The Pilot, or Sailors' magazine. [Continued as] Sailors' magazine

"Well, if you will but hoist the flag, I will take my chance." Going on board in the evening, I went to the forecastle, and, as kindly as possible, invited the men to attend the service. After a moment's hesitation, they replied, "Yes, yes, Sir, we'll attend." Several pious masters were also present, so that our cabin was crowded. All seemed to pay great attention to my address, after which seven masters and men engaged in prayer. I then offered my Bibles for sale, urging them to avail themselves of the Word of God. Five copies of the Scriptures were at once purchased by the crew. This somewhat surprised the master, who said, "Well, I hope now that a change for the better is about to take place amongst my men. Who can tell what may be the result of this service?" One sailor, who engaged in prayer, professed to obtain peace with God, under a sermon I had preached two evenings previous.

I trust my visits to the sick and dying have been beneficial. One Lord'sday evening, at a late hour, I was summoned to the bed-side of a dying captain, whom I had visited before. On finding me by his side, he grasped my hand and said, "Ah, friend, I have longed to see you all day; read and pray with me." I did so; after which he said, "Ah, that's sweet; precious Jesus, thy blood cleanseth from all sin." A few hours after, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. The following Sabbath, I followed him to the house appointed for all living, as I did also his dear son, whose case I referred to in our September magazine.

Since my last report, I have preached twice at Barking; held twenty-four services afloat, attended by 348 seamen, out of whom 81 engaged in prayer; held nine services on shore; paid 605 visits to vessels, and 242 to seamen's lodging-houses; sold 112 copies of the Scriptures, distributed 2970 tracts, and 121 of Captain Allen's magazines.

REPORT OF MR. E. EVANS (WELSH AGENT.)

I have great pleasure to report that I have had very interesting meetings on board of Welsh vessels during the last three months, particularly lately. I have reason to rejoice that my labour is not in vain among my country sailors. Three came to the church at Guildford-street, and stated in the church meeting that their first impressions were received on board of the C-T-, of N-, from 2 Cor. viii. 9; but I know not to what extent or how lasting may be the effects of this conviction: they are now gone from our inspection. On board the A-- of N-, in endeavouring to improve the sudden death of the captain of the next vessel, who had been with us at the previous service, I never witnessed a more interesting meeting; every one present appearing deeply impressed, of which I hope to see the fruit hereafter. We have interesting union meetings for religious conversation at the conclusion of the service, and it is pleasing to observe how well versed they are in the Scriptures and in the knowledge of the general doctrines of Christianity. The relation of their experience as Christians also serves to stimulate each other in running the race that is set before them. I often come from these meetings rejoicing, and able to testify that it was well to be there. I have held nine services in October, 189 sailors present; 290 Welsh tracts distributed; eight Welsh Bibles sold; sixty-four vessels, nine sailors' lodging houses, and six afflicted sailors visited.

PROVINCIAL OPERATIONS.

YARMOUTH.

REPORT OF MR. J. VALLINS.

Perhaps there are few persons whose opportunities for doing good on a large scale are equal to those of a sailor's missionary, for the varied nature of

his employment brings him into close contact with characters of every grade, and men of different habits and even different tongues and nations. I have seen the mate of a German vessel obtain comfort. He had been captain of a vessel belonging to his father, but in consequence of marrying an English woman, had been put out of his ship; and his wife, being pious, had brought him to reflection. I found him in distress of mind, and had three interviews with him, counselling and praying with him. He had some knowledge of Scripture, could speak English, and told me all his care; and on the last interview he obtained peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. He bought an English Testament, and returned home rejoicing in God.

The captain of a Liverpool vessel had, from long voyages and want of Christian sympathy and help, backslidden, and was very unhappy in consequence. After a long conversation on the supreme importance of religion, his heart revived, and he gave up his ship for one in the coasting trade, that he might again enjoy the means of grace. The captain of a Yarmouth vessel, lately decided for God, and referred to in a former report, has commenced reading and praying with his crew, but had received a check, which led to neglect, and thus rendered him unhappy; but Christian intercourse has restored his peace, and renewed his strength. His mate, though very heedless before, shows signs of a work of grace, and now encourages him to proceed with his public devotions on board the ship.

The captain of a Sunderland ship expressed his thankfulness for two or three interviews with him and his wife. He was a praying man, but coming off a long voyage, his devotional spirit, which had somewhat languished, had been greatly revived and comforted at our meetings. So with several pious fishermen and others--but I fear to swell my report with more of these. Of my Bethel meetings I will name but one, which will doubtless be interesting, at least it is so to me, being the first I ever held on board an American ship. She belonged to Windsor, in Nova Scotia. The captain hesitated to hoist the flag for several days, saying, as he was not a religious man, he did not wish to appear what he really was not. He knew he ought to be so, and had sailed as mate with a pious captain, whom he honoured as a good man. So his scruples finally gave way, and we had the meeting, which was a good one, and will not readily be forgotten by any who were present. The large cabin was well filled with English and American sons of the ocean, who evidently felt their common brotherhood, and seemed to feel their want of, and earnestly to seek the common salvation. The subject was the cross of Christ. Many were affected--some to tears. Four engaged in prayer; but all who did so were English; not one American prayed audibly. The captain expressed his thankfulness, and said he should remember, when far away, that his ship on her first voyage was consecrated to God, and hoped he should be so himself. He trusted that his crew would not forget it. I sold them three Bibles and four Testaments, and commended them to God. In my visits to the hospital, where there are several sailors, I have been much encouraged by the readiness of the male patients to come together into one ward for instruction and prayer, and the apparent earnestness of their devotions. I believe, on my last visit, there was not one missing; and they say they are very happy together, now they read and talk of good things.

I have received from a friend a goodly number of handbills, headed, "Come to Jesus," and have given the whole series to the inmates of the hospital, and to some of the floating-light vessels, as well as the crews of ships and fishing-boats, and I have reason to believe that they have been read with real interest by many. May the Lord prosper the work of our hands, and save our sailors as a class, and to a man.