CORRESPONDENCE. A PROPOSITION. A Letter addressed to the Editor. SIR-Since the London Missionary Society has found it necessary to make such urgent appeals to the sympathy of British christians, on behalf of the heathen abroad, it has struck me that christian captains and seamen might unite their efforts to form a mighty engine, by the blessing of God, for the pulling down the strong-holds of Satan amongst those of their own calling, and amongst the heathen. Suppose a quarterly meeting were held next May, and every three months following, somewhere at the east end of the town, of masters of vessels, and of sailors who are members of christian churches, for the following objects : 1st. To pledge themselves to use their best efforts in every voyage, for the conversion of the crew, and of the passengers with whom they sailed. 2nd. To supply themselves with bibles, testaments, and tracts, to distribute when they arrived abroad, and to do all in their power by other means also, (consistently with their duty) to convert the heathen where they arrive. 3rd. To report their success at their quarterly meetings. 4th. To admit new members and read the reports. 5th. To receive subscriptions for the purchase of bibles, testaments, and tracts, from the members, and from merchants and ship-owners ;(who might be denominated honorary members.) Hoping and praying that these suggestions may prove beneficial, I remain, SIR, yours respectfully, ISLINGTON, 10th March, 1841. R. [The proposal of our correspondent is one which, to a certain extent, has been adopted and acted on for some time. The meetings, however, have been rather of a private character, confined to the Chapel house, and limited to a certain number. It was at one of these sacred concerts, that the "VOICE FROM THE OCEAN" was composed, and signed, and committed to the Great Head of the Church. Nor is it too much to say, that some of these meetings will be long and delightfully remembered. Still, if they could be made public, (and we can think of no reasonable objection to the proposal), they might be attended with the happiest results, on the minds of thousands who are interested in the great cause of seamen, At all events, we shall not lose sight of the plan; and if, on inquiry and deliberation, it be found expedient or desirable, measures will be adopted to carry it into effect.-EDITOR.] NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE. MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK! ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT LIVES LOST!! The Minstrel left Limerick, Ireland, on the 21st of April last, for Quebec, with 141 emigrant passengers, intending to settle in Canada. The vessel had a tolerable passage, up to Tuesday last, the 18th, at four o'clock in the morning, when she struck on Red Island reef. There was a heavy sea running at the time, but the boats were launched and made fast to the fore chains. Upwards of 100 passengers embarked in the boats, but their doom was quickly sealed; the vessel "heeled off" into deep water, and went down stern foremost so suddenly, that the "painters" of the boats could not be cast off, and the people who had embarked in the boats perished, with their equally unfortunate companions on board the ship, except four of the crew and four passengers, who alone, of upwards of 150 souls, remained to tell the tale. These eight persons had embarked in the gig, which was towing astern, and fortunately for them the rope which attached it to the vessel broke when she went down. They succeeded in pulling to White Island, where they remained until the following day, when they were taken off by the Wellington, M’Intyre, and brought to Grosse Isle. Captain Outerbridge, of the unfortunate Minstrel, behaved most gallantly during the awful scene, until he perished with the rest. He declared that he would not leave the vessel until his passengers were saved, and he was the last person seen by those who were in the gig. Following is a statement of the number of the crew and passengers who perished:-Crew, Captain, Outerbridge, mate, and nine others. Passengers, male adults, 47; female ditto, 41; males under fourteen, 10; female ditto, 8; males under seven, 9; females, ditto, 12; infants, 10. Total perished, 148. The passengers above mentioned as being saved left, the Wellington, at Grosse Isle, and came to Quebec in the Thetis, for Limerick. The packet-ship Samson, from London for New York, has been wrecked on the coast of Novia Scotia. The crew and passengers were saved. THE STEAM-SHIP PRESIDENT.' We have till now refrained from expressing any opinion as to the probable fate of this vessel. We fondly hoped that intelligence might reach us of her safety. But now hope must give place to despair. It is more than likely that she has been suddenly engulphed or sunk in the ice, and as in the case of hundreds of ships, will never be seen or heard. It is not a solitary case. It is one constantly occurring. And were this fact realized, how would christians exert themselves for those who are daily exposed to such heart-rending calamities. EVERY real virtue is always related to a bright assemblage of moral excellencies, of which God himself is at once the author and the standard. Such is the character of the bountiful man; nor can we lay claim to it, unless, upon impartial inquiry, we find that another spirit than our own, or that of the world, directs and animates our whole conduct; yea that the effectual operation of the Holy Spirit hath raised us above self, and sense, and sin, to the knowledge and resemblance of God, as revealed in the gospel. Have we then felt that divine power, renewing us in the spirit of our minds, causing us to know experimentally divine redeeming love, and to live habitually under its influence? Does our charity take its rise, and derive all its vigour and strength from thence? Hath divine love acted with such energy and effect upon our minds, as to expand them with love and good-will, and generous sentiments to our fellow-creatures? Do we express these principles by the uniform and liberal exercise of charity to all within the reach of our ability? Do we give with a willing cheerful mind? Do we extend our beneficence to the souls, as well as the bodies of men? Are we denied to our own honour, and ease, and profit-zealous to advance the glory of God, and the eternal salvation of needy, perishing sinners? If we can reply to these questions in the affirmative, happy are we. Christian charity marks our character. We are inspired with that noblest benevolence, which has for its object the good of others; not only in this world, but in that which is to come. It is impossible to read the inspired volume, without seeing this character drawn in the liveliest and most expressive colours. Various, and strong, and attractive are the features, in which it is there exhibited. There God himself is represented as commanding, encouraging, and rewarding it. There God, manifest in the flesh, is exhibited, exemplifying it before our eyes in full life. And there, too, we are assured, that it is the delightful office and work of his Holy Spirit, to form the same lovely image on the soul of man. Must not that be a divine religion, and worthy of all acceptation in which we find such a combination of influences thus exerted to purify and ennoble the human mind? Must not that religion be of God which in its whole constitution and spirit, is manifestly designed to dignify human nature with every divine and social virtue,—which cannot be cordially embraced and honestly professed, without producing the happy effects? It declares, that God is love. Its supreme law to man is love. All its principles conspire to the moral elevation of the grovelling spirit to the expansion of the narrow contracted soul. Of every great and generous sentiment Jesus was himself the perfect pattern; and he acknowledges no disciples, but the studious imitators of his example.-BALfour. CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. WARD'S LIBRARY OF STANDARD DIVINITY. DOCTRINAL DISCOURSES. By John Bunyan, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress," "Holy War," etc., etc. pp. 564. Price Twelve Shillings. Price Three A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER. By the Rev. THOMAS London: Ward and Co., Paternoster-row. Of these two works little need be said to commend them to our readers. The name of BUNYAN is universally known. And though nothing from his pen ever equalled his PILGRIM, yet none of his writings are to be deprecated. These discourses possess considerable merit. The doctrines are lucidly exhibited, and practically enforced. They are rich, too, in experimental piety, and will be found to materially contribute to christian instruction and edification. Nor can MANTON'S EXPOSITION is familiar to almost every one. it be denied that the great leading truths embodied in this divine formula, are faithfully evolved and presented to the mind of the reader. THE EARLY LIFE AND CONVERSION OF WILLIAM HONE. A Narrative. Written by Himself. Edited by his Son, WILLIAM HONE, Author of "The Every-Day Book," etc., etc. 8vo. pp. 48. Price One Shilling. London: Ward and Co., Paternoster-row. A most remarkable life, and a conversion as equally remarkable. The narrative has all the air of truth and sincerity. Mr. Hone appears to have passed through some of the most trying vicissitudes of life, yet graciously preserved and blessed, till he closed his earthly race in the confidence of faith, and entered into that rest which remaineth for the people of God. The narrative is edited by his son, who still survives, and who is well known as the Author of "the Every-Day Book," etc, etc. At the end of the pamphlet, he introduces a slight notice of himself, and of the radical change which he has undergone in mind and heart; but says that the history of his conversion, and of God's gracious dealings |