ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

twenty seamen. Several took part in the devotions of the evening. A very blessed influence rested on the whole service. Surely God was indeed in the midst of us. Many were affected, even to tears; and reluctantly left the hallowed spot, where Jacob's God was found. I have since heard of some blessed effects from this meeting. May they still multiply!

A similar meeting took place on board the Burdon,' on the 18th, when her large cabin was well filled with inquiring souls. Gave a short address from, "Ye are not as yet come to the rest." Perceiving a goodly number of old christian shipmates and their friends had met together, after a long absence, gave some an opportunity to relate a little of the divine dealings with them, since they saw each other. A pious carpenter rose,-'I am glad I am here to-night, to speak of the Lord's mercies to me. Only this time three weeks, the Lord spared me and my poor shipmates from a watery grave, off Yarmouth, in a dreadful shipwreck. I thought we were all gone. We waited long for the life-boat, but none came near-she ship breaking to pieces under our feet. We were obliged to venture our own boat, with little hope of reaching land. (Here he stopped, affectionately to exhort his brethren to seek an interest in Christ in time, adding, religion was the best thing a sailor could go to sea with, to support his mind.) While passing over the sand in the open boat, amidst the breakers, I thought we might all perish in a moment; but, blessed be God! I knew I should not perish in my sins, for my Saviour was with me. He closed, with observing, that religion, he had proved, was no cunningly-devised fable. A captain then stood up, and said, 'The Lord has blessed me with a pious partner-I had long resisted her entreaties and my own convictions; till at length He laid his hand heavily upon me. He overtook me at sea, in-a fearful gale! Oh I

thought, when the masts were coming down about my head, it is all over with me now. I made many vows, but, alas! in my own strength. On reaching the land I soon forgot them all, and returned to my former course. By and by, the same hand was laid upon my lovely children. I saw them taken away, one after the other, still that didn't do;then it came upon my dear wife—I saw her near death. She entreated me to give up sin. All these, however, still would not do. Lastly, that hand came upon myself. I was afflicted,-brought down at length,-given up of the doctors, and left to reflect upon the whole scene. My heart trembled,—my spirit sunk within me,-till at last, compelled to yield to mighty grace, I rose from that bed as a brand plucked out of the burning. Now here I am, a monument of many mercies! to witness Christ has power on earth to forgive the greatest sins.' After giving this affecting account, he sat down, when the whole company unanimously broke forth into singing,

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Sailors' Chapel.—With all its faults, it is a place where the God of mercy has deigned to visit again and again. Yes, here the cry of the needy has not been forgotten, the prayer of the destitute, and them that were ready to perish, has been heard-has been answered;-the wanderer has been arrested in his course,-the backslider has been recovered and healed,-the self-confident has been humbled and broken down, by the victory of the cross. The attendance, as usual, has been subject to much variation-nevertheless, there have been times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; especially our christian fellowship meetings, on Monday evenings, as they are well-adapted to gather up those benefited on the previous sabbath, so are they congenial to the mind of the pious sailor, as he returns from the privations and toils of his voyage. I may just give an outline of one of these interesting meetings held on the 6th September, when an uncommon number of captains and seamen were presentperhaps from all quarters of the globe -here met together to testify the wonders of their Creator in his providence and grace. After reading the scriptures and prayer, short addresses were given by myself and by Captain Anderson, recently returned from France, Wales, etc.; after which an opportunity was given to any disposed to speak; a sailor rose, and, with grateful emotions, spoke of the circumstances connected with his conversion to Christ: pointing to the vestry, as a place remarkable to him-where he met the Saviour, after he was shipwrecked in Syria, during the frost of last winter, he said, 'it has been summer with him ever since.' (Sat down.) A second rose, stating, he had gone through many disasters at sea, by shipwrecks, etc., but none of them ever had any good effect

upon his mind, till, at last, the ship he was in, took fire on the atlantic ocean, with nothing in sight, but sky and water. When he saw the ship in flames, he was led to serious reflection on his past life, and the fire that shall never be quenched. After tossing about in the open boat some days, without food or shelter, the divine goodness in sending a vessel in their way to save their lives, led him to hope, though a great sinner, there was mercy for him in Christ. He became a praying man, and now lives to declare there is mercy for the chief of sinners, that will seek it. (Sat down.) Another said, 'I was first brought to consideration, by listening to one of my shipmates reading a tract, as the ship was passing Cape Horn: what struck home was, 'Dost thou believe in the Son of God?" He paused-What! never believed on the Son of God!No!-What! not after he has suffered and died? No; said conscience. Then I must be the wickedest sinner upon earth. part of the ship, and there he first began to pray; since that, he had been shipwrecked and lost his all-once he has been capsized at sea; and he knew, while clinging to her bottom for life, when the waves were passing his poor head, he could cling as fast to Christ, who is the rock of ages, for eternal life.' (He sat down.) A captain then rose, saying, 'I can sit still no longer; I once did run well, but not now; an unhappy circumstance occurred with me, while at Russia, which has robbed me of my Saviour. Oh!What shall I do? I must tell it out. I want you all to pray for me this night.' Another captain rose, and looking very serious, began-'I dare say all you that know me, have thought me a very good kind of a christian-and so I have thought myself-but I must tell the honest truth; I feel to-night as if I was the greatest sinner within twenty miles all round London; perhaps I'm the oldest among you, and so

He hastened to a retired

much the worse; I have deceived myself and others many years; and now, if you will allow me, I will try to offer a few words; it will be the first sincere prayer I have offered for my poor soul in all my life; (fifty years.) Instantly the whole congregation fell upon their knees; a solemn silence for some moments, seemed to bespeak the divine presence very near. With fear and trembling, he commenced; and I think language more descriptive of a distressed soul I never heard. His confession of sin-his deep abhorrence of himself -his earnest entreaties for mercy thro' Christ-called forth the tears and sighs of all around him. The other captain, in sorrow near him, would hearken to no words of comfort, but literally

"Groan'd the sinners' only plea

'God be merciful to me !" "

An awful, yet delightful sense of the divine presence now became manifest. Those that had been living with a loose profession became alarmed,-while the unconverted seemed terror-struck,— every believing soul seemed to be filled with the spirit of prayer. I think not less than eight persons engaged in fervent prayer, before we rose from our knees. When we stood up to sing with cheerful voice

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;" while every countenance seemed to bespeak heavenly peace within. This meeting also, of course, was unavoidably protracted beyond the usual time; but I hope its happy effects will be found to the praise of redeeming grace in eternity. The above two captains immediately sailed. Of one, viz., the oldest, I have heard the most pleasing account; on his arrival to the north, he was numbered among the people of God, and is likely to be a blessing to his own crew, and the Bethel cause in general.

On another occasion, a distressed aged female found her way to the Sailors' Chapel ;-was led that evening, to

notice the trial, integrity, and deliverance of Daniel, (vi.) — especially to dwell on the permission of success granted to his enemies, to a certain extent, but ultimately frustrated by the divine interposition, etc. This appears to have been not in vain, for, conversing with this person of apparently brokendown respectability, she says, 'I am happy I have come here to-night, sir.' 'Why so, mother?' [She began her tale of woe.] 'I have seen much trou ble;-my dear husband has long tra versed the sea, but it has now become his grave. The only comfort I thought left, was my two lovely boys; they followed their father's calling, and became captain and mate of one ship; but, alas! for me, that ship has foundered at sea, and I shall see them no more. Sir, I am bereaved.' She resumed,'My last earthly consolation left was my daughter, to support my sinking steps. She has recently married, and removed to a distant island; I am now left to painful reflections for the past few days, and almost whole nights I have wandered about my lonely habitation, closely followed with a strong temptation, almost like a voice addressing me-Your husband is drowned - your sons are drowned - your daughter is gone,what good can your life do you now?at once put an end to your misery! The knife, the water, and other means were suggested; but I thought I would come here to-night, in the first place; and thankful I am I have done so. I trust I now see the design of the tempter, and that God will bring about my deliverance and comfort, another way to what I expected.' After much farther, and, I trust, profitable conversation, the dear old lady returned cheered to her lonely dwelling-not to wander in despair, as formerly, but, I trust, to praise Daniel's God. Since that I have seen her attending the Sailors' Chapel.

Ship Visitation.-I have visited about 700 ships, (with spiritual conversation,

and suitable tracts,) in the various docks and on the river;-obtained, for the Society's agents, seventy-four ships for evening services.

In this department of labour, I have met with various scenes, both painful and pleasing. On board of one ship in the West India Docks, the captain of which I found to be a man of God, with whom I had much affecting conversation, informed me, he carries his own Bethel flag, and displays it in every port he sails to, and conducts divine service amongst his own crew daily. Enquiring into the effect of these things on his own seamen, he states, as to his past voyage, the effect was truly pleasing as it regards a part of his crew, several became serious in their deportment, and at length could unite with him in devotional exercises. The other part, however, stood aloof; and principally through the example of one more hardened than the rest, who was in the habit of boasting, that five minutes was plenty of time for him to pray before he died. In this state of things, the ship arrived in the West Indies; the fever came on board, and the captain had the sad sight to behold every one of the latter part of his crew cut off: the last taken, was the man just referred to; in his last hours, the pious captain used every means to instruct and console him, but in vain; and, in a manner painful to describe, he died. It is remarkable, that the praying part only of this crew was brought safe to England. This relation was given by Captain H-, of the A—. May this awful warning sound out amongst those that go down to the sea in ships,' regardless of God.

6

The Seamen's Boarding-Houses, I have continued to visit as usual on sabbath days; but it is painful to find, too generally, intemperance and dissipation still abounding, to a fearful extent, in these houses.

May the Spirit be poured from on

high, and every flood of iniquity be stopped. May the Redeemer reign; And his praise be sung

In every ship, by every tongue!

First Station.-MR. BENSON.-Since my last report, I find upwards of fifty services have been engaged in, at which the attendance has varied from nine to twenty-eight, but generally from eighteen and twenty at upwards of forty of these services. I have met with from four to five sailors who have prayed among their brethren, and not a few who have expressed their desire to do so, but have deplored their want of ability. I have met with several of whom I have great hope that they have received good by attending our Bethel services; and although many months have gone by since I saw them, yet upon their arrival in this port, they have sought me out, and been glad again to meet me; have declared how the Lord has kept and blessed them during their absence. On enquiring of one of these what the Lord had done for him, he said 'I can praise him for his constant care over me, and his grace towards me in pardoning so great a sinner as I have been.' He informed me, that he was now a member of the christian church, in the neighbourhood of his domestic circle. This young man, two years ago, was a great blasphemer; and when I first met him on board ship, I found him labouring under deep convictions, his mind was much burdened. I felt very deeply for him; I invited him home to my own residence, had much conversation with him, and these means the Lord was pleased graciously to bless. I now hear him with great pleasure send up his supplications to heaven. He has also been useful in the ship, of which, since his conversion to God, he has become mate. I consider him a spiritual son; he, about a fortnight ago, expressed his strong desire for the salvation of his wife; I furnished him with a book to present to her from me, for

her perusal, accompanied with my earnest prayer that the Lord would be pleased to make her an help-meet for him in his way to heaven.

On one occasion so deeply impressed was a very young captain, with the address which had been delivered, that at the close he made an attempt to breathe out at the throne of grace the feelings and desires of his soul. With trembling words,-with confessions of guilt, with supplications for pardon, -with grateful acknowledgments for mercies received, did this young man present himself before the Lord : indeed so sensibly affected was I at the manner in which he offered up his prayer, that I could not but join with him in an effectual fervent ejaculation; especially when I recollected his pious ancestor was once, and I believe remains still a great friend to our Bethel cause. Instead of the fathers shall come up the children, to espouse the Bethel cause. I have met with many who have so expressed themselves, as to indicate a change of heart; but as I would not conclude upon present appearances or professions, I feel it right to speak cautiously, and if possible watch carefully, believing that this is one part of our very important duty. The general feature of the meetings in which I have been engaged, is of a very encouraging character,-a deep seriousness, a more fixed attention,— more lavish grateful acknowledgments, and not unfrequently the silent trickling tear, are full demonstrations that our labours are appreciated, and in no small degree crowned with success by the Holy Spirit, who alone can give effect to his own precious truth.

Could but our christian friends on shore frequently listen to the prayers of pious sailors,-to mark the fervour and generosity of soul with which they are presented before the Lord, they would often be melted down in gratitude, and would exclaim, "What hath God wrought?"

Fourth Station. -MR. EDWARDS.— Other three months have rolled into eternity, since my last report, with its pleasing and painful events :-pleasing, as it respects the work of the Lord among our seamen, as the word spoken among them appears to be blessed to the good of their immortal souls; but painful, by events to which I may allude hereafter.

I was hailed with much delight, accompanied with a hearty shake of the hand, one evening, as I entered on the deck of the V-, by its mate, who expressed himself much pleased to see

me.

The reason assigned for it was,— that about twelve months before, he attended a Bethel meeting, where I was in the fifth station, on board the P-; when, he said, the word spoken came with divine power to his heart; and that the impression then made did not leave him, but constrained him to cry earnestly to the Lord for pardoning mercy, which he hoped he had obtained, through the merits of a Saviour's blood. He took part in the evening exercises; and his address to the throne of grace was scriptural and experimental,—thus making it appear to be the work of the Lord.

At another meeting in the fifth station, on board the J-, which was well attended; at my departure, the master followed me on the deck, and said,—“ I have something of a pleasing nature, sir, to communicate to you. It is this:-I believe the word spoken this evening has been blessed to a seaman in the forecastle, for he appeared deeply impressed during the service. As he belonged to another vessel, and had departed before I knew of it, I had no conversation with him; but this we know,-if it be the work of the Spirit, it will be carried on. May it prove the power of God to salvation!"

During the above period, I have held meetings in the fourth, fifth, and sixth stations, many of which were well attended. Five vessels have been de

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »