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many of the clergy are cruelly administering to them. Our author's style, too, is perhaps rather florid and impassioned, for a work so completely argumentative. Still it will, we doubt not, find a very wide circulation among the more intelligent and refined classes of society. Nor can we but sincerely hope that it may be as extensively useful.

WARD'S LIBRARY OF STANDARD DIVINITY.

TRUE RELIGION DELINEATED; or, Experimental Religion distinguished from Formality and Enthusiasm. By JOSEPH BELLAMY. D.D., Minister of the Gospel at Bethlehem, New England. Medium 8vo. pp. 260. Price Three Shillings and Fourpence.

A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS, EPHESIANS, PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, AND THESSALONIANS. By JAMES FERGUSSON, Minister at Kilwinning. Reprinted from the original editions of 1656–1674. Medium 8vo. pp. 500. Price Ten Shillings and Sixpence.

London:-Ward and Co., Paternoster Row.

The former of these works (both of which are worthy of a place in the STANDARD DIVINITY) was written after a period of unusual religious excitement and revival in New England, to which also we owe Edwards' famous Treatise on the affections. Both works were designed to distinguish between the true and the false in the momentous concerns of religion; and both are admirably adapted to this end. To recommend Dr. Bellamy's work, would be the merest formality. Such a production can be dispensed with only with the consummation of all things.

FERGUSSON'S EXPOSITION had become so exceedingly rare as scarcely to be known. We ourselves, waited for years, and in vain, to obtain a copy. We cannot, therefore, but hail its appearance in this series. It does not, it is true, exhibit a critical analysis of the sacred text; still it seldom fails to seize the true meaning of the inspired writer, and then to bring out the doctrines involved, or the lessons inculcated. It is a production of no mean order. It will be appreciated by the student and the divine in their researches in "the deep things of God;" while the private christian will find it equally adapted to enlighten his mind, and affect his heart.

Monthly Chronicle.

NEW SAILORS' HOME AND CHAPEL, POPLAR.

IT is with the most unfeigned pleasure that we have to announce the completion of the benevolent design of Mr. Green and Son, of Blackwall, in the erection of a NEW SAILORS' HOME AND CHAPEL, at their sole expense. Both buildings are models of chaste and elegant architecture. The HOME is fitted up for the accommodation of a large number of seamen, including officers of various ranks, and is conducted on the most liberal scale. It offers a safe and truly comfortable retreat for the sailor after the toils of the sea; and a happy refuge from the worser dangers which beset him on shore.

ment.

Nor are the higher interests of the man overlooked in this establishThere is, or to be, a chaplain, whose duty it shall be to maintain family worship, and labour for the diffusion of scriptural knowledge and social piety among the seamen who may take up their abode within its walls.

The CHAPEL (which, even as a building, is all that we could desire,) was opened on Thursday, the 5th of August. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, preached an admirable sermon, in the morning, from the words" This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." And in the evening, the Rev. James Sherman, of Surrey Chapel, delivered a most powerful and impressive discourse from the words,"O Lord! send now prosperity!" It was a day of great and sacred interest.

We fervently pray that the venerable gentleman and his son, who have thus so generously provided for the temporal and moral welfare of our poor seamen, may long live to see the results of their undertaking!

AGENTS' MEETING;-HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING, 13th AUGUST.

The records of another month, go to confirm the anticipation of a speedy moral reformation among our seamen. The Spirit of God is moving upon the face of the waters, and soon the divine image will be reflected from minds renewed, with far more lustre and loveliness, than from a sea of glass. Again we entreat the prayers of the whole christian church.

AGENT'S REPORTS.

Junior Thames Missionary. · - Mr. WELCH.-On reviewing my journal of labours, since my last report, I find, that as on former occasions, two general heads include the whole-JOY and SORROW—painful and pleasing events. It is a mingled cup that is daily put into the hands of a missionary amongst sailors. How distressing to witness the plunder, the havock, the ruin, of every thing that is excellent in man, of which the poor sailor is the unsuspecting victim, as he arrives on these (said to be) enlightened shores. I think this will appear from one instance I shall give out of many.

On 16th of June, in the course of my visitation, I boarded a ship which had recently arrived from a foreign voyage; finding her crew in a sorrowful mood, and enquiring into the cause, they said, 'Sir, one of our shipmates was drowned last night, in a very sad state; the particulars are as follows. About a week previous to this, the poor fellow had received his hard earned wages for the past voyage; he was not given to habits of intemperance, according to the testimony of the chief officers and crew, but had gone on shore with the view of sending his money for the support of his wife and family in Scotland, or going to them himself, but, alas! alas! for them and him, he fell a prey in the merciless hands of those sharks in human shape that prowl along our coasts, they gave him the stupifying draught, and in less then a week his money was gone, as was also his pretended friends. He became destitute, and at length with shame returned to his ship. Being a good seaman he was accepted again, but sad to relate on the first day of his return, whilst engaged in the duties of the ship, and reflecting on what he had done-the situation of his beloved wife, and five dear children

depending on him in a distant part—in a desperate state of mind he rushed past his shipmates, and plunged himself headlong into the river Thames, and in a moment disappeared. May God grant timely repentance to those that were the cause of this catastrophe!

On the evening of the 16th, I collected the crew and the seamen around, and made the best improvement I could of the melancholy event, to a large meeting on board the 'Olive Branch,' alongside the fatal ship, and near the spot where it occurred. Addresses were given by Messrs. Parsons from Leeds, Bailey from Yarmouth, and myself. A deep solemnity seemed to rest on all present. May this distressing event be a lasting warning to the un wary sailor, and serve as a stimulus to us who seek to counteract the reckless purposes of those who seek his ruin!

I more than fear that most of those seamen's houses, so called (especially in the neighbourhood of the Docks) are nurseries of everything that is destructive to the morals, property, and life of the unguarded sailor, who is drawn into them, by the art of persons whose employment depends on their success in supplying such houses with inmates. Indeed, out of the number of boarding houses I visit on sabbath, not less than three-fourths have taken entirely to public-house keeping recently, and have become such houses (though filled with sailors) as prudence would forbid us entering! WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

A second scene of sudden death I was called to improve to the living, on the 4th ult., on board the 'Sisters, near the Custom House. This case was a promising youth, the ship's cabin boy, much beloved and much lamented. Whilst engaged in the duty of the ship, he missed his step, dropped in the river, went under a steamer's bottom, and

was seen no more! On this solemn occasion, the ship's hold being empty, it was fitted up for a large meeting, which took place on the following evening, when nearly all the captains, mates, men, and boys in the tier, were present. It was a mournful sight. Before me was placed the heart-rent father, weeping for his dear lad, now no more. On my left was the pious captain, seeking grace to support his wounded mind. All around sat the sorrowing crew. The first address was given from Mark vi. 29-31, 'They came and took up the corpse, and laid it in a tomb, and gathered themselves unto Jesus, and told him all things. And he said unto them, come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile; for there were many coming and going.' The second was given by Captain Sleightholm, from James iv. 14,-'For what s your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.' Many seemed to be much affected. May the solemnities of this evening long be remembered by all!

The second and more pleasing part of my present report affords encouragement to labour for the glory of the Redeemer, and the conversion of my brother sailors. During the past two months, I have obtained eighty ships for the Society's agents; and, could ministers have been found, as many more would gladly have received the Bethel flag. A praying sailor called out with all his might, from the midst of a large tier of shipping, as I passed in my boat,--- When shall we have a chance?' Many crews have to pass daily to the great deep without hearing the sound of the gospel. During the above period, I have held twenty-six ervices myself afloat. Seldom, indeed, have I closed a service, without witnessing some satisfactory indications of good. A few particulars I will take the liberty to give.

On the 6th July, at a meeting I held

on board the O—, Capt. G., laying in Mill Hole, one young man, greatly alarmed at his state as a sinner, began to pray and weep for mercy. A second followed him, and then a third, earnestly supplicating for the pardon of sin, through the atonement of the Redeemer. Such was the effect, that many went to their ships, much impressed. A very affecting history is connected with one of these young men. Some few days after the above date, whilst he was engaged in the duties of the ship, the helm changed suddenly by the force of the tide, and struck him in the side almost a fatal blow. After he was taken below, he meekly expressed his resignation to the Divine will, and his hope in Christ the Saviour. Hope of his recovery being entertained, the ship sailed with him on board; but at sea he became worse, so that the captain was obliged to land at Yarmouth, to seek the assistance of a medical person, who informed him, had he not obtained it, he must have been carried off in a few hours, inflammation having taken place. Under all his suffering and danger, he still remained calm, speaking of the love of his Saviour who supported him. The ship again proceeded on her passage, during which the captain always found him either in devout prayer, or with his Bible in his hand, doubtless searching out the promises of which he had lately become an heir. The ship arriving at her destination, he was taken to his parents very weak, but able to say on entering, 'Dear father, perhaps I have come home to die, but I am not afraid to die now, Jesus has met with me and blessed me at a Bethel meeting while in London,- I hope I shall be with him for ever.' After this, he became worse. To the pious captain of this dear lad, I am indebted for these particulars; and according to the last account he gave me, it is likely this youth is not now in this world; if so, may we not hope this is a brand plucked from

the burning, by the blessing of God on a Bethel meeting? To him be all the praise!

Another instance I think worthy of record. A young lady, who had come a sea voyage for her health, was in the ship, and present at the meeting, whilst the sailors poured out their souls in prayer. It pleased the blessed Spirit to bring to her remembrance her backsliding state, which threw her into great agitation and alarm. Her convictions for sin became very strong;prayer was continued in her behalf, till it pleased God to release her troubled soul. She left 'London blessing God for the Bethel institution. I dare not venture upon more particulars in the present report. That great good is doing, is evident; but how much must remain to be revealed in the day of eternity we cannot tell.

I had a striking proof of this, some few days since. After the close of a happy meeting, I was called upon deck to speak with a sailor. "I suppose," said he, "you don't know me, sir." "No indeed, my lad, but go on." "Well, about three years ago, you made a bond prize of me." "How was that?" "Why a pious shipmate then had got me into your house, I shall never forget how I wished to be out again; yes, sir, I thought to cut and run, and go to join my own fleet that night, but you hooked on to me, and bore away for the chapel. That was a settler. Perhaps none but God and myself knew what was going on within that night. But I trust, by divine grace, from that time my course has been altogether altered. Yes, sir, I am happy to tell you, for more than twelve months, I have been numbered among the people of God in the port I belong to. I am now married, and I trust my partner is going heart and hand with me to a better world. Excuse me for calling you up, sir; I have long wanted a chance to tell you this, and now I am happy. I hope you will go on in this

great work. Good night." And off he went to his ship, with a tract in his hand, leaving me to thank God and take courage. During the two months I have visited seamen's boarding houses, and London and St. Katherine's Docks, as usual. Visited one ship, on her arrival in St. Katherine's Docks, that had been dismasted off Cape Horn; from which time, to her arrival in London, she had tossed about the seas 139 days. I had much affecting conversation with the chief mate, concerning these disasters, which must be reserved at present. Held twenty services on shore, including Sailors' Chapel, and open air, at Billingsgate market, and East Smithfield, near London Docks. In this latter place, several hundreds of wandering sailors on the sabbath have heard the word of God with deep attention. May it be blessed to them. Some encouraging instances of good we have met with resulting from these services. At the close, we have been almost carried by the press, when the tarry hands have been extended, to seize a religious tract.

I have dedicated to the service of the Redeemer five fresh ships, and witnessed a considerable increase of praying sailors.

I had the long-to-be-remembered pleasure of being present at the opening of the new Sailor's Chapel, erected in East India Road, by the voluntary deed of that dear friend of sailors,

Green, Esq.; a goodly number of sailors were present on the occasion. On that great day, when the Lord writeth up the people, may it be said, many a sailor was born there!

Welsh Station.-REV. J. T. RowLAND. I beg to present the quarterly report of my humble labours amongst sailors in the port of London. Often has my heart been filled with anguish in listening to the mariner's tales of woe relative to their awful catastrophies

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