human mind, all over the continent of Europe, till its holy and vital rays are reflected back again to the sea, and the triumph achieved is numbered among those great evolutions which are preparing a highway for the advancing chariot of grace to the very ends of the world.

The Committee are still impressed with the importance of Cronstadt as a station for a permanent Seaman's Chaplain, and hope soon to be able to report that this interesting and important field of labour is efficiently occupied.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS.

The labours of the Rev. J. Pears, Chaplain at the Cape of Good Hope, have been signally successful, and promised to lead to the most cheering results; but the Directors regret to state, that having received an invitation to a pastoral charge in the interior, he has seen it his duty to resign his chaplaincy, and retire from the service of the Society. Whether this station will be continued, is with the Directors a question still unsettled.

Into South Australia, through the exertions of your Agent, Mr. Barclay, the Bethel flag has been introduced under the most auspicious circumstances. At first the services were performed under a sail-cloth; but a permanent building has been erected, under the designation of UNION CHURCH, and is open to the ministers of every orthodox communion. And we have the testimony of captains and others to the unwearied zeal and devotedness of your Agent.

MISSIONARY CO-OPERATION.

Though these two are the only foreign stations supported from your funds, they are far from being the limit of their remoter operations. In various parts of the world important service is rendered by many honoured and devoted missionary brethren. These honoured men are not ashamed of our colours. the Bethel flag, and surrounded by weather-beaten tars, they lift up their voice, and, in accents sweeter than music, tell of a Saviour's blood to cleanse, and a Saviour's power to redeem the soul.

Beneath

KINDRED INSTITUTIONS.

If it be by the combined power of the church that the world is to be subjugated to Christ, and if in this higher and ulterior end, be involved the moral renovation of our seamen, then to every kindred institution, we cheerfully extend the right hand of fellowship, and first, because first in importance, to

THE AMERICAN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.

America is only second to Great Britain in moral influence and agency, and to America the seaman's cause is specially indebted. Not only has the Society there made provision for their own local and provincial ports, near and remote, but in Havre, Cadiz, Antigua, in Batavia,-which is the key to the whole Eastern Archipelago,-in Singapore, in Canton, in the Sandwich Islands, and other groups of the great Pacific, their flag is unfurled, and the wanderers of the deep are invited, on the most distant shores, to hear the message of eternal love.

A letter from the Secretary of the American Society, addressed to the Board, has just been received, and is as follows :—

BRETHREN :-It is with pleasure that I introduce to your acquaintance, the Rev. Dr. Patten, of this city. He has been requested to act as the representative of our Society to yours, and having had somewhat intimate knowledge of our affairs from the beginning, he will be able to communicate much on the subject. We most cheerfully commend him to your kind regards.

And most cheerfully, most cordially, do the Committee welcome Dr. Patten among them. In the language of the sea, they hail him as a brother-officer; one of the same fleet, sailing under the same colour, and engaged against the common enemy. England once fought with America; but it is hoped that England and America will never fight again; and that pledged to. each other, they will not only live at peace themselves, but as pledged to the cross of Christ,-that great centre of peace and rest to the universe,-they will seek, hand in hand, and heart in heart, both on land and on sea, to be, by the diffusion of the common faith, the pacificators of the world.

Since in the most literal sense our field is the world, it is truly animating to know that Asia is beginning her career in the same line with England and America. The efforts at Calcutta and Bombay, promise to issue in the happiest results. Nor can we but anticipate the day when Madras will follow in the train, and when throughout all the East the seaman's cause will be identified with every scheme which may be devised to subjugate India to the dominion of Christ.

But the work done bears no proportion to that which still remains to be accomplished. And hence in every part of the world our missionaries are lifting their voice with awakening emphasis, and imploring the church to interpose. One of these devoted men, in addressing one of the ministers of this country, says,-

May I take the liberty, dear sir, to ask you to employ your influence, to engage the zeal of British Christians, in the important work of seeking the salvation of British sailors. Let the churches in that highly favoured land know, that one of the greatest hinderances to the success of their missionaries in distant lands, arises from this source, (I mean, of course, in those parts of the world which are frequented by British shipping,) and stir them up to labour, and pray, and contribute of their substance, till the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto God.

Were our great Bible and Missionary Institutions and christians in general, only to estimate the moral good which might be effected by pious seamen abroad, they would first seek their illumination and salvation. This is a link in the great extended chain of cause and effect, on which are made to depend some of the grandest events, which are to mark the future history of our world-on which is dependant the redemption of the race.

Nor is it the success of our missions only that is involved in the character of our seamen. It is no exaggeration to add, that our commercial interests depend almost wholly on them. It rests with them, as a professional class of the community, either to retard or accelerate our commercial career. And if their influence is rightly directed, not only will it tend to foster and strengthen the spirit of commerce, but with the progress of our commerce will science, and civilization, and the arts be promoted, peace secured abroad, and happiness at home. And the only way to make their agency bear favourably on the interests of society, is to improve, exalt, and christianize the men themselves.

Nor should we be slow to act in their behalf. In conducting the commerce of our country, they are in deaths oft. Within the period of four months and a few days, TWO THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED Souls have perished in the deep. How true it is, they "sleep in their coffins and walk over their graves!" How often and with what emphasis has wave echoed to waye, as the sailor sunk beneath its foaming crest :-"Carest thou not that we perish!"

Let not the church of Christ be deterred from her duty, from the mistaken notion entertained by some, that religion disqualifies the sailor for the duties of his profession! Twelve pious seamen were lately paid off, from on board a man-of-war, at Chatham, who were "regarded by their officers as the most confidential, punctual, brave, and useful part of the crew." This is a triumphant refutation of the charge. And we have it on the testimony of not a few, that a great and visible change has been effected among our seamen.

Among them are to be found some of the first and finest specimens of manly piety, zeal, and fortitude. And if we understand the signs of the times,-if we rightly interpret the volume of inspired truth,-if we err not in our views of the lofty symbols and glowing predictions of ancient prophecy,-we are strong in the belief, that the day is rapidly approaching, when this change shall be not only general, but universal. Long, long before the sea shall give up its dead, must it give up its living to the exalted Redeemer-and when His praise shall arise on every shore,— when each tide shall roll on the sound,-when both the tropic and the polar waves, the eastern flood and the western main, shall announce the reign of Messiah,—and the tidings, borne on the wings of every wind, shall be echoed round and round the globe, till heaven and earth blend in one harmony of praise, then we may rest assured that the coming of the Son of Man draweth nigh, that the sabbath of the millennium has arrived, and all creation is at rest!

"He cometh!-lo!-his throne is raised!
His name from sea to sea is praised!
His banner,-waving o'er the tide,—
Bids the proud-crested wave subside!
He cometh!-Ocean's ample breast,
Is soothed to everlasting rest!"

THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING.

ON Monday Evening, the 6th ult., the Sixth Annual Meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, was held in Finsbury Chapel, Finsbury Circus. The revered and venerable President of the Institution, the Right Honourable LORD MOUNTSANDFORD, occupied the Chair.

After singing an appropriate hymn, the Rev. JOHN ADEY, supplicated the blessing of God on the sacred engagements of the evening.

The noble Chairman then rose, amid the plaudits of the numerous and highly respectable assembly, and said :—

It affords me very great pleasure, to witness so large and respectable a meeting convened here to-night, to promote the interests of sailors. They are a class of men, having peculiar claims upon our sympathy and regard; and, I trust, that by the blessing of God on this Institution, their spiritual and eternal welfare will be advanced and secured.

After the Secretary had read the preceding abstract of the Report, G. F. ANGAS, Esq., one of the Treasurers, presented a statement of the financial affairs of the Society.

Not only the Meeting, but the Committee also, were greatly disappointed, in not having the presence and assistance of several ministers and gentlemen, who had promised to attend. Notwithstanding, good service was rendered to the cause, by those who were present. To them, the Directors feel under a debt of obligation; and we have no doubt, that the following extracts from their admirable addresses will be read with interest and pleasure :—

The Rev. J. BURNETT moved-"That the Report (an abstract of which has now been read,) with the financial account, and the constitution of the Society, be received, printed, and circulated, under the direction of the committee."

That was the second time that he had been ordered by that Committee to sail in the first ship, and to weigh anchor first. He knew not why he should have been twice placed in that position, but he believed that it was usual in a fleet for all the vessels just to do as they were desired. In proposing the Report for the adoption of the meeting, a variety of things presented themselves to their consideration of

* Owing to the premises of the City of London Tavern, having been recently sold to the Wesleyan body, with the view of being converted into a Mission house, and there being no other room in the city, either eligible or accessible, the Committee were under the necessity of holding the Meeting in a place of worship. Could they have secured it, nothing would have induced them to abandon entirely neutral ground. As a Society they know nothing of sect or party.

+ Notes, regretting and stating the cause of absence, were kindly forwarded by Lieutenant General Ord, Rev. T. Archer, and subsequently by Sir James Hillyar.