The Christian herald and seaman's magazine
W$t &e#ttf#tf* fM*iK*fttie< Thej that go down to the Ma in ships, that do buslnees in great waters ; ibese see the works of the Lord, and bis wooden In the deep — Tbey ay unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.— Psalms. THE MERCHANT BRIG AT SEA. (Concluded from, pagt 383.) At breakfast he introduced the subject to his mate. Capt. — Well, James ! we shall not lave to-day the advantages of being on board the Ark ; I seem to miss very much the pleasure which I had by going there on Sundays. Mate* — Yes, Sir ! I suppose you do. I have been thinking of it a good deal this morning. Capt. — It was a pleasant sight to see sailors so willingly assemble for God's worship ; to see such large congregations of men who hardly ever thought of such a thing in former days. It appears wonderful to me ! That Ark is a nice contrivance for sailors ! so hand/ ! so Convenient ! and one feels there so much at home ! I assure you that I thought of it the first thing this morn- ing, and a great deal yesterday. Mate. — So have I, Sir ! But we are far away from them now. Capt — Yes ! we are indeed far away from them9 but not any farther off from God. I read this morning the 139th Psalm, where it said " Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? and if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and tby right hand shall hold me." And I could not but feel, that though not now in London River, I am while at sea equally with God, and that his commandments are as binding on me at sea as on shore. , Afafc.— That is true, Sir ! and I fed it : and I have recollected that the fourth commandment is, " Remember the 'Sabbath Bay" Have you, Sir, seen a book sold at the Ark by the Society about the worship of God in mer- chant ships at sea ? Capt — Yes ! I have seen it. ■ ^ Mate. — I have one which I bought at the Ark, and I think it a very nice book for sailors. The prayers are just what a sailor wants, and the Psalms and Hymns are very good. There is too a direction in the book how to car* ry on the worship on board on a Sunday, when weather and the ship's duty will permit. Cap*,— And do you like that manner, James ? Mate.—Yts, Sir, I do; and I have been hoping that yoa would be kind enough to put it In practice in the cabin to-day. Capt — l am glad, James, to hear you say so. Do you think that the hands would like it ? Mate. — Most, if not all of them would, T am sure, gladly consent, and if any should not like it at first, tbey soon would. I never was with such an •rderly ship's company. There is no sweating, no bad words, iy> quarrelling, no drinking, but all are friendly and cheerful, and willing to do their duty night or day. They read the Bible a good deal when they have leisure. Capt. — I have one of those books which you^poke of; do you think that, there are any more of them in the ship ? Mate. — Yes ! William and Richard each have one. Cap*,— Well then, go and tell the people tbat at four bells, (10 A. M.) I 408 The Sabbath at Sea. irish as many as are willing and can be spared from ship's duty on deck, to come to me in the cabin ; and that I shall expect to see every one dressed fjean in honour of the day. ' The mate now withdrew, and Captain Newman, rinding his mind very greatly encouraged, lifted up his heart secretly and fervently to God in grate- ful acknowledgment of his goodness, and took his Bible to select the chapters to read when the men should assemble for worship. The mate went to the forecastle and took William and Richard aside and told them of the purpose of the captain, and expressed his own hope that it would be quite agreeable to them. They both declared that they thanked God for putting it into the heart of the captain to do so. They had indeed been wishing for it. Of their own accord they called Henry to them, and he also declared his consent and his persuasion that it would be agreeable to every one in the ship, as the hands who had bought testaments at Gravesend were well behaved, and had been reading much when they got time. The mate felt so rejoiced in having such tidings to convey to the captain, that he went to him immediately, and greatly pleased him with the intelligence. As soon as four bells (10 A. M.) struck, the captain sent the boy to tell the mate that he expected the hands in the cabin. At this time the weather was very fine, the sky clear, and the wind abaft the beam. Too captain, therefore, left two hands on deck, viz. the cook, and the man at the helm ; the latter was directed to knock if he wanted a hand from below, and twice if he should want two. One man, being unwell, bad gone to his hammock. The assembly in the cabin consisted of the captain and mate, three hands, and the boy. The captain desired them to be seated, and addressed them to the following effect : " I believe, lads, that most of you have been in the habit of attending on board the Ark on Sundays, and have seen that divine service may be performed on board a ship. 1 cannot therefore doubt your believing that God ought to be worshipped, and that he is as near to his creatures when they are at sea, as when they are on shore, or in harbour ; for in God we all live, and move, and have our being. I hope too that you all wish to have the blessing of God, which is promised to all who humbly seek it* He then read to them from the preface to the Devotional Assist- ant. " It may be asserted without fear of contradiction, that a ship will be the more safe when the blessing of Hbn who made the sea, and controls the boisterous deep, is daily sought by the whole of those who are on board. The social worship of God will infallibly lead to an increase of the fear of God, and this will as surely lead to a constant sense of religious and moral obligations.'1 He then asked them whether they were, as he trusted they all were, willing that the worship of God should be regularly carried on in the Hope ? He looked to the mate to answer first ; and when he declared his* desire that it should be so, the* others declared themselves like minded. Captain Newman then assured them, that it should always be his study to do his duty by them, and to promote their real happiness. The cabin Bible lay open upon the table at the 199th Psalm, to which the 'captain desired the men to turn in their bibles, and after a short pause he read that Psalm with a distinct voice, slowly, and solemnly. He then read the introductory prayer from the Devotional Assistant, and addressing himself to his little assembly, he said, " My dear friends ! it is our bounden duty to at- tend to that word of God, which rn so many places encourages and com- mands us to meet together, to acknowledge and confess to Almighty God our manifold sins and wickedness. If we attempt to dissemble or cloak our sins from the face of the Almighty, we ahalt only deceive ourselves and mock God. But if, under a feeling sense of our guilt and misery, we do confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart, we are assured that we shall obtain forgiveness of the same, through his infinite goodness and mercy. This is certain, because it is the word of Him who cannot lie, The Sabbath at Sea. 409 who bath declared, that if we thus confess our sins, God it faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Where' fore let us with lowly hearts, and humble voices, bow down before the Lord, who hath promised to hear and answer in mercy all who Call upon bhn, looking for salvation only through, and on account of, what his blessed Son Jesus Christ hath done and suffered lor sinners !M The confession was then made by each while kneeling, after the excellent form in the Prayer Book, beginning thus, "Almighty and must merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep." The 95th Psalm was then read by alternate verses, by the captain 'and the crew, and at its close, some very interesting selections from the New Testament were read, in the same manner. Capt. — Grace unto you and peace be multiplied, l Pet. i. $. Crew. — Blessed be tbe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, ac- cording to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incor- ruptible and undented, and which fadeth not away. I Pet. i. 9, 4. Capt. — This is tbe record, that God hath given us eternal life : and this life is in his Son. 1 John v. 11. Crete. — In this was manifest the love of God towards us, because that God sent bis only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John iy. 9. Capt — Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent bis Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John iv. 10. Capt. and Crtw together. — Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John iv. 11. Capt. — The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus . Christ. Johni 17. Crew.— Tbe Spirit of God, like a dove, .lighted upon Jesus: and lo, a voice from heaven saying, " Tub is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. iii. 16, 17. CapL — The voice out of the cloud said, " Hear ye him." Matt. xxii. 5. . Cmo.—We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ Ve may be saved. Acts xv. 11. Capt. — Neither is there salvation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts iv. i& Crew.— Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again foe out justification. Rom. iv. 45. CapL— Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. iii. 11. Crew.— This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15. Capt.— Who, being the brightness of his (the Father's) glory, and the ex- press image of his person, and upholding all things by tbe word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the ¥ ajesty on high.- fleb. i. 8, Cmo. — In. whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgive- •ess of sins ; who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature. Coloss. i, 15. Ccqpt— For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that *c* on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or . principalities, or powers : all things were created by him and for him. Col,U* <**»,— And be is before all things, and by him all things consist. CoLi.17. CapL— And he Is the head of the body, the church, who is tbe beginning, 41Q. The Sabbath at Sea. the first born from . the dead ; that in all things be might have the pre~erai~ nence. .CoJ. i* 18. Cretft.— For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell ; and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile, all things to himself. Col. i. 19, 20. CapL — If ye be then risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand .of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. iii. 1, £, 3. . Cajd» and Crew together. — Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with ex* ceeding joy — to the only wise God oar Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- minion and power, both now and ever, Amen. Jude £4, £5. The captaiathen read the prayer for the Sunday morning, that entitled " a prayer suitable just after leaving the Home Port," and that for the out- ward bound passage. They then sung together the folfowfog hymn : Where two or three with sweet accord, Obedient to their sovereign Lord, foe. Tbe captain read the whole of the awful 20th chapter of Exodus, contain* ingthe commandments, and the 12th and 13th chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, containing many important admonitions for wise and holy beha- viour ; and after the general prayer, beginning in the Devotional Assistant tlms, "Almighty God, unto whom all hearts' are open,'' and the solemn thanks- giving for creation, preservation, and all the blessings of life, and especially lor God's inestimable love in the redemption of sinners by the Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory ; they sang the fol- lowing Hymn : Prepare me, gracious God ! To stand before thy face, Sic. The captain then dismissed the people with the usual benediction : " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fel- lowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore." Amen. , Although the whole service wasattended to with the greatest seriousness, it was evident that the parts of the paajers in which they devoutly asked for blessings upon their relatives at home, and committed them, as well as their own ship's company, and all who traverse the mighty ocean, to the kind pro* lection of Almighty power, and that ail might grow in grace, and be fitted for the kingdom of heaven, had very particular effect upon their minds. Social worship endeared them to each other, and they had an unusual degree ofcomfort, in having together implored the Divine mercy. The captain, being left alone, was greatly moved by gratitude to God, for having thus been enabled to make a beginning. He retired to his cabin and gave vent in secret to the feelings which almost overpowered him. In the evening they met to read the evening prayer, and a chapter, and to sing a song of thanksgiving ; and he settled that every day at four bells morning and eight evening the people should come into the cabin, for what ttyj captain with much delight called, his Family Devotion. As it drew toward the change of moon the weather appeared altering, the pind soutber'd, and obliged them to he close hauled, the sky lowered, and a strong wind compelled them to take in sail, and increased till the sails were necessarily handed, and at last tilMt. became proper to srike tbe top-galtamv mast,, aqd lay .the ship to for some considerable time ; blowing a complete fret of -wind attended with a heavy sea* This kept all hands on deck on'th* next. Sunday, except the man who was ill on the last Sunday; and who had daily become worse. The worship of tbe cabin was indispensably omitted The Sabbath at Sea. 411 oft this Sabbath, but there was, nevertheless, a distinction given to the day. The hands " Remembered the Sabbath Day," and each endeavoured, as he could, to keep it holy. Each was sedately thoughtful, yet alive to the imme- diate duty required by the ship in these critical circumstances, and prompt in obedience to the captain's orders. The gale lasted in its greatest st length about thirty-hours, but as every precaution had been taken early, and every change watched closely, they passed through the storm, by the blessing of God, without injury. It subsided on Monday afternoon, and toward the evening they got up the top-gallant-mast, were enabled to set more sail, and, the wind veering, the crew got some refreshing rest. On Tuesday the wind and sea much abated ; they spread once more their sails to a gentle breeze and had full canvass again. At 8 P. M. the captain desired all who could to meet in the cabin, when they joined in the appointed thanksgiving for deli- verance from danger, and in the prayer for that evening ; and sung together part of the 107th Psalm. Thy works of glory, mighty Lord ! Thy wonders in the deeps, fee. As Stephenson, the sailor who was unable to join the worship on the first Sab- bath, and who had been now above a week confined to his hammock, grew worse, they added to their service the prayer for the sick ; and, being appre- hensive of his being in danger, they were earnestly fervent in their supplica- tions. During the gale he had been left alone more than had been usual since his illness assumed a serious aspect. The captain visited him several times eve- ry day ; and finding Stephenson acquainted with his Bible, and a bumble believer in hira who alone is the way, the truth, and the life, he found plea* sure in his visits to the bed of sickness. On the return of fine weather one seaman generally remained with the sick man, and the boy was a willing servant to him, while the captain exerted his best skill in administering from the medicine chest whatever he could judge useful. They had now a fine run, and on the sixteenth day from the Downs they had sight of Gibraltar, and on the seventeenth about daybreak the ship pass- ed the straits into the Mediterranean. The next was the Sabbath day, and the captain in his better dress took his early walk on the quarter deck. While on the one hand the view of the shore of Barbary gave him cause to reflect on the usurpations of the false* prophet, and on the other coast there was the full reign of popery, his mind was led into consideration of the mercy which afforded him access to the light of divine revelation* With these thoughts he went to his state room, and shortly afterward his people were assembled for worship in the great cabin. He read the 19th Psalm, and other portions of scripture, showing the excellency of the law of God, and the cheering hopes derivable from the gospel of salvation by a crucified Sa- viour; whose precepts and miracles be read from the 7th of St. Matthew and of St. Luke, concluding their usual Sabbath worship by singing to* getber the following verses : Blest are the saints who sit on high. Around the throne of majesty, fee. Stephenson was become very greatly worse, and on the Monday he appear- ed drawing near to his great change. The captain was much by his ham- mock, and speaking to him in the moat tender accents, commended the soul of his dying shipmate into the hands of a ftithfol Creator, and merciful Sa- viour; praying with him that his soul migfert be precious in bis sight, be wash* ed in the blood of the Lamb who was stain to take away the sins of the world1, and that it might be presented pure and without spot to God. He was also very earnest that the instructive scene might be blessed to all the ship's com- pany, and that they might so number their days as to- apply their hearts unto 412 The fttital 4* Sea. wisdom. He called to the dying man?* remembrance that God spared no! his own Son, but delivered him up for them all ; and also, that Infallible Truth had asserted, that he that befeeveth shall be saved* He was patient, resigned to the Divine will, and thankful for the kindness shown to him. He could speak but little, but that little wa* expressive of hope in God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ ; and be had evidently considerable support in the view- of dissolution. • Toward evening the fever increased, delirium succeeded at night, and soon after sunrise on Tuesday morning he expired. His last momenta were calm; he knew those near him ; recognised hjs own circumstances, desired his duty to the. captain, thanked hie shipmate* looked upward with a cheering smile, and, repeating, "Lord Jesus, to thee 1 commend my soul," closed his eyes far ever on all below the sky. He was a single man, and aged about thirty -four years. This affecting event produced a manifest seriousness thr ough the ship ; the voice of cheerful mirth was suppressed, and the mind of each reflected on the frail tenure of life, a review of jrortimes, and had, it is hoped, an enliven- ing hope of a better life to come. To the morning prayers were added that which is recommended in the Devotional Assistant to be used after losing a man by sickness or accident. During the day an inventory was made of all the effect* of the deceased, which was copied into the Log-Book; the corpse was close lashed up in a hammock, and some shot was attached to sink it when launched into the deep abyss. The funeral wa* appointed to take place the next day at 6 On Wednesday the colours were hoisted half mast, and the men were . dressed clean as on a Sunday. At the morning prayer the captain read the 15th chapter oJf.the. 1st epistle of Corinthians, and the 39th Psalm. . After dinner the ship was put under easy sail, and at 4 P. M. the corpse was brought -on deok in a deliberate and silent manner, and placed on the half-deck grating, and every thing arranged for committing it to the deep when the captain should direct. The circumstances of the chip, the dress of the men, the corpse covered with the ship's jack, the silence or low-toned conversation of the crew, as they paced the opposite side of the deck, bad a very impressive appearance. .. The captain felt agitated. At five o'clock, after directing to shorten sail, that al( might be able to attend the aajennity, he withdrew to the cabin, and silently meditated on the awful doty to wbict} he was sq soon and so unex- pectedly called. He prayed that God would sustain him, teach him what to do, and what to say, and that the event «oight be sanctified to him and to his ship's company. At the appointed time he came on deok, and approaching the corpse, cell- ed all hands, who assembled round it and stood uncovered. The weather* was quite fine and still, and the sea smooth. The captain in a solemn tone of voice addressed them on the subject of death, reminded them that life is, tbe only time to serve the Lord, that there is no repentance, no amendment in the grave, that what was left undone by their deceased shipmate, could not now be performed,— what he had done amiss could not now be undone: and that while they were standing round his lifeless body, his spirit was living in tbe invisible world. He exhorted them, among other things, that as they valued their present peace and future happiness, they should seek ness for the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, anAjo be sanctified by the Holy Spirit « We are," said be, " now about to launch this body imo the deep, where it- will be turned into corruption ; hsjbthere is a day coming, when even this, body shall be raised to die no more; when the trumpet shall sound, the graves be opened, and the sea give up her dead* " The death of our shipmate is an event which calls on every one of ns to; reirwmber thai i*murt die. This event speaks to uj, and says to each, 'Be The Sabbath 6* Sea. 413 Jbou also ready, for At such an boar as tboothinkest not % summons will come." Altar a pause of a few minutes, and a declaration of his having a good hope of the joyful resurrection of the deceased, because he was a true believ- er in Jews Christ, the captain directed the corpse to be launched overboard. Thii was a solemn moment. The concussion on the fall of the corpse into the great deep was felt to the heart ; and the eyes of all showed the effects of human sympathy. The men continued motionless, while giving time for it to sink completely down, to remain till summoned to appear for judgment. The corpse soon disappeared, but the crew remained gazing silently on the water, while the oaptain, who had mingled bis tears with those of bb sailors, read the following prayer : " Almighty and most merciful God," tec. He read afterwards the 90tb Psalm, and the prayer appointed for Wednes- day evening, closing their devotions with the following beautiful hymn: Thee we adore, Eternal name ! And humbly own4o thee, &c. These seasons for social worship, and the events of the voyage, and the better acquaintance which the crew had now with each other, showed mani- festly an increased and increasing affection, cementing a strong and delight- ful union. Happiness was their continual companion. The captain was be- loved, and his commands obeyed whether he were present or absent. They had confidence in his skill,* and be relied without fear on their fidelity, which afforded great relief to that anxiety which is generally felt by captains at sea; The Saturday evening had always among the bands the remembrances usual at sea, and all that innocent mirth which marks the sailor when at peace within, was found on board the Hope. They experienced the truth of the saying of the wise man, " That wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and her paths peace," and that religion never was designed to make true plea- sures less. Their fourth Sabbath at sea was spent within sight of the high land which was over the port to which they were bound, and they spent it like the others, in "remembering the Sabbath day," according to the commandment. They Sot a pilot before Monday noon, but the health-boat, on finding that a man ad died on the passage, ordered the brigtb the place for quarantine. After remaining the usual time thejrgot prattique and entered the harbour on Friday, and on Saturday began to discharge their cargo. In the harbour were several English vessels. The captain observed at the main-top-gallant-mast-head of one of them the Union-Jack with a long pen* dant over it, and was induced to ask a gentleman whom he found on the ry, as he stepped on shore, what it meant? This was Captain Strange, master of the ressel so distinguished, which was named the Pilgrim, and was loading for London. He informed bim that it intimated to other ships' that there would be divine worship on board on the Sunday, and that at 10' A. M. the Bethel Flag would be at the Fore. This was accompanied by an invitation to Captain Newman and his ship's company, which was imme- diately accepted. Captain Newman returned on board his own ship to tell1 this to the mate, to be by him communicated to the people ; and that he should be ready to accompany them, and that they would be therefore ex- pected to be in the cabin by eight o'clock en the next morning. The ship was made all clean on Saturday evening, that the Sunday might' not have any unnecessary interruption to its peculiar duties. At half past nine they left the Hope, to be early oft ttMrd the Pilgrim, where they met the crews of three or four other vessels, forming a congregation of between thirty and forty persons, and occupying the cabin, steerage, and part of tho half deck, made clear for that purpose. Captain Strange took the lead in conducting the worship. He read pact of the morning service from the 414 The Sabbath at Sea. Church Prayer Book, and some. of the prayers from the Devotional 'Assfer> ant ; and as the Hope had newly nrrived, he read the thanksgiving for safe arrival in port. The hymns were set to tunes by a young sailor, whom Cap- tain Newman recollected to have been in the same Sunday School with himseft Captain Strange also read a short discourse from the Village Ser- mons, from ** What ihaU a man give ia-etukangt far his swd ?" In the afternoon the congregation again assembled, with the addition of the crew of the American ship Columbia, from New* York, and then Cap- tain Strange read a Sermon published by the Rev. Mr, Young, of Grimsby, who wrote itibr sailors ; and thus the first Sunday passed in a foreign har- bour to the credit of the British flag, and to the comfort and edification of those who had sanctified it by the public worship of their Maker. In conversation with Captain Strange, Captain Newman had his attention drawn to a list of practical sermoms recommended in the Devotional Assist- ant, to form the library of a ship at sea, the want of which he had felt during his voyage, but which he intended to. ^upply himself with on his return to England. The Pilgrim being on departure, Captain Newman agreed that the Hope should give the accommodation the nest Sabbath ; and onr the evening be- fore her leaving the harbour, some from each ship met in the Pilgrim's cabin to pray. for her having a safe, happy, and prosperous voyage. The Hope was engaged to load a general cargo in succession to the PH- grim, and from the kindness of the British merchants, and others, who had observed, and who approved the conduct of Captain Newman, she loaded up fast. The novelty of those proceedings, made some talk among the mer- chants. They remarked the steady conduct of the masters, the cleanly and orderly state of their crews ; and ships so governed seemed to recommend themselves to those who needed their services, as giving assurance that things would go well with them, while the harmony and good behaviour of the ships' companies honoured the flag under which they sailed. Before the Hope was quite laden, the Convert, of Greenock, Captain Young, arrived from that port, and Captain Newman, remembering to have seen Captain Young on board the Ark in the Thames, requested hkn to give the required accommodation for worship, to which he instantly signified his consent. On the evening before departure, those who had worshipped on board the Hope met in her cabin, and previously to taking leave of one ano- ther, besought protection from Him, those power can withhold or control the hurricane, and who can grant comfort at sea, and safe arrival at the dis- tantport. . The wind favoured them across tne> Mediterranean, but a westerly wind gave them a longer cruize off Cape de Gatt, than was quite pleasant to the erew, or profitable for the owners. The men felt that they were in pursuance of their duty, and from the influence of principle were cheerfully submissive to the will of God, under whose power alone is the direction of the winds. There was therefore none of that murmuring which impatience works ion disappointed minds. Their mornings and evenings were sanctified by pray- er. Their Sabbatbs'pleasantly filled up* They had from books a large varie- ty of interesting subjects for conversation, and a hymn for lively vocal praise when joyful of heart; and always* the cheering hope of seeing home when Qod's best time should come. At length the wind favoured them, and they got through the Straits, crossed the Atlantic without any thing remarkable, struck soundings on the thirty-second day, obtained a leading wind up Channel, and, taking a pilot off Folkstone, passed through tb* fiowra, and anchored safely in Stangate Creek to perform quarantine. - While waiting there for release) they assembled as usual for worship, and ofeced the thanksgiving prayer composed for safe arrival in port. Having Civil Retrospect. 415 dpliwed their enumerated goods into the lazaretto, they ran up the river In two tides, and at the next flood entered the London Dock*. Captain Newman viewed again with increased pleasure, the name of the "Chapel for Seamen." On the neat-Sabbath he went with his wife and child, and almost all his hands, to join in divine worship ; and, putting up a note to the minister, publicly acknowledged his obligations, and expressed his gratitude to God, for a safe and happy voyage. Nor did he forget in- wardly to bless God for having put into the hearts of his servants such love for sailors as prompted them to prepare the accommodation he then enjoyed, and to establish the PORT OF LONDON SOCIETY for promoting fcSMGION AM096 SEAMEN. CIVIL RETROSPECT. The WEW8 which it is our more especial purpose to bring to the knowledge of our readers, seems in some measure separated from what politicians usually understand by that term. Yet we are not of those who think or feel that the events which are agitating nations with political storms, or disturbing the calm of our domestic poli- tics, are of little interest to us as Christiana : we know that aJI these things have their part in advancing that kingdom which shall come. Religion is not, in our opinion, confined in her curiosity merely to those events which go under the otdinary appel- lation of religious news. Her hallowed curiosity has a field which knows no bounds : influenced alike by a tender regard for the welfare of all the nations of the earth — by an anxiety for the spreading of all truth, and the extinction of all error — by a solicitude for the universal prevalence of civil liberty, and the destruction of every kind of tyranny over the bodies as well as consciences of men. Religion does not find herself out of her path in inquiring the history of the times. And happy might she be, if among her professed followers, she saw less of a separation between reli- gion and secular concerns : not, indeed, by embracing the former in the latter, but by examining all secular concerns and events, with a curiosity, an imagination, and a judgment graduated wholly on a religious scale. Impressed with these views, and wishing to bring into the bosom of all the families Into which our publication has the privilege of an introduction, some account of those events which excite so much interest in the hearts of the world at large, ac- companied with remarks intended to draw them within our religious horizon, we shall endeavour, from time to time, perhaps monthly, to give a summary of the news of the day. For Orfofter, 18*1. FOREIGN. — During this month public attention has been almost exclusively- fixed on the Turkish Empire. Our readers are all aware of the extreme and cruet despotism under which portions of that Empire, and particularly Greece, hare groaned and bled. Recent events have caused this tyranny to break forth ifitk more than usual excess ; and the murder of old men, of women, of children, tba demolition of Christian churches, and the assassination of patriarchs and priests of the Greek church ; the perpetration, in short, of every horrible outrage and enormity^ have anew signalized Turkish ferocity and Mahommedan fanaticism. These ex- cesses have induced the Emperor of Russia, with whom, and the revolted subjects of Turkey, the tie of a common religion forms a bond of sympathy, to take the part of outraged humanity, and threatened the Empire and religion of Turkey with entire destruction from .the face of Europe. The balance still hangs in equilibria, between war and submission, on the part of the Turks; and the purposes of Provi- dence are still veiled in the darkness which He roaketh his pavilion. The event, whichever it be, cannot but be grateful to Christendom. The security of the Greek church, some stability in the enjoyment of property in Greece, a more free com- mercial intercourse between the countries on the Black Sea and the rest of Europe, and the prostration of Mahommedan insolence, which a compliance with the de^ mauds of Russia will effect, are events most important to the welfare of the coua- triesparticularjy interested, and would, toastajfpearance, secure an entrance for the light of the Gospel to that East, on which the Sun of Righteousness shone oh hit? first rising. Whjle, on the other hand, a war which, to alL human calculation, must eventuate in the total destruction of to* Turkish Empire in Europe, will, although at an expense of much bloodshed, secure the same and other important objects, probably, with greater permanency. We confess we seldom feel so strongly for the parties in a foreign quarrel. 416 CitMRctrotpect. The rest of Europe gives room for little remark. The probability of a rise in the .price of Bread-stufis in some parts of Europe, from a failure in the harvest, has attracted much attention in this country, and excited among us hopes of great ad- vantages. Although we shall never rejoice that our fellow men. axe in want, merely because. t it redounds to our benefit, yet we cannot but feel grateful to the All-wise and Almighty One, who created the heavens and the earth, that he has so made the world, that while want and famine threaten one part of the earth, plenty and abun- dance in another should, by means of commerce, enable us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked of a distant region ;— -that this relief too, is secured not merely by a sympathy, which might be greatest where the means of relief were least, but by the powerful bonds of self-interest ;.and that while we are thus made the instruments of his plans of good, we are permitted to enjoy a rich reward in the increased com- forts of our own home.* DOMESTIC. — Our domestic summary has no political event of consequence sufficient to excite much attention. Governor Jackson, of Florida, has committed the late Spanish governor of that province to prison, to compel him to deliver certain documents claimed by the American authorities. For the honour of our country we hope that sufficient necessity, as weUas clear justifiable right, will be proved for a measure, in appearance, to say the least, the most arbitrary and despotic Our newspapers continue to be filled with accounts of the disasters of the late gales which have swept the coast of this country. How many have been called, unprepared, without previous warning, to their last account ! How awful the sen- tence which must be passed upon some who are thus called to render it. Among others we noticed that in one Spanish port, two slave-ships, with a number of human beings, crew as well as slaves, have been sunk, and, in the phrase of the day, not a soul saved — not a soul saved! awful indeed. One other event in our own country demands a notice, which we most reluctantly give it : we allude to the regulations in Pensacola, respecting the Sabbath. It seems, according to the substance of the preamble to the regulations in question, that it has been usual for most sects of Christians to set apart one day out of seven for religious purposes, (out of human wisdom and philosophy, no doubt ;) and it being proper that this should not be interrupted, and yet one whole day being more than the manners and customs of that country refiure, the Sunday, until noon, is to be a day of rest from business; but during the rest of the day all amusements, not un- lawful in that country, are allowed. 