First Association formed on board the Vigilant, Capt. Reynolds.

SECTION V.

MARINE BIBLE ASSOCIATIONS ON BOARD SHIPS.

1. Scarcely had the Thames Union Committee commenced its labours, when the indefatigable Mr. PHILLIPS perceived that something was yet wanted to complete this part of the system. With his usual acuteness, he beheld the full extent to which the operations of this new society could be carried, and the point at which its deficiencies would become obvious. To supply seamen with the holy scriptures is a great and good object; but to excite that interest which shall induce them to assist in supplying themselves, is of far higher moment. The astonishing results of Bible Associations had begun to unfold themselves; the moral tone of feeling which they are so peculiarly calculated to arouse, had in some degree been developed; and it occurred to this enlightened philanthropist, that if a similar cause were brought into operation among the wanderers of the deep, similar effects might be anticipated. Under this impression, he suggested the idea of MARINE BIBLE ASSOCIATIONS; and subsequently prepared, in conjunction with the author, a Code of Rules for their government, and an Address to Ship-owners and Commanders. These Regulations, having received the approbation of the Parent Committee, were printed on a sheet, containing also the Address to Mariners, specimens of the types, and of the mode of keeping the accounts; and in this form, were circulated generally through the country.

2. The first Marine Bible Association appears to have been formed on board the ship Vigilant of Hull, Francis Reynolds master, previous to the publication of these Rules. As it may be interesting to observe the mode of proceeding in this early commencement of the system, and will afford a gratifying evidence of the facility with which these little societies may be established, the following account of the transaction cannot with propriety be withheld.

PROCEEDINGS of a Meeting held on board the ship Vigilant of Hull, lying off the Mother Bank, 19th July, 1813.—

FRANCIS REYNOLDS, Master, in the Chair.

Present, the Crew of the said vessel.

"The crew having been informed of the reason of their being called together, namely, to contribute their mite towards aiding the funds of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in the great work in which it is engaged,—

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY,

I. That the crew of this vessel do form themselves into an Association for

Marine Bible Association formed on board the Falmouth Packets.

the purpose of contributing towards the circulation of the holy scriptures, both at home and abroad, and that this Association be denominated 'The Ship Vigilant (of Hull) Bible Association.'

II. That the members of this Association, who are officers or seamen, do subscribe twopence per week, and the apprentices one penny per week; and that they be debited with the same weekly by their Treasurer, the Master.

III. That this Association be under the management of a Treasurer (the master), and a Committee of three of the members of the Association; viz. Edward Kirk, Thomas Swann, and J. Waldby, who shall, if necessary, meet every month; and that their meetings begin and end with prayer.

IV. That the members of this Association have the privilege of purchasing Bibles and Testaments, for their own use, of the Treasurer, at the reduced prices of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

V. That the whole of the funds arising from this Association be applied to the purpose as stated in the first resolution; and that the subscriptions be transmitted, at the end of this present voyage, by the Treasurer to the Treasurer of the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, as a donation in aid of their funds from the Ship Vigilant (of Hull) Bible Association. VI. That this Association do continue to exist until the end or completion of this present voyage to the Mediterranean.

(Signed)

F. REYNOLDS, Chairman."

3. The Commanders of the King's Packets on the Falmouth station were the next in this work of benevolence. The example was set by Captain FURZE, of the CHesterfield, on a voyage to Surinam; and the Association was formed on Christmas-day 1814. As the Rules had not then been published, Captain Furze drew up a paper declaratory of the object, and invited his officers and crew to subscribe, if they felt inclined. This they cheerfully agreed to do: and the captain having first entered his own name, twenty-four others were speedily enrolled at one penny per week each; the money being deducted from the wages of the men. The amount paid to the Falmouth Bible Society was 4l. 19s. 2d.; and the crew were supplied with twenty-five Bibles. On the 18th of August 1815, a similar association was formed on board the SWIFTSURE Packet, Captain PEDERSON, on a voyage to the Brazils. As this ship was well supplied with Bibles, the contributions, amounting to 4l. 2s. 8d., were principally free, only two Bibles having been required. Capt. P. having taken the command of the SPEEDY Packet in 1816, a Marine Bible Association was established on board that vessel; and the sum of 31. 14s. 7d. was collected, and presented to the Falmouth Bible Society as a free gift. Both of these Commanders bear testimony to the attention with which many of the men read their Bibles, and the gratifying manner in which they appeared to appreciate this inestimable blessing. It is probable that many other Marine Associations have been established on board other ships, of which no par

Rules recommended.-Observations.

ticulars have transpired: but it cannot be denied, that this important and interesting subject has not yet received that degree of attention to which it is eminently entitled. If the Committees and other friends of Auxiliary and Branch Societies, at the different sea-ports, exerted themselves, and formed Sub-Committees for this there can be express purpose, no doubt that the system would be generally adopted. The following suggestions will be found to contain every requisite information relative to the design.

4. Rules recommended for Adoption by the Crew of any Ship desirous of forming a Bible Association.

1. That we form ourselves into an Association, for the purpose of contributing toward the circulation of the holy scriptures, without note or comment; and that it be called "The Bible Association of the ship

Captain -"

2. That each member of this Association subscribe not less than one penny per week.

3. That A. B. be President, C. D. Treasurer, and E. F. Secretary of this Association.

4. That, on the arrival of the ship at any port where a Bible Society is established, the Treasurer be requested to state the amount in his hands; and the whole, or such part as the subscribers shall direct, shall be expended in the purchase of copies of the holy scriptures, at prime cost, from the depository of such society.

5. That the descriptions of Bibles and Testaments to be purchased shall be fixed by the subscribers.

6. That it be optional with the subscribers to vote any part of their funds occasionally for the general purposes of the British and Foreign Bible Society: the money so voted to be paid to the Committee of the Bible Society at any port where the ship may touch, specifying the name of such ship and Captain.

7. That all orders on the Treasurer shall be signed by the President, Secretary, and two other subscribers.

8. That three subscribers shall be appointed to examine, approve, and sign the Treasurer's accounts, previously to the General Report, and also before any considerable payment is made out of the funds.

9. That the Secretary shall keep minutes of all the proceedings of the Association, and shall, in connexion with the President or Treasurer, draw up, at least once a-year, a Report, to be read publickly to the subscribers: which Report shall specify the amount of money received and paid, the number of Bibles and Testaments sold, and also of those given, with any interesting facts arising out of the proceedings of the Association; a copy of which Report shall be transmitted to the Committee of any Bible Society on shore which the subscribers may think proper.

5.-OBSERVATIONS.

1st Rule. If it be the wish of the subscribers, the Association may be united to the Bible Society of the town or port to which the ship belongs. In this case, the following words should be added to this Rule "in connexion with the --Auxiliary (or Branch) Society."

Observations on the Rules.-Books for Marine Associations.

2d Rule-The subscriptions may be paid either by the men themselves, or the master may be authorised to deduct it from their wages.

3d Rule -On board large ships, the Captain should be solicited to become President; the chief officer, Treasurer; and one of the subordinate officers, Secretary. On board small vessels, the master may fill all those offices himself; or he may act as President and Treasurer; and the mate, or a seaman properly qualified, may act as Secretary.

4th Rule. In the case here alluded to, a written order should be sent for the Bibles to one of the Secretaries of the Auxiliary (or Branch) Society, whose address can easily be obtained; and a supply of Reports, Monthly Extracts, &c. should be requested, for the information of the crew, who would thus be furnished with interesting matter for reflection and conversation during their next voyage.

5th Rule. It has been found that the Minion and Nonpareil Bibles and Brevier Testaments are best calculated for the use of seamen. But if they are bound to a foreign port, great advantage may be derived from their ordering a few copies in the language of the country they are about to visit, for sale or gratuitous distribution, at their own option.

6th Rule. The first object of a Marine Bible Association should be, the supply of the crew: when this is attained, the destitute state of millions of their fellow-creatures may be properly urged on their attention. If the Association wish to remit the money direct to the Parent Society, a banker's bill should be inclosed to Mr. Joseph Tarn, 10, Earl Street, London, with a few lines specifying the name of the ship and master.

7th Rule. In small ships, if the Captain act as President, Treasurer, and Secretary, this order should be signed by three of the subscribers.

8th Rule. The object of this Rule is, to prevent a doubt in the mind of any subscriber as to the regular and correct appropriation of the funds.

9th Rule.-The Secretary should provide himself with a Minute Book, for the purpose of preserving the heads of any interesting results, either on board, or in reference so the sale or gift of Bibles and Testaments in foreign countries. The account of receipts and expenditure should be clearly detailed: and no unnecessary delay should occur in transmitting a copy of the Report to the Bible Society, selected by the subscribers.

6. On board large ships, it will be found conducive to regularity and correctness to have three books; viz.

1. The MINUTE BOOK. This book is of quarto size, containing about fifty leaves, and is kept by the Secretary. The following Specimen will sufficiently illustrate the mode of making the entries.

Specimen of the Minute Book.

"5th January, 1819.

Ship, Lord Teignmouth, Captain Alexander, lying in the Cove of Cork. The Captain having circulated some Reports and Papers concerning the Bible Society, among the ship's company, on the 1st instant, all hands were mustered this day, and he proposed to them to form a Bible Association. This being unanimously approved of, it was Resolved, that the following be the Rules and Regulations:

[Here copy the Rules as inserted in the fourth division of this Section.]

12th January. This day the subscribers were called together; and the Treasurer reported, that he had 71. 14s. in hand; when it was resolved unanimously to lay out part of it in the purchase of the following Bibles and Testaments; viz.

£. s. d.

at 6s. 2d..

6 Portuguese ditto. . ditto 2s. 9d.

which I accordingly received from the Depositary of the Cork Bible Society, with a bill and receipt for the amount.

24th March. At anchor, off Funchal, Madeira.

A Portuguese Friar came on board; and seeing one of the Testaments, begged hard for a copy, offering to pay any price the captain asked: he was told what it cost, and gladly paid down the money. In the evening two other friars came, and wished to buy copies; but as we had so few, we only let them have one more at cost price. They seemed rejoiced to get even this one, and begged we would bring out more, if we ever made the voyage again. It would be a happy thing if sailors thought more of the Bible themselves, and then they would think more of giving it to others.

2d May.-Rio Janeiro.

"Tis a great pity we did not bring out more Spanish and Portuguese Testaments, as we could sell hundreds of copies here at the cost prices. This day we voted one gratuitously to a poor Spanish sailor, who had been a prisoner in England during the war; and who told us, with tears, that he had never forgotten the comfort he derived from the Testament given to him at that time, but which he lost when shipwrecked on his voyage to Spain.

4th May.-Mr. Bellarmo, one of the consignees of the cargo, came on board; and understanding the plan of our Bible Association, gave us a donation of one guinea, and offered to take all our stock of Spanish and Portuguese Testaments at cost prices, to distribute among deserving poor people. This was cheerfully agreed to, and they were delivered accordingly.

17th August.-At anchor in Stromness Harbour, Orkney. The captain brought a gentleman from shore, who had just received a packet of books and papers from London. All hands were called on deck; and he gave us an account of the proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society at home and abroad, and distributed some of the papers among the crew. He then told us the following anecdote, which was the more interesting, as the place where we lay was the spot where the circumstance occurred :

'Last year,' said he, ' a vessel from Stockholm, in Sweden, was driven upon our coast in a tremendous gale, and became a total wreck, situated so that no human aid could possibly be administered for the preservation of the crew. In a short time after the vessel struck, she went to pieces. The spectators on shore beheld with pungent grief the awful situation of