sailors have greatly disgraced the British name in foreign ports; and in many instances, their corrupt habits have had a most pernicious influence on the labours of our missionaries.

Miriam. I should think, father, that publishing some examples of the wickedness of sailors in foreign ports, would lead many Christians to endeavour to improve the characters of our seamen.

Father. My dear Miriam, it would be difficult, and indeed improper, to describe the worst of the evil practices of sailors among the heathen nations, by which the servants of Christ have been injured: but it would be easy to give a volume of such examples, testified by the missionaries of different societies.

Miriam. I wish you would give me some testimony from the Church missionaries.

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Father. Rev. J. Pratt, the editor of the Missionary Register, says, Capt. W. Jacob of the East India Company's service, on the Bombay establishment," in a letter dated “Sydney, May 13, 1833," having visited several missionary stations, refers to a battle fought between some native tribes in the 'Bay of Islands," in Feb. 1830, "which," he states, arose "out of the dispute between two of the wretched objects who had been welcomed on board the by her commander. These transactions," captain Jacob remarks," owe their origin entirely to that improper intercourse which it is lamentable to find is too generally allowed between the most degraded portion of the native population and the shipping, to the scandal of our country in that part of the world.

"There is much to discourage missionary efforts in the scenes of immorality and vice which are constantly exhibited, through the intercourse which subsists between it and the shipping, and the dissolute habits of too many of the inhabitants which that intercourse has engendered. While we were solemnizing Divine service at Korosarika, we were much concerned to find that, within hearing and within sight of our congregation, two boats full of Europeans from the whalers in the bay, were rioting in a state of brutal intoxication, to the disgrace of their country. These are among the numerous hindrances which at present exist to any extensive reception of Christianity by the people."

Miriam. It is most truly grieving to hear such things respecting the conduct of our sailors! Is the same testimony given by the Wesleyan missionaries? Father. You must remember that only those missionaries who are stationed near to sea-ports, see much of sailors; but those who are so circumstanced do bear similar testimony. Rev. W. O. Croggon, Wesleyan missionary at Zante, in a letter dated May 8, 1833, says, "I am happy also to say, my Sunday mornings' congregation is much increased. When the weather permits, many come from the fort as well as in town, so that the room is filled with attentive hearers. The masters of vessels, also, frequently come with some of their crew; BUT THE STATE OF BRITISH SAILORS ABROAD IS AWFUL BEYOND DESCRIPTION. It grieves one to the heart to behold them so given up to intoxication! But, frequently a serious soul finds his way to the house of prayer;— and, in a foreign land, how profitable to wait upon God!"

(To be continued.)

DELIGHTFUL FACTS ON TEMPERANCE. TEMPERANCE is the fruit of godliness; and religion cannot prevail unless this habit is firmly established. Temperance societies should be promoted not only

by every Christian minister, but by every Christian master, heads of families, and all who occupy stations of influence, are under obligation to do so.

The friends of temperance are connected with a cause on which God smiles. In 1826, the American Temperance Society was formed at Boston. Dr. Beecher's celebrated sermons on intemperance were delivered in that same year. At that time there were probably 400,000 drunkards in the United States, and in 1824, there were between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 of persons drinking ardent spirits, and in the way to ruin. In 1824, the quantity of ardent spirits imported into the United states amounted to 5,285,000 gallons. In 1830, it was 1,195,000. In 1832, more than 1,500,000 people in the United States were abstaining from the use of ardent spirits, and from furnishing it for the use of others; there were formed more than 4000 temperance societies, embracing more than 500,000 members; more than 4,500 distilleries had been stopped. Probably more than 20,000 persons are now sober, who, had it not been for the temperance reformation would have been sots; and 20,000 families are now in ease and comfort, with not a drunkard in them, or one who is becoming a drunkard, that would otherwise have been in poverty, or cursed with a drunken inmate ; and 500,000 children are saved from the dreadful influence of drunken parents; and 200,000 are saved from the parental influence which tended to make | them drunkards.

These facts, gathered from the late reports of the American Temperance Society, show that it has God's special blessing. It stands on a vantage ground it has never occupied before. Demonstration of its utility has been so forced upon the public, that men have ceased to ridicule it, even where they hate it. Its success is regarded as one of the wonders of the world. The path of its exertions has been followed by other nations. Testimonials in its favour have been poured in from every quarter, at home and abroad, from men of every occupation and profession, from farmers and mechanics, and merchants, from men of literature and science, from overseers of manufactories, from naval and military officers, shipmasters and agents of every description, from physicians and governors of hospitals. And can this progress of temperance be otherwise than favourable to the Gospel of Christ?

PUBLIC MEETINGS IN LONDON.

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

THIS important Institution held its twenty-second anniversary meeting on Tuesday evening, May 10, at Finsbury Chapel. Thomas Walker, Esq. having taken the chair, after singing and prayer, the report was read by the secretary, Rev. A. Tidman.

This document presents an encouraging detail of the Society's operations, with interesting extracts from the correspondence of its various missionaries in Ireland, and most powerfully appealing for increased support, stating, however, that the receipts of the past year had increased about 4001, over the year preceding.

The chairman, as treasurer, presented his accounts, from which it appeared that the receipts of the past year were 2,950l. 16s. 7d., and the expenditure 2,953/. 68. 8d., besides obligations to the amount of 412. 17s. 6d.

Rev. J. Sibree of Coventry, who had recently visited the Society's stations in Ireland, Rev. J. Burnet, Rev. Dr. Morison, Rev. E. H. Nolan, Rev. T. Owen, and T. Justice, Esq., severally addressed

the meeting, with great effect illustrating the miseries and wants of Ireland. The collection amounted to 100.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THIS great Institution held its forty-first anniversary meeting in Exeter Hall, on Thursday, May 12; by nine o'clock the large room was so crowded that it became necessary to open the lower hall, which was also filled by a respectable audience.

Thomas Wilson, Esq. the treasurer, took the chair, when the services were commenced with singing and prayer, by Rev. Dr. Ross of Kidderminster.

Rev. J. Clayton read an abstract of the report of proceedings during the past year, the foreign secretary being unwell. This document contains a mass of interesting information: the following is the number of stations, &c.

making, with upwards of 450 schoolmasters and assistants, nearly 800 persons, more or less dependant on the Society, exclusive of families. The directors have sent forth during the past year, to various parts of the world, missionaries with their families amounting, exclusive of their children, to twenty-eight individuals. The number of churches is seventy-four, and that of communicants 5,239; of schools the number is 443, and that of scholars 29,601.

With respect to funds, it stated that there has been, during the past year, a decrease in the legacies, and an increase in the ordinary contributions. The amount of legacies was 1,132. 6s. 5d.; the contributions, to ordinary and special objects, 51,7321. 16s. 6d., being an increase over the past year of 2,0931. 28. 9d., and making, with the legacies, the total amount of receipts, 52,865. 2s. 11d. To that might be added the sum of 30007. granted by government, towards the erection of school-houses in the West-Indies; making the sum received by the directors for the year, 55,8651. 28. 11d. The expenditure had been 60,6271. 8s. 5d., being an excess, above the income of the year, of 7,762, 5s. 6d., and an increase, above the expenditure of the previous year, to the amount of 15,016/. 148. 8d.

Rev. Dr. Vaughan, C. Lushington, Esq., M.P., Rev. J. Williams, missionary from the South Seas, Rev. R. W. Hamilton of Leeds, Rev. W. Campbell, missionary from Bangalore, Rev. G. Gogerly, missionary from Calcutta, Rev. H. Townley, Rev. J. A. James, Rev. J. Leifchild, and Rev. Dr. Bunting, successively addressed the meeting in the large hall, and several other gentlemen addressed the meeting in the lower room. The collection was understood to exceed 10007.

DEVONSHIRE SUPERSTITION AMONG THE VILLAGERS.

A CLERGYMAN has lately asserted in print, that in many villages of Devonshire, the only form of prayer still taught to their children by the peasantry, are the goodly verses handed down from their popish ancestors,

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Bless the bed that I lie on,

Four corners to my bed,
Four angels round my head,
One to read and one to write,

And two to guard me all the night." Sunday-schools, and the preaching of the pure Gospel of Christ have, happily, been the means of illumination even to many of the poor cottagers of Devonshire. Should any yet remain bound down by such ignorance and superstition, it is hoped they will soon be favoured with the visits of some devoted agent of the Home Missionary Society.

EARTH EXCHANGED FOR HEAVEN.
WHILE earthly sorrows here I bear,
And sins, and doubts, and pain,
O! may I make that state my care,
When earth's exchang'd for heaven.
Whilst Satan is allowed to grieve,
And tempt to doubt thy name;
Let me my portion with Thee leave,
Till earth's exchang'd for heaven.
When mortal nature sinks in death,
And nothing here is gain;
Give me to feel in parting breath,

That earth's exchang'd for heaven.
When through the gloomy vale 1 pass,
Oh! may thy presence strengthen;
'Tis spirit's gain, but nature's loss,
'Tis earth exchang'd for heaven.
When to its home my spirit soars,

Safe lodg'd from earth and pain;
Oh may I feel, (whilst I adore),

Here's earth exchang'd for heaven.
When seated on my Saviour's throne,
And sweet hosannahs bring,
Then shall my song to Thee, blest one,
Be, earth's exchang'd for heaven.

THE PRAYER OF FAITH. FATHER of light, and life, and love, Giver of all our bliss; Father of every power above,

RALPH.

And source of deathless peace;
Author of twice ten thousand worlds,
Maker of every flower,
Donor of all good gifts to men,
And God of every hour,

From Satan's bondage free us all,
Enlighten every mind;
Chase sin from this terrestrial ball,
Give grace to all mankind.
And when our spirits quit their dust,
Grant them a place in heaven;
Give them their lot among the just,
Whose sins are all forgiven.

St. Neot's.

W. B.

London: Printed by JAMES S. HODSON, at his residence, No. 15, Cross Street, Hatton Garden, and Published by him at 112. Fleet Street; where all communications for the Editor (post paid) are to be addressed; sold also by Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., and by all other Booksellers, Newsvenders, &c. in the King. dom. The trade may be supplied in London, by STEILL, Paternoster Row: BEROER, Holywell Street, Strand in Manchester, by Ellerby: Sheffield, Innocent; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Finlay and Charlton.

shire, and for silk-weaving in Spitalfields, London.

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Mr. Nightingale, in his History of London and Middlesex," describes this parish, now almost in the centre of the British metropolis, in the following terms:-"A little to the eastward of Bishopsgatestreet are SPITAL FIELDS, originally a hamlet belonging to St. Dunstan, Stepney. No longer since than the reign of William and Mary, the whole of what is now called Brick-lane, a principal entrance to this quarter from Whitechapel, was so called from its being a passage for brick carts, deep, dirty, and almost desolate.' The Old Artillery Ground, or Teazel Close, long unoccupied after the Company had left it, took up nearly all the space from the east side of Bishopsgate-street to Wheeler-street and Spital-square. However, during the reign of William and Mary, nearly the whole of what is now called Spital-fields, was erected, including Artillerystreet, Fort-street, Red and White Lion-streets, Church-street, &c. all the way up to the back of Shoreditch Church, and from thence eastward towards Bethnal-green and Whitechapel-road, containing about three hundred and twenty acres, pretty closely built and numerously inhabited. If any proof were wanting that the principal part of this large parish was rebuilt for the accommodation of persons engaged in the weaving branch, it would be only necessary to look at the long casement lights in the upper stories of the houses, particularly in the garrets, a difference in the construction of windows not to be found in any other part of the metropolis. Spital Fields was made a distinct parish, being first separated from Stepney in 1723.

"The addition of a new and populous neighbourhood to what was called the Spital Field, and large tracts of ground eastward of it, almost as far as Whitechapel, was owing to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and the persecution of the Protestants, which brought so many thousands of industrious Frenchmen to find a refuge in England, and other countries. The high price of silk during the late war added to the unusual preference given to cottons, had tended to impoverish this quarter of the town to such a degree, that if the hand of charity had not interfered in the distribution of considerable relief, the consequences must have been lamentable. That the number of French Protestant refugees in this part of the metropolis must have been very considerable, is evident from that of the French Protestant chapels, which have been for many years past converted into meetings and places of worship for Dissenters. Some of these are very large though plain buildings."

Christ Church, Spitalfields, is situated at the west end of Church-street, its western door fronting Paternoster-row and Union-street, being one of the fifty churches voted by parliament. It was begun in 1723, and finished in 1729. This is a very stately edifice, being built of stone. The body is solid, and well proportioned. The fabric is one hundred and eleven feet in length, and eighty-seven in breadth; the height of the roof forty-one feet, and of the steeple two hundred and thirty-four. It is ornamented with a Doric portico, to which there is a handsome ascent by a flight of steps; upon these pillars the Doric order rises, supported on pedestals. The tower has arched windows and niches; and, on its diminishing for the steeple, is supported by the heads of the under corners, which form a kind of buttress; from this part rises the base of the spire with an arcade; its corners are in the same manner supported with a kind of pyramidal buttress, ending in a point, and the spire is terminated with a vase and a fane. The steeple contains a good ring of

twelve bells, and excellent chimes, which gratify the inhabitants four times a day.

The interior, though grand, is heavy; the altar has a majestic appearance; and the church is ornamented with a fine toned organ.

The church contains a monument, worthy of particular notice, to the memory of Sir Robert Ladbrooke, knight, alderman, lord mayor, and father of the city of London. It is a beautiful specimen of Mr. Flaxman's abilities; the alderman is represented standing, adorned with all the paraphernalia of office. The church is a rectory, under the patronage of the principal and scholars of Brazen-Nose college. Spitalfields market is particularly well supplied with fruit and vegetables. The manor has descended from the Wentworth family to that of Dacre, the steward of which holds a court-leet for determining all causes respecting the tenantry. Near this spot in Paternoster-row, Richard Tarleton, it is said, 'kept an ordinary in Spitalfields, pleasant fields for the citi zens to walk in;' and the row, as the name implies, was formerly a few houses where they sold rosaries, relicts, &c. on the edge of a very large burying. ground, near to which the present market was built. Behind these houses there was a large vacant field extending to Whitechapel one way, and to the priory of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate-street, on the other."

Last February, by some neglect, a fire broke out in the steeple of this noble building, which excited great alarm in that vicinity, and considerable damage was done to the clock, chimes, and bells, the expense of repairing which it is reputed will amount to about 1,500l.

BRIEF NOTICES OF SPITAL PRIORY.

"Spital-fields" has been associated with some remarkable ecclesiastical recollections, both Popish and Protestant. The following from Nightingale will be read with some interest.

"A little to the eastward of Paternoster-row, stood the ancient priory and hospital of St. Mary Spital, founded in 1197, by Walter Brune, sheriff of London, and Rosia, his wife, for canons of the order of St. Augustin. This place was noted for its pulpit cross, like St. Paul's, situated in the church-yard, from whence sermons were delivered long since the Reformation, on Good Friday, and the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, in Easter week, at which the mayor and aldermen attended with great formality, as a handsome house, two stories high, was accommodated for him and his company. After the change in church government during the civil war, had broken the custom, these sermons, always on the subject of the resurrection, were transferred to St. Bride's church, in Fleet-street, and preached on Easter Monday and Tuesday; that on the Monday by a bishop, and that on the Tuesday by a dean. In 1617, numbers of lords, and others of the king's most honourable privy council, (his majesty being then in Scotland), heard a sermon at St. Mary's, Spital, by the Rev. Dr. Page, of Deptford, and afterwards rode with the lord mayor, Sir John Leman, fishmonger, to his house near Billingsgate, where they were entertained with a most splendid dinner. In honour of Sir John, and his brother fishmongers, Antony Munday wrote his Chrysonaleia, or Golden Fishing.

"Queen Elizabeth also is once known to have visited St. Mary, Spital, in great state, possibly to hear a sermon at the cross. She was attended by a thousand men in harness, with shirts of mail and corslets, and morrice pikes, with ten great pieces of cannon, drums, trumpets, &c. Two white bears in a cart, and some morrice dancers, likewise distinguished this famous procession."

"WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH SAILORS?"

(Continued from page 174.)

Miriam. And do the missionaries of the London Society make the same complaint of sailors?

Father. They do: but their reference to sailors does not include every one as immoral and licentious. In an appeal from the London Missionary Society, Dec. 16, 1833, Rev. J. Arundel complains of seamen, stating, "Our brethren state that the besetting sin in Tahiti at present is drunkenness-that it had produced the greatest mischief in the churches; and this state of things, which fills the directors with the greatest distress, is attributed greatly to American and British sailors, who have established a number of grog-shops on shore for retailing spirits, and who have induced the chiefs to become traffickers in rum.

"The extent and disastrous operations of this immoral habit has led the directors to devise and apply the most suitable remedies; and, among others, they have instructed me to make this communication to you, directing your attention at the same time, to the baneful influence of seamen on foreign missions, and inviting your prompt and efficient exertions especially in behalf of seamen visiting the South Sea Islands; that they may go forth to other countries as interesting samples of the BRITISH NATION-THE BRITISH CHARACTER!"

Miriam. I never could have thought, father, of such evils arising to our missionaries from sailors! Father. A gentleman of Camberwell, having attended a meeting of the Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, wrote to the secretary, saying, his speech at the meeting, "brought to my recollection à circumstance which was related to me by a captain commanding one of the Hon. East India Company's ships. When in conversation on the subject of the English sailors' moral and religious character, my friend said, When I was lying at

in the East Indies, with seven or eight sail of East India ships in company, the Sabbath-day unhappily passed away like other days on board two or three ships; only prayers were read after the form of the church of England; most of the men in the fleet were following their own corrupt inclinations on shore; and it is painful to relate, that so depraved and so extremely wicked were their manners, that it even affected the feelings of the heathen natives; so much so, that the idolatrous priests, and others associated with those chiefs in their worship, used every means in their power to prevail upon those CHRISTIAN sailors to embrace their religion: and it appeared they had no other motive than that of making them better men!'"

Miriam. I am truly astonished, father, at all this testimony relating to sailors of Great Britain! But do you think it possible that sailors can become religious?

Father. Possible! Miriam; why should you imagine it to be impossible for sailors to become religious?

Miriam. I think I have heard it said, that if sailors were to be religious they would not be fit for their duties, that it would destroy their bravery and courage!

Father. Those who say such things must be very ignorant of the nature of religion, and of that which constitutes true courage. I have conversed on this subject with many naval officers, and especially with that great navigator to the Polar regions, Capt. Sir W. E. Parry, who is, perhaps, more competent than almost any other commander to give an opinion on this point, and his experience, like that of others, leads him to an opposite conclusion. Read his opinion deliberately written :

John. "I have had the honour, and, I may truly say, the happiness of commanding British seamen, under circumstances requiring the utmost activity, implicit and immediate obedience, and the most rigid attention to discipline and good order: and I am sure that the maintenance of all these was, in a great measure, owing to the blessing of God upon our humble endeavours to improve the religious and moral character of our men. The friends of religion will feel a pleasure in having the fact announced, that the very best seamen on board the HECLAsuch, I mean, as were always called upon in any cases of extraordinary urgency-were, without exception, those who had thought most seriously on religious subjects; and that, if a still more scrupulous selection were to be made out of that number, the choice would fall, without hesitation, on two or three individuals, possessing dispositions and sentiments eminently Christian

Miriam. Captain Parry's testimony, father, must be very valuable; and from that it appears there are some religious sailors.

Father. There are not only some religious sailors, but a great many; and we believe that their number is increasing. It was generally considered essential to the character of a good sailor, to "swear and get drunk," until about the close of the war with France, in 1814; and a praying sailor was looked upon as an extraordinary person: but in that year a novelty appeared in the river Thames, which originated a series of systematic efforts to promote, among that class of brave men, the knowledge of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

John. What was that novel'y, father, that appeared in the river Thames, in 1814?

Father. That novelty was a BETHEL SHIP. John. What is a "Bethel Ship," father? Father. Jacob, you know, gave the name of "Bethel" to the place where he slept at Luz, when he was favoured with the visions of God (Gen. xxviii. 19); and ships frequently called "floating hells," on account of their dreadful cannons, and also on account of the profane swearing of the sailors, when they become distinguished for the assembling of the seamen to worship God, by singing hymns, reading the Scriptures, and prayer, are denominated "Bethel Ships." The first Bethel ship, as referred to, was a collier from the port of Newcastle, in 1814; and others arose in a few years, having for their expressive signal the BETHEL FLAG.

John. What sort of one is the sailors' Bethel flag, father?

Father. The Bethel flag is about nine feet long and three wide, made of a kind of blue cloth, and the word BETHEL, in large letters of white cloth, sewn upon it, with a white star at one corner, and at the other a dove with an olive branch, the emblem of peace. Here is an engraving of that significant signal: