It was the commemoration of the Hegira; and our Mahomedan rowers, dressed in white, were singing hymns all the way to the honor of Mahomet. Here was another abomination. B*** sat beside me, and we had a long conversation, and for some time went on very well. I cleared away error, as I thought, very fast; and, when the time was come, I stated in a few words the Gospel. The reply was, that "I was not speaking to the purpose; that for his part, he could not see what more could be necessary than simply to tell mankind they must be sober and honest." I turned away, and, with a deep sigh, cried to God to interfere in behalf of his Gospel: for in the course of one hour, I had seen three shocking mementos of the reign and power of the Devil, in the form of Popish and Mahomedan delusion, and that of the natural man. I never felt so strongly what a nothing I am. All my clear arguments are good for nothing; unless the Lord stretch out his hand, I speak to stones. I felt, however, no way discouraged, but only saw the necessity of dependance on God."

After little more than a fortnight, the fleet sailed, whilst many a grateful recollection filled the breast, and many a fervent prayer ascended doubtless from the heart of Mr. Martyn, in behalf of Sennor and Sennora Corrè: from them he had received signal kindness and hospitality; and of them it might not perhaps be too much to observe, 'that not forgetful to entertain strangers, they had entertained an angel

"I have been with

my

friend Antonio,

unawares." said he "as a wayfaring man that tarrieth but for a night; yet hath the Lord put it into his heart to send me on after a goodly sort. And now we prosecute our voyage: a few more passages, and I shall find myself in the scene of my ministry; a few more changes and journies, and I am in eternity."

As the time approached for the soldiers to take the field, Mr. Martyn's anxiety for their eternal welfare increased; and as a proof of it, he set apart a day for fasting, humiliation, and intercession for them, as well as for all who were in the ship. But he did not intercede for them, he observed, as being himself righteous, but chose rather to humble himself with them as a sinner; earnestly crying to God in contrition, and abasement of soul.-At this solemn juncture, he began to read and expound to his auditors the holy Scriptures exclusively; and after some consideration respecting the propriety of such a step, he determined not to suffer them to part without prayer to the Lord, as well as singing his praises. Such a procedure, he was well aware, would put the faith of his hearers, as well as his own in some measure, to a strong and trying test. Above, obloquy and contempt might be expected: below, noise and clamor and scoffs, He nevertheless persisted in his purpose, resolving, as the line of duty seemed to be clear, to pursue it steadily, and calmly commit all consequences to God. "To kneel in prayer," he remarked in a letter to a friend,

"before a considerable number of lookers on, some working, others scoffing, was a painful cross to my poor people at first. But they received strength according to their day; and now the song of us all is, 'Thou hast prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies." "

The unhealthy state of the ship's company, from Dysentery, at this period of the voyage, was another call on Mr. Martyn's pastoral assiduity—a call to which he evinced no backwardness to attend. Often was he to be found by the beds of the sick, administering to them every temporal and spiritual comfort til at length he was himself seized by that contagious disorder. His illness was not of long duration, but was such as to make him think seriously of death, and employ himself in the most solemn self-examination. On which occasion, he had so much delight and joy in the consideration of heaven and of his assured title to it, that he was more desirous of dying than living-not that it was any one thing that he had done, (he remarks,) that gave him substantial reason for thinking himself in Christ-it was the bent of his affections and inclinations towards God, and the taste he had for holy pleasures and holy employments, which convinced him that he was born of God.

No sooner had he recovered from this attack, than he was again at his post, kneeling beside the hammocks of the dying. And amongst those who then required and received his faithful offices, was

the Captain of the ship, whose illness, though of a different kind from the prevailing one, was highly dangerous, and quickly terminated in his dissolution.

And now as the year was drawing to a close, and the last Sabbath of it was come; Mr. Martyn addressed his hearers from 2 Pet. iii, 11;-"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness;" in reference to their having left England-to their having passed through so many perils-to their being, many of them, about to meet an enemy in the field-and to the death of their Captain. His own mind, which could not but be in an exceedingly serious frame, was also in a state of the purest joy, and most perfect peace. "Separated," said he, "from my friends and country for ever, there is nothing to distract me from hearing the 'voice of my beloved,' and coming away from this world, and walking with him in love, amidst the flowers that perfume the air of paradise, and the harmony of the happy, happy saints who are singing his praise. Thus hath the Lord brought me to the conclusion of the year; and though I have broken his statutes, and not kept his commandments; yet he hath not utterly taken away his loving kindness, nor suffered his truth to fail I thought, at the beginning of the year, I should have been in India at this time, if I should have escaped all the dangers of the climate. These dangers are yet to come; but I can leave all cheer

fully to God. If I am weary of any thing, it is of my life of sinfulness. I want a life of more devotion and holiness; and yet am so vain, as to be expecting the end without the means. I am far from regretting, that I ever came on this delightful work; were I to choose for myself, I could scarcely find a situation more agreeable to my taste. On, therefore, let me go, and persevere steadily in this blessed undertaking; through the grace of God dying daily to the opinions of men, and aiming, with a more single eye, at the glory of the everlasting God."

On the 2nd of January, 1806, whilst Mr. Martyn was in the act of commending his flock to God in prayer, the High Lands of the Cape became visible at eighty miles distance; and doubtless they were not seen without exciting the strongest emotions in many hearts: numbers there were soon to assemble, who should meet no more till all nations were gathered before the tribunal of Christ.

On the 3d, the fleet anchored, and the signal was instantly given for the soldiers to prepare to land. But how then was Mr. Martyn's holy and affectionate soul grieved, to witness the dreadful levity concerning death, which almost universally prevailed! "It was," said he, "a melancholy scene. I could speak to none of my people but to Corporal B *** and ***. I said also to Sergeant G*** 'it is now high time to be decided in religion.' He replied