for them, and who was inviting them by the sweetest allurements of his love, to the everlasting enjoyment of his rest. The Board in behalf of themselves, the reverend clergy, and citizens who attended, embrace this opportunity of expressing their grateful feelings to Commodore Stewart and his officers, for their politeness and attention to them on this interesting occasion.

To be permitted to hold meetings on board of vessels, for the purpose of calling upon God, the common Father of us all, and to implore him for the sake of his Son, to remember in mercy that hitherto neglected but useful portion of our brethren, the seamen, and to arouse their attention to the concerns of eternity, was a subject of anxious solicitude to the members of Bethel Union. That these meetings should be undisturbed, was all that the most sanguine ventured to predict. When it was considered that seamen, notwithstanding their characteristic frankness and generosity, were from that very source frequently rash and inconsiderate; that these meetings should be held under the shades of night, within the borders of that empire which Satan had for ages claimed as his own, the timid Christian might well be pardoned, if he felt some anxious forebodings. But it was no time to take counsel from fear. The association, consisting of several denominations of Christians, advanced heartily to the work; and while the Bethel flag rose and waved towards Heaven, each heart breathed with humble and unshaken confidence, "under this banner we advance to victory."Events soon dissipated the apprehension of the most timid, and crowned our endeavours, with a success far exceed

ing our expectations. Meetings have not only been permitted, but often solicited by officers and seamen, on board of vessels lying in this port, who, by stretching awnings, and furnishing seats, have endeavoured by every means to accommodate those who met for worship. The meetings have been usually numerous, always attentive and solemn : and although the entire results of them will never be known till that day when the sea shall give up her dead, and the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, yet God has not left us altogether without a witness of his gracious presence to encourage our hearts and animate us in duty. Social worship has been commenced, and, as far as we can learn, been continued morning and evening on board of several vessels. Vice and immorality, and particularly profane swearing, have been discountenanced and checked, and some have been anxiously inquiring what they must do to be saved.

The Board have merely given a specimen of the meetings-others have been held on board the following vessels, of the same interesting character:-Ship Otho, Captain Gifford; ship Camillus, Captain Coggeshall; brig Ohio, Captain Carman; ship Margaret, Captain Ogden; brig Laura Ann, Captain Bassett; ship Anna Maria, Captain Watkinson; ship Comet, Captain Hall; sloop Ann and Sarah, Captain Howard; brig Belvedere, Captain Richards; ship Mary, Captain West; ship Benjamin, Captain Prince; brig Levant, Captain Wood; ship President, Captain Allen ; New-Haven packet Actress, Captain Henningway; ship Farmer, Captain Collins; ship Gleaner, Captain King; ship Hamlet, Captain Pease; ship Washington, Captain Thomas; brig Phoebe, Captain Holmes; ship Six Brothers, Captain Williams; ship London Packet, Captain Chase; sloop Mechanic, Captain Hallet.

Miscellaneous Information and Remarks.

There has been a male and female school attached to the Mariners'

Church, under the direction of the Port of New-York Society, designed for seamen's children. Since its commencement between four and five hundred scholars have been registered. More than a hundred families have been visited and supplied with Tracts and Bibles. The Female Superintendent in a late report says, I feel it my duty to add, that, with few exceptions, we have met, in our visiting, with a kind and grateful reception, and our hearts are much encouraged with the present prospect of the school.

Soon after the formation of the NewYork Bethel Union, a flag was presented to the Board by a lady of this city, with a request that it might be transmitted by them to Bermuda, for the use of the shipping at that place. It was immediately forwarded, accompanied with several Reports of similar societies in England, and the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine. The Board are happy to state that they have received a letter from Messrs. R. M. Higgs and John J. Masters, to whom the flag was forwarded, under the date of the 18th July, acknowledging the receipt of it, and assuring the Board that they should use every effort to accomplish the design of the society.

The Board was applied to early in the fall for information and advice on this subject from New-London. A correspondence was immediately opened, and the result has been the formation of a Bethel Union upon the plan recommended by this society.

In a communication from Mr. Lyman Allyn, of that place, to the Secretary, it is stated, that a constitution was adopted-12 directors chosen, an equal number each, from the Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations, and that they had commenced their meetings under very favoura ble auspices.

With great pleasure, the Board announce the formation of a Bethel Union in Richmond, Va. The first meeting was held on the 4th October, on board the Haxall, Capt. Holmes.

Of this meeting the Richmond Com piler thus speaks: Several Christians of different denominations attended, and the exercises of the evening, which consisted of short prayers, appropriate addresses, and the singing of hymns, were particularly interesting. To those who had previously seen accounts of similar meetings in some of the principal seaports in England and the United States, much satisfaction was afforded by witnessing the lantern at the mast-headthe crowd of seamen assembled by that signal for divine worship-the harmony which seemed to pervade every heart.No distinction among Christians was known, but one general sentiment of earnest solicitude for the best interest of seamen, was predominant. The originators of the meetings purposed holding them on every Thursday evening, after candle-light, (for about an hour,) on board a vessel, which would be distinguished during the day by the Bethel flag.

On the 6th October, a meeting was held on board the new ship Six Brothers, capt. Williams, lying at Saybrook, Conn. bound to New York and NewOrleans. About 200 persons were present, and the meeting, which was conducted on the plan of those held in this city, was solemn and interesting.

In Philadelphia they commenced last summer, and have had several meetings, although they have not adopted the Bethel flag. The work, under the care of the Rev. J. Eastburn, is going on with great success. This aged servant of Christ is indefatigable in his labours among the weather-beaten sons of the ocean, many of whose precious souls, as we have every reason to hope, will be jewels in his eternal crown of rejoicing.

In Boston also there is a prospect of meeting with similar success The board lately forwarded to that place a Bethel flag, (which had been presented to them for that purpose,) and the Rev. Wm. Jenks, the stated preacher to seain acknowledging the receipt of it, remarks, the season was so far

men,

vanced that it was thought best not to attempt originating these meetings during the present autumn, but to defer the measure until spring; then I hope this Bethel flag will be hailed by many a mariner as the harbinger of glad tidings. We are unable, he says, to compare with our favoured brethren of NewYork, Philadelphia, and London, in regard to visible fruits from attention to seamen, but I desire to thank God for many mercies notwithstanding.

At the close of a prayer meeting, held a few evenings since in a private family, a pious sea captain told me that, during a late fishing expedition, having with him five among the crew hopefully pious, they had maintained social prayer and singing every evening; another told me he had been in different vessels 22 years, and had never heard a prayer offered on board. He mentions another captain who for five-and-twenty years maintained the worship of God on board his vessel. Another instance of an owner of a vessel who made a voyage of four months and established morning and evening devotions without the least difficulty.-Nay, it was soon esteemed a privilege, and he had the satisfaction of seeing the men alert on board in their ordinary duty, as well as to attend to religious instruction and prayers at his call.

The operations of societies in England, in behalf of seamen, are progressing with wonderful success. It is extremely gratifying to see with what zeal this interesting subject is taken hold of by christians in almost every port in Great Britian, and what solicitude they manifest for its promotion in America. Every Report we receive from them contains the most cheering and animating intelligence. Christians there seem to make it the great business of their lives to do good.

Could our limits permit, we might make extracts from their reports, but we shall content ourselves by observing, that the greatest efforts are making throughout the British empire to furnish

seamen with the means of grace, accompanied, as we have no doubt, with many prayers, that these means may be blessed to the salvation of thousands of seamen, and bring in a rich revenue of glory to the Redeemer. The foremost in these operations, was once a cabin boy, afterwards rose to a lieutenant in the British navy, is now a herald of the Cross, the Rev. G. C. Smith!

To enumerate all the advantages resulting from a well organized system of measures to improve the moral and religious condition of seamen, would swell this report to an unreasonable length. Enough has been said, it is hoped, to insure the co-operation of every friend to christianity in this benevolent enterprise.

In the address of the Liverpool Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union, it is well remarked, "that the national importance of seamen makes them objects of national interest. They are the life of our commerce and successful defenders of our rights. Upon their enterprise and integrity depend in a great degree the success of our trade and the honour of our country. Objects too vast and vital to be intrusted in any hand without the guarantee of moral principle."

But how does this consideration, weighty as it is, dwindle into comparative insignificance, when put in competition with the interest of a single soul. -This is the motive that should call into requisition every latent energy of our minds-impel us to severer dutiesgreater sacrifices, and more humble, ardent, and persevering prayer.

Conclusion.

The Board cannot forbear to remark, that it is by no means an unimportant circumstance that the six great denominations of Christians in our city, have most harmoniously combined their in- . fluence in this glorious work, and delighted to gather round the mercy seat, and pour out their united supplications to our common Redeemer. In this the Board have begun to realize the hopes of Christians, who are looking forward