effusion of his Holy Spirit, and for a revival of religion among us, we are to conte boldly to the throne of grace, with no reservation, with no hesitation, for we know the will of God on this subject. He has expressly said, and with an oath, "that he has no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but would rather that he should turn and live;" He has said also, "that he is more willing to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than parents are to give good gifts to their children." We feel therefore, that there is no doubt on this subject, but that we may pray for this immense blessing with full confidence that it will be granted; and we believe that it always will be granted where the prayers and the labours are accompanied with faith. Allow me to mention an instance or two, among several which have come to my knowledge, where the blessing has been given. In a town, twenty miles north of this, a small number of the members of the church awaked a few weeks since, and agreed to meet for prayer occasionally, and make an individual, who was an influential man in the town, and opposed to vital piety, the particular subject of prayer. They met accordingly, and prayed for this man from time to time, and in a short period he became a subject of deep conviction, and is now rejoicing in hope that he has become a child of God. This little circle of believers then took a second person, and prayed for him, and he too became a convert, and both are now propounded for admission to the church. A third person was then selected and prayed for, and it is understood that he is becoming uneasy in his mind, and is inquiring what he shall do. Not only has the prayer of faith, occasionally offered, been blessed, but likewise the prayer of faith when accompanied with importunity. A mechanic of my acquaintance, who is a man of ardent piety, said to his wife some time last winter, there are seven in our family, and among our journeymen and apprentices, who are still out of Christ. Why should they not be brought into the kingdom? Let us resolve that we will take one of them, and make that one a subject of prayer, and exhort him in conversation to flee from the wrath to come? The plan was determined on. They carried it into execution that very night. They spent almost the whole of the first night in prayer. In a few days the individual for whom they prayed became hopefully pious. He then united his prayers and efforts with those of the man and his wife for the salvation of a second member of the family; in a few days this one became, as they believed, an heir of the promises; then the third, and fourth, and fifth, and sixth, and one only now remains out of the ark of safety.

The view which I have given of the efficacy of faithful and importunate prayer, seems not to be confined to Christians in New-Haven. In an account, which I lately read of a revival at Bath, in New-Hampshire, as given by the minister, it is stated, that in a neighbourhood where every wife was a member of the Church, and not one of the husbands was a professing Christian, the wives agreed that they would meet together from time to time, and pray for the salvation of their husbands. They did meet and pray accordingly, and during the revival at Bath every one of those men has become a subject of the work. These facts appear to me to speak volumes. Why should not all Christians follow these examples? Why should not little circles of wives meet together by agreement, and pray for their husbands; and husbands for their wives? Why should not parents meet together and pray for their children; and children for their parents? And why should not the blessing be granted? There is but one reason, the want of faith. Unbelief is the crying sin of Christian countries. It is the crying sin of the professing people of God. It obscures the splendour of that light, which ought to be exhibited in the life and conversation of every brother and sister of the church. It prevents the blessings of heaven from descending upon the sinful family of Adam.

I am, Sir, your friend and christian brother.

REV. WILLIAM WARD.-On Friday evening, the 18th of May, a public service was held in the Eagle-street Meeting, London, for the special purpose of commending to the Divine protection and blessing our dear brother, Mr. Ward, Mrs. Mosshman and her family, and Mr. and Mrs. Mack, who were about to proceed to India, by the Abberton, Capt. Gilpin. Another meeting was appointed for Tuesday evening, the 22d, the anniversary of the Baptist Missionary Society.

Mr. Ward collected for the SERAMPORE COLLEGE, in England and Scotland, about 16,450 dollars, and nearly 10,000 dollars in the United States.

The Rev. Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet, the gentlemen who compose the deputation from the London Missionary Society, to visit Otaheite, &c. with the Rev. Mr. Jones (missionary) and wife, Mr. Armitage, wife and two children, Mr. and Mrs. Blossom, embarked at Gravesend, on the 5th of May, on board the Tuscan, (a whaler.) They did not, however, leave the latter place until the 8th, when they proceeded on their voyage with a fair wind. They earnestly desire the prayers of all pious persons for their safe and prosperous voyage.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that de business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep - They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL AMONG SEAMEN IN THE PORT OF NEW-YORK.

Annual Report, Presented June, 1821.

(Concluded from page 125.)

WITH SO important a field of usefulness in view, it is a matter of regret, that the pecuniary embarrassments of the society are such as essentially to retard its proceedings. The Treasurer's account, herewith presented, will exhibit the state of the funds of the association.; by this it will be perceived that the church cost $16,000, land and building included, which, together with incidental expenses, including the rent of the room first made use of, renders the aggregate expenditure, since the formation of the institution, $17,500; of this sum, $10,500, have been raised by subscriptions, donations and collections in the church; $6,000 have been obtained from one of the Insurance Offices, at an interest of seven per cent, per annum, secured by a mortgage on the land and building; and there is beside, a floating debt of $1,000, for which the individual responsibility of some of the members of the board has been given. The interest on the total debt of the Church amounts to nearly $500 per annum, which, together with necessary expenses, such as the pay of the visiting pastor, of the chorister and attendant, lights, fuel, &c. makes the annual disbursements of the society not less than $1,100. To meet this, the institution has no other provision than the collections taken up after the several services in the Church, and these do not exceed on an average, $500 per annum. By a provision of the constitution, annual subscribers were to pay five dollars yearly to entitle them to membership, but by another provision, all who paid $50 and upwards, were entitled to membership for life. But few annual subscribers were obtained in the first instance, and most of these, afterwards becoming members for life, by paying the sum required, could not be subjected to further payments. The amount of the life subscriptions having been wholly swallowed up in the erection of the church, the society is now left without any income to be calculated upon. The weekly contributions being so insufficient for the current purposes of the year, it is evident, that the institution must not only be without a settled preacher, but the hazard is also incurred of having all the efforts hitherto made rendered abortive, by the necessity of foreclosing the mortgage for the payment of the principal and interest.

The Directors trust, that with these circumstances before them, the friends of the institution will fully appreciate both its usefulness and its wants, and that there may be found some who will afford the assistance so much required.

VOL. VIII.

20

The Port of London Society, whose objects are precisely similar to those of this body, received from the London Assurance Company, and from the Royal Exchange Assurance Company, a donation of 50 guineas each, from the East India Company 100 guineas, from the Bank of England, £100, from the Company of Drapers, £50, besides smaller donations from other mercantile societies; so well were these associations convinced, that the moral improvement of seamen is a desirable object, even in a commercial point of view. In the hope that the same object would be surveyed in as favourable a light on this side the Atlantic, an application was made to the several Insurance Companies of this city; hitherto nothing has been realized from this quarter, although your board are not without hope, that the subject will meet hereafter with the consideration it deserves. An application has likewise been made to the state legislature for some assistance, this has not yet been successful, and the directors are under the necessity of appealing to the liberality of the friends of the institution, and to the benevolence of the public, as the only resources now left them.

Amidst the difficulties attending the efforts of this association, it has been no small encouragement to the directors to behold a spirit of zeal and activity in the same cause excited in other parts of the United States, as well as in Europe. Your board early opened a correspondence with the Society in London for promoting the religious instruction of seamen, and several very interesting communications have been received from that body. Before entering, however, into any detail of the operations of foreign institutions, it is proper, in the order of this report, to notice what has been effected in other ports of the United States.

At Boston, a place of public worship for seamen was opened on the 9th August, 1818, in a hall conveniently situated in the centre of a large range of stores, on one of the principal wharves of that town. The rent is generously given by the proprietors of the building, and the meeting is conducted under the patronage of the "Boston Society for the religious and moral instruction of the poor." A flag, presented by "several female friends to the welfare of scamen," is hoisted over the place during the hours of service, which is usually well attended. The room is capable of containing about 400, and is frequented principally by seafaring persons. The Rev. Mr. Jenks, under whose care the establishment has been placed, remarks respecting it, " Profanity is more discountenanced and prevails less amongst our sailors. The thoughtless extravagance and boisterous merriment, heretofore so characteristic of their deportment, are in a considerable degree checked; the sabbath exhibits, along our wharves, a different appearance from former scenes, and, in some instances, evidence has been afforded of very serious religious impressions on the heart."

The example of New-York and Boston did not pass unheeded in Philadelphia. In the summer of 1819, an institution for the religious improvement of seamen was contemplated in that city, and on the 17th October, of the same year, a place of worship was opened in a large sail loft, capable of containing about 700 persons. Here divine service has been ever since regularly attended by seafaring persons and their families, under the ministry of the Rev. Joseph Eastburn, who also avails himself of the opportunity for distributing amongst the seamen such religious tracts as are best calculated for their instruction. The

institution has enjoyed the support and countenance of several of the most respectable individuals in that city, amongst whom it is honourable to mention the influence and example of commodore Dale, who has taken much interest in the success of the establishment. Mr. Eastburn states, that a sensible improvement in the moral character of sailors, has been observed by several merchants and shipmasters, in that port, and so much good effect has already resulted, that prayer meetings have been held on board of vessels lying at the wharves, in which the exercises have been conducted by shipmasters and others of the profession.

An establishment of the same kind has been for some time in operation in Charleston, S. C. but your board are not yet in possession of the particulars respecting it. There is no doubt, however, that these measures will become general throughout the seaports of the United States. And, as a proof of the extent to which they may be carried, the interesting fact has been cited, that not long since a meeting for public worship was opened for the first time, in a port of Alabama, by two masters of vessels, one of them from the city of New-York. Such an example of christian principle, and of praiseworthy independence of character, it is to be hoped will be remembered by many of our maritime fellow christians; and may we not trust, that henceforth in every port, where the stripes of our union are unfurled, there will be found American citizens, whose pious care will provide for some attention to the public duties of religion amongst their countrymen ?

As we have so recently laid before our readers a full account of the progress of the Institutions in England for promoting religion among seamen, we shall omit the review of their proceedings, contained in this part of the report.

Your board have the pleasure of adding that the exertions of the friends of seamen, on this side of the Atlantic, meet with the most cordial sympathy from their christian brethren in Great Britain, a sympathy which, amongst its other blessings, we may trust, will be the means of promoting such a spirit of peace and good-will between the two countries, as will leave room only for a generous emulation in their respective efforts to improve the condition of mankind, and to advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.

The Port of London Society have transmitted to your Board a handsome print, representing both the exterior and interior of the Ark; they have also forwarded a copy of the Seaman's Manual of Devotion, published by them, together with several of their reports, and have requested this board to cause it to be publicly announced in the Mariners' Church, that the company of American seamen will be deemed a great acquisition in the Ark; and Mr. Wilberforce, in a letter upon the subject, thus expresses himself: " I quite rejoice in your New-York intelligence, and I do cherish the hope, that these various Christian institutions on both sides of the Atlantic will bind us together in bonds of love, which may prevent all future differences."

In contemplating the generous efforts thus making, by Christians of a variety of denominations, for promoting the present happiness and eternal salvation of a large but long neglected portion of our fellow beings, what heart, warmed with christian love, or even with the milk of human kindness, but must feel a disposition to lend some aid in this work of benevolence. The example of our British friends must teach us that there should be no bounds to our exertions in the cause of piety and truth. The work of a faithful servant of the blessed Jesus, who came to seek and to save those who are lost, is never done while there is any thing left undone.

In America, as this report has exhibited, your board trust a commencement is made which promises a glorious result. The work, at first so discouraging, is now in the full tide of successful experiment; but much, it is evident, remains to be performed. In effecting what has been accomplished, the society has become embarrassed with a heavy debt, even the interest of which they are unable to provide for:-they are besides, with scarcely an annual subscriber; and without the means of employing that regular pastoral and spiritual assistance which constitute the most important part of the undertaking.

The Board of Directors ask for help from every friend of the institution, from every christian, from every friend to the country, and from every friend to humanity. To the merchant, and to all whose circumstances will admit of it, they look for that pecuniary aid, so indispensable to the accomplishment of their plans: and from the mariners, and from every seafaring person, whether rich or poor, they hope to receive that countenance and friendly disposition so essential to secure to the institution the good effect it is calculated to produce. The time is fast approaching when the distinctions of dress and of occupation, will avail us nothing; when all that can interest merchants or seamen will be the improvement they have made of their respective privileges, and of their means of doing good. Happy will it then be for those who have profited by the toils of seamen, if they have not omitted to provide for the welfare of their souls.

By order of the Board,
P.

PERIT,

Corresponding Secretary.

Officers elected for the year 1821-22.

Jonathan Little, Esq. President; Divie Bethune, Esq. first Vice-President; Cor-nelius Du Bois, Esq. second Vice-President; John Westfield, Esq. third Vice-President; Najah Taylor, Esq. fourth Vice-President; Rufus Davenport, Esq. Treasu-rer; Peletiah Perit, Esq. Corresponding Secretary; Heman Averill, Esq. Recording Secretary.

Directors. Mr. Moses Allen; Capt. Reuben Brumley; Capt. John Brown; Mr. William Cairns; Mr. William Couch; Mr. John S. Crary; Mr. Lockwood De Forest; Capt. Jona. Eldridge; Mr. Rensselaer Havens; Capt. Gabriel Havens; Mr. David G. Hubbard; Mr. John R. Hurd; Daniel Lord, Jun. Esq.; Rev. Samuel Nott; Mr. Joel Post; Mr. Anson G. Phelps; Mr. Fred. W. Porter; Mr. Geo.. P. Shipman; Mr. Fanning Tucker; Mr. John Withington; Mr. Francis B. Winthrop, Jr.; Capt. Isaac Waite.

Standing Committees.

Committee of Arrangements.-N. Taylor; W. Cairns; J. Westfield; L. De

Forest; Fred. W. Porter.

Committee for the Sunday Schools. George P. Shipman; Fred. W. Porter.

Committee for the Christian Herald and Seaman's Magazine. -John R. Hurd; George P. Shipman; Rev. Samuel Nott,

: