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be no account for a sailor to give in. But many of them scarcely ever think at all, either one way or the other, but go on in perfect indifference to every thing but the gratification of their lusts and appetites. And now let me ask what can heathens do more? If the chief end of man be to glorify God in this world, and to enjoy him for ever in another; is it not as necessary that a great work be done for such of our own countrymen, as it is for any tribe of heathens? Is it possible these seamen in their present state of ignorance and profaneness, of indifference and licentiousness, can glorify God on earth, or ever enjoy his presence in heaven? Why then give this unaccountable preference to the heathen over men who are bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, and whose moral and intellectual wants are so many and so great, and whose claims in many other respects are such on the British public as no other class of men can advance?

When some readers have followed me thus far, they may either, from not yet understanding what I would have them do, or from not quite approving my plain dealing on this imperious but neglected duty, become half angry, and ask, whether I intend to discredit Missionary labours, and throw cold water on Missionary and benevolent Societies. I mean no such thing. I have, from the earliest period that I became acquainted with the existence of such Societies, done what I could to assist them individually, and by forming associations among my people; and at this time, considering our means, my parish is contributing many fold beyond thousands of parishes in the kingdom, I neither purpose to hold back my own hands, nor weaken the hands of my neighbours. I would not have one Society arrested in its progress; but I would have another added to the list. There

should be a Seaman's Friend Society wherever it could be established. I would not have people so really or affectedly in earnest about the conversion of the heathen, as to neglect the first lesson which common sense, humanity, justice, and religion teach, namely, to look well to our duty among our brehren. To look to the instruction and conversion of tens of thousands of our seamen, who are as much perishing for lack of Christian knowledge and Christian practice as any heathens can be.

Before I close this letter, I would beg leave to caution the uninformed and candid reader against two or three classes of gainsayers; and to remark that no assertions or opinions of such people will ever obtain one moment's notice from me. The first consists of such as have either from wilful indolence and entire unconcern for the perishing state of seamen, or from the want of means and opportunities, never examined for themselves. Now, for a man who has not been at sea, who has not observed the state of ships in port at home, and in harbour abroad; who has never gone into those parts of sea-port towns, where seamen board and lodge; who has never seen with his own eyes, nor heard with his own ears, the inexpressibly horrid manner of a seaman's living on shore; for those who have never conversed with seamen in general, on the subjects which most concern our everlasting peace; for men, I say, who have not done this, to stand up and say my statement is not true, can excite only pity and surprise at human perverseness and temerity. Then the next class of objectors and gainsayers, which merit just as little credit and respect, consists of such naval officers and masters of merchant vessels, as have never taken any active steps to check the profaneness and discountenance the licentiousness of their respective

crews.

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These men, of course, are

of opinion that sin is no sin, and that the ignorance, licentiousness, blasphemy, and drunkenness of our navy are very trifling frailties. Such they endeavour to make their friends imagine; at the same time, most of them are ashamed and afraid of the truth of the case being stated, and therefore, feeling as they cannot but feel, that their own disgrace and criminality are identified with such a state of disgusting and abominable ignorance and wickedness, they are often tempted

to deny what every pious and intelligent officer and foremast-man will always declare to be trne. It is to men who have examined for themselves, and to naval and maritime characters who fear God, and endeavour to work righteousness, that I appeal for testimonies of having stated facts, and to no others. Yours truly,

R. MARKS.

Great Missenden, Bucks.

CAST ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM, FOR HE CARETH FOR YOU.-1 PETER V. 7.

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AMONG the many consolatory passages, with which the Holy Scriptures so richly abound, there is none to my mind so exquisitely beautiful, and so admirably adapted to meet the cases of all afflicted Christians as the above, Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." It is addressed to all believers, under every circumstance of life, whatever may be their age, rank, or condition; and conveys support and comfort to them under every trial and sorrow to which they are exposed. Those indeed who are not living under the influence of Christian principles, who are not making the salvation of their souls the primary object in life, cannot regard afflictions in the light of fatherly chastisements, sent to wean their hearts from this world, and to fix them on a better and happier one; they cannot understand the comfort which may be derived from "casting all their care upon God." But to those who have been mercifully awakened to a sense of the danger of living and dying in an unconverted state, who have fled for refuge to Jesus the Saviour of sinners, I may in confidence affirm, that under whatever afflictions and sorrows you now labour, God in truth "careth for

you." Even the troubles you are at this time experiencing, are proofs of his paternal love. He chastens you for your profit, and his precious promise is your's, that" all things shall work together for good to those who love God." Are you mourning for sin? Have you discovered the deep depravity and corruption of your hearts? Do you see the exceeding sinfulness of sin? and do you hate and loathe it as offending against so pure, so holy a God? Oh then "cast your care upon him, for he careth for you.” He has sent his only and beloved Son to take our nature upon him, and to expiate our sins by an agonizing and ignominious death on the

cross.

"He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance, to seek and save those who feel their sins, and own themselves as totally unworthy and helpless in his sight. Come then to this precious fountain which is opened for sin and uncleanness, here you may "wash and be clean," and find pardon and peace.

Some go mourning all their days, because they cannot clearly discover their title to everlasting blissnor really believe that the blood of Christ can wash their sins away. They can trust their earthly con

cerns to their heavenly Father, but they cannot so surely trust their immortal interests in his hands. To such I would say, Have you really been awakened to a sense of your sins? Do you truly feel that you deserve nothing but God's wrath and indignation? And have you in deep humility fled for refuge to Jesus our all-sufficient Redeemer ? If so, away with your doubts and fears. Be assured that what he has promised, he is able also to perform; and that He who has begun a good work in you, will continue it to the end. But do not suppose that your feelings are to be always the same; it is needful for you sometimes to be in doubt, that you may give more diligence "to make your calling and election sure." While you sojourn in the flesh, you will be subject to constant variations; but the safety of your soul does not depend on your feelings, but on that "God who cannot lie." Life is a constant warfare; "the Spirit lusteth against the flesh," and "the flesh against the Spirit." Relax not then your exertions; but continaully apply afresh for the pardon of your sins, and the sanctifying influences of God's Holy Spirit; pray for that 'peace which passeth all understanding;" and trust the rest in his hands, who will give you that degree of comfort and assurance which is best for you.

But, perhaps, your earthly prospects are blighted, and you are overwhelmed with disappointment and grief: yet still remember, "God careth for you." He has disappointed your earthly hopes that your affections may be more firmly fixed in heaven. You have "" no abiding city here," but seek "one to come;" and that is indeed a blessing which makes your progress there more easy and sure.

He says,

"Give me thine heart," How can you obey this solemn injunction, if your hopes and affections are fixed below? He has shown his paternal

love for you in the manner most suited to your need, "Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." Wait in humble faith and patience, and you will find that your present chastening will yield afterward the peaceable fruit of right

eousness.

Perhaps you grieve for those who are taken away from you; relatives or friends, dearer to you than your life, may have been snatched from you by the grasp of death. You may be mourning the companion of your home, a parent, or a child: but if they sleep in Jesus, surely you ought to rejoice that they are safely delivered from the sins and sorrows of this world: and if their loss has left you lonely and desolate, you have a friend in Him, who has promised that he will never leave thee or forsake thee." Recollect that " thy Maker is thy husband;" that "he protecteth the fatherless and the widow," and commandeth the desolate to trust in Him." Apply for the consolation he thus promises, by fervent prayer, and be assured, that the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, shall, indeed, dwell in your hearts.

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But, perhaps, you are yourselves in sickness, and the hour of dissolution is drawing nigh. Yet let not this afflict you? Shrink not from death, but "Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you." If, indeed, you have been living by faith in Christ on earth, He will not now desert you. Having "taken away the sting of death, which is sin," He will be with you when you pass through the valley of the shadow of death; when he shall come in glory to judge the quick and the dead, he will place you at his right hand, among those who are washed by his blood, sanctified by His Spirit, and clothed in His righteousness, and so shall you be for ever with the Lord.

FLAVIA.

THE COTTAGE VISITOR.-No. VI.

"Animi improbi semper cruciantur pœnæ timore, quâ aut afficiuntur, aut semper sunt in metu, ne aliquando afficiantur."

"I've seen the sick and ghastly bed Of sin, delirious with its dread."

LORD BYRON.

Death is an event which all are accustomed to regard with anxiety; and though while seen at a distance, it may not present that horrific aspect which on a nearer view it invariably assumes;-yet when the lurid clouds which envelop the "dark valley" begin to gather denser and blacker around us-nature will shudder at the scene, and the dissolving frame will shrink in agony from its tomb.

"It must an awful summons prove

E'en to the best, to leave behind All we have found to cheer and love, In human life, in human kind. Then in the looks of those around, Who never seem'd so dear before; Doubt has a silent answer found,

And feels that earthly hope is o'er. Then spite of fond affection's thrill

That fain would linger, follow fast The dizzy faintness,-sickening chillWhich lead us onward to the last."

There are some characters, however, that while the body trembles at the dismal scene, will rise, in spirit, above the shades which surround them, and realize in the exercise of a scriptural anticipation, that felicity and peace which await them in the regions of eternity. To such, death though awful, is welcome; and the grave, though chill and dark, is the avenue to life and immortality. But alas! how few is the number of those who thus behold a smile upon the frowning forehead of the "king of terrors. To the generality of mankind his steps are surrounded with cheerless clouds, and unalleviated gloom. Do we ask the reason of this? Their

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lives have been devoted to the service of sin; the concerns of their souls have never shared their anxiety;-they have raised their puny arms in rebellion against the majesty of heaven;-they have lived indifferent to his precepts and his threatenings; and have trampled alike upon his justice and his mercy, and now, eternity to them is but the "gulph of perdition : "-Jehovah is clothed in terror as 66 a consuming fire: "-and death is but the officer of justice to drag their guilty spirits to the bar of the Eternal! Well it be said "" of transgressors is hard;"-and though some are so "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" as to roll it like a sweet morsel beneath their tongues, yet there are few who handle the serpent without feeling its deadly sting. The conscience may indeed be lulled into a delusive security; -the soul may be rendered indifferent as to the consequences which iniquity entails;-but there will be seasons when the sinner will perceive his wretchedness and danger ;will taste the bitterness of sin;will feel that "looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversary." But alas! such seasons too often escape unproductive of any salutary influence. The business, the riches, the honours, and the pleasures of this transitory life again engross each anxious thought, and stifle every apprehension of the future; while the interests of the soul, and the concerns of eternity are deferred till age has decayed their feeble frames, and incapacitated them for earthly pleasures:-forgetting that in one moment the paralyzing stroke of death may destroy their hopeful schemes, and close their eyes upon earth for ever! How often do we find the busy worldling arrested in his course, by sickness and death-

and then his neglected soul assumes its vast importance, and eternity is clothed in all its terrors. How often does the sinner proceed in his rebellious course, hardening himself against GOD, and stifling the convictions of conscience, till he only wakens from his lethargy to realize the horrors of despair!

Of these remarks the reader will find some illustration in the following narrative:

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About five years ago, a person arrived in D and took lodgings in a decent cottage situated a little distance from the turnpike road. What were his circumstances? What is he? and from whence did he come? were questions universally asked, but to which no satisfactory solution could be given. Many a conjecture was offered, and many a conclusion was made, by the more sagacious and penetrating members of the little rustic community; but notwithstanding the gravity of their debates, the multiplicity of their conjectures, and in some instances the probability of their conclusions, the truth continued as obscure as ever, and all their wisest speculations terminated in this "we know not whence he is."

Company of all kinds the stranger invariably shunned, and if ever he wandered amid the beauties of creation, it was only in some sequestered spot where the voice of humanity was seldom heard, and the footsteps of man were seldom impressed. No marvel then, that in an obscure village where every passing event is made the subject of loquacious debate, and the most trivial circumstance is magnified into a most unaccountable wonder, such a character was enveloped in mystery, and regarded with a mingled feeling of suspicion and fear.

Once indeed I had seen him, but from the hurried manner in which he passed me, I was unable to retain any distinct remembrance JAN. 1826.

of his features and appearance, and as objects are frequently considered interesting in proportion as they are mysterious, I confess that I was not much inferior to my neighbours in curiosity as to the character of the individual and the cause of his seclusion.

One evening however I was walking on the ridge of a little hill not far from D, contemplating with wonder the magnificent scene which stretched around me. It was one of those beautiful summer evenings which after a cloudless day is fanned by the cool refreshing breeze, while wearied nature courts its "sweet restorer," and gradually sinks into stillness and repose. The scene the poet describes was then before

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And swam majestic thro' the vault serene.

The sun set beautifully o'er the scene, And cast a lingering ray on plant and flower,

Whose pensile heads of amber and of green

Look'd as if weeping that the day was o'er."

The prospect was indeed lovely, diversified, and extensive. The woods were clothed in their richest summer's garb; the burdened meadows, waved in the gentle breeze, and hill and vale appeared to smile their last farewell to the declining sun. Such a scene could not but cause me to sing with the Psalmist, "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing."

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Suddenly my attention was arrested by the appearance of the very individual who is the subject of this

D

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