THAMES RIVERMEN SOCIETY,

have sunk under the pecuniary difficulties, which of late years have accumulated upon us. May He, who has promised ap eternal reward of mercy to all who assist in the building up of his Zion, shower down his choicest blessings upon those dear and valued friends and benefactors, who have hitherto ministered to our wants, and, with such disinterested and unwearied zeal, still proceed in their labours of love. Their names and hearts are known to him whose cause they serve; and may they, and we, and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, rejoice together over the success of his servants, wherever employed in proclaiming his great salvation to the heathen world, until the accomplishment of that glorious promise, that "the Redeemer shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied."

We shall merely add, that from some recent accounts that have met our eye in glancing over the daily prints, we are led to fear that their Mission in South Africa has, at this moment, more than ordinary calls for assistance, in consequence of the unfavourable state of the last year's harvest, and other disastrous occurrences.

THAMES RIVERMEN SOCIETY, For Promoting Religion among Watermen, Bargemen, Fishermen, and other Rivermen; visiting and relieving their Sick Widows and distressed. President, W. Thompson, Esq. M.P. Alderman.

The first Anniversary of the above Society was held on Wednesday Evening, the 10th of December, at the City of London Tavern. In the absence of the President, who was unavoidably detained in the country, the Chair was taken by Mr. Ald. Key, who shortly addressed the Meeting, and called upon the Secretary to read the Report. The retrospective view of the proceedings of this Society during the past year was highly gratifying to its friends, who filled the large room at an early hour. The various classes of Rivermen inhabiting the banks or living upon the Thames, are estimated, with their families, at 60,000 souls, for whose spiritual welfare no Society but this exists.

The prominent means employed by the Committee to promote Religion among the Thames Rivermen, have been the following: They have opened places on the banks of the Thames for Religious Meetings in the week, and on the Sabbath; to which have been attached libraries to lend books to the Watermen and others, for the religious improvement of themselves and families-distributed Bible and Religious Tracts among them-taken notice of any particular death or calamity, and invited their attendance at a place of Worship, and had it improved by a Minister of the Gospel-visited and relieved their sick and widows, and imparted assistance when any were in peculiar distress. The opening of places for Religious Worship, particularly for Watermen, Bargemen, and

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others, has been attended with pleasing success; and affords much encouragement to persevere in these labors of love among them. Being under the management of persons of the same profession, and meeting with their brethren in trade, they feel less hesitation than if they were invited to mingle with strangers. Many come to the stations opened by the Society who have not been in a place of Worship for years; some were formerly notorious on the Thames for their wickedness, were the terror of the neighbourhood in which they resided, and dreaded by those whose property was exposed to their depradations. One has joined a Christian church, another sends his children to a Sunday School, reads the Bible to his wife and children at home, and, whenever his occupation allows him, is seen at a place of Worship. The Committee have evidence of a decided moral change in several persons, through the instrumentality of preaching direct to is hoped will be productive of great good, Rivermen. The lending books to them it by promoting religious knowledge, and affording entertainment which may incline them to stay with their families in the evening, instead of spending their time and earnings at a public-house. A deputation from the Committee lately visited the different plying places and barges on the Thames, distributing Religious Tracts, and ascertained that of about 3000 persons they met with, 400 were destitute of the Scriptures, the majority of whom were desirous to obtain them!! Very pleasing interviews were had with Watermen, Bargemen, and Fishermen, who received the deputation with civility, and listened with attention to their observations on the importance of religion. Only three instances are recorded in which the Tracts were refused. It has been very gratifying to observe the numbers that have attended Sermons, preached on the death of any from among their own body. It appears to be the most efficient plan to collect them under the sound of the Gospel; on two recent occasions the places were crowded to the doors, and it is hoped that it may please God to make the improvement of the death of some, the means of communicating spiritual life to many. The Society has visited the West Country Bargemen on board their barges, held prayer meetings, and preached to them in their spacious cabins.

The Committee have much encouragement to persevere in the visitation and relief of the Sick and Widows.-One poor man particularly, who died lately after an illness of six months, was convinced of being a sinner, exposed to the just wrath of Almighty God, enabled to flee by faith to Christ for salvation during his sickness, and has left a pleasing testimony behind him, that God is rich in mercy unto all that call upon him. He was visited and relieved by this Society; and since his death the widow has been assisted, and enabled to obtain employment to maintain herself and six children. The Society during the last severe winter solicited the benevolence

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EDITOR.

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for ever. The expense amounted to £360. of which they have collected £100. The church consists of 30 members, and the congregation amounts to 300 upon average. Not being able to raise the whole of the money themselves, they intend to appeal to the generosity of the Christian public, hoping that their appeal shall not be made in vain.

On the 19th of Nov. 1823, a New Meeting-house was opened for the use of the Baptist denomination at Twynyradyn, in the parish of Wenvoe, Glamorganshire. Messrs T. Thomas, D. Evans, R. Pritchard, and J. Lawrence prayed. Messrs. Pritchard, of Cardiff, Hier, of Bassalege, Evans, of Penygarn, Jones, of Castletown, and Lawrence, of Lancarvan, preached in Welsh, and Mr. Jones, of Cardiff, in English.

LITERARY NOTICES.
Just Published,

The Preacher, or Sketches of Original
Sermons, Vol. VI, 12mo. 4s.

Dr. Owen's Works, Vol. IX. 8vo. 12s., Part II. of JONES'S BIBLICAL CYCLOPÆDIA, is published this day.

In the Press.

An Abstract of the Gracious Dealings of God with several Eminent Christians, in their Conversion and Sufferings. By SAMUEL JAMES, A.M. The Ninth Edition considerably enlarged, by his Son, Mr. Isaac James, of Bristol.

A Memoir of the late Rev. James Hinton, A.M. of Oxford. By his Son, the Rev. J. Hinton, of Reading.

The New Guide to Prayer, or Complete Order of Family Devotion; containing One Hundred and Twenty Prayers, each Prayer accompanied by appropriate Reflections on a Passage of Scripture. By the Rev. J. HINTON, A.M. of Oxford.

To the Editor of the New Evan. Magazine.
SIR,

63

operations of such of those Itinerant So-
cieties, as may come within the sphere of
your or their observation. And as the
London Fund annually distributes so con-
siderable a sum, I shall be particularly
obliged by some account of its origin, the
express objects to which it is applied, the
persons to whom its management is in-
trusted, the principle by which its dis-
tribution is governed, and whether the
proceedings of its distributors are ever
published, and if so, what vehicle of com-
munication do they usually employ.
I am, Mr. Editor,

Jan. 20, 1924.

Very respectfully yours,

MR. EDITOR,

66

A CONSTANT READER.

Glasgow, Dec. 28, 1823.

I am sorry to observe a mistake in the number of the New Evangelical Magazine for November, relative to the expenses of the Highland Mission, by Wm. Tulloch and his fellow labourers for last year. It | is there stated, that "the whole amount of the expenditure for these four Missionaries during the two months in which they were itinerating, does not amount to ninety pounds." Now, although this expense might appear small, the fact is, that the sum of £87. at Cr. of Treasurer's account, as paid W. Tulloch from April, 1822, to December, 1822, and paid W. Hutchison at sundry times," not only defrayed the expenses of W. Tulloch, W. Hutchison, John M'Ewen, John Farquharson, during their long tour from 6th of June till the 9th of August, but also the expenses of W. Tulloch, during the several itinerants also his family expenses for the whole of made from Oct. 1821 till Oct. 1822, and this last mentioned period. The extract also given in said number of the Magazine, "In the eight weeks," and ending withat the end of the article beginning with

opportunity offered," appears as if it was a summary of the labours of the whole four Hutchison being introduced immediately Missionaries, as of W. Tulloch and W. after their signatures, whereas it is a summary of the labours of two Missionaries only, and these John Farquharson and John M'Ewen.

These inaccuracies (known to be altogether unintentional) 1`have been requested to point out, that you may correct them, if possible, in the JANUARY Magazine, and when doing so, it is requested that you would mention that the Journal for the last season has been received here, and that a short and compressed account of the labours of these zealous, prudent, and use ful Missionaries for last season, interspersed with occasional quotations from their Journals, will be immediately prepared and put to press; and that as the funds are exhausted, immediate and liberal supplies are required.

In looking over the numbers of your Magazine for the last year, prior to their being sent to the binder, my attention was arrested by a foot note, at p. 234, in the number for July, where a reference is made to the sums expended by the Baptist denomination in the promotion of Village Preaching, &c. It is there stated, "that many local Itinerant Societies exist in different parts of the kingdom;" and, "that the Particular Baptist Fund in London, expends annually, upwards of £2,000 in assisting poor churches to support their pastors. Now, Sir, as the question of Home exertions for the spread of the Gospel, is every day acquiring increased interest, and engaging a more extended share of the public attention, I shall be truly obliged if you, or any of your esteemed correspondents will favour me through the pages of your valuable miscellany, with any information relative to the nature and 3, Garthland Street.

I am, dear Sir, with respect,
Your old Correspondent,
DAVID M'LAREN.

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Original Poetry.

[For the New Evangelical Magazine.]

* One of its towers hangs eleven feet out of the perpendicular, and is generally known by the name of the leaning