Fifty-five scholars have also been called to their last account, the greater part of whom, gave evidence of their acceptance with Christ.

The dying experience of a teacher in school No. 4, will close these extracts. "Since our last anniversary (says the report) it has pleased the Lord to remove from us one of our teachers by death. During an illness of seven weeks, she manifested a firm reliance on, and submission to her divine Redeemer, often expressing desires that not her will, but the will of her heayenly father might be done. Young and pleasing in her person, of agreeable manners, joined with undoubted piety, she was beloved by all who knew her, and had arrived at that period of life when its prospects are most interesting, and the heart, with all its tenderest emotions, is forming attachments for life; yet through grace received from the blessed Jesus, she was willing to resign all, and to depart and be with Christ as far better. Being asked by a friend in her last moments, if Jesus was still precious? She replied, "He is the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. Whom have I in heaven but him, and there is none upon earth, I desire beside him." Seeing her mother at ber bedside, she informed her she was leaving her, and adopting the language of Stephen, she exclaimed, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Shortly after, she fell asleep in him, and entered into the joy of her Lord, in hope of a blessed resurrection."

The following rewards have been given by the committee during the year: 19 Bibles, 14 Testaments, 5 Prayer Books, and 42 Psalm and Hymn Books. Fiftyone sholars, who have conducted themselves with propriety during three years, that they have attended the same school, and earned all the rewards, will this day, be presented with diplomas.

CIVIL RETROSPECT.

FOREIGN.

During the past month, news has reached us from almost every quarter of Europe, but it is of a character too indefinite to attract serious attention.

Persia-The war between Persia and Turkey, contrary to our expectations, has ceased, on account of the death of the Persian monarch, and a contest by his sons for the succession as is reported by some from other reports, it would seem that the late attack on the Turkish provinces was merely one of those disorderly pieces of conduct of one of the Persian princes, for which despotism, notwithstanding its severe punishments, is remarkable.

Ireland Ireland continues in a state of great disorder: the disorderly continue the commission of various species of violence, and are beginning to bring upon their country, the severe application of laws, which, however necessary they may be deemed, are of a very distressing and barbarous character. The Habeas Corpus is suspended in the disturbed counties, and their inhabitants therefore subjected to imprisonment, almost upon mere suspicion, without any mode by which immediate release can be effected: this alone, in a time of civil commotion, when the basest of men are often enabled to acquire undue influence, and when suspicion itself is more than usually timorous and tyrannical, is enough to assure us of very great sufferings in that country. In addition to this, the Insurrection act is put in force, by which, if our idea of it is correct, the power of judging in cases involving banishment and death, is among other measures of similar character, intrusted to the inferior courts of justice, and measures of the most hasty nature allowed for the trial and punishment of the offenders. This too must, even if exercised with the most scrupulous uprightness of which its nature admits, produce many most distressing injuries. We regret deeply the necessity and the employment of such measures; engines of terror, which these professedly are, however necessary they may be for emergencies seldom fail to leave hatred and violence in the hearts of those whom they for the moment overawe. It is only by measures calculated to conciliate the affections of the people, to enlighten their minds, and store their hearts with the graces of true and pure religion, that tranquillity can permanently be secured. Of such measures towards Ireland we hear nothing: we hope, however, when the present disturbances shall be settled, that we may have the happiness to announce some such to our readers.

Spain. This country is more tranquil than it has been, but is far from quiet; its government finds itself fully employed in temporizing with some of popular factions; contending with others, and punishing the leaders of others

France.-Dirturbances have taken place in some parts of France, which at first were represented as serious, but are since considered less important. The situation of that country, with its inflammable population, with few checks but the arm of the law and the point of the bayonet, is critical in a high degree: the chief protection which it appears to us to possess against new revolutions, is the fearful recollection of that one, the embers of which are hardly yet extinguished.

Russia and Turkey-Russia and Turkey continue still in the posture of menace and defiance. It is said that Austria and England are averse to war, and that the former power has taken a decided stand to compel the preservation of tranquillity. In their commercial and political jealousy of Russia, we take no part, but consider it as the manifestation of a spirit of intrigue and envy, which statesmen ought at length to become wise enough to lay aside.

Greece.-In Greece the war rages with unabated vigour. But from the capture of Janina by the Turks, and the fall of the celebrated Ali with his treasures into their hands, and the consequent disengagement of the considerable army employed in the war against him, it is supposed that the tide of success will be turned in favour of the Turks. So it will be, if the God of battles so determines, and not otherwise; were the hordes of barbarians ten times as numerous.

DOMESTIC.

General Remarks -In turning to our own country we cannot forbear to remark how different is our situation from that of Europe Under a government scarcely strong enough to execute the most useful measures, with a population of the most diversified character, with interests which although really one, are represented and considered by the advocates of each, as opposite, and with office seekers, numerous and base enough to produce almost any degree of disturbance, we are yet permitted under a kind and forbearing Providence, to pursue in tranquillity, the occupations which we find useful, and to enjoy, every man, the reward of his own labour, under his own fig tree. And although from the natural temper of man to find difficulties in his condition however good it may be, we can see evils of alarming appearance, yet we are delivered from the fulfilment of our own predictions, and prosper beyond the hopes of the most sanguine. Surely if ingratitude to God, be a national sin and this country is guilty of it, it is most awfully guilty.

Congress Public defaulters-Congress have done no business of considerable importance, since our last notice of their proceedings. Some excitement has been made there by a pamphlet concerning the large amount of old balances standing on the books of the government against individuals, and of which it would appear that government must sustain the loss. Congress has before it, a proposition to inquire into the evil, and prevent as far as may be, any recurrence of it. We are aware of the difficulty of relying upon statements of this kind, when made without the explanations of those concerned, and we feel no distrust of our administration; yet so long as we know the frailty of human nature, and the ease with which it yields to temptation, and consider that throughout all history, those who have had the control of national treasure, have generally been corrupted by it, we cannot but feel, that public inquiry of the most scrutinizing kind, is necessary, and consider the attempt to promote it laudable. We would however, add one supposition on this subject, and subjoin a question. Suppose that we were assured that all our rulers were men fearing God, and devoted to his service in all their thoughts? would not our confidence in their public conduct, be vastly more strong and better founded? And, supposing in any of our elections, men of this character, were candidates in competition with others of a different one? what ought to be the votes of men of all parties and characters, whether religious or not, whether considering the glory of their mater or only their own and their country's interest ?

Legislatur-Pauperism.—The legislature of this state has adjourned, after a session of nearly four months, without passing any laws of very great importance or general interes It has however taken up the subject of pauperism, in a discreet manner which must be satisfactory to the people, and which affords fair prospects of usefulness. They have appointed the Hon. Judge Emott, of Poughkeepsie, to investigate the subject, and report the result of his inquiries and reflections, and such plans on this interesting subject as he shall judge best. Considering the high standing of this gentleman, for talents and uprightness, of which his appointment by a legislature of a political denomination, opposite to that with which he has acted, is no slight evidence, we congratulate ourselves and the public, on the selection, and would earnestly press it upon all who are able to afford useful information, on this important subject, to exert themselves to assist in the projected inquiries-April, 1822.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do 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.

THE PRESS GANG;

OR, WAR PROCLAIMED BY THE PRINCE OF PEACE AGAINST THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS.

(Concluded from p. 700.)

IN number 198, we made several extracts from a new tract, bearing the above title, which we understand has been read with some profit; if so, not less may be expected from those that follow. Let the pious captains and sailors in this port unite in visiting our wharves, vessels, and sailor boarding-houses, on sabbath mornings, and at noon, and invite their shipmates to attend the Mariners' Church, and we should soon see all the pews filled.

Last Saturday a merchant called on board a ship, consigned to him, and invited the captain and all his crew to attend church next morning, urging on them, in a kind manner, the importance of this duty. On Sunday morning, at half past ten o'clock, the captain with his mate were observed entering the Mariners' Church, followed by the crew all neatly dressed, in the most orderly and decorous manner. This excellent example we hope will be followed by other merchants, who may not have thought on the subject before, or have not known how easy it is to persuade captains and seamen to place themselves under the preaching of the Gospel. We rejoice, and are thankful that there are so many of our merchants who are friendly to this object, and have given liberally to its support; but at the same time, we would ask a little more: we would ask them to use their influence with masters and seamen, to attend on the means of grace. If they will show them this tract, some among them may be found willing to follow the example of the Stepney sailors, and not only go to meeting themselves, but spend a part of the Sabbath in procuring hands for the BETHEL SHIP.

Another object of this Stepney mission has been to extend its influence to Wapping-wall and its vicinity. A pious man lives here in a large public-house, who declines business on the Lord's day. The largest rooms in this house have been opened for a Sailor's Prayer Meeting on Sabbath evenings. To procure hands for this place, the Sea-missionaries enter on the impress in the fullest sense of the word. One party takes a street, another does the same; they form a regular line of communication to the house where the Bethel flag is hoisted; there some are stationed to arrange the crowd as they enter. The men in the advance, as they pick up the careless sailor, march him along in a smiling friendly way to the next link of the chain, and thus they are passed on until they reach the house, when they are urged forward, and placed at the head of the room, that they may not prematurely escape if they feel disposed, as

the entrance about the door soon becomes blocked up when the service begins.

Each party on the impress is provided with religious tracts, and they always present one first to a strange sailor, and in the kindest way invite him to attend a meeting for sailors at a public-house near hand. The sailor generally complies. Sometimes in a kind and affable way they lay hold of the jacket or the arm of the hesitating sailor, and gently urge him onward; such, it is presumed, was the idea our Lord had when he said "compel" them to come in, not by violence or persecution, but by mild and gentle persuasion, for the everlasting welfare of their precious souls. A constable lately came up, and swearing said, "what are you going to do with these men ?" A pious sailor put "the Swearer's Prayer," a religious tract in his hand; he looked at it, felt confounded, and quietly walked off to a public-house. One sunday evening a gentleman of the neighbourhood had watched these proceedings for a considerable time, and not knowing what to make of them, he fancied it was the evening service, and resolved to interfere and protect the sailors who were then impressed by their zealous brethren; he crossed the street, and approaching a person who was leading a sailor along, he said, "Sir, I insist upon knowing what you mean to do with these men; we live in a free country, and no man has a right to be forced any where against his will; the war is over, and as we are all at peace, men are not wanted for the navy, and I must insist on knowing what you mean to do with them." The good man instantly replied, "Sir, there is an everlasting war proclaimed against the kingdom of darkness, and we are on the impress service for the King of kings; we are commanded by him to go out into the highways, and lanes of the city, and compel poor sinners to come in, that they may be saved." He then entered into the fullest explanation of their objects, their proceedings, and the blessing of God that had followed the exertions hitherto made. The gentleman was perfectly astonished. "Well," said he, "I have lived here many years, and seen a great deal of the wickedness of sailors, but never had an idea of such a method to reform them; well, God bless you, go on."

Sometimes the sailors are surrounded or accompanied by bad women; here the pious men endeavour, if possible, to draw them off from the latter, and very often succeed, so that the sailor, who was going to a most infamous brothel, finds himself suddenly transported to a sailor's prayer meeting. At other times the women cleave to them, the good men then give each girl a religious tract, and invite her to attend also, and sometimes they have walked in company with the sailors they had picked up for their purposes, and staid the whole time with great seriousness. When the time to commence service arrives, all the different parties fall in from the streets and lanes, and the service begins by those very men who have been labouring on the religious impress. They consist of captains, mates, and seamen, and they give out hymns and pray alternately in an extemporary manner with great fervour, affection, and zeal, for the salvation of their brother sailors whom they have now pressed to serve the Lord Christ. Ten or twelve persons usually engage in prayer, and the service closes with a hearty shake of the hand, and an invitation to attend on board the ships at the week evening meetings.

The greatest good has already resulted from this plan of itinerating; and though our good sea missionaries have met again at the Mission-house

prior to boarding the ships for the night, and have expressed themselves exhausted beyond measure with the fatigues of the day, yet they have rejoiced at the fruit of their labours with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.

Deeply impressed with a conviction of the great importance of those efforts, a few friends to the cause felt desirous that a society should be formed to embody all those exertions, and provide means for the support of this good work. For this purpose the large and respectable room belonging to Mr. Fitch, and used by him for his academy, near Stepney church, was hired, and the meeting was publicly announced.

On Friday evening, September 28th, the chair was taken at six o'clock by the Rev. G. C. Smith of Penzance, and minister from

Falmouth, engaged in prayer.

Captain Wilkins, and Cuthbert Ward, a seamen, stated some particulars of the sailors' meetings. The Rev. Mr. Upton, jun. of the Baptist meeting at Poplar, and the Rev. G. G. Scraggs of Union Chapel, then gave their most hearty concurrence to the object of the meeting, and delivered a most interesting and affecting testimony to the exertions of the pious seamen from what they had seen in their own chapels. The Rev. Mr. M'All followed in the same strain, and concluded with this beautiful and impressing anecdote.

A military officer being in a dreadful storm, his lady, who was sitting in the cabin near him, and filled with alarms for the safety of the vessel, was so surprised at his composure and serenity, that she cried out, "My dear, are you not afraid? How is it possible you can be so calm in such a storm ?" He arose from a chair lashed to the deck, and supporting himself by a pillar of a bed-place, he drew his sword, and, pointing to the breast of his wife, he exclaimed, "Are you not afraid?" She instantly replied, "No, certainly not." "Why?" said the officer. "Because," rejoined his lady, "I know the sword is in the hand of my husband, and he loves me too well to hurt me." "Then," said he, "remember I know in whom I have believed, and that he holds the winds in his fist, and the water in the hollow of bis hands."

Captain Stephenson, from Rio Janeiro, declared his firm conviction of the importance of this work, and related his exertions with a Bethel flag at Rio.

The Rev. Messrs. Lockyer of Shadwell, and Grant of Lambeth, added their zealous advocacy of the cause; and Mr. T. Philips, Secretary of the parent society, from his long and intimate acquaintance with this division of the work among seamen, powerfully urged all possible cooperation to accelerate its progress and ensure increasing success.

TO READERS AND PATRONS.

THIS number closes the EIGHTH VOLUME of our work. The occasion presents an opportunity to say much on the success of Christian efforts during the past year, and to record the expression of that gratitude to God, which we deeply feel for the favours he has bestowed upon us, and upon you; but we have deemed it best to devote the page usually allotted to the "conclusion." to the interests of seamen, and the accounts of that work of grace with which some parts of our country are favoured. We have cheerfully bestowed much labour and expense on this volume, and although neither have received a pecuniary remuneration, we would hope that a more extensive circulation of the next volume, will supply the deficiency and encourage us in our future labours.

For the future plan of our work, and the testimonials to its character, we must refer to the circular which accompanies this number.

A copious Index to this volume, will be issued with the next number.