THE PILOT, OR SAILORS' MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES. FOR FEBRUARY, 1837. TESTIMONY AND SUGGESTIONS OF A BETHEL TEMPERANCE CAPTAIN. "SAILORS" may become most efficient "missionaries," as we find assured and proved in a valuable paper from the "CHRISTIAN KEEPSAKE AND MISSIONARY ANNUAL for 1837," given in our PILOT for January. Every review of the subject shows, with increasing evidence, the vast importance of labouring to promote their moral and religious welfare, by diffusing among that immense class of the community the saving knowledge of Christ. America, as an increasingly commercial country, is interested in this great subject, as well as Great Britain: and, happily, many of the Christians in America have entered upon this department of sacred service and enterprise in a manner truly honourable to their profession of belief in the doctrines of Divine Revelation. Much has already been done in this noble work, both in Great Britain and America; and it would be seriously criminal not to acknowledge this to the praise and glory of God; but far more still remains to be accomplished. Both what has been done, and what is necessary to be effected, will receive some striking illustrations from the following letter, addressed to the Editor, and recently delivered in person, by Mr. John C. Hoyt, commander of the American barque "Oberlin." It was written by request, made when that gentleman was in London, in May, 1835, on his way to China, that the " testimony and suggestions" of an American, of Captain Hoyt's high character and large experience, might afford both instruction VOL. IV. D and encouragement to the Directors of the "British and Foreign Sailors' Society." April 30, 1836. At a late hour, yet I trust not so late but that the information will come acceptable to you, I sit down to write to you agreeably to my promise. When I was last in London (May, 1835), you requested me to give you some remarks, arising from my own observations of religion amongst seamen. I do not wish to exaggerate, neither do I wish to exult; and feeling, as I do, a very great interest in the Societies formed to give religious instruction to seamen, I am willing to comply with the request of one like yourself, who has employed so much time and labour that the cause of seamen may be brought before the public. How faithfully Rev. Mr. Marks wrote for us, to awaken the sympathies of all classes, and to cause them to come forward and assist the Societies to do their work more effectually. The Bible Society, and the Sunday School, Missionary Society, and others, are certainly all established for the promotion of piety. And every one who believes that the Gospel is to be made known to every creature, and feels a desire to do something by way of bringing this to pass, cannot employ his talents or money better than to assist in the good work of making Missionaries of Seamen. It will be quite superfluous for me to bring forward testimonies as to what injury is done to the Missionary cause by the irreligious conduct of the crews of ships visiting their stations: this has been made known by the Missionaries themselves. How is it possible for persons to believe it so much their duty to give money and influence to the Missionary Society, and nothing, names excepted, for the Seamen's Society? I say to you, what some will perhaps suppose may be saying too much, that there is no better Society formed than one for the conversion of Seamen; and as the Missionary and Seamen's Societies are closely connected in design, why not let the Sailors' Society have a share of the money raised? If seamen become what they want the heathen to be, Christians, they will then be useful in bringing about the words of the Bible, that the knowledge of Christ shall be made known to every creature. Some may say, that there are Societies formed, and these have been in operation for some years, and what has been done? Not so much as we could wish; yet by the means of these societies many seamen have been reclaimed from the ways of wickedness, and made good members of society and good Christians. In 1816, when I first went on board of a ship, as cabin-boy, it was difficult to find a seaman who was a religious man; and it was thought to be something strange if a religious captain could be found, and much more so if he observed the Sabbath-day. If he had prayers on board he was called a "methodist parson," or something of the kind. Thanks be to God, the Seamen's Society and the many prayers offered for us have been the means, with God's blessing, of changing this state of things. It is now no uncommon thing to find religious captains, mates, and seamen in almost every port; and I can say that I have found the cause of Christ increasing in every port. I find either some who are religious, or trying to be so. First they begin by respecting the Sabbath-day, and prohibiting swearing on board. When the Rev. E. Stevens first began to preach at Whampoa, Canton, he found it often very difficult to get a ship to receive him. I am pleased to say that such is no longer the case, as he now finds the kindest reception on board many vessels; and this is very evident from his list of ships; and last year the captain of some English ship, made him a present of a superbly bound Bible. I trust the time is not far distant when you will from our mother country, follow our example, and send out good and pious men to preach to seamen. It is true that at Canton, as well as other ports, the English ships respect the Sabbath-day; and on board most of the large ships the Church of England service is read to the men. I do not like to refer to the troubles you have had about the different Societies, so will only say that I trust yet to see the Church and Dissenters' Society in one, then you will go on yet I must say there is plenty for all to do. I feel very thankful for the union and good feeling that exists in America as regards the Seamen's Society; you may depend, Sir, that it must be brought often before congregations, they must hear about the Society more frequently than once a year; and if you get them to adopt the plan of our Society, every member for life subscribes 20 dollars, every director for life 50 dollars; and if each society would make their Minister a director by collecting a little at a time, it would make a round sum every year, and then the Ministers would not forget their duty to the Society. And if a man could be obtained free from prejudice to go round the country as agent, and to preach for the Society, one that would do his duty and let others alone, be guarded and careful, you would be much benefited. Is there no old sailor that is capable of this duty? I wish your Society every success, and I hope you will manage some way at least to keep up preaching and prayer-meetings in London. And the Loan Library is an excellent plan. The box I received from your Society last May, I shall send to you by the first good chance. The books have been read with much interest; and in behalf of my officers and crew I thank your Society for their kindness in supplying us with so many useful works, to assist us in giving sound religious information to our men. On my passage out we fitted up a place for worship on the second deck, at 8 at night, and service on the Sabbath-day; having had three besides myself to take part, it was a delightful duty. My first and second officers are pious men; and for a "cold water ship" I think, and have no hesitation in saying, we are very happy. For the last six years I have not had a drop of ardent spirits on board. No, I never will have, for myself or ship's company; and I hope yet to see this plan in all your ships-some are so now. It is now too late for me, as my paper is full, to make any apology for the length of these hurried remarks. I remain, I trust, A converted Sailor, JOHN C. HOYT. P. S. I have not spoken of my crew, as I do not wish to boast; yet I cannot refrain from saying to those Gentlemen and Ladies who are friends to the spiritual interest of seamen, and who have faith to believe that God's words will come to pass, that "the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto him;" I wish they could have seen and heard what has been witnessed among seamen, and among my own crew. We had, yes and we have now, the Spirit of God with us, and we are rejoicing to see three not ashamed of the Lord and Saviour since we rounded the Cape of Good Hope; and I yet hope to see every man and boy in the ship enjoying religion; and this is not by my exertion, it is the work of the Lord, and to him be all the praise, for he has heard the many prayers that are offered up for those whose business is on the mighty deep. I trust yet to see rich and influential men in England and America stirred up to assist the Societies that are formed to give religious instruction to seamen. |